PA24-260C Belly skin question?

[James Bader]

Could someone familiar with the PA24-260C tell me if this part of the belly is factory or has it been changed? I was wondering if the diamond shaped patches are standard or something added. This picture was taken from a 1969 PA24-260C.
Thanks.
Mike

[9089P]

Hi Mike,

Those two triangles are on the belly of our B model and I always assumed they were original. Given that we both have them my guess is they are original. What purpose they serve is another question.

Don

[James Bader]

This picture was taken from a 1971 factory PA24-260TC and has the same configuration as the 1969 260C picture I posted first but this 1971 260 TC plane was landed gear up in the past.

Tanks
Mike

[Kristin Winter]

I have seen that on a lot of Comanches. Maybe all, but to tell you the truth have never really looked for them. I am sure that they are factory original.

There are a number of things that need to be looked at on a Comanche that has been on its belly. Most are repaired properly, some not. None of the concern areas involve those reinforcements, unless perhaps they were missing.

[James Bader]

Thank you for the help.
Mike