Kitfox Aircraft Stick and Rudder Stein Air Grove Aircraft TCW Technologies Dynon Avionics AeroLED MGL Avionics Leading Edge Airfoils Desser EarthX Batteries Garmin G3X Touch
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: Hinged turtledeck

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Summerland BC Canada
    Posts
    411

    Default Hinged turtledeck

    Hello All
    Slightly off topic, but I am considering "hinging" my turtledeck about halfway along in order to have better access to the baggage compartment. It is the full, I suppose, "Lexan" type from Kitfox. It would be easy enough to do with SS piano hinge but I am wondering if anyone has come up with a more unique method.
    Cheers
    Don

  2. #2
    Senior Member DanB's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Mesa, AZ
    Posts
    542

    Default Re: Hinged turtledeck

    Send us some photos when you get it done. The only thing I would put some thought into would be how the rain will shed off. good luck.
    Dan B
    Mesa, AZ

  3. #3
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    3,563

    Default Re: Hinged turtledeck

    Kitfox2009 - I started a new thread for your turtledeck question so it didn't get lost in the LP windshield discussion.

    The hinged turtledeck has been done several times. It does allow easier access to the baggage area but sealing it from water infiltration is a slight drawback.


    DesertFox4
    Admin.
    7 Super Sport
    912 ULS Tri-gear


  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Summerland BC Canada
    Posts
    411

    Default Re: Hinged turtledeck

    Thanks for that,Steve

    Interesting to see what kind of replies we get.

    Cheers Don

  5. #5
    Senior Member cap01's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    yelm, wa
    Posts
    694

    Default Re: Hinged turtledeck

    don, i removed the hinge and made mine one piece . mines not the lexan one piece . i rarely need access to the cargo bag . i usually carry around 25lbs of survival gear plus a plb strapped in the right seat . with a plb a person doesnt really need any survival gear since theyll find you before you even get cold , right ? if i do have to stow my bag of stuff in the cargo bag i do struggle with the frame tubes . i can see the advantage of the hinged turtleback if a person need access often .
    chuck
    kitfox IV 1050
    912ul warpdrive
    flying B , yelm, wa

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Summerland BC Canada
    Posts
    411

    Default Re: Hinged turtledeck

    Hi Chuck

    I am a volunteer member of CASARA (Civil Air Search and Rescue Association) here in Canada. If things work similiarily in the US, maybe you should at least throw in light sweater!!

    Did yours leak at the hinge?

    Cheers

    Don

  7. #7
    Senior Member cap01's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    yelm, wa
    Posts
    694

    Default Re: Hinged turtledeck

    don , i never flew with the folding turtleback so i dont know if it leaked . it surely would have since the hinge was open to the elements . the find you before you get cold comment was in jest . i flew sar for years down here with the civil air patrol , i kinda know how the system works . had an acquaintance die up in the mountains from exposure because they couldnt get to him . survived the wreck to die like that , bummer . that was in the days before 406.
    chuck
    kitfox IV 1050
    912ul warpdrive
    flying B , yelm, wa

  8. #8
    Senior Member HighWing's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Goodyear, AZ
    Posts
    1,743

    Default Re: Hinged turtledeck

    I think I would solve the rain issue with some of the 3M vinyl tape you can find at a typical hardware store. I used it during my external camera days for securing fairings etc. on the camera set-up. It never came loose and never left any residue when removed. It comes in one and a half inch wide rolls and is available in white, red blue, yellow, black and I think other colors. It should cover the hinge from the outside and bend with the hinge. Also, I would suggest aluminum hinge available from Aircraft Spruce as a much lighter alternative to SS and flush rivets would allow the tape to seal better.

    In a previous life, I restored an antique car that was made long before rubber weather stripping. It used U shaped sheet metal gutters that captured any leakage past a joint and channeled it to a tube that led any drips to the bottom of the car. I recall some who did exactly that on the bottom of the windshield to keep water off their feet in the Kitfox old days. You could do that and rivet it with the hinge rivets.
    Lowell

  9. #9
    84KF
    Guest

    Default Re: Hinged turtledeck


  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Summerland BC Canada
    Posts
    411

    Default Re: Hinged turtledeck

    Hello Steve

    Nice looking job! I imagine that is aluminum hinge. Did you cover it over with tape? I hanger my a/c and (fortunately don`t fly much in the rain) so this may not be much of an issue.
    I do use RHINO TAPE on my elevator gap seals. I cut 3/4 inch foam plumbing pipe to fit exactly over each of the rounded hinge portions of the stabilizer and elevator. Taped these on and then sealed it over top and bottom with tape. The foam sections just roll on each other and fill the gap completely. Have about 6 months and 70 hours so far and no change in the tape.
    Guess I could take a few pics if anyone is interested.
    I also plan on modifying my baggage sack like yours in order to carry the lighter stuff like sleeping bags further back. My Vixen has cross tubing in that area that I must work around.
    Thanks for the pics.
    Don

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •