When I made some aircraft canopies in the past by press forming them from thin Acrylic sheet they needed to be heated to about 185 degrees Celsius for the acrylic to soften.
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Not at this moment in time,all of my data sheets are boxed up ready for my move,and they will not be unpacked for some time.If you want to see the finest collection of Auster aircraft anywhere in the world then contact Mr.G.Baker at Carr Farm,Nottingham who has a whole hangar full of different marks of these aircraft,he holds the remains (rebuildable) of the rare Auster B.4 Ambulance freighter,and the last Auster B.8 Agricola low wing crop duster in ostensibly airworthy condition,the aircraft are worked on as and when time is available.
Wonwinglo wrote:I'm sad to say that I haven't, and am never likely to get, amnywhere near such experience and pleasure... missed my vocation, I think.
Is it possible, Barry, to clear up the apparent misunderstanding over softening temperatures of perspex and other acrylic sheet?
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CORRECTION
I earlier replied to Alan2525 that the Auster J/1 Autocrat and Mk 5 had single-piece canopies. Having looked through my photographs again, I am now almost certain that they are in two pieces.
I am going to see G-AGOH again next week, so I will be able to make absolutely sure, then post again.
I can't believe that I could have got such a major detail so wrong despite having "crawled all over" this plane no fewer than three times already!!
I thought I had better mention it on the off chance that I misled someone.Comment
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:damnit:
Further apologies. Even more embarrassingly, having been for a further visit to measure G-AGOH today, I have to report that the canopy is in THREE pieces.
This will be clear from photographs that I shall be posting over the next few days in my gallery.
The good news is, of course, that it makes moulding the canopy much easier.Comment
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Paul,did you also know that clear canopies can also be made from clear casting resin obtainable from art shops ? this is normally used for encapsulating small objects,firstly you need to make a plug from wood or plaster then stretch cling film tightly over the former to aid release,break the surface tension on the cling film first by applying one thin coat of model aeroplane clear dope,clear casting resin is then mixed up and applied in thin layers with a brush,once cured the resin form is gently eased from the plug and trimmed up.
The secret of using the resin is to measure out the quantities carefully,mix and allow to settle so the air bubbles go away,and always use well in date material and not old stock.Comment
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Barry, that sounds interesting and worth investigating further. Thanks very much.Comment
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