When I last posted on the build I had just prepared the plan for the fuselage sheeting. I rough cut the 4 sheets to match the dimensions of the stringers and then wetted the sheets. A little blue painter’s tape and it was ready for an overnight sit (picture1).

When I got to the project this morning, I removed the dry, shaped sheeting and started with the hatch. I opted to do each side (like the instructions called for) instead of creating one large sheet and putting it on all at once. For me, the way SIG recommends is easier… once I finished the hatch (picture2 and picture3), I moved onto the rest of the forward fuse and sheeted it, just like I did the hatch. This method does require careful measuring so your sheets match up in the center, but I find it easier to lay down the glue. I opted to use medium CA for these tasks. The holding power meant I could “glue n go”. Just remember to keep the CA on the inside as it’s a bear to sand.

I used a slightly different technique on the back sheeting. The very back (toward F8) gets very narrow and difficult to bend (even after the sheeting was formed overnight). I opted to lock down the bottom of the sheeting on the fuse side first (picture5). Once the CA cured, I went back in, added CA to the stringers and formers and folded it down onto the structure. This method kept the bottom of the sheeting from pulling free and causing a major pain. Okay, this is really starting to look like a plane now!


Picture1 – Sheeting wetted and strapped on with tape
Picture2 – Completed hatch, viewed on the fuselage
Picture3 – Completed hatch, off the fuselage
Picture4 – Completed forward fuselage canvas
Picture5 – Back sheeting bottom CA’d into place on Fuse side. This technique worked well.
Picture6 – Sheeted fuse (hatch removed). You’ll notice I already added some filler in problem spots, and cutout the cockpit area