Does any of you guys know how to build a servo operated sliding canopy . I have already got canopy mechanism working manually but I thought it would be very impressive to be able to close and open it with a servo instead of by hand.

Very interesting 60 people have looked this and not a single idea has been offered . Well I guess I go to WWII prop. guys see what they have to say about this

Most people use an air cylinder to make functional canopys. Either Sliding or the hinged type. You will need one that has a long throw. For the sliding type you can attach it to a cable, pull /pull style and that should get the job done for you.

Thanks Terry you are a very courages man. I have considered Roabrt 165L air cylander with 2-1/4" travel but the trade off is then you need a separate tank, air valve, and servo etc. pretty complex and heavy for 1/6 scale plane

#1. If it is 1/6th scale, the extra weight shouldn't be a problem unless the full sized one has a ws of less than 15 feet.

#2. Just use the air can for the retracts and make sure nothing leaks. And you could use an (air) micro switch on, say the elev channel, and set it up so when the trim lever is full down and the elevator stick is full down the servo arm just makes contact with the (Air) micro switch, thus activating the cylinder and the canopy slide open. You don't want it to come open it the air anyway.

You need to look into sailing servos, they make ones that run more than one full turn. There are gear servos that are small and make a 180 degree and are quite strong and slow, it would not be hard to rig up control pullies.

cnbhome you are right on the money I had this question in the warbirds thread and I finally hit the pay-dirt when justrfb posted a link and I found this comment from the unknown owner of the site. check out this web site it is truly amazing he has video of pilot head moving from side to side then canopy closes so real wow

http://members.optushome.com.au/gjmustang/index2.html

[QUOTE]I ended up with converting a S133 micro servo to a winch and pulled the canopy open and close with wires and pulley-blocks. (Sometimes scale builders punish their minds for weeks to finally find out that the real thing uses simple systems as well )" [/QUOTE ]

There is always hope