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Skygate Collection
BAE Hawk Mk 66
Again by laying the glass over the frame you can now
mark up the area to be cut on all sides. Make it larger
rather than smaller as you can always trim more off as you
go. Secure the glass to the frame with masking tape whilst
you do this to get accurate lines. Be careful not to distort
the frame whilst marking out.
Once you have a rough cut out you can now test fit in the
frame to see where you might need to trim some more.
Always be careful - measure twice cut once !
Fig. 71
The next step is vital to ensure the canopy frame is a good fit in the fuselage opening. Fit the frame and
glass to the fusealge and temporarily fix the the glass with either tape or magnets or a combination of the
two. Doing this ensures that you are not creating a distorted canopy when you start gluing. Once you are
happy with the fit all round you can start to tack the canopy in place. We have used cyano but you can
use canopy glue or similar to your preference. Be careful if using cyano to only use the tiniest amount of
kicker as too much heat generated will fog the glass.
The front glass is fitted in much the same way. Firstly sand any high spots or areas of inconsistent
thickness and after removing the front and rear faces of the glass, offer it over the fuselage to see where
to start marking. Trim to down in stages until it is at a size where you can insert the flass from the inside
and then make final adjustments. Once again hold in place with magnets, tack glue and then glue all
round.
Fig. 74
Fig. 72
Fig. 73
Canopy Latch
A simple but effective canopy latch system is provided for you with 2 locating pins into the front frame, 2
phenolic lugs that go locate along the length, secured by a spring loaded latch mechanism at the rear.
You will see a pre-fitted brass tube in the top of the fuselage ready to accept the 3mm canopy latching
pin assembly. This has been made up for you at the factory and is installed by inserting the 3mm latch
rod into the brass tube and slipping the spring over the outside of the brass tube. You might find that
you need to trim approx 10mm off the spring to achieve the right amount of latch protruding from the
fuselage. You should have about 15mm of latch protruding from the fuselage to achieve a good secure
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