SOGWING Build Log: Hatch Cover
Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 9:46 pm
Hatch Cover for Battery and Rx:
The forward position of the battery is such that I could not recess it completely within the wing thickness without compromising the strength of the nose. So the hatch needs to accommodate the battery proud of the surface. The hatch is built up layers of 1/16” and 1/32” soft balsa. It is built up on the wing with the battery in place so it smoothly conforms to the required shape of the wing and proud battery. This is more accurate and provides a neater fit than carving from solid block. The hatch is held in place by a 1.3 mm short CF rod at the front end and a Velcro type fastener at the rear.
The nose and tail pieces at front and rear of the hatch to provide streamlining are also fabricated in the same fashion as the hatch. The rear of the nose piece has a 1/32” ply bulkhead in the front of the battery recess and also includes a female tube (insulation from 14g house wire) to house the hatch CF pin.
I fibreglassed the hatch with 1.5 oz glass as it will be handled a lot and it is a bit thin at the edges to blend nicely with the wing.
The forward position of the battery is such that I could not recess it completely within the wing thickness without compromising the strength of the nose. So the hatch needs to accommodate the battery proud of the surface. The hatch is built up layers of 1/16” and 1/32” soft balsa. It is built up on the wing with the battery in place so it smoothly conforms to the required shape of the wing and proud battery. This is more accurate and provides a neater fit than carving from solid block. The hatch is held in place by a 1.3 mm short CF rod at the front end and a Velcro type fastener at the rear.
The nose and tail pieces at front and rear of the hatch to provide streamlining are also fabricated in the same fashion as the hatch. The rear of the nose piece has a 1/32” ply bulkhead in the front of the battery recess and also includes a female tube (insulation from 14g house wire) to house the hatch CF pin.
I fibreglassed the hatch with 1.5 oz glass as it will be handled a lot and it is a bit thin at the edges to blend nicely with the wing.