Draker
Well Known Member
I think I've had this thing off and back on 10 times in the last three days trying to get a better fit and it's not cooperating. Any tips for what to bend, stretch, file or pull to get this thing to line up with the rest of the airplane? There doesn't seem to be much build log wisdom out there on this topic--seems like people get it close and build on.
First up is the fit between the two top skins, shown below clecoed on:
I've got a gap in the center-top between the skins of about 1/16":
The gap gets better as you go outboard, here it's 3/64":
The canopy frame skin also bulges upward on both sides about halfway outboard by about 1/16". No amount of bending and filing of the sub panel flanges seems to correct this. It seems baked into the shape of the welded canopy frame substructure below the canopy skin:
Speaking of which, that flange of that assembly does not even lay flat on the canopy deck. Not sure if it's supposed to or not:
And the skin does not lay flush against the frame itself:
The top skin also bulges outboard on either side by about 1/8" and is not flush against the side skin [looking upward]:
Thankfully I haven't drilled anything yet. Anyone know how to correct any of these problems? I think the outward bulge with respect to the side skins is probably the worst problem and the one that needs the most attention, but no amount of bending of the WD-716 canopy frame assembly seems to help.
First up is the fit between the two top skins, shown below clecoed on:
I've got a gap in the center-top between the skins of about 1/16":
The gap gets better as you go outboard, here it's 3/64":
The canopy frame skin also bulges upward on both sides about halfway outboard by about 1/16". No amount of bending and filing of the sub panel flanges seems to correct this. It seems baked into the shape of the welded canopy frame substructure below the canopy skin:
Speaking of which, that flange of that assembly does not even lay flat on the canopy deck. Not sure if it's supposed to or not:
And the skin does not lay flush against the frame itself:
The top skin also bulges outboard on either side by about 1/8" and is not flush against the side skin [looking upward]:
Thankfully I haven't drilled anything yet. Anyone know how to correct any of these problems? I think the outward bulge with respect to the side skins is probably the worst problem and the one that needs the most attention, but no amount of bending of the WD-716 canopy frame assembly seems to help.