To make the sliding canopy manual is a retreat . We always have to challenge ourself and strive to reach higher levels in whatever we do, otherwise we will stuck in wherever we are. When I decided to do remote sliding canopy on my plane many including myself thought it can not be done or it is too complex etc. But I decided to do it and I did it and made it to work flawlessly, so go for it Rick and do not give up. My plane is FW190 so what I did may not apply to you but I will glad to share some of my ideas with you