Need a canopy

[Robertc]

I'm looking for a canopy that's similar to the pic below.  I've tried cutting down
Sig canopies, but it's still much too round.  Need a gentler slope.

[Douglas Ames]

Make a buck and form your own with a heat gun. There are several threads on this.
You could try a larger canopy with less of a "slope" and trim it down.

[builditright]

Make a buck and form your own with a heat gun. There are several threads on this.
You could try a larger canopy with less of a "slope" and trim it down.

And if you don't want to do that (as I don't) try looking here.
http://parkflyerplastics.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=46

[steve bittner]

Instead of trying to use the front of the canopy, get a large one and go from the opposite end and cut to fit. The back of the canopy would end up being the front will give you the shape you want.

[ericrule]

Carve the shape you want. Seal and finish it. Then send it to me at RSM Distribution, 21899 Heliotrope Lane, Wildomar, CA 92595. I will be happy to pull one or two for you on my vacuum former machine.

Eric Rule

[Bill Little]

Carve the shape you want. Seal and finish it. Then send it to me at RSM Distribution, 21899 Heliotrope Lane, Wildomar, CA 92595. I will be happy to pull one or two for you on my vacuum former machine.

Eric Rule

Hi Eric,

What do you recommend for sealing and finishing the buck?

Thanks!
Bill

[Geoff Goodworth]

Eric's offer is very good but Brodaks sell the Vector 40 canopy separately. Will that do the job?

[Scott Richlen]

Eric's offer is fantastic!  But if you are unsure about carving your own buck, take the other recommendation about ParkFlyer canopies.  They are very low priced so when I recently needed a canopy, I went through their catalog and ordered 5 different ones with close to the correct dimensions and shape.  One of the five fit perfectly.  And I think the whole episode maybe cost around $20.  I'll eventually either use or give away the other 4.  It was a quick and relatively low-cost solution.

Scott

[Robertc]

Already carved a buck yesterday.  It's going to Eric's.  Thanks for the offer!
Vector 40 won't do.  Neither will the Straga, long Shoestring.  Getting a collection of canopies.

[FLOYD CARTER]

I have cut down canopies, and sometimes used only the rear portion.  Perhaps I'm not quite as picky?
They all end up looking good.
Floyd

[Robertc]

I looked at the rear portion (thanks for the tip), but won't work on this plane, unless I redo the turtle deck.  With my stock of canopies,
I'll design the top part of the fuse to match an existing canopy for the next plane.

[ericrule]

Since you are only planning on having a couple of canopies done it is not really necessary to put of a lot of finishing material.

Just carve and sand the wooden plug. Make sure that you get any grain or splits filled and sanded out as anything on the surface will transfer into the plastic.

When Bill Netzeband used to carve my canopies he used a very tight grained Basswood for the bucks. These were  sanded smooth and finished with a couple of coats for clear varnish. They have worked very well for me and have held up really well over the years.

Hope this info is of assistance.

Eric Rule