Bubble door option

[Flyboy66]

Thanks Gary. Are you building, or is your Kitfox flying?

Steve

[fathom]

Hi David
I have a 90's Vixen and a couple of years ago converted to full view doors. I purchased material from aviation dept in Home Depot. With a lot of care and a good heat gun managed to bend the material in order to get a good fits all around the perimeter frame. Used double sided tape and self tapping screws for attachment.
It is no wider than before but provides clear viewing and does not interfere with wing tank valves. I believe the Vixen is the same width as S7.
The material is pretty cheap and worth a try if you have the time!
Cheers Don

Do you have any pictures of the result? Curious about doing something similar...

[colospace]

Thanks Gary. Are you building, or is your Kitfox flying?

Steve

Steve, I am still building, but I do have 98% of the plane up at the hangar as of last Friday. I am working on the lift and jury (thanks Lowell) strut fairings currently.

[David47]

Hi David
I have a 90's Vixen and a couple of years ago converted to full view doors. I purchased material from aviation dept in Home Depot. With a lot of care and a good heat gun managed to bend the material in order to get a good fits all around the perimeter frame. Used double sided tape and self tapping screws for attachment.
It is no wider than before but provides clear viewing and does not interfere with wing tank valves. I believe the Vixen is the same width as S7.
The material is pretty cheap and worth a try if you have the time!
Cheers Don

Thanks Don. I'm semi-retired so I definitely have the time. Might just give this a try.

[kitfox2009]

HI guys
I'll try and remember to take some pics. If the weather cooperates I'll be flying gain tomorrow.
Don

[jrevens]

Don and David,

If the Vixen doors are basically the same as the Super Sport, then the standard "flat" plastic panels (polycarbonate/Lexan) have a simple straight bend in the middle to make the panel follow the contour of the frame. That bend can be simply cold-bent in a sheet metal bending brake, or a press brake... no heat required. I'm sure that is how the factory bends them. Very easy if you have access to a brake. The stuff is very tough... you'd be hard-pressed to make it crack, even if you were trying.

[David47]

Thanks John. I have some spare material so I'll give that a try. Don't have a brake press but I'm good at adapting things !!

[kitfox2009]

Here are a few pics of my Vixen doors. Been a couple of years now and seem to be fine. You can see a bit of fuel stain from the non ethenol marked premium fuel that I use . Probably from open door hitting the drain.
Last pic shows my low budget access hatch to the rear cargo bag, Ideal for light items like sleeping bag, sun covers, dried food emergency rations,etc.

[kitfox2009]

Also made up these flapperon control wind stop pieces with some of the left over material. These pretty much seal the drafts in this area. Easy to install as well.
That's about it for low budget mods.
Cheers
Don

[David47]

Thanks for the photos Don. You've made some nice mods to your plane. Decided I'm going to have a go at making my own bubble door as you have. I also like that piano hinged side access door to the baggage area, and the split turtledeck, similar to what John Evens has done. Very useful mods.