If you don't have canopy glue what is the next best thing to use? I'm attaching the canopy on my RV-4.
Thanks

chopperman

Canopy tape and tiny screws?

For the small cost of the glue though, is it worth the risk of making a mess?

You can use tape as mentioned above.

or

If you don't have Forumla-560 canopy glue you can use good 'ole Elmer's White Glue instead as well.

Ken

chopper,

i just use small servo screws fo attaching the canopy unless its on something more scale. they hold well and if you need to take the canopy off at a later time very ease to do.

just remember drill the holes first then put screws in then take them out and use thin CA to harden the wood let it dry completly then reattach.




bassman

The RV-4 is scale.
I used canopy glue on mine but elmers will work.
Screws will work if you don't mind the looks.

That was my thought. I was going to use screws than I figured I would try to keep it looking scale. I'm going with the glue. I cut out 4 spots to glue the canopy. I don't want to glue the whole thing down in case I need to get to the pilot figure. Do you think that will hold the canopy in place? Is that a good idea or bad?

chopperman

I tried canope glue on my Hangar-9 Tango and let it set for a couple days before its first flight. The windshield came right off after a hard landing. Since then, I reglued it with 5 minute epoxy and haven't had a problem since. My plane suffered another hard landing after the engine was leaned out too much, and bent the landing gear; the windshield suffered no ill effect.

NorfolkSouthern

I put a canopy on my Sig 4* by using trim tape, and when flying it one day, I came back and landed with no canopy. I have no idea where it went. I have yet to get a new canopy for it, but the weather isn't great for flying right now anyways, too rainy. For my next canopy, I am going to glue it down.

I just did a google image search of the RV4. It looks to me like a band of white trim tape around the edge of the canopy would look pretty scale to me, so you could do screws and cover them with the white trim tape.

I like using these button head #2 screws they look nice and neat when exposed I usually harden the wood at the screw holes with thin CA,I like the idea of using trim tape to cover the screws but most of my planes are glassed.
I also like the removable canopy option,I find the canopy's tend to get dirty on the inside if there is a scale cockpit, and like to clean them now and then,even the ARF's get cruddy sometimes if there are any gaps in the canopy seal to the fuse.

I tried the canopy glue but after warming up the P51 for 2 minutes it was already coming off. New at this hobby can't you tell. LOL So I went with these and painted the heads to match. Easy to remove if required.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXD984&P=SM

they are the same screws I have been using as well.

Is this the Great Planes 1/4 scale model?
The canopy shape of the RV-4 lends itself well to gluing securely. it fits the fuselage very tightly all the way around.
I can't recommend only gluing spots as I did glue all the way around but make sure your pilot figure is well secured and rough up the inside of the canopy, where the glue will go, with 100 or 120 grit sandpaper.
I didn't remove any covering but I did lightly sand it. Mine never even started to come loose.

That's the one. I'll probably just glue it. I think to much about these things and tend to drag them out longer than they need to be. Was hoping to put the first flight on this weekend but I need to take the boss and family up to NY. Maybe the following weekend.

chopperman

You are going to love that RV-4.
A wonderfull fun plane to fly and it looks good too.

I like useing silicone adhesive. It dries clear and holds very secure.

i use silicone or strips of covering ironed on. both hold canopy secure.