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I placed my canopy plexiglass into the canopy frame for the first time today. I thought that with the "super fast build" kit, it would be a perfect match with no trimming required.
Silly me.
Actually, the canopy frame looks real good. Maybe I only need to trim the plexiglass. This is where I need advice. The canopy cutout in the frame (as delivered from the factory) looks really nice. This is why I thought it was the final shape, and why I am resistant to cut into it, even though another inch of viewing area on each side and another 2 inches in the back could be obtained.
The existing cutout is, at the back, 5 inches forward of the front face of the forward rollover, and 7-3/4 inches forward of the aft edge of the canopy frame itself (which fits superbly into the joggles). The existing cutout, along the sides, is 6 inches above the fuselage wooden longerons. There is a reasonably smooth chamfer in the rear corners. Not perfect, but the paint will fix that.
It almost looks like there's a slight ridge in the outer surface that could be a "final cut to" line. Or maybe not.
Also, in the front, it seems like the plexiglass may overlap the fiberglass (soon to be graphite) holding in the foam stiffener. (Er, forming the stiffener whose shape is defined by the foam, I suppose....) The fiberglass comes within 7/16 inch in one spot though is generally 5/8 inch or farther from the cutout. However, I could trim the plexiglass back as necessary or grind the graphite away. It's only a factor for less than 3 inches, and I'd remove a strip about 1/4 inch wide.
Any and all advice would be appreciated. Do I leave the factory cutout as is, or enlarge it? Either way I need to trim the plexiglass everywhere except the front edge.
- Rob Wolf
LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair
Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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