Overview:

Pioneer Aero's Nigel Lowen has largely been responsible for rebuilding the SBD's lower rear fuselage since work on this major airframe subassembly began in the spring of 2025. With most of its fuselage frames refurbished and re-installed in the purpose-built jig, and much of the internal structure rebuilt, Lowen could now turn his attention to the stringers and skins.

A drawing of the SBD's lower fuselage with callout numbers referencing each of the skin panels—referred to in the drawing as "plates". Callouts 13 & 14 refer to Skins #28 & #29 (28 being from the lefthand side of the fuselage, while 29 is its opposite from the righthand side). Callouts 26, 27 & 28 refer to Skins #42, #44 & #46 respectively—these lying on the aircraft's belly. The above-mentioned skins were in the process of being remanufactured at the time this article was written. (image from page 18 of the A-24B Illustrated Parts Manual)
A drawing of the SBD's lower fuselage with callout numbers referencing each of the skin panels—referred to in the drawing as "plates". Callouts 13 & 14 refer to Skins #28 & #29 (28 being from the lefthand side of the fuselage, while 29 is its opposite from the righthand side). Callouts 26, 27 & 28 refer to Skins #42, #44 & #46 respectively—these lying on the aircraft's belly. The above-mentioned skins were in the process of being remanufactured at the time this article was written. (image from page 18 of the A-24B Illustrated Parts Manual)
This view shows most of the restored, original fuselage frames (from #11 through #16) and stringers from B-22’s lower rear fuselage mounted back on the jig. The now-airworthy stringers have been clecoed to the frames to verify that their curves follow the contours of the fuselage correctly. Some sections of original skin have also been clecoed in to help locate the stringers in their proper places. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
This view shows most of the restored, original fuselage frames (from #11 through #16) and stringers from B-22’s lower rear fuselage mounted back on the jig. The now-airworthy stringers have been clecoed to the frames to verify that their curves follow the contours of the fuselage correctly. Some sections of original skin have also been clecoed in to help locate the stringers in their proper places. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

Stringers & Skins:

As the image above reveals, many of B-22's refurbished original stringers have been clecoed to the fuselage frames to verify whether their curves follow the fuselage contours correctly.  Some of the new skins have been marked out and cut as well. These will be matched drilled using the original skins and structure as a guide. Not present in the above image are the two heavy-duty keel stringers to which the arrestor hook attaches. These stringers (see below) required some tweaking to correct for minor kinks resulting from the SBD's wartime crash.

A view of the keel stringers resting on the lower fuselage jig awaiting their turn for trial-fitting. These original B-22 components have been bead-blasted, inspected, and had minor corrosion removed. The SBD’s wartime crash induced slight distortions into their profile, but a little gentle fettling returned them to the correct shape, after which they were primer-painted and ready for trial-fitting. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A view of the keel stringers resting on the lower fuselage jig awaiting their turn for trial-fitting. These original B-22 components have been bead-blasted, inspected, and had minor corrosion removed. The SBD’s wartime crash induced slight distortions into their profile, but a little gentle fettling returned them to the correct shape, after which they were primer-painted and ready for trial-fitting. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A view of two original skins from the SBD’s aft lower fuselage and their replacements part way through remanufacture. Skins #28 (bottom) and #29 sit in the same location on opposite sides of the aircraft. They lie laterally between Fuselage Frames #8 and #13 and vertically between stringer positions #6 and #8. The cut out on Skin #28 marks the lower part of the baggage door opening. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A view of two original skins from the SBD’s aft lower fuselage and their replacements part way through remanufacture. Skins #28 (bottom) and #29 sit in the same location on opposite sides of the aircraft. They lie laterally between Fuselage Frames #8 and #13 and vertically between stringer positions #6 and #8. The cut out on Skin #28 marks the lower part of the baggage door opening. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
This image shows original Skins #44 (center) and #42 alongside the sections of aluminum sheet which will become their replacements. These skins sit on the SBD’s belly. Skin #44 lies laterally between Fuselage Frames #10 and #13 and matches up with Stringer positions #14 on each side of the fuselage. Skin #42 lies laterally between Fuselage Frames #13 and #16, with the other edges attaching at Stringer position #12 on each side of the fuselage. The cut outs along one side of Skin #44 mark the lower part of the flare tube door openings (lower), whilst the notches at one end of each skin make room for the arrestor hook mount. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
This image shows original Skins #44 (center) and #42 alongside the sections of aluminum sheet which will become their replacements. These skins sit on the SBD’s belly. Skin #44 lies laterally between Fuselage Frames #10 and #13 and matches up with Stringer positions #14 on each side of the fuselage. Skin #42 lies laterally between Fuselage Frames #13 and #16, with the other edges attaching at Stringer position #12 on each side of the fuselage. The cut outs along one side of Skin #44 mark the lower part of the flare tube door openings (lower), whilst the notches at one end of each skin make room for the arrestor hook mount. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
This image shows the original Skin #46 sitting to the left of the section of aluminum sheet which will become its replacement. Skin #46 sits on the SBD’s belly, lying laterally between Fuselage Frames #9 & #10, with the other edge attaching to the airframe at Stringer positions #12 on each side of the fuselage. The circular cut outs provide ports for two of the three IFF recognition lights. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
This image shows the original Skin #46 sitting to the left of the section of aluminum sheet which will become its replacement. Skin #46 sits on the SBD’s belly, lying laterally between Fuselage Frames #9 & #10, with the other edge attaching to the airframe at Stringer positions #12 on each side of the fuselage. The circular cut outs provide ports for two of the three IFF recognition lights. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A view of the sheet aluminum which will form the replacement for Skin #46. Areas of the original skin which remain undistorted will serve as a direct template for drilling off the replacement skins. However, where that is impossible, the requisite holes will likely be back-drilled from the internal structure, or marked out using the manufacturing drawings for hole positioning. All of the holes had been marked out in pen on the blank at time this image was captured, with drilling being the next step of the manufacturing process. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A view of the sheet aluminum which will form the replacement for Skin #46. Areas of the original skin which remain undistorted will serve as a direct template for drilling off the replacement skins. However, where that is impossible, the requisite holes will likely be back-drilled from the internal structure, or marked out using the manufacturing drawings for hole positioning. All of the holes had been marked out in pen on the blank at time this image was captured, with drilling being the next step of the manufacturing process. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)

Diaphragm Reassembly:

As described in Update #96, Lowen had to remanufacture several parts of the diaphragm assembly straddling Fuselage Frame #9. With these parts now fabricated, trial-fitted and primer painted, Will Lowen was able to begin reassembly of the new components and refurbished originals.

A view of the lower diaphragm section (forward face) for Fuselage Frame #9 during its reassembly process. The bare metal bracket just visible at the middle of the rail channel running laterally across the diaphragm’s center is the lower mounting point for the gunner's seat and machine gun tilt control mechanism. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)
A view of the lower diaphragm section (forward face) for Fuselage Frame #9 during its reassembly process. The bare metal bracket just visible at the middle of the rail channel running laterally across the diaphragm’s center is the lower mounting point for the gunner's seat and machine gun tilt control mechanism. (image via Pioneer Aero Ltd.)