FUSELAGE - Belly Section 

Radiator Exhaust & Top Plenum

In this section we will be:

  • Attach flange doublers to L8, L9, and L10 (Sense we are installing a fiberglass belly, we will install doublers after belly has been fit.)
  • Fit & install belly stringers
  • Install Radiator 
  • Build Enclosed Exhaust Plenum


Date Started:   10/31/2018                                                   Total Hours:  66.5 hrs

Status:  Completed

Here is an interesting article on the Original P51 Mustang and  it’s exhaust system:

http://www.historynet.com/in-the-mustangs-wake.htm

10/31/2018 - 5 hrs - Belly has been fitted - now ready to move on to the next steps

10/31/2018 - 

right side view of Belly Fitted

2/3/2018 - 2.5 hrs - worked on lower Bulkheads #9 to allow the FB Belly to fit better

2/3/2018 - 2.5 hrs - fit and cut side stringers for FB Belly.

2/10/2018 - 5 hrs - Worked on lower bulkhead #8 to fit the Radiator.  Cut opening for Radiator.  Had to trim the lower conners of radiator flange to fit.

2/11/2018 - 4 hrs - fit top and bottom for Plenum ducting from L8 to L9

2/17/2018 - 5 hrs - Worked on Plenum sides .

2/18/2018 - 5 hrs - Completed fitting and match drilling Plenum top and sides

2/18/2018 - Front half of Plenum ready to be riveted.

2/18/2018 -

2/24/2018 - 6 hrs - Worked on back half of Plenum adding flanges and fit the top and bottom .

2/25/2018 - 4.5 hrs -  Continue fitting the bottom floor of the back half

3/3/2018 - 5 hrs - Installed nut plates for #10 screws to mount Radiator to bulkhead #8

3/3/2018 - Completed install of Nut plates and Radiator install

3/11/2018 - 4 hrs - made an Inspection panel flange for the floor of the Plenum behind the Radiator. Rivet nut plates to the flange. Had to practices on a couple of pieces.

3/11/2018 - 4 hrs - made an Inspection panel flange for the floor of the Plenum behind the Radiator. Rivet nut plates to the flange. Had to practices on a couple of pieces.

3/11/2018 - Inspection Panel mounting flange glued/riveted to the Plenum floor and Primed.

3/11/2018 - Inspection Panel mounting flange glued/riveted to the Plenum floor and Primed.

3/18/2018 - 4 hrs - made Inspection panel cut out on top of Plenum behind radiator to have access to the radiator hose and clamps.

3/18/2018 - Front view of bulkhead #8

Drilled and ready for adhesive and Rivet.

5/13/2018 - 5 hrs -

Building the Plenum enclosure from Bulhead #9 to Buldhead #10

5/13/2018 - 

Inspection panels installed on top of Exhaust Plenum behind radiator.  This will provide access to the Radiator hose clamps.

11/10/2018 - 4.5 hrs -

Completing the Plenum enclosure from Bulhead #9 to #10.

Final drilled and ready for riveting.

11/10/2018 - Front view of plenum with radiator mounted.

11/10/2018 - 

Another view from the Left side.

11/10/2018 - 

view from Aft end of the Plenum where the exhaust door will start.

11/17/2018 - 4.5 hrs -

Plenum completed with Adhesive and Rivets.

11/17/2018 - 

Plenum Top view

11/17/2018 - 

Front view of completed Plenum

11/17/2018 - 

AFT view of completed Plenum

2/8/2020 - 5 hrs -

Decided to do the final install of the the plenum to the lower bulk heads and install a flange doubler at bulk head #10.

2/8/2010 - 

Another view

Because the belly was too tight of a fit due the stiffness of the completed plenum, I needed to shorten the hight of Bulk head #10.

Since I couldn’t raise it up any more I cut off the flange tabs along the bottom and sides and attached a new flange doubler. this provided just enough to make the fiberglass belly fit.

2/8/2020  - 

Final drilling and deburr of the hat section and bulk heads.

bonded with uralane adhesive and started riveting.

2/8/2020 - 

Another view of the Flange Doubler