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Thread: Turtledeck Slot Seal

  1. #1
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    Default Turtledeck Slot Seal

    This subject comes up often, and I thought I would post what I did on mine. I
    didn't like the Chicago winter blowing in behind me, so I fabricated these plates
    in about 15 minutes ... I take them out in the summer when the weather here
    turns from Siberia to Cambodia ...

    Jeff
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  2. #2
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Turtledeck Slot Seal

    Simple and effective. Two things I appreciate.


    DesertFox4
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  3. #3
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    Default Re: Turtledeck Slot Seal

    It's not very elegant, but it works well, and it was simple. I was out at the
    airport getting ready for winter, and figured I would post pics since I have seen
    people ask in the past.

    Jeff

  4. #4
    Senior Member aviator79's Avatar
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    Default Re: Turtledeck Slot Seal

    Something to consider for new builders: If you hinge the turtledeck, you don't need the slots at all.
    --Brian
    Flying - S7SS

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    Senior Member jrevens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Turtledeck Slot Seal

    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.
    John Evens
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  6. #6
    Senior Member jrevens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Turtledeck Slot Seal

    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.
    John Evens
    Arvada, CO
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  7. #7
    Senior Member aviator79's Avatar
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    Default Re: Turtledeck Slot Seal

    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.
    --Brian
    Flying - S7SS

  8. #8
    Senior Member aviator79's Avatar
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    Default Re: Turtledeck Slot Seal

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

    --Brian
    Flying - S7SS

  9. #9
    Senior Member jrevens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Turtledeck Slot Seal

    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.
    John Evens
    Arvada, CO
    Kitfox SS7 N27JE
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    Default Re: Turtledeck Slot Seal

    Quote Originally Posted by n85ae View Post
    This subject comes up often, and I thought I would post what I did on mine. I
    didn't like the Chicago winter blowing in behind me, so I fabricated these plates
    in about 15 minutes ... I take them out in the summer when the weather here
    turns from Siberia to Cambodia ...

    Jeff

    I think I need to do something similar since on Friday's flight, my wife was complaining about wind on the back of her neck.
    Bartman
    Retired USAF
    Kitfox 5
    N617BR

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