Here are some pictures of my opening mechanism. Works great for me and I did not have to purchase any gas springs. I still have some work to do to make the lid support arms automaticaly extend and retract. Right now I must manualy move them over the center point to get them to lock open or retract. Another trip to the hardware and here is what I spent for fittings and metal.

Prior Total $ 445.12
This trip $ 18.90

Current Total $ 464.02

Next hardware trip to purchase oil based wood sealer and final paint. Still have to build the flight box container on the front of the trailer and a spoiler on the rear. A buddy of mine owns a fiberglass shop so I might get some help here. I have worked with glass before having built a Rand-Robinson KR-2 wood/foam/fiberglass full scale aircraft.

JEB