Quote:
Originally Posted by instructor_bill
I thought that the canopy might lay better if the skin wasn't keeping it from naturally laying on top of the 706 bulkhead and slightly below the final skin surface. Then again, I suppose everything aft of the f-706 bulkhead like the j stiffeners and f-787 would possibly be in the way of the canopy taking an unobstructed rest on the 706 bulkhead as well.
Maybe I'm looking at it the wrong way and there's no reason to make it a big deal 
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At the risk of mixing apples and oranges, I'll offer a few pix of the RV-6A QB Tip-Up canopy cutting;
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/displa...g=97748&row=10
Relatively little change in the design, and therefore the process of cutting the plexi. (The fwd top skin, F-675?, on the RV-6A is not pre-punched or trimmed so I actually adjusted the skin edge after the plexi.)
When you get the canopy, you'll see that the mold edges are still on the plexi, and that alone is a big trim. Once that is eliminated, you can 'start' moving the canopy into position and approximate the front & back edges. It's an iterative process. I don't think I cut more than 1" off any edge initially, and the cuts got progressively smaller. You'll know when you're in the range when the aft end slips INTO the rear window area.
The whole canopy was/is a big task, but the initial fitting and cutting (for me) was less traumatic than advertised. USE THE CUTTING wheel and materials Vans supplies. Stay 'warm' and get help lifting and moving the plexi.
I also used the cut-off wheel to dress the edges after each cut, and even scraped it with the back of a hacksaw blade as it got to the final. Just to lessen the stress crack potential. Put some extra layers of tape, (blue or your favorite) along the cutting line to avoid the inevitable 'slip'.
gary (rviter)
RV-6A QB, O-360-J2A->???
www.mykitlog.com/garyc
Mesa AZ
__________________
gary
RV-6A QB Tip-Up, 1st Flight 3/18/17

O-360-J2A (modified & F/I), Sensenich FP (cruise)
VP-X Sport, Dynon SkyView, VFR day
(FFZ) Mesa, AZ - N234GB -
www.mykitlog.com/garyc