mis-matched kits canopy connundrum

blaplante · #1 09-22-2011, 08:19 AM

This is *not* an intent to start a canopy war

So please, don't.

The situation I've just discovered with the project I purchased a couple months ago is as follows: the kit is an RV-6A QB. Very little has been done to the fuselage. The finish kit is for a slider. So imagine my surprise a week ago when it began to dawn on me that the QB is a tip-up! So I have a QB fuselage (F-621A and B installed, sub-panel for tip-up installed), but have a packing sheet for a slider finish kit and definitely a slider canopy frame.

Add one more thing to the mix --- the guy apparently (originally?) bought a slow-build RV6A slider fuselage kit. I have extras of a whole bunch of stuff... and the F-6107, 6108, 6109, 6110 parts.

So here is the conundrum: as I am of mixed feelings about either tip-up or slider (I see pros and cons to both), I'm really of the mind to take the least resistance path. Which is?

a) Purchase parts to convert the finish kit to a tip-up. Doing some figuring last night, it might get a little expensive, and the tip-up frame isn't showing up on the online parts list.

b) convert the QB fuselage. apparently meaning I have to drill out nearly 100 rivets in the F-621 A/B and firewall. Ack.

Any else faced this or have tips/advice?

Thanks!

bret · #2 09-22-2011, 09:03 AM

Drilling out 100 rivets is no big deal.....ask me how I know....

N520TX · #3 09-22-2011, 09:34 AM

If it's neither here nor there as far as the type of canopy, I'd drill the 100 rivets. Don't let it worry you, after the first 5 or 10, you'll get the hang of it.

tmbg · #4 09-22-2011, 12:08 PM

Yeah, eventually we all have to do it. I just had to rebuild my rudder because it got crushed while moving the project to the airport. I reused my stiffeners, so literally every rivet in both skins got drilled out. It's a lot of rivets.

Neal@F14 · #5 09-22-2011, 12:09 PM

Sliders are waaay cooler than tip-ups... both figuratively, and literally.
Can't hang your arm out the side of a tip-up while taxiing and waving at everyone

ChiefPilot · #6 09-22-2011, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neal@F14

Sliders are waaay cooler than tip-ups... both figuratively, and literally.
Can't hang your arm out the side of a tip-up while taxiing and waving at everyone

...and we're off!

C-FAH Q · #7 09-22-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefPilot

...and we're off!

into the first corner we have slider ahead by a wing rib over tip up, followed closely by RV4 tip over and combination tipup/slider, bringing up the rear more than 6 longerons back is open cockpit windshield........

N520TX · #8 09-22-2011, 01:21 PM

Too funny ... I really resisted the urge to open that can of worms ... but now that it is - I can see both sides. I have a tip up and LOVE the visibility. The flip side is that it's been 100+ deg for 3 mths here in TX and when taxiing on the ground, a slider would have been MUCH more comfortable. I just recently installed the Koger sunshade and that helped a bunch. Were I to do it again - tipup, hands down.

pierre smith · #9 09-22-2011, 02:01 PM

Take the path of least resistance

Both canopies are fine...the tip-up has incredible visibility with no roll bar obstruction. The tip can't slide for fresh air while taxiing but you can raise it for fresh air..

Your choice, really.

Best,

blaplante · #10 10-13-2011, 09:34 PM

In the end we did pull out the tip-up components. I have to say it went much easier than I expected, only about 3 hours of effort. Only 3 or some munged up holes that will require oversize rivets; all of which will be hidden by the canopy track.