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Hank,
Do you want me to repost it in a larger size or load a closer photo?
Do you want me to repost it in a larger size or load a closer photo?
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Either one. When I blew up the photo enough to see frame details it was too fuzzy. It would help to see the door latch area and lower rear edge.
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That looks perfect for a tube door. This photo shows a lower front frame in place in the opening. Just place tubes against the edges of the opening to form a door frame and tack them together. If you have made up "P" tube the flange lays on the fuselage frame with the tube within the opening. It shouldn't matter at all if the opening is the same as a normal factory fuselage. The fuselage is the fixture to make the door.Comment
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This is hte latch used on hte top hinge window. I have drawings of the pieces (looking) when the time comes to make them. They are simple over center latches with a threaded knob. You would not have to use this design and honestly i would make a latch that the hinge pin could be pulled so the window could be opened up against the bottom of the wing (you would need a "clip" on a rib to hold it open and you COULD NOT open the door with the window open!) There have been many times i would have liked to be able to fully open the window. Just need to remember to CLOSE IT BEFORE OPENING THE DOOR!Comment
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Okay, looking at the OP's pictures and Hank's picture the OP's airplane has a hybrid door opening. Notice that the rear edge of his door opening is even with the tube at the top of the seat sling. The rear edge of the pre war door is forward of that tube. There is an extra tube in the fuselage.
I think you will have to build a custom door to fit your airplane.
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His door looks a lot like what we designed for the "Super T" that we never built. Some of the main changes we made were to move almost all of the fuel to the wings (hate having all that fuel just over my legs!), a redesign of the landing gear to eliminate the bungees and put the wing struts and landing gear on two different bolts, slight widening of the cockpit, slightly more height for us tall guys and most important to make the door larger for us hefty guys so we could get in and out easier. Most of our ideas seem to be in that fuselage. I WOULD suggest while you are building to add the dual triangle sky lights and hydraulic brakes. I don't think the extra brake power is really needed but the rigging of the cable brakes has always been a pain.
HankComment
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The landing gear and wing struts have always been on separate bolts. It is the same fitting and location though.Comment
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You're keeping me honest (and accurate) here Tom! You are correct! ;-)
HankComment
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I work best off of blueprints or original parts, so if anyone has p doors for me to borrow, that would help. So I need a tube and other steel parts list for one side along with the quick door release information and pictures.Attached FilesComment
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Jeff,
Understand that the opening in your fuselage is not stock and there ARE NO drawings for a door that will fit your opening. The reason I suggested "P" tube doors is they can be built in the opening using it as a fixture. I am going to the hangar today (as long as the thunderstorms aren't too bad......we have had really bad weather every time I want to go out here). I will lay out the tube doors I have and get some photos. Even if I trace the doors I have the shape would have to be changed to fit your plane.
A cardboard template of the opening would be a big help. Wish you lived closer.
HankComment
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The p tube is available but I am not sure how much I have to buy to get itN29787
'41 BC12-65Comment
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Run a string around the perimeter of your door opening and from front to rear of the bottom of the window. Multiply times two and add a few feet. The diagonals through the bottom of the door are round tube and the window frame is square. Remember if you aren't buying a single SUPER LONG piece there will be some waste (unless you splice).
This isn't hard once you start.
HankComment
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