I was wandering if I can do all the fiberglass in one step or do I need to wait for the sides to cure before doing the 36" top strips? Thanks Oren
Hi Vern, What is this 4 inch tape you are talking about? is it a fiberglass tape and do you put it on after the 36 inch strips? I am having trouble trying to figure out how you sand into the top layer of electrical tape to get the crisp edge along the canopy, I think I may be over-thinking this part of the project. Don from Ohio, preparing to fiberglass.
These canopy pieces are available premade from Viking Engines guys about $250 I believe.........
Have you actually used one or do you know someone who has?
From what I have seen there is enough variation plane to plane that it would be hard to get the fit right. It would also be interesting to know how it is attached as I think it would be hard to get a good bond to the windshield if the fit was not perfect, like you get on a made in place part.
Best regards,
Vern
Hi Vern Not sure on this one but there is information on the Viking engine site .... just click on RV-12 .....
Cheers.
OK Vern, I got the 4 in tape from Aircraft Spruce, but still am not clear how to use it. Specifically the folding over a 36 inch piece to make it 18 inches? Do you then cut back one of the other plies to compensate? Sure wish I had a photo.
OK Vern, got it now, thanks! I had almost figured out part of it while out cutting the paper pieces and trying to acquaint myself with the instructions. Got to get me some sort of cutting machine, I have seen those pizza cutter types, never thought they would be much worth anything, especially with fiberglass cloth.
Back from Wal Mart Aviation section, got me a board and a pizza cutter to ty out.
One thing Ihave not been able to quite understand, when making the joint between the sides and the center strip, if you overlap it would appear to make a bump, if not overlapped, a very weak spot. What is with that joint?
Well, I just got it all done! Thanks Vern for the guidance, it came in handy as I progressed. Not too bad a job really, just messy as heck. I used black dye on the first two coats so it won't look crappy from the inside when the canopy is open. Now I have to wait a day or two for it to all cure, then hope I can get it unstuck from the airplane!
Got the canopy off, with some damage. I dug out the pivot bolts and cut a hole around them, and unscrewed the bolts. That led to a pop as the struts broke loose the canopy!. The struts of course pushed it forward, and between that and getting it loose, I bent the panel cover a bit. Also, I had never used that peel ply stuff, did not get along with it too well, could not seem to make it do compound curves or lay down in the epoxy very well. I think using pieces would have worked better.
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