I am building my 4th Hurrikane. On every kit the first part of the firewall (the one with the tabs) is wide enough that the main firewall has some play side to side. I have been trimming the tabbed firewall piece to get the main firewall to fit snug to the fuse sides. I always wrap the nose with cloth so the fuse will end up wide enough anyway. This is working out OK but, will the fire wall be stronger if I just leave the pieces alone and fill the gaps with epoxy. Everything else fits so well that I am second guessing making the changes. Just wondering what some others are doing?

On the one I had like that I filled the gap on each side with thin plywood.

Denis

I filled the gap on each side with 30 minute epoxy and milled glass. Seems like it will be plenty strong....especially if you are going to glass the nose. Everything else on the kit fit so well, I thought I must have done something wrong. Glad to hear you are all having the same issue

Guys,

Can you send a picture? I not sure what you are referring to. It has been awhile since I built one. Is the gap caused by material thickness? Is it caused by notches being in the wrong location?

Let me know and I can weigh in.

Thanks,

Dan

Dan, the width of the middle firewall is too narrow by approx. 3/32" (if my memory serves me correctly). When you squeeze the fuse sides to the tabbed firewall, the thicker ply that gets glued to the front of it does not contact the fuse sides. Hope that makes sense

I have another one of your kits. I could take a picture of the parts later if it would help

Craig

Dan
Craig said it exactly right. It occurred on the last kit I got from you. The first 3 didn't have a problem.
It is not a problem of material thickness or tab location. It is just the second firewall piece is cut to small.

Denis

INTERESTING!!!!

Those things are not supposed to change. I will check my CAD files and let you know what I find. I understand what you are referring to.

DK

I recently built one of Dan's "Venom's" which is the same airplane as the HurriKane except for the wing saddle. Mine fit just fine. and the pieces are supposed to be exactly the same. Hmmmm.

You said CAD file"s". Maybe the "S" is the problem[sm=wink_smile.gif]

Denis

Guys,

I checked my files and dimensionally they are correct. I am waiting for the file that the laser cutter is using to validate that they are at the same REV.

I will let you know once I have the file.

As far as the gap goes, it isn't the end of the world just a PITA for you. I appologize for this. The best way to handle it for now until I sort this out is to fill the sides with epoxy and glass balls as suggested or to use a strip of wood as a filler. I wouldn't cut down the tabbed former as the front end is very close to nominal per the rules.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Dan