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Jeff's RV-6 Site

Canopy Targa Strip

I decided to go with a targa strip on the tip-up canopy. I have seen a few of these on tip-ups, and I think they improve the appearance of the joint between the canopy and the rear window. They have the added benefit of concealing my less-than-perfectly-straight cut line between the canopy halves.

I experimented with doing the strip in aluminum, but due to the slightly compound nature of the curve, I couldn't get the aluminum to lay flat. I decided to do it in fiberglass. The strip is five layers thick, with the leading edge beveled. I did the layup in place, with wax paper over the rear window to prevent bonding. I also scuffed up the canopy glass to promote bonding. Before doing the fiberglass layups, I installed every other screw holding the canopy to the frame and glassed right over the screws. After the layups were done, I back drilled the remaining holes through the strip, countersunk the glass and installed those screws. Sanding and finishing was done in place, with lots of electric tape to protect the glass.

I tried to extend the glass onto the aluminum canopy side skirts, and fair the glass in. That didn't work out so well, as the left side developed some cracking after a hundred hours or so. I sanded the glass back to the top of the side skirt on that side. The right side is still faired in and is holding up well. I may sand this side back to match, prior to painting (if that ever occurs.)