Hey Guys,

Been keeping up with SM/Xtreme Jet's Dragon canopy issues in flight on RCU threads, and I am about to maiden my SM Large Viperjet and couldnt help but notice the "glass" for its HUGE Bubble-like canopy is very flimsy and "soft and flexy". I am also aware that paranoia gets the best of us sometimes, so with that said, has ANYBODY had any canopy issues with large Skymaster viperjet?

Any reinforcement of the "glass" portion necessary? Am I just being a little paranoid based on all the negative stuff being posted about the SM Dragon and its "bad" canopy???

Thanks,
Shaz

A few people have had canopies imploding & exploding. Carsten has had more than one break up. Mine exploded into small pieces & beheaded my expensive pilot.
At least the large Viper still fly's ok after the canopy is gone.

Shaz,

It's not worth the risk. DON'T BUILD IT. The potential liability for loss of gear, equipment, as well as life on the ground is too great. Box everything up and bring it to Best in the West.

I will make sure the plane is properly disposed of, where it can never harm you or anyone else.

I will do this for free.

Chad

Also mine is exploded during flight. No problem to land the jet safe.
I own a spare canopy from my big MB-339 which glass is twice so thick and fit perfect. No glue used, attach with screws - looks good -
Problem solved !
Regards
Fritz/Switzerland

Question: "Viperjet canopy ok ?"
Answer: "Absolutely NO !"

I have broken 3 canopy glasses for the Viperjet, the one I currently have, is also "sucked" in when the engine goes at full throttle, but not enough (yet!) to crush it. I cut out the airbrakes on the bottom of the fuselage (the small rectangles)

The material used is just so thin (0.35 mm), just the slightest touch with a finger/hand, and it will destroy/crack !

Fritz. Is that the Skymaster MB339 canopy?

Negativ Jascat
this Canopy was built by a company in Germany for my own MB 339 in scale 1:4.
Most of german quality jets let this canopys build by this company near Stuttgart.
Actually I don't have canopys here, but if I have enough orders (min 10 pcs.) I can order this.
The fit/shape is absolute perfect for the Viper-Jet.
Price is between 50-100 $ US plus shipping. Canopy is 90 cm long and in strong glass.
Regards
Fritz

I am in, and I believe Jescat makes 2 of us. I am sure we can get 10 together. If we cannot, then I will just order 10 and sell them aftermarket to Viperjet owners.

Who else in in for a GOOD STRONG canopy???

I am in too .. PM me if an order happens, I'll take one.

Dave McQ

What a guy. So generous. LOL.

George

In my next Viperjet which I am about to start, I am looking at completely sealing the canopy space by fitting the cockpits to the canopy & sealing any air gaps. Since the canopy on my last Viper exploded, rather than imploded, I will be adding Hysol to the front windshield. I have a suspicion that it blew in & the sudden inrush of air blasted the canopy to bits. I am getting a bit tired of fixing longstanding issues on Chinese ARF's, that should have been addressed ages ago by the manufacturers..

It also happened to one of the guy`s Skymaster hawk


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK9xcWE3_ZU[/youtube]

I'm in also.

Hans

In this case I will ask the producer for exact price. Inform you when it arrived.
Jascat I modified my original canopy with canopy hooks from BVM and glue all joints with Hysol. No succes due to the glass is to weak.
Pics below shows my canopy-solution.
For interest of canopys here my e-mal: [email protected]
Regards
Fritz

That was the canopy lock that was the cause of that, not the glass that broke

So Fritz, my understanding is that you will contact the manufacturer and order canopies for us correct?

If correct, wonderful, I do not think it will be difficult at all to get rid of any extras, it looks like many people will want one of these canopies.

Please keep us all informed on this thread as to how your contact with German manufacturer goes and when we can expect delivery. YOU ARE THE MAN!!!! [8D]

Thanks!
Shaz

Funny, shouldnt Skymaster be doing this for you? This is quite pathetic.

+1

Sickening.

Guys I am not saying there is a problem with my Viperjet canopy...yet...I just started this thread not as another "let's bash Skymaster" thread, but as a "let's fix a perceived or potential canopy problem" thread. There are plenty of other threads active currently where people can bash Skymaster. Any other takers on canopies?

Fritz, your canopy looks like a nice fit and the fact that it is twice as thick is very attractive !

Cheers,
Shaz

Not bashing them and I'm sorry you feel that way, I'm actually on your side. I hope you can fix your problem.
Sadly most of these are issues that are often found "after the fact", then it is a matter of starting a bashing thread to get a resolution.

I know it is not ideally aesthetic, but why not glass the cockpit from inside, and paint it silver or black? You save the weight of a cockpit tub, and it should also give you the strength needed until you can find an alternate canopy.

Shaz,

I'm interested. Sent Fritz a message already.

Thanks....

Falcon, I actually believe you have good stuff to add to threads and was not in any way upset at you

Just want to keep thread on topic so us Large Viperjet homers can access a sweet canopy from Fritz's German manufacturer!

I have to be honest, I have no idea what my stock canopy will do since I havent flown plane yet, but seeing that the glass was flexing pretty easily and then reading about the SM Dragon got me pretty nervous.

Hi
will inform you all here when I know price and delivery time.
Brg
Fritz

I'm getting a little nervous also as I have a viper 2m. I'd rather be proactive about the situation than have something happen on the 26th flight that could have been avoided. John from Aeroplane Factory Jets is modding mine as we speak, I should have some pics tonight on what he did. I know the size difference of the two, but if nothing else it might give you another idea...

just to add a little info, I had my canopy brake twice in flight (large part removed on the side of it both times!), and I didn't even notice it in flight!
Honestly!
On my second flight with the Viperjet (picture below), the canopy was destroyed in flight (could see it on pictures taken during the flight), I landed, and it was first after I shut down the engine, and was ready to remove the canopy that I discovered that it was "gone"!
Not that I would recommend flying without it