This starts it all, as far as my modifications go.
I WILL PUT MY NOSE PLANS AT THE START OF THE FUSELAGE SECTION, BECAUSE THIS REALLY WAS THE MAIN FUSELAGE ELEMENT AT THE TIME, THAT I WANTED TO CHANGE. I WANTED ROOM TO PUT OIL HEAT IN THE NOSE AREA, A PLACE TO STOW MY AIRCRAFT COVER, AND HAVE A LONGER MORE SWOOPY SHAPE TO MY PLANE THAN PER STOCK.
I HAD A FEATHERLIGHT NOSE CONE AND WANTED TO JUST EXTEND F-0.0 DIRECTLY FORWARD 8.3 INCHES AND RE-LOFT THE CURVES TO FIT THAT. I DIDNT CHANGE THE FRONT GEAR PIVOT LOCATION SO THAT THE GEOMETRY OF THAT WAS PER STOCK. I DID EXTEND THE NOSE GEAR STRUT 1 INCH FOR BETTER TAKE OFF PERFORMANCE. AT THAT TIME I WAS STILL THINKING OF USING AN 0360 POWER-PLANT. THIS NECESSITATED 'THICKENING UP MY NOSE STRUT TO MEET THE NEW BOTTOM PROFILE.
I HAD A FEATHERLIGHT NOSE CONE AND WANTED TO JUST EXTEND F-0.0 DIRECTLY FORWARD 8.3 INCHES AND RE-LOFT THE CURVES TO FIT THAT. I DIDNT CHANGE THE FRONT GEAR PIVOT LOCATION SO THAT THE GEOMETRY OF THAT WAS PER STOCK. I DID EXTEND THE NOSE GEAR STRUT 1 INCH FOR BETTER TAKE OFF PERFORMANCE. AT THAT TIME I WAS STILL THINKING OF USING AN 0360 POWER-PLANT. THIS NECESSITATED 'THICKENING UP MY NOSE STRUT TO MEET THE NEW BOTTOM PROFILE.
THIS IS HOW IT ENDED UP LOOKING AFTER I SHAPED THE URETHANE. MORE ON THE NOSE CONSTRUCTION and WHAT IS INSIDE IT ON THE ''NOSE-PAGE''.
MY TURTLEBACK.
I WANTED A FORWARD HINGING CANOPY DESIGN. I ALSO WANTED A BACK SEAT AREA THAT WASN'T SO ENCLOSED FEELING FOR THE PASSENGERS. UNLIKE SOME GUYS, I FEEL THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR THE RIGHT SIZED PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEATS, AND WANTED IT DIFFERENT THAN PLANS, AS I HAVE HAD A COUPLE RIDES BACK THERE MYSELF AND MADE THIS OBSERVATION. SO I ORDERED SOME EXTRA TINTED ACRYLIC FROM TODD AND AWAY I WENT. PLACEMENT AND AESTHETICS WERE IMPORTANT TO ME. WOW...LOTS OF EXTRA WORK. BUT TO MY MIND THEY LOOK GREAT ALL FINISHED. NOW SITTING IN THE BACK HAS A VERY AIRY FEELING AND IS UNIQUE. GLAD I DID IT.
SPEAKING OF FORWARD HINGING CANOPIES.
HERE IS MINE.
NOTICE MY SLANTED INSTRUMENT PANEL.
NOTE THE CANOPY SEPARATION CUT IS VERTICAL EXCEPT AT THE VERY BOTTOM.
I USED A 1/4 INCH SPACER ON THE LONGERONS FOR WEATHER STRIPPING SIZING.
THE OUTSIDE CANOPY LIPPS GO OVER THE LONGERONS ABOUT 1/4''.
MY LATCHES ARE EXACTLY LIKE LYNN ERICKSONS. ONE ON EACH SIDE, WITH HEX KEY LOCKING FROM OUTSIDE.
MY HEADRESTS ARE CONNECTED TO A D-HOOP SIMILAR TO BRIAN DEFORDS. I USED 13 PLIES (ALMOST 3/16'' THICK) OF CARBON FIBER UNI-TAPE TO REINFORCE THE HOOP AND 13 FOR THE REAR CEE-SHAPE LOCATION OF THE FRONT FHC. I ALSO USED CF BID INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ON THE CANOPY SURROUND ITSELF.THE HINGES AND GAS SHOCKS FOR THE FHC ARE CUSTOM AND ACTUATE FORWARD BELOW THE AVIONICS BAY.
NOTICE MY SLANTED INSTRUMENT PANEL.
NOTE THE CANOPY SEPARATION CUT IS VERTICAL EXCEPT AT THE VERY BOTTOM.
I USED A 1/4 INCH SPACER ON THE LONGERONS FOR WEATHER STRIPPING SIZING.
THE OUTSIDE CANOPY LIPPS GO OVER THE LONGERONS ABOUT 1/4''.
MY LATCHES ARE EXACTLY LIKE LYNN ERICKSONS. ONE ON EACH SIDE, WITH HEX KEY LOCKING FROM OUTSIDE.
MY HEADRESTS ARE CONNECTED TO A D-HOOP SIMILAR TO BRIAN DEFORDS. I USED 13 PLIES (ALMOST 3/16'' THICK) OF CARBON FIBER UNI-TAPE TO REINFORCE THE HOOP AND 13 FOR THE REAR CEE-SHAPE LOCATION OF THE FRONT FHC. I ALSO USED CF BID INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ON THE CANOPY SURROUND ITSELF.THE HINGES AND GAS SHOCKS FOR THE FHC ARE CUSTOM AND ACTUATE FORWARD BELOW THE AVIONICS BAY.
REAR PORTION OF TURTLEBACK AND SIDE OPENING CANOPY.
I BUILT MY REAR CANOPY PORTION TO OPEN SIDEWAYS, EXACTLY SIMILAR TO PLANS FOR WHAT I THINK IS BEST ACCESS TO THE BACK SEATS. NO SMALL CLAMSHELL DOOR FOR ME AS SOME HAVE DONE. THE BOX SHAPE OF THE LOWER DEE ELEMENT HIDES THE GAS SHOCK, AS I MENTIONED, SIMILAR TO BRIAN'S GREAT FABRICATION. I HELD EVERYTHING OFF THE LONGERONS <1/4'' FOR WEATHER STRIPPING AND IMPROVED THE PLANS WATER CHANNELS (I BELIEVE). THE FRONT OF THE REAR TURTLEBACK UNIT HAS THE SAME WATER CHANNEL DESIGN I HAVE USED ON THE BACK, AND THE FHC COMES DOWN OVER IT CAPTURING IT IN PLACE. THE BACK CANOPY HAS A SEPARATE LOCKING FEATURE THAT CAN BE REACHED FROM FRONT AND BACK.
CLICK ON ANY PIC BELOW TO ENLARGE.
CLICK ON ANY PIC BELOW TO ENLARGE.