Removable Hatches

Model Airplane News, Aug 2002 by Yarrish, Gerry

AT MODEL AIRPLANE NEWS, we not only tell you what's new, but we also try it out first so we can bring you mini-reviews of the stuff we like best. We're constantly being sent the latest support equipment manufacturers have to offer. If we think a product Is good--something special that will make your modeling experiences a little easier or just plain more fun-we'll let you know here. From retracts and hinges to glow starters and videotapes, look for It in "Product Watch."

J&B Access Panels

Removable Hatches

A flush fit

Just like their full-size cousins, model airplanes benefit greatly from access panels and removable hatches. If you have ever built a model airplane with dual aileron servos in its wing, then you know access hatches are a good thing. Sure, you could simply cut a hole in the wing panel and install the servo so it sticks out into the air stream, but nothing beats a flush-fitting, recessed hatch panel for a smooth, professional-looking installation. This isn't exactly a quick and easy thing to do, however. You must first figure out the size and shape of your hatch, and then install hardwood rails and a recessed lip to support the removable plywood panel. You have to drill and countersink the attachment screw holes and then attach the servo to the underside of the panel. You also have to cut a neat slot in the panel for the servo arm to pass through. I can't make a really good fitting, servo mount and hatch installation in less than two or three hours.

The clever folks at J&B Access Panels have made it easy for you to have professional hatches in just a fraction of the time it would take to make them yourself. No more cutting and fitting; you just choose the size and shape of panel you want, install your servo, and glue the whole installation into place in a matter of minutes! Once the parts are in place, you simply complete the wing structure, and your wing is ready to finish.

Available in several shapes and sizes, these access panel assemblies are machined from plywood and come in two pieces: the base and removable panel. The base is machined with an end mill to form a precise opening that fits the panel perfectly. The base is about bra inch thick, and the panel opening is ' inch deep and forms a wide lip around the opening to support the panel. The servo-mounting blocks are formed when the base is machined; you must remove the excess wood when you cut the base open.

The panel comes with the mounting screw holes already drilled and countersunk. With the small servo-access panel shown in this review, two servo-arm slots have been cut partway through the panel.

You can make mirror-image hatches for your left and right wing panels. The countersunk panel-- mounting screws are also included with the unit.

It took me about 15 minutes to cut the parts free of the base and to install my aileron servo on the removable panel. If you cover your model with film, you can leave the panel as it is because the film will cover the unused slot. Because I wanted to paint my panel, I flipped it over and glued the servo-mounting blocks on the same side of the panel as the countersunk screw holes were. I simply countersunk the holes on the reverse side and installed the panel with only one slot showing. Quick and easy!

If you want professional-looking, flush-fitting access panels but don't want to spend a lot of time at the workbench, J&B Access Panels are for you. Priced from $5 to $7 each, they are available as large and small servo panels, an upright servo panel, two fuel-tank access panels and a wedge-shaped tail-hatch panel. Once you try them, I doubt that you'll ever want to build your own again. Try it; you'll like it!

-Gerry Yarrish J&B Access Panels (270) 651-9166; jbaccesspanels.com.