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29-09: Radius Fuselage Side Skins

TASEsq

Well Known Member
Patron
I was wondering why the plans ask to radius the fuselage side skins on page 29-09, then at a later stage (chapter 35) the 'canopy deck' parts are added over the longerons and side skins and align with the outside of the skin (with a fuel tank sealant fillet in between).

I feel like it would be better not to radius these now, but wait until the canopy deck parts are installed and file the 2 parts at the same time to give them a nice corner on the edge of the fuselage entry?

What have others done?
 

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Hi Trent-

When I got to the point of fitting the canopy deck parts, my experience was a mixed bag. The left side deck edges were a hair shy of the outside fuselage surface, while areas of the right side protruded slightly over the edge- which meant filing the deck parts to be flush with the fuselage side.

Pete
 
Um, radius the outside skin top for entry and exit of to the cockpit (oops, flight deck) by soft tissue mammals. Less scratches, cuts, etc.
Just a guess.
 
Thanks for the replies.

Maybe no one noticed they have a small gap? or the gap filled with Proseal?

At this point I’m not going to radius the side skins. I’ll debur them as normal and leave them. When I get to the canopy deck in chapter 35 and realise my error
I can radius them then. But if I understand the plans I’ll end up radiusing the canopy deck parts which overlap the side skins.
 
It’s a perfect fit. The top edge of the fuselage side is level with the longeron
surface, so there is no gap between the canopy deck and the side skins.

Pete
 
It’s a perfect fit. The top edge of the fuselage side is level with the longeron
surface, so there is no gap between the canopy deck and the side skins.

Pete

Did you radius the top outside edge of the side skins?
 
I started to but was hesitant to remove too much since I wasn’t sure what the purpose was. With the canopy deck parts being fitted, it became apparent that the deck edge is just shy of the outside edge of the fuselage, so a radius would work to end up with a rounded edge. All in all, you could wait and let the artist come out when you fit the parts later.


Pete
 
I started to but was hesitant to remove too much since I wasn’t sure what the purpose was. With the canopy deck parts being fitted, it became apparent that the deck edge is just shy of the outside edge of the fuselage, so a radius would work to end up with a rounded edge. All in all, you could wait and let the artist come out when you fit the parts later.


Pete

Awesome. Thank you.
 
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