Canopy Mounting ? : Glue and Glass?

[IFLYRC]

I have a question folks :

So, take a look at the pic below. I want to mount my canopy.. in a slightly diffferent way. [ Thinking about it anyway ] plane is a 40% 3W Extra btw

I am thinking to glue the canopy down, and then bondo the seam. Do you think this will hold up to the vibration of the airframe? Notice, there is a "mounting lip" around the canopy frame.

I could add glass over the bondo to help with strength. Has anybody ever done something like this?

This is to make a perfect transition between the 2 parts. Will paint to hide seam of course.... [ primed the rest of the airframe today in fact ! }

Of course, if I do this permanant instal, you know something in the cockpit is SURE to break losse ! lol

Thoughts?

[rede2fly]

ya know if itwere mine i would not do that but, as good as you did on the cockpit, if you dont like it iam shure you will be able to repair and or undo it without too much trouble. great job by the way. you can do my plane anytime you want to

[3ddd]

you can use bondo light around the seam to blend it in then glass the hatch with 1/2 oz cloth and paint and it will look real nice

[Shoe]

We have a 3W 37 1/2% Yak. First we tried the tiny screw idea, and that didn't work too well, as we developed many cracks in the canopy from vibration. So we got a new canopy from Aircraft International, and secured it to the frame with Plumber's Goop rather than screws. Worked like a charm. To hide the visible goop, we just applied tape on the outside of the canopy.

[IFLYRC]

3ddd :
Have you ever seen this done and hold up to vibration?

I know I can do it and make it look great, but am concerned about the durability long term. I build my planes to last long term.. well, assumming the radio holds out... lol My, what an "Interesting" aiviator...


Shoe:
Yea, after drilling 60 holes for the recommeded canopy mounting.... I am not happy. I wonder how much a new canopy is gonna cost ! I use Aircraft International as well . . . I am going to glue the canopy on for sure. Not sure I can hide the seam with tape as it has that mounting lip.

What a bugger it was / is trying to cut that larger canopy and get it to match well all the way around. Ugh !

Thanks guys.

JIM

[Shoe]

Jim, Gerhard gave me a canopy for free, to replace the cracked one. It seems to fit better too. I believe there were issues with the original design. Yeah, it was a pain drilling the 90 little holes, but, it did look cool. I used tape over the seam only because I didn't want to repaint the frame. Good luck!

[3ddd]

	Quote: Originally Posted by IFLYRC
	3ddd : Have you ever seen this done and hold up to vibration? I know I can do it and make it look great, but am concerned about the durability long term. I build my planes to last long term.. well, assumming the radio holds out... lol My, what an "Interesting" aiviator... Shoe: Yea, after drilling 60 holes for the recommeded canopy mounting.... I am not happy. I wonder how much a new canopy is gonna cost ! I use Aircraft International as well . . . I am going to glue the canopy on for sure. Not sure I can hide the seam with tape as it has that mounting lip. What a bugger it was / is trying to cut that larger canopy and get it to match well all the way around. Ugh ! Thanks guys. JIM

several pro builders use this method.if i remember right even tony the great russo uses this on some plains.i know for a fact aj lee does some this away also and have never heard of a problem

[IFLYRC]

Thanks 3ddd

Guess I'm going to try it and see what happens.

Now, about that aiviator.... full size pic please?

If I get this thing complete in time.. "might" take it to the Toledo show.

I will update progress when complete....

Thanks again !

JIM