Apr 8 2004 - I started making the first canopy cuts. At this point the top is about 1/2" above the roll bar and I continue to bring it down slowly.

Front view.

Apr 9 2004 - I continued trimming at the front and rear and finally made the big cut. After separating the two pieces, I worked on fitting the windscreen. Here it is pretty much ready to drill the screw holes.

I'm going to fit the canopy first and do all the drilling at one time. I think trimming the top skin side skirts more forward than in the plans is going to work out well - I'll know after the canopy and skirts are fit.

Apr 10 2004 - Time to fit and drill the canopy to the frame. This stand made working on the assembly much easier than working on the airplane.

I started at the rear since pulling the plexi down to the frame changes the shape elsewhere. It is not under much tension, but pulling this in does cause noticeable changes elsewhere.

The rear with the initial #40 holes and clecos.

I continued on drilling the remaining holes and trimming the gap to the windscreen. I also drilled the windscreen after the initial fits looked good.

It's hard to see here, but getting the windscreen and canopy even all the way around took a ton of work. I repeatedly removed the canopy and frame and bent the frame bow in various places to try and get the fit as close as possible. I'm quitting here, there is no more than 1/16 to 3/32 error all the way around except for the very bottom. The fairing will take care of this.

Ready for final trimming around the bottom edge and then I'll drill all the holes to final size and prepare for the skirt installation.

<back home next>