I actually like the look of the Clark slider more than the Showplanes tip-over, but went with the tip-over for some practical reasons.

Like an RV-4, it eliminates the roll bar/canopy seam in the pilot's visual scan.

You get full access to the back of the instrument panel, from the top, while standing next to the airplane on either side. Working under the panel is miserable with an standard -8.

The relocated roll bar becomes a huge assist handle for the passenger, both while on the wing walk and while getting up and down from the seated position. I think the gray eagles and the ladies will really like it.

I think it will seal better (no pesky drafts), as the composite canopy frame is tightly fitted to the fuselage and is much thicker than skirts. Mine fits so tight that I'm concerned about paint clearance.

There are no canopy rivets (although you still drill holes); the plexi is bonded to the frame so I hope for less chance of in-service cracking.

It should ventilate more aggressively in the taxi position; without a fixed windshield air comes straight back from the prop under the canopy nose.

There are always compromises of course.

The tip-over is likely to make a parachute exit impossible, unless you make some serious mods to incorporate Pitts-style hinges.

High winds or some idiot doing a careless ramp run-up may damage the open lid. Repairs would be harder because...

There is a lot more composite work to build the canopy assembly. You must fit, bond, filet, fill, and finish all the honeycomb interior ribs, then fit and bond the canopy, then do layups, fill and finish on the outside. I'd really hate to replace the plexi at ths point. None of it is hard, but it eats a lot of time.

Turtledeck metal substitution is the same for both versions. Both will require a custom tail fairing. Although seldom noted, the tip-over kit requires trimming the vertical stabilizer and relocating the lowest nose rib. I imagine the slider is the same; both have a raised turtle. Both versions require some welding; the canopy frame for the slider and the roll bar for the tip-over.

Bryan's supplied canopy hardware and weldments are excellent. This photo was taken prior to rollbar and bubble install.

Pick one and get busy!

 
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Tom Clark

I'm doing the Tom Clark on my -8 slow build. What you get from Tom is replacement bulkhead tops and some instructions. You need to supply your own top skin (cut from 8'x4' flat sheet: scary!) and canopy, and do some mods to the stock Vans canopy frame (or make your own).

I'm not there yet, but it looks like a whole lot of scary work. I have no idea if I'll need to mod the vertical stab due to the raised turtle deck. I went with the TC kit specifically because I wanted to retain the slider; I wasn't keen on the tip over 'look'. Give me a year (I know, slow progress) and maybe I'll be able to update you all. Keep an eye on that kitlog...
 
Dan, I really like the looks of the Showp Planes setup, have been drooling over it for a while now.

A question for you...........the 8 is a bit too narrow for me at the shoulder area, wide rail for the slider canopy hits me in the shoulders if I put both arms down by my side-----kinda necessary to reach the stick and throttle.
With the tip over settup, is the cockpit any wider in the pilot shoulder area???

Does the tipover get rid of the wide rales totaly, or they stil there??? If they are still there, can they be removed/modifiet to give me a couple more inches on each side???

Thanks,
 
Mike,
Yes, the Showplanes package comes with new cockpit rails, and they are narrower than the OEM Van's rails. I didn't measure, but I'd guess you gain about two inches.
 
thanks.

Dan, that is good to hear, Thanks for the info.

There may be an 8 somewhere in my future, when the ten is done.
 
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