Not much to report this time. A couple of small (but important) jobs done. I finally got the edges of the hatch, where the weatherstripping will contact, complete (well, almost). All of the layers of wood are in, including the interior trim. Also, I have completed the hatch props.

After working through several variations on the props ranging from a stick (still kinda like that idea by the way) through automotive hood springs, I settled on hinging a prop for each side from the interior of the hatch to the side wall of the galley. I fabricated a couple of mounting plates for the sides where a ball pin on the hatch prop locks in place. While opening the hatch you just swing down the props, place the pin into the hole in the plate and push, the pin snaps into place and supports the hatch. To lower the hatch, just pull the ring on each pin to disengage it and swing the props back up to the hatch.

Of course, it would probably be a good idea to hold the hatch in place while you are doing this if you don’t want to dent your head. (Please, don’t ask how I know this)