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The team were able to get some time in this evening on the BD-5J Microjet. The focus at this time is to remove the rear upper right hand side fuselage skins, so that we have access to install the required modifications to convert the BD5 from a piston pusher to a jet aircraft. The skins on the BD5 are quite thin and are both bonded with Pro-Seal and mechanically riveted. To remove the skin you need patience and a gentle hand, to ensure the skins are not damaged to due aggressive manipulation.
The rear upper right hand skin has now been removed from the airframe, with just the clean up of the pro-seal left to be completed. We can now proceed with removing the piston drive assembly and prop torque tube and supporting brackets. Once everything has been removed, we will then be in a position to commence the modifications to support the jet thrust tube assembly.
The removal of the upper skin was an absolute pain in the backside and after several days of trying to get the skin to separate, we gave up. The pro-seal proved to be far too effective and we reluctantly ended up cutting the skin and tearing it away from the Pro-Seal using a heat gun and a knife.
The end result was that all the mating surfaces had a thick layer of Pro-Seal that needs cleaning away, so not looking forward to that work.
Disassembly of the drive-shaft assemblies has been started. Everything needs to be removed in preparation for the jet engine mounting modifications.
Need to study the drive system plans to understand how to remove the clutch and sprocket from the drive-shaft.
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