KRNetters; Well, I attained my goals for my Turtledeck: 1.) Lighter than the Premolded Rand Turtledeck 2.) Structurally stiff as the Fuselage Skin or better 3.) Installed before Christmas Break.
I had originally planned on using the Rand Premolded T-Deck, but was unable to because the person I bought my project from made the boat 2 inches wider. So rather than split a Rand parts in two, and then "scab" in filler, I decided to build my own aft deck, forward deck and canopy frame. I ordered a 2 inch wider canopy from Todd's and recieved it Mid-October. Since I'm a smaller person (5'7")and my wife is smaller than me, I decided that I could lower the top of the canopy in order to get air over the tail sooner. I'm building a tail-dragger, so the sooner I can get Tail Authority, the better. Unfortunately, if you are "Bubba-sized", you won't fit. I also ordered the canopy medium dark tinted because of the main mission of theis airplane is Day-time VFR. We all have experienced what it's like to fly in a hot cockpit during the bright sunshine beating down on you. I'll also have the added UV protection for the interior. The T-Deck final weight is 5 lbs 14oz. which was right-on what my estimate was. The Rand parts are 2 inches narrower, and weigh on the average of 9 LBS. OK, Goal #1 accomplished. I tested the panel stiffness by placing a 1/4 inch drive 6 inch extension on a spring scale, and pressed in until I got .090 deflection of the plywood in the center of each "bay". 18 lbs average on the spring scale. I then tested my T-Deck in the same fashion: 20 lbs. average on the same spring scale. So now my Installed T-Deck actually tested Stiffer than the Plywood Skin of the fuselage. OK, Goal #2 accomplished Albeit today I'm a bit sleep deprived, I finished the installation up about 12:30 AM this morning. OK, Goal #3 accomplished also! When I brought the T-Deck upstairs to install it, my wife asked "I wonder if that Cardboard template still fits"? OOOH, Gez, I forgot about that, Hmmm, Well let's hold it up and see? She next accused me of using the template as a sanding guide when we fitted it up in front of the "roll-hoop"! Whew! Just lucky I guess! I wanted to take this opportunity to Thank and encourage Dan Heath for all the help and kind words over the last couple of months. Dan has posted pictures of my Turtledeck Progress at: http://kr-builder.org/ScottCable/index.html I'll send somemore photos as soon as they get developed! Next is the Canopy Frame, Glareshield and Forward Deck. ===== Scott Cable KR-2S # 735 Wright City, MO s2cab...@yahoo.com __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing. http://photos.yahoo.com/
