Cockpit Frame And Canopy - Carf-Models Ultra Flash Instruction Manual

Cockpit Frame and Canopy

The moulded fibreglass canopy frame has already been
trimmed at the factory, and the retaining method completed
for you. It only remains for you to fit the clear cockpit canopy,
and the plastic cockpit tub if you chose.
The cockpit canopy frame is held in place by a pair of phe-
nolic hooks at the back, a small phenolic tab at the top to
centre it, and is retained at the front by a 2mm wire that
slides into a tube from the nose. This is a very simple and
reliable retaining method, and no tools are needed to
remove the canopy on the flight-line. All you need to do is
solder the metal ball taken from the M2 ball-link (in the hard-
ware pack) onto the end of the 2mm wire. Clean and lightly
sand the end of the wire and solder the ball onto it, and sand
to a smooth round shape. Countersink the hole in the nose
of the fuselage so that the ball fits almost flush. (photo right)
Fitting clear canopies can be a little bit tricky, but the canopy
on the Flash is one of the easiest to do as it is not too big,
and quite rigid.
This is the method we use: Sand the inside edges of the
fibreglass canopy frame and central hoop (especially the
fibreglass joining tapes) carefully with 120 grit sandpaper, to
ensure a perfect fit of the canopy inside. Cover the outer
surface of the clear canopy completely with paper masking
tape. This prevents you scratching it while checking the size
and fit, and it's easy to mark clear lines on it for trimming.
Lay the clear canopy on top of the frame, and mark the
shape with a felt pen, about 6mm outside the edges of the
fibreglass frame. Trim to the line with curved scissors, and
then trial fit the canopy inside the frame. Visually check from
the front and back to make sure sure that the canopy is cen-
tral and straight in the frame. Now you can accurately mark
all the edges of the canopy frame with a pen. Remove the
canopy and trim 6 - 8mm outside the lines.
Tip: Do all the trimming in a warm room to make sure that
you don't split the clear canopy.
Remove the masking tape from the outside of the canopy
only in the areas that will be glued to the fibreglass frame.
Apply a small bead of aliphatic type canopy glue to the
inside of the central hoop only. (we use Pacer/ZAP canopy
glue #560 which is excellent and cleans up with water). Re-
install the canopy in the frame and tape in position from the
inside. Fit the canopy frame onto the fuselage and secure
with the wire at the front. Check alignment again.
(above) Canopy frame is held to
the fuselage by a 2mm wire that
engages in a plastic tube - all
completed at the factory for you.
(below) Solder the metal ball
from the ball-link onto the the
wire, and countersink the hole.
(above) Cover the clear canopy in
masking tape while trimming to
protect it from scratches etc.
(below) Make tape 'handles' and
use them to 'pull' the canopy
tightly into the frame for tacking in
place with odourless CA.
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