T/U without gas struts?

[JHines]

Can anyone point me to photo of a T/U canopy without the gas struts? What did the hold-open device look like? Was it like a manual "hood prop" on a car?

[N941WR]

Jonathan,

Why do you not wish to use the struts?

If you are worried about jettison the canopy with the struts; rest assured, if you pop that canopy in flight, the struts will pull right out.

[Mel]

I would never put the struts on a TU canopy. They are in the way when entering or exiting the cockpit. (Maybe it's just my big feet!). I also don't share Bill's belief that they will tear away at jettison time. They may come loose, but what kind of "flailing" will they do in the process. I have removed many of the struts for customers that do extensive acro.
The original RV-6 canopy prop-rod is a short one similar to an automotive hood prop, attached to the top of the left panel support rib. On my airplane, I added a longer one to the passenger side, because the original canopy didn't have the stiffener that the later models have. Both of these (BTW) are completely disconnected with the canopy closed.

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by Mel

...I also don't share Bill's belief that they will tear away at jettison time. They may come loose, but what kind of "flailing" will they do in the process...

Mel,

I would like to test this some time. Do you know of anyone with a bad tip-up? I'm thinking we could test this on the back of a pickup and see what happens and at what speed.

I've seen a few convertible tops rip off and take bolted on cross bows with them at a lot less than than 100 MPH. Thus my feeling that the rods would just pull right out.

[Mel]

Bill,
I don't know of one, but I agree this would be a good test to do.
I don't doubt that the struts would rip out. My concern is how they would affect the trajectory of the canopy.
On a convertible top, everything is attached at the rear of the passenger compartment away from the "cockpit." The struts on the canopy are attached forward of the passengers.
Anyone want to volunteer a built-up canopy for the test?

[jsharkey]

Will the curved hinges "un hook" from under the fwd skin on an emergency release? The original canopies had simple lugs and a notched fwd skin. (They leaked bad I guess).

Has anyone successfully released one of the newer curved hinge canopies in flight?

Might be a myth busters back of a pickup test after all.

Jim Sharkey
RV6 Tip-up

[JHines]

Thanks for the info.

I don't even have the tail kit yet, so the canopy is a long way off.

I already know I want some heavy options (C/S prop, full IFR panel, "golf club" shelf). I aready know I should "build light".

I am just trying to think of every possible item to leave off to save weight and speed up the build. E.g., no primer, no blind rivet phobia, maybe no gas struts. I'm sorely tempted to use an O-235 if it can run auto fuel.

I intend to leave off the standard jettison mechanism completely, perhaps replacing the canopy pivot bolts with some pins for maintenance purposes.

I'm not worried about bailing out. I didn't wear a chute when I had a spam can, so bailing out wasn't an option. I won't be doing any aerobatics, so I figure as long as I can keep the fire hazard to equal or less than a spam can, I'm no worse off. I'll put a canopy knife or similar in the cockpit in case I flip it over on the ground.

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by JHines

Thanks for the info.

I don't even have the tail kit yet, so the canopy is a long way off.

I already know I want some heavy options (C/S prop, full IFR panel, "golf club" shelf). I aready know I should "build light".

I am just trying to think of every possible item to leave off to save weight and speed up the build. E.g., no primer, no blind rivet phobia, maybe no gas struts. I'm sorely tempted to use an O-235 if it can run auto fuel.

I intend to leave off the standard jettison mechanism completely, perhaps replacing the canopy pivot bolts with some pins for maintenance purposes.

I'm not worried about bailing out. I didn't wear a chute when I had a spam can, so bailing out wasn't an option. I won't be doing any aerobatics, so I figure as long as I can keep the fire hazard to equal or less than a spam can, I'm no worse off. I'll put a canopy knife or similar in the cockpit in case I flip it over on the ground.

Jonathan, I know Mel has strong feelings about the tip-up struts, but he is definitely in the minority on this issue.

You will gladly trade the extra few ounces for the convenience of the struts. I have no doubt many hundreds of tip up owners would agree. I don't think Vans would have included the struts if they didn't consider them an upgrade from the old prop rod.

Your choice......you will enjoy the tip up canopy either way.

[Mel]

Originally Posted by jsharkey

Will the curved hinges "un hook" from under the fwd skin on an emergency release? The original canopies had simple lugs and a notched fwd skin. (They leaked bad I guess).

For the canopy jettison feature, the skins must be notched. Mine have been notched (notches covered with tape similar to what glider pilots use to cover wing root joints) for 15 years. Never leaked!
Only the VERY early Tip-ups had the straight hinges.

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by Mel

For the canopy jettison feature, the skins must be notched. Mine have been notched (notches covered with tape similar to what glider pilots use to cover wing root joints) for 15 years. Never leaked!
Only the VERY early Tip-ups had the straight hinges.

The "goose-neck" canopy hinge (Vans terminology......) was introduced in 1992, and the plans now don't even seem to mention or show the "notching option" Mel mentions.

gil A