Info on removing the brace from the doorway??

[gmackay]

My memory is bad but I thought I remembered seeing a Swick conversion with the brace tube in the doorway removed. Mike Swick tells me that it was not part of his conversion. Has anyone seen or heard of this being done? And if so, what sort of mods this required?

Thanks,
Greg

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Info on removing the brace from the doorway??

That was done on the F-22. The tube behind the seat too! adds about 11 #'s . BIG project.... Just put your rear end in over the tube and swing your feet into place.... There are STC's to have the rear tube removable on the ground to laod stuff & they bolt her back in place....

[flyguy]

Re: Info on removing the brace from the doorway??

Bet that tube across the bottom of the door is there because ole' C.G. figured the customers would be upset if they couldn't get in if he put it where it
belongs, which is diagonally across the door opening.
Darryl

[VictorBravo]

Re: Info on removing the brace from the doorway??

Those of us who are ... not anorexic ... always have a word or two for old CG every time we have to get in or out of a T-craft!

The pre-war airplanes are even just a bit more clumsy to get in and out of, although it appears the tubes are in the same place. The door opening is smaller however.

I agree with Forrest. I get in backwards by jump-sitting on the diagonal tube and swinging my legs in under the panel. But there is never enough room for my big feet to easily get in past the seat cushion!

[Carl Ellis]

Re: Info on removing the brace from the doorway??

I slide my right leg in, bend forward and grab the diagonal windscreen brace then slide the rest of my body in, then my trailing left leg. No fuss, no muss. It does require a bit of flexibility but nothing exceptional.

- Carl -

[Robert Lees]

Re: Info on removing the brace from the doorway??

Right foot on step...left hand on windscreen tubing...then dive in head first.

To get out: swing both legs out, right heel on step...then parachute out.

hopefully when on the ground.