Lh prewar door

[1938BF50]

After mulling over the safety issues of NOT having a pilots door for the last couple of years, I finally cut fabric last weekend. My 1938 had only a RH door and LH swingout window. Several years ago I procured what I believe is a NOS LH prewar door, complete with swingout window. There is no evidence of a window having ever been mounted in the frame. I carefully cut out the wooden stringer and channel pcs in the existing LH door frame(built into the fuselage). I am working on fitting the hinges to the fuselage frame now. The door fits the opening amazingly well...much better than the replacement RH door I fit a couple years ago. After mounting the door to the hinges and tacking the hinges to the fuse, I can start fitting all the wooden "filler: pcs that fir out the bottom of the door frame. Simple things like this excite me! Amazing difference when sitting in the cabin.

[bashibazouk]

Re: Lh prewar door

Nice job documenting the installation, Mike. Probably the only way you'll get the door to fit right is to do it the way you are going about it. My '40 has gaps a-go-go all around both sides. Not too big a deal this time of year, but in February, they're not welcome.

Where did you get that nice, original seat?

Josh

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Lh prewar door

Yea I was going to comment on that seat too. Almost looks comfortable! Larry

[1938BF50]

Re: Lh prewar door

The seat came with the plane, so I am not sure where it was sourced. It is very comfortable and I am 6'1". I let the sling down a turn and a half and my eye level is well below the wing root.