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Project Log
Aircraft Construction - Pitts 14 Prototype
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Aluminum Turtledeck
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Pitts 14 Prototype
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Created:
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04/05/2005
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Updated:
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11/18/2005
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Link(s):
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N/A
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Article by Mike Whaley
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In the first part of June, we evaluated several options for the turtledeck and ultimately decided on an all aluminum structure which is held together with a combination of rivets and epoxy adhesives. Despite the size of the assembly (it's a very tall turtledeck compared to many biplanes) it is actually quite lightweight, very strong, and offers a respectable amount of room for storage (of course, the amount that you can store in it will also depend on weight and balance considerations.)
We had to work out a few difficult curves near the fin, and even covered the section around the base of the fin and the rear edge of the turtledeck with fabric a few times to work out both what shape to make the turtledeck and how the fuselage-fin-turtledeck junction would look. It turned out that we just added a simple, sanded wooden filler strip on each side of the base rib of the vertical stabilizer to provide a smooth transition for the fabric between the fuselage, turtledeck, and fin.
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We initially put some fabric on to get an idea of the shape that we would need to make the turtledeck.
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As you can see, there are still some serious cosmetic issues to sort out at this point!
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The test pieces don't need to be pretty, just functional.
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The turtledeck assembly is all aluminum. It's fairly large, but lightweight.
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There's a good amount of room for sleeping bags, first aid kit, overnight bag, etc.
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The rear of the turtledeck assembly. The wooden filler strips are visible at the top of the photo.
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This is the simple solution to getting the fabric to make a nice curve on the tail.
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Another view of the filler strips.
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Other entries in this series:
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Construction Begins
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May
2003
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Fuselage Basic Structure
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June
2003
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Fuselage Basic Structure Completed, Engine Arrives, Steve Culp Helps Out
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July
2003
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Pitts Model 14 Introduced at Oshkosh
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4th week of
July
2003
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Curtis Visits to Continue the Design, Wing Construction Begins
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August
2003
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Wing Construction Underway
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September
2003
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Lower Wing Basic Construction
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October
2003
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Lower Wing Details and First Fuselage Formers
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November
2003
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Fuselage Formers, Skin and Wing Details
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December
2003
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Fuselage Side Panels and Upper Wing Construction
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January
2004
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Wing-Root Fairings, Fuselage Skin Panels, and Upper Wing
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February
2004
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Fuselage Side Panels, Wing Rigging, Engine Arrives
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March
2004
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Sun N 'Fun 2004
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April
2004
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Summer 2004 Status Update
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May
2004
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» Aluminum Turtledeck
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1st week of
June
2004
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Sheet Metal Work, AirVenture
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4th week of
June
2004
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Adjustable Seats, Part 1
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August
2004
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Adjustable Seats, Part 2
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December
2004
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Wings
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December
2004
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Throttle Quadrant
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December
2004
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Spring 2005
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March
2005
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If you have any additions or corrections to this item, please let us know.
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