AV-8 Harrier

Description of -1006 fairing:  The upper item is the model of a carbon-fiber fairing that is part of an AV-8 Harrier canopy. The lower item is a model of a dual lay-up die that allowed for the fabrication of 2 parts at once. An outline of the finished part is engraved on the surface of the lay-up die to provide a trim line. Material for the die is aluminum and pre-impregnated carbon fiber sheet was used to build up the layers of the fairing. After building up the appropriate number of layers, the die and carbon fiber sheets were enclosed in a vacuum bag and “cooked” in an autoclave.