Posted for "Robert Pastusek" <rpastusek@htii.com>:

Bill Wade asked about pre-prep and startup work on his IV-P kit. My
information goes back to 1999, so consider the source and date, but here
goes:

I haven't weighed them, but I'd estimate the wings at between 100-130 pounds
each, without flaps, ailerons and wingtips. It probably doesn't hurt them to
lay them down flat on something, but even the slightly curved tops attract
all sorts of things over time that can damage them. We built a roll-around
rack to hold the wings together leading edge down, and moved them around as
needed. Any mechanical work on them is pretty easy to do while in this
cradle as well. Picture attached. I also hung them along the wall of the
hangar at one time when I wasn't going to use/work on them for some time.
The big deal is to protect them from damage over time. They are pretty
tough, but any damage at all is difficult and time consuming to fix.

I've also attached an article on the "rotisserie" that we built for fuselage
construction. A true time-saver, and well worth the effort in my opinion. I
did not ever mount my fuselage in the cradle specified in the Lancair
building manual, but did almost all the construction while it was on the
rotisserie. I also built an 18" by 42" low platform from 2x4's with a
plywood top and heavy duty casters. Retract the gear and set the main spar
box over the platform. You'll still have to support the tail, but this
configuration puts the fuselage right down on the floor (cabin door off,
BTW) and is great for getting in and out of the cabin 5000 times..

Hope this helps.

Bob

[Bob, thanks for sharing.  Your rotisserie document was a bit large to send along with a typical LML distribution so I've taken the liberty of making the file available on the LML website.  It now resides on the "Tools & Jacks" page, accessible from the LML website menu.  You can also access the page directly by going to www.lancaironline.net/lmltools.html.  The document is at the bottom of the page (or should appear there shortly).  I've also shrunken your photos a bit and have attached them to this post.  Thanks again.   <marv>     ]