Canopy side skirts pucker

[dlomheim]

The canopy skirts on the RV-3 I'm restoring both bow out a bit and no doubt will allow quite a bit of cold air in during winter ops. It appears that a .125 (or so) inch piece of aluminum in this this example is what should give them some rigidity. I didn't receive plans w/the a/c, so I'm first wondering if this is how the plans call for it to be constructed. Additionally, I was wondering if anyone else has had this issue, and if there might be a good technique to pull it in and make it tighter.

I am thinking I might simply have to remove it next summer and redo it in fiberglass to eliminate it...

Thanks for any suggestions / information.

Doug
RV-3A restoration

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sph0reylxlknhx7/Canopy pucker.JPG?n=49338394