The wooden dowel is for rubber bands. You put the dowel in the fuse toards the back of the hatch. Just make sure you don't put it to far back or your bands could slip off. I used the dowel and bands on my Shrike.

A friend of mine used a screw to hold his hatch down. He lost the hatch in flight. It fluttered down right in front of us! I think it would work well if you use basswood or spruce instead of balsa. It might be a good idea to use some 1/32 or 1/16" plywood on the hatch to re-inforce the screw hole to.


If I were to build another one, I would use the screw. It looks better than the rubber bands.

I recommend having someone else launch for you, that little plane can get away from you fast! If your worried about the small control throws, don't be. They're perfect. Good luck with your first flight!