3 Piece Canopy

[pedwards2932]

The Veron Chipmunk I am building has a canopy design that is three pieces.  I am a little intimidated by the design and construction.  I have canopy glue and can easily cut the pieces.  I am not sure the best way to put it together.  If I was at home I might try to vacuform one or plunge form.  I just don't have as many tools at my disposal so if I can make the original design work it would be easier.  Anyone have any experience with this?  What thickness and material would be best to use?

[MKelly]

Piece of cake.  I use clear .002" Graphix Wrap, but any thin but flat clear plastic will work.  Cut the front and rear windscreens, wrap them over the forward and rear cockpit formers with the lower edges against the fuselage and glue with PVA canopy glue.  Cut the canopy frames from bond paper and cover with tissue (glue stick or spray adhesive work well for attaching the tissue.  Glue the framing down onto a scrap of the Graphix Wrap using thinned canopy glue wicked under the edges.  Cut out, fold over the cockpit formers and glue with canopy glue.  Sometimes helps to use a few strips of low-tack masking tape to hold the clear plastic in place while the glue dries.

Hope this helps,

Mike

[pedwards2932]

I will try that....don't have any plastic yet.  I'll see if I can find any at Hobbby Lobby or an office supply, or I guess Amazon.

[Stunthenk]

Evergreen has thin plastic sheet. Item 9005 J-1 .005" thick Clear, three 12" x 6" sheets in a package.

[pedwards2932]

I got some acetate that is 7 mill and I think it is too thick especially for the front and rear parts.  I ordered some 3 mill it should be easier to use.

[ramses]

Evergreen has thin plastic sheet. Item 9005 J-1 .005" thick Clear, three 12" x 6" sheets in a package.

Good tip! That is what i have used for the canopy of my Chippy and works great!
I first coloured the canopy frame black, directly on the inside of the three canopy pieces:



Cut out and first glued the middle part with Zap canopy glue to the fuselage:



Then the front and rear piece:



Even though the Evergreen 0.005" clear plastic sheet is very thin, the finished canopy is quite strong!

Cheers, Ramses