Question regarding bottom section of fuselage

[coupe1942]

Okay, I have not really pulled out this section of the fuselage, as I am about half scared of breaking it. The part seems pretty flimsy and I have opened up the front end to peek inside, but never had the courage to keep trying to pull it out of the slotted area, as I was scared of breaking the foam in doing so. Any rate, I want to strengthen the tail area with some skewers or rods and wanted to know if this door section with the 3 holes in it will actually come right out and not break in the process. My big fumbly-fisted hands and fingers can break things quickly, so I just need to know if this is a door that actually does come out pretty easily? I had no trouble in opening the front area, but the hatch door to it was starting to bend at the center when I tried to remove it. 

Thanks

[jklong03]

It's just held in place with a strip of double-sided tape along each edge. I've never removed one, only installed them as they come in a replacement fuselage bag. But I would think that if you work slowly and carefully, then you should be able to peel it up starting at the wide end and working your way to the tail.

[coupe1942]

Thanks for the info. I was hoping to not have one of those "Oops" moments when I broke it in not knowing if it was supposed to be removable or not.

[Crazy Horse]

Sept 15, 2013 4:37:55 GMT 1 coupe1942 said:

Thanks for the info. I was hoping to not have one of those "Oops" moments when I broke it in not knowing if it was supposed to be removable or not.

Coupe1942,

No need to worry about this old chap. I have removed this section in the past, just to get at the interior. It is not held in very strongly.
Even if you do break it, no problem. Just get yourself a styrene take away container and place the original on the top as a template, mark around it, cut out carefully and voila! you have a replacement. Yes, I have done it myself.

[coupe1942]

I got the flap-type door out and can now look inside to see if I want to put some skewers or rods in that area. I am looking to see if I want the carbon rods to be inserted into a channel there that I would make with a soldering iron or razor knife. I could then glue or epoxy the skewers or rods to the foam fuselage in the channel cut into the foam and the support area would not be showing or need to be covered up at all with it inside like that. Not sure if I'll go that route or not, as it is a pretty confined area for my big mitts to be working in.  Thanks for the info and input, as it helped.