While working on the aileron push rod assemblies, I decided to also tackle the elevator push rods as a lot of the work involved in drilling the ends is identical across the different push rod assemblies. Once again, I made use of several different 3D printed drill guides to ensure that holes were accurately placed, but otherwise drilling these push rods and ends was straightforward.
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| 3D printed drill guide for drilling the 1/16" safety wire hole in the forward elevator pushrod end |
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| Forward elevator pushrod end drilled for rivets and safety wire |
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| Within the pushrod end, the safety wire hole runs just above the threaded portion |
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| Mid elevator pushrod ends are held in place by 8 rivets rather than the 6 used for other push rod assemblies |
I then started working on the Elevator Idler Arm assembly, first creating a spacer that sits between the left and right idler arms.
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| Elevator idler arm spacer cut to size and initial hole drilled 1/4" in from one end. The remaining 2 holes are match drilled from the idler arms |
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| Elevator idler arm parts deburred and ready for priming and assembly |
After priming all parts, I attached rod ends and riveted the elevator idler arm together. Parts were then set aside for atttachment to the fuselage at a later time.
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| Aileron push rods with rod ends attached, and elevator idler arm riveted |
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| Elevator push rod ends riveted using MSP-42 rivets, and bearings attached and adjusted for initial length |
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| Note the safety wire hole that was previously drilled into the forward end of the forward elevator push rod |
Dates: December 12 2025 - December 13 2025, January 18 2026, February 19 2026
