scuttle trim and fit

 

A bit of restful R&R in the workshop today,
after a late night finishing some writing for a meeting tomorrow.

Trimmed and fitted my top scuttle. It is getting there.

I wish that tank didn't look quite so much like a knob!
It is bound to get lots of comment.

The back of the scuttle will be trimmed to look just like the back of the rear one, then will be trimmed with beading for marginal safety, mainly against cut fingers (or necks!)

Kingcobra Commission

 Well, here's a turn up! The restorers of  a Kingcobra aeroplane in France have seen my blog and asked if I can wheel panels for their aeroplane! They are going to fly me over with my wheel anvils etc and put me up, wine and dine me and put me to work.

By SDASM Archives - King Cobra Bell P-63A 42-638871,
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38857790

Scuttle 3 - fitting the transition panel

 

Eyeing the arc to decide where to stretch it.

Yesterday this was a flat sheet of aluminium. Now it is arced in both directions.

Adjusting the panel (stretching different areas with the wheeling machine) until finally it fits the arc of the front transition panel.

Flat front (transition panel) fitted to scuttle (At times like this I wish I had some clecos) using dome-headed M5 bolts.

Trimming begins.

Scuttle, part two

 I was being optimistic if I thought I'd finish the scuttle in just a few hours! Have just locked up and it isn't finished yet. But I am very pleased with the progress, nonetheless. I have made a nose section for it, which will blend the tank into the scuttle.

Note the flat section between tank and scuttle, here.

Next time I will finish stretching the front, then trim, drill and rivet that transition section.

Front scuttle fabrication

 

This morning I started the front scuttle. This is the first ever wheeling I have done for a project.  Previously, I have only ever done exercises. I am pleased with progress so far. It should only take a few hours to finish the part.

Folies

 

Graphics by Andrew Boulton

I have been talking to fellow cyclekarter Andrew Boulton, a graphic designer, about wanting a Folies Bergere style logo for the Bédélia and he has been playing with the idea. The car, the French archetypal cyclecar, was designed and built in Paris in 1910 (home of the legendary music-hall) and is regarded by many as a folly - a mad idea.

Also, speaking sentimentally, my late mother's cottage was known as Little Follies, so in a small way this will be a tribute to her. I know she would have approved.

trailer mods

My wonderful trailer was designed for a slightly shorter load than I need it for. The boat-back of my cyclekart sticks out 6" beyond its rear wheels. It will be accommodated in an extension box which I fitted to the trailer today.

What I designed comes in two parts, which I fabricated in my workshop:

1 A wooden box made of scrap ply.
2 A steel frame made with 20mm angle iron, with tabs for securing the box. 

Today I cut the front steel strap, cut a hole in the front, mounted my angle iron frame through the hole and bolted the box to it.

in-place but not fitted

I ran out of time at the hangar today, so need to go back to finish bolting and sealing the unit. But for now I am really pleased with how this went.

One final thing to be done after fully securing the box will be making a steel strap to continue the line around the front, but this will simply be an aesthetic detail.