New Tipup Canopy Latch!

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BSwayze
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Location: Portland, Oregon
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New Tipup Canopy Latch!

Post by BSwayze »

I'd like to report on a very positive vendor experience! Some months back, there was some excitement over a new canopy latch mechanism for the side-by-side tipup canopy models. Well, I tried to get one, but it switched hands a couple of times. Then my friend Darwin Barrie, down in Arizona, took it on and finished the development to bring it to market. I decided to wait for it and I'm glad I did! I recently received my order from JD Air Parts and this thing is really great! Darwin and Jason are a pleasure to deal with, and they have some other products I'll probably be getting as well.

Here's a link to the product page:
http://www.jdair.com/custom-tip-up-cano ... rv-7-rv-9/

Here's a link to my web page, describing my work on it so far:

http://www.europa.com/~swayze/RV-7A/Fin ... 11113.html

Here are some images:

Image

The plans for the latch have you start by making a template out of some .032 scrap that represents the fuselage skin. You cut openings for the latch pieces, then you fabricate the two angle pieces that hold the latch mechanism. I like the idea of practicing on a template before cutting into the side of my fuselage! Here's the finished assembly on the template:

Image

And here's how the latch looks from the outside. Notice how the parts are perfectly flush. I love this! To open the canopy, you push the "button" on the left in. That releases the lever arm on the right and you pull it toward you just like the standard Vans lever piece.

Image

My next step will be to use the template to drill the holes and mark for the cutouts on the fuselage. This latch is superior in almost every respect to the standard one in the kit. These pieces are water-jet cut and the side surfaces are precision CNC machined. They have kind of a rough finish as they come. But they polish up real nice. You can leave them as is, polish them, paint them, anodize them, whatever you like! This is worth taking a good look at.
Bruce Swayze
Portland, Oregon
http://www.BrucesRV7A.com
RV-7A Working on Firewall Forward

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hydroguy2
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Location: Townsend, Montana

Post by hydroguy2 »

I like the flush look.
Brian
Townsend, MT

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BSwayze
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Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:15 am
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Post by BSwayze »

I'll post some update pics as I get this installed in my RV-7A!
Bruce Swayze
Portland, Oregon
http://www.BrucesRV7A.com
RV-7A Working on Firewall Forward

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hydroguy2
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Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:13 pm
Location: Townsend, Montana

Post by hydroguy2 »

Thread hijack:

Kris is looking at a job in Portland. She is having trouble getting enough hours to get licensed, so may go out of state for a few years.
Brian
Townsend, MT

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BSwayze
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Posts: 581
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:15 am
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Post by BSwayze »

Brian, if she comes here, have her contact us right away! Jamie and I would really like to help her "feel at home" and have some friends here.
Bruce Swayze
Portland, Oregon
http://www.BrucesRV7A.com
RV-7A Working on Firewall Forward

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hydroguy2
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Posts: 1307
Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:13 pm
Location: Townsend, Montana

Post by hydroguy2 »

bruce, sent you an email to your europa acct
Brian
Townsend, MT

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