Anyone have diagrams or info on operating opening canopies? I know UP in Canada sells a Canopy Opening cylinder, but I need the engineering how to part. Thanks

What plane/kit? May be I can help.

Ed

Long Cylinders for canopies can also be obtained from Planes Plus, call Don Kanak or Mark. I bought one for my giant scale
P-51. Gary

The kit is the Master Fly 98" Tornado

Can you e-mail me some pictures of the fuselage and canopy. Especially the area under and behind the canopy.

Ed

Will do Ed...thanks for reply. I will have to borrow a digital camera tomorrow.

I've got a functional canopy installed on my Yellow F-18 DF.

I used 2 Century Jet air cylinders to open and close the canopy. They are hooked up to a reduction valve to slow the opening and closing to about 5 seconds.

As for a canopy lock, I'm using a small flexible throttle cable to lock the canopy down in the front. In order to ensure its locked, I've got the cable hooked up to a searchlight and 9V battery. So if the lights on the canopy is locked! I've also got a intermediate postion to lock the canopy and not drain the battery.

Alignment of the hinges and canopy was the biggest pain in the butt.. But when it works it's way cool..

GOod luck

Cowdog

Thanks for replies....Just a thought, do I need to make a frame for the canopy out of something like Poly-ply for a clear canopy? It seems kinda flimsy to attach a cylinder to just a clear canopy since once I modify the canopy "the wrong way" there won't be a replacement for the canopy anytime soon. I want to try this but need a sure fire way of doing this. Maybe I should send it to someone with the skills and pay through the nose? Jets, gotta love em!!!

cowdog..
can you please post pictures.

here's a few pics as requested.

Please note that I was more interested in functionality than pure scale on this canopy. If I would have been more patient I probably could have made the hinges better looking and a couple other things. But since this was my first opening canopy attempt, I was pretty happy.

Pic #2

Canopy lock

Note the wire which connects to the cable. Whenever the canopy is down, I set the canopy to lock. This closes a circuit to a 9V battery and spotlight. let's me know the canopy is really locked down when I'm taxing...

I am nearing completion of my Tornado refit and I still need some help with the canopy. It does not have to be an opening type canopy but it should be more than the plastic canopy glued to the frame setup as was intended when the kit came out. Also, is there anyone out there capable of making a duplicate of the exsisting canopy that I have? I use to have a basic knowledge of Vacuum forming but I have purged that info to make room for more important things (kids names, project expenses, wifes b-day etc).
I know that there are some new techniques out there and with all of the trouble I have gone through to get the internals correct, I would hate to waste an opportunity for a good scale type canopy. Thanks in advance for any help. Ken H

if you are going to be doing scale to the real tornado, you will need two different canopy cylinders. i believe the real jet does have two different canopies. anyways, i work on real f-16s and i know that the pivot for the jet is very short, behind the seat. the further back you put the cylinder, the shorter it will need to be. also, for an aircraft like the f-15 ar 16 two seater for that matter, the canopy has its canopy cylinder between the two cockpits, the -16 has its right infront of the back seat ashm (hud). hope this helps. and yes, you will need a canopy frame to put a opening canopy on your jet, there needs to be a positve lock when the canopy is down, and i dont think you will be able to get a sturdy lock with just plastic. Nick

Pic 1

Pic 2

Ken,

If your existing canopy is just a canopy with no frame outline molded in, you can make a canopy frame. First coat the canopy with PVA release agent and then do a fiberglass lay up over the canopy. Once cured, pop the fiberglass frame loose from canopy, draw your frame work outline and trim to shape. The PVA release can be removed from the canopy with water and will not damage the existing canopy. Just make sure to get the canopy coated good.

If you opt to make it functional you will still need to do some internal structure, side rails, front & rear frames, etc... to stiffen it up.

One more pic, just because it's cool.

Thanks for reply countryboy..that will put me on track. At 98" this model should look sharp once I am done (hope).

Another quick question CB, what size cloth would you use, I am thinking 2oz may be too light and 4 oz may be too heavy. I Also need a source for the PVA release agent. Thanks again, Ken H

Ken,

Use two layers of 6 oz. followed by one layer of light crows cloth.

Also forgot to mention that you should probably wax the canopy with a mold release wax before spraying on the PVA mold release, although it is not absolutely necessary. Just creates an added insurance that the resin won't stick to the canopy. The PVA can be sprayed through a touchup gun although you could
brush it on... spraying being the better alternative.

All the products that you need can be purchased from
http://www.fiberlay.com

Ken,

Here is a couple more pics with a little better detail of the canopy.

You can find more at http://www.flyingzone.co.uk

Thanks for the pics CB. I have an excellent reference book on the full size Tornado...I just need a volunteer (paid of course) to tackle this job...wanna try? If so email me and I will gladly pay for your expertise. Ken H

Hi guys
I know its been a while since anybody posted on here, but a couple of the guys I work with have just been posted in from Tornado sqns. I fyou have any questions I'll be happy to get answers for you.

Dave

P.S Are these kits or scratch built?