I really did not want to trash all the work building the hatches for the nacelles. What I built following the plans was inadequate and today I gave up, I will re-do them. Monday I will go to our LHS and get the balsa I need to build a decent hatch. Designed following the procedures described by Bill. One for the forward equipment the second for the aft section.

I have to come up to a 1/4' wide side wall. So I will laminate two 1/16 sheets then add another 1/8 reinforcement along the edge. They will not be as light as Bill's but lots better that the originals. I weighed the four hatches and found they were pushing 2.4 oz and like Bill says they are not doing anything.

Meanwhile I started working on the nose cones. Found the center and cut clearance for the gear box. I should back up. I have already laminated a 3/8 inch plywood circle to the inside of the cowling. The electric motors will be mounted to the cowl, the front of the cowling that would normally be cut out was reinforced with plywood and fiberglass. The cowling will be held to the nacelles with substantial hardware. We saw this technique first with our electric Bonnie. It works very well and there was no trouble.

Enough for tonight!