After much thought and a call to Van's, I decided to install the Canopy release mechanism after all. (Also, it was getting old having to remove clecoes on the skin to remove the bolts/nuts -- can't imagine the headache when the skins are riveted!) As I did not originally intend to do this, I had to modify the mounting of the F-697 channel some. Most of the time spent was the notching of the push rods and getting things properly aligned. I did add a stop for the mechanism so that when engaging the pins, there's a positive, closed position of the handle without stressing the mechanism. I also chose to orient the handle horizontally so it takes up less panel real estate (see photo 3 below). Taking the time to do the Canopy release (in my view) is time well spent, as it's pretty easy to operate. It believe (the Canopy Release) is also required should I want to have this airplane approved for Aerobatics.
The release handle protruding through the paper templates on the panel
