Turtledeck Slot Seal

[aviator79]

Something to consider for new builders: If you hinge the turtledeck, you don't need the slots at all.

[jrevens]

If you do the hinge like I did, I think you still need to slot the opening if you want to be able to remove the entire turtledeck to fold the wings, etc. in fact, even to get it on initially, unless you want to remove the flaperons first.

[jrevens]

Thinking about it a little more, you may be right, Brian. A single cut on both sides, in the right place, would probably do it. Good thinking! I guess the reason I didn't even think about it is because I already had the slots cut when I came up with my hinge installation.

[aviator79]

I talked to Brandon about it a bit. I think its possible. Much easier if you have not yet installed the flaperons. I'm going to use the two inboard hinges (one from each wing) bolted to the two inboard brackets on a single wing to guide a dowel that will locate the hole on the turtledeck. I think the cut downward from the hole should be tangent to the front of the hole. That should allow the front of the turtledeck to rotate down into position just like it would with a notch. When I get to it, I'll try to photo document it.

[aviator79]

I apologize if this is a thread hijack, but here's an illustration of what I'm thinking.

[jrevens]

Exactly... but you want to be sure that the angle of the cut allows you to lift up the rear edge of the assembly and shift it back enough to clear the rear edge of the skylight and the flaperon tubes. In other words, just like the "normal" slot would be but not making the rear cut. I found that a straight cut at the proper angle worked well, instead of the curved cut shown in the book.