Began work on the canopy locking mechanism which is composed of:
- 2 Nyloil bearings up underneath each end of the upper seat back support. - A long torque tube running behind the upper seat back. - 2 outboard torque tube ends that provide fore-aft travel when the torque tube is rotated. - 1 internal actuating lever near the centerline of the upper seat back. - 1 external locking latch for locking/unlocking the canopy from outside.
Today I got everything to fit in place this involved
- Riveting the last sections where the canopy rail intersects with the upper seat back gusset and where that gusset attaches to the seat back. - Opening a hole in the center seat back to allow the internal actuating lever on the torque tube to extend into the seating area. - Placing, fitting, drilling and clecoing the two torque tube bearings into place. - Drilling a hole through the pilot side skin to accept the external locking mechanism. - Fitting the torque tube ends to make sure they extend fully across the back to fit snugly into both bearings - fitting the two steel arms that connect the torque tube locking mechanism to each of the canopy latches.
Right side showing the actuating lever, torque tube, bearing (green) being test fit into place.
Left side: One of the arms is connected to the torque tube end, but not to the latch yet.