Metal Belly

[N95051]

Has anyone put a metal belly on their t-cart?

With the wind and snow we get up here it would be nice to be able to drop the belly and get the snow out. Would also be nice for inspections.

Thanks for any help

Bill

[Robert Lees]

Re: Metal Belly

Hello, Bill. Forgive me, but get the snow out from where? How does it get in there in the first place?

For inspections, I find removing the floorboards; looking under the canvas seat; looking behind the baggage compartment about covers the lower fuselage inspections.

Metal belly panels remind me of Mooneys...Taylorcraft are Soooooo much easier!

[VictorBravo]

Re: Metal Belly

Has anyone put a metal belly on their t-cart?

With the wind and snow we get up here it would be nice to be able to drop the belly and get the snow out. Would also be nice for inspections.

Thanks for any help

Bill

The WW2 Fieseler Storch used a cord or rope lacing that pulled the lower fuselage skin together. You apparently could un-do the lacing and have the belly opened up like a fish being gutted.

The British Auster used some zippers in key locations for inspections, however I would think those are very difficult to live with.

The WW2 Fairey Swordfish also used the lacing in several areas, which is why the airplane's name was "Stringbag".

My guess is that the lacing idea could possibly be approved by the local FSDO on the basis of previous aircraft... but it would not be a slam dunk to get it approved.

[N95051]

Re: Metal Belly

Robert,

The snow comes in through the tail section and builds up quite a bit.

I just help a friend of mine with super cub and with just a few screws the whole bottom of the airplane is accessible. Good for getting a close up view of all the tubing.

Bill

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Metal Belly

Bill, are you talking about the "Terrible Taylorcraft Triangle" all the way back at the tail? It's the last section of the tail where the tail springs attach and under the horizontal tail. If so, it has been done on several Taylorcrafts I have seen and the metal is held on with screws and Tinnerman nuts on tube clamps. It's really nice for inspection of the tail area but only runs about 18" forward from rudder post. I haven't done it to my planes but am really tempted, if it turns out to be legal.
Anybody have pictures?
Hank

[N95051]

Re: Metal Belly

Yeah Hank that kinda what I'm talking about.

The cub I was helping a guy out with had it all the way to the baggage compartment. So you could get a realy good look at the whole thing.

Bill

[Robert Lees]

Re: Metal Belly

A lot of Cubs I have seen have the lower rear triangle open to the air, for inspection & so on. I believe the trick is to seal off (with fabric) access for snow from getting into the "tailcone" of the fuselage. The lower rear triangle next to the sternpost remains open, but the fuselage is closed.

Anyone have a photo? The same principle would apply to Taylorcraft. Any Alaska flyers care to comment?

[VictorBravo]

Re: Metal Belly

I could swear that Dick Smith or one of the other Alaska guys put up a photo on this forum showing that their airplane had the rear triangle open, at least on the sides.

[akndrifter]

Re: Metal Belly

I've thought about the metal belly, it would be nice for getting all the sand and gravel out after each summer.

[N96337]

Re: Metal Belly

Here's a few I've "gleaned", Bill.... not sure who owns what...so if it belongs to you, step up and be recognized!
John

[N95051]

Re: Metal Belly

None of those are mine.

Here is my baby.

[Dick Smith]

Re: Metal Belly

Here is mine...
(here's a comment that I made in reference to this item quite a while back:

"I think you get more flow of air with the open end like I have. I chose to do it that way for several reasons: Operating on floats involves a lot of moisture and I think the interior of the aft fuselage benefits from the drying effect of the air movement. Also switching back and forth between floats and wheel or ski ops requires easy access to the main bolt between the tailspring and fuselage. The way I did it makes it easy to remove the whole spring and tailwheel assembly quickly. The lack of fabric in the triangular area makes it easy to: 1. remove/inspect the front bolt on the tailspring; 2. inspect the tailpost area and the related longeron welds. Also, dry, blowing snow can find its way into the tiniest openings. If the snow gets inside the aft end of the fuselage, I can see it better through the open slot. And the way I tiedown in the winter, the snow is more apt to finds its way in from the front of the plane and could pack the dead-ended fuselage full. Anyway, that was my reasoning when I covered the plane. Many planes up here have the fuselage open in that triangular area...you will find many that have the "slot" covered with fabric, which should effectively reduce the airflow through the fuselage. It's done both ways...dealer's choice. Basically, we just dress for the cold...if there is any heat available...you just wonder if you're on fire. Lance (Matsuthunder) uses an insulated "curtain" that Velcro's in place, which is as good a way to salvage the heat as you are likely to find."

(If a person chooses to cover the "slot" revealed by the "Vee" opening, one can still keep an eye on the welds joining the longerons with the lower end of the tailpost. I've seen that weld crack as the result of operation in very rough conditions.)
Dick