I want to get the canopy handle installed and completed prior to getting the windscreen bonded and the fglass work on the windscreen completed. Lately I have been researching the bonding process and such to installing the canopy and fiberglassing it in place. I am bonding it with sika and then fiberglassing it in place. It is a little intimidating to me and I have been doing more research than work.
One persons log that I have referred to on several occasions is Steve Riffe. His log has a lot of detail and he has built a great looking airplane. If you are building an RV8 definitely check out his log: http://www.mykitlog.com/users/index.php?user=skyking90200&project=832 . I actually was able to have a conference call with him and another builder Jim last night to hash out the windscreen bonding and glassing process which was very informative....thanks Steve!
Moving on.....the handle that I made in the shop was square on the backside. The way it fits into the canopy skirt would lock it up when it set in its position. So I hated to do so because it has already been hard anodized but I used a ball endmill and modified it. FIts and works great now but will have to use some paint to touch up the backside even though you can't see it when it is on the canopy.
With the handle modified I set it in place and marked the spot to drill the hole and drilled it. I then put the inside handle holes in for the spring and assembled everything and completed the canopy locking mechanism. I am going to have to get the guts up to get the windscreen and canopy completed now......
