G-HILZ - the story of our RV8

Building - the wings and fitting them

The wings arrived with the fuselage in two large boxes via a roundabout route from Oregon, USA. We shared the container with some other UK RV builders to save costs. The 'quick build' wings come mostly complete. We pressure tested the fuel tanks and had to mate the wings with the fuselage. Once that had been done, we kept the wings in the box they had arrived in - it was ideal and kept them safely out of the way. Later on, we rivetted the wingtips on and glassed them over so there is no visible join. Wing tip landing lights were installed and the necessary wiring run through the wings. The final stage was right at the end of the build - there are two large wing skins to be rivetted on and that is not easy! Plus, once you've done one rivet....

The story in photos


The fuselage and wings arrived together in big boxes		We took a wing out onto the grass - can't remember why!

Pressure testing the fuel tank		Fitting and aligning the wings - we could just get them both on in the garage...

...but couldn't shut the door! Note the plumb bobs for wing alignment		The wings came in a sturdy box - we cut the sides off and stored them there

Fitting the wing skins at the end of the project - once you've done one rivet...		Half way there - one wing is done!

G-HILZ.co.uk - the story of an RV8

Building - the wings and fitting them

The story in photos

Other RV sites

Other sites we like