Canopy

[David H]

In parallel to the sliding canopy topic that cropped up on the Yahoo Group, I (as an eavesdropping prospective Starlet builder) would be very interested to hear of any experiences of the sliding canopy and it's performance implications.

The Starlet word is that sliding is best because the up-side-down scenario, but do I prefer the look of the side-hinged (from inside and out!) and guess the flight characteristics could be slightly better.

David

[Mr.Tipsy]

The Nipper with sliding canopy was never sold to private owners,
it was just an idea of Nipper Aircraft because the two parts were easier to manufacter than the once piece canopy.

A couple of Nipper were modified with a sliding canopy and publications photographs etc were made.
The "new" Nipper was ready to be presented to the press.

David Antill (director of Nipper Aircraft and Nipper Kits) told me this story.
He also told me that he had not flown the Nipper withs sliding canopy until a couple of days before the presentation.

When he flew it, he thought it flew horrible and they abandoned the entire plan (including the press presentation).

A picture of a Nipper with sliding canopy.

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[David H]

Thanks for the info Willem.

That canopy certainly doesn't do the looks any good, does it and it appears to have a very 'upright' screen, which I'm sure won't help - no wonder it was scrapped!

The Starlet's canopy works a lot better:

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but I prefer this - despite the unfortunate upside-own forced landing incident

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[Mr.Tipsy]

It indead looks better with the normal canopy.

About the upside down incident ...

There have also been some incidents during which the Nipper overturned, but I don't seem to recall that the pilot ever had problem with vacating the airplane.

[David H]

There have also been some incidents during which the Nipper overturned, but I don't seem to recall that the pilot ever had problem with vacating the airplane.

Can the canopy be fully 'jettisoned' from the Nipper, or has anybody incorporated such a feature, as with glider canopies?

[Mr.Tipsy]

I don't think that's possible. If you look at the photo, you'll see that the attachment of the canopy is on the outside. (otherwise you can't open it entirely).

The jettison canopy from gliders have their attachments on the inside.

[David H]

Ah, right - thanks Willem.

I can see I'm going to have to do some thinking about this, but I do know 'down-under' it is the Rhin DR107 canopy that has been used successfully and there is another slightly more bulbous type from somewhere.

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