I added baffles around the lift fan to block the air from coming right back up next to the duct. This fixes the problem of a round peg in a square hole. I also added a panel on the front to help strengthen the cockpit structure. Below is a timelapse.
You can see the 4 corners glued into place such that the air will not be able to flow back up the corners around the fan duct.
While I was at it I also glued and stapled the small spacer pieces which hold the fan up above the top of the fan housing.
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| The engine mount spacer block freshly stapled and glued with the corner baffles also recently installed. |
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| Reinforcement at the front. |
I also cut a piece for one of the sides, but I realized it would impinge on my ability to access the engine bolts so some affordances will need to be added before adding it as well as the matching one on the other side.
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| A close up of the corner baffle. I ran some extra expoxy along the edge to help protect it from wear since the unsupported plywood felt a little vulnerable. |
