Copter Doctor
Elite Veteran
Location: daleville/ft.rucker, al- home of army aviation
My Posts This: Topic Forum | after cutting the doors open on the first hawk i did, i vowed never again if i built another but dammit i cant help it. if i dont doi it, i am going to wish i did and there goes sleep at nights!!! i had to beef up the posts arount the windshields where the door posts meet with them before cutting and since the door panel lines werent even, i had to make sure i had enough room to make a cut. beware!!!! when you cut the doors out, they lose their form or curvature so make sure its what yo uwant to do before yo do it. to help them keep their shape, i lyered them with a couple layers of course (or heavy) fiberglass cloth and finishing resin before cutting them out. i then lined the door edges on the inside of the fuse with 1/8th masking tape just inside the door line. then i glassed the edge. this creates a recessed area for the doors to seat in. oh, i also cut the doors open partway, not completely out before the fiberglassing so when i finally cut them out for good, its an easier task (still a pain in the a$$ but easier)
you see why i vowed never to do it again? the vows were followed by lots of swearing too
of course it didnt turn out perfect being it was the first time and next time it will actually be easier now that i have done it a few times on other bodies.
here are a few teaser pix. mine isnt a seahawk, its is however the seahawk's land luvin' cousin, the UH-60L seen all day here at mother rucker.
               
drive a rotary, fly a rotorcraft |
