Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Supporting Owners, Builders and Pilots of the Thorp T-18 and its variants.
It is currently Sat Dec 21, 2024 11:21 am

View unanswered posts | View active topics


Board index » Thorp T-18 » Canopy

All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]



Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 2 of 3
  [ 33 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
  Print view Previous topic | Next topic 
Author Message
dan
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 9:53 pm 
Sr. Member
Sr. Member

Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:30 am
Posts: 898
Images: 0
Location: USA
That sounds about right Stuart, It has been a while since I have seen the infamous Tommy Cat.Dan
Top
 Profile  
 
dan
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 6:54 pm 
Sr. Member
Sr. Member

Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:30 am
Posts: 898
Images: 0
Location: USA
Hope I put the picture in right.....Dan


Attachments:
image.jpg
image.jpg [ 155.36 KiB | Viewed 17733 times ]
Top
 Profile  
 
Rich Brazell
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 10:00 pm 
Hero Member
Hero Member

Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:33 pm
Posts: 3108
Images: 64
Location: Jamul, CA (San Diego area)
That same latch would work as a single canopy latch on the center post . ;) "El Gato" still looks good with 2 of them ! :P

RB O0
Top
 Profile Personal album  
 
dan
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 11:10 pm 
Sr. Member
Sr. Member

Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:30 am
Posts: 898
Images: 0
Location: USA
Thanks Rich, and I think you right, one in the center on top would probably do it. Dan
Top
 Profile  
 
stug
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:56 pm 
Sr. Member
Sr. Member

Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 2:20 am
Posts: 158
Images: 0
Location: Australia
Dan If you went for the one latch at the top then it would probably be possible to incorporate a small spring loaded push pin that acts on the latch. One push on the pin from the outside would release the catch providing quick access for any rescuers in the event of an emergency. You would hope it would never be needed but having spoken to a few builders here in Oz they strongly recommended keeping some form of instant unlock.

_________________
Stug
Top
 Profile Personal album  
 
Rich Brazell
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 6:22 pm 
Hero Member
Hero Member

Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:33 pm
Posts: 3108
Images: 64
Location: Jamul, CA (San Diego area)
Even with this type of latch and installing the "loaded push pin" you still would have to drill thru the glass to install it . Why drill a hole in the glass for a pin that may not work ! I still contend the Thorp latch is not difficult to make . Positive latching and provides a means to open the canopy from the outside . If it is truly an EMERGENCY the rescue folks are going to take a crash axe to the glass to get you out . The canopy frame may be possibly bent and will not open .

RB O0
Top
 Profile Personal album  
 
dan
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 9:50 pm 
Sr. Member
Sr. Member

Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 9:30 am
Posts: 898
Images: 0
Location: USA
Your right Rich, I find someone upside down in a Thorp not going to worry bout where the latch is, I will open quickly with my Boot................Dan
Top
 Profile  
 
Rich Brazell
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 10:28 pm 
Hero Member
Hero Member

Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:33 pm
Posts: 3108
Images: 64
Location: Jamul, CA (San Diego area)
I would welcome your big ass boot !

RB O0
Top
 Profile Personal album  
 
stug
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 6:18 am 
Sr. Member
Sr. Member

Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2010 2:20 am
Posts: 158
Images: 0
Location: Australia
Does that need a placard with a "kick here in emergency"?
Anyway some sort of outside emergency canopy release even if it is largely a token gesture seems important to some pilots, a roll over may not be the only emergency.
For me I think I will be sticking close to the original latch it actually doesn't look that hard to make.

_________________
Stug
Top
 Profile Personal album  
 
Rich Brazell
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 2:16 pm 
Hero Member
Hero Member

Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:33 pm
Posts: 3108
Images: 64
Location: Jamul, CA (San Diego area)
If I made the Thorp latch it can't be that hard ! Make copies of the full size parts at Kinkos , trace out the parts on your material. Cut the part and bend the main steel body in a vice using a torch to heat the metal on scribed bend lines . BOOM !

RB O0
Top
 Profile Personal album  
 
Lou
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Tue May 28, 2013 2:54 pm 
Sr. Member
Sr. Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 4:04 pm
Posts: 375
Images: 3
Location: San Bernadino, CA
Can someone point me to a drawing of the Thorp latch? My plan set is missing it.

Thanks

_________________
http://www.dixiefriedfabrication.com/
Top
 Profile Personal album  
 
Rich Brazell
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Tue May 28, 2013 9:54 pm 
Hero Member
Hero Member

Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2009 12:33 pm
Posts: 3108
Images: 64
Location: Jamul, CA (San Diego area)
Lou: Send me your E-mail address . I tried your commercial address , but I don't do G-mail .

RB O0

rx115@cox.net
Top
 Profile Personal album  
 
james peran
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Thu May 30, 2013 12:06 am 
Newbie
Newbie

Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:42 am
Posts: 33
Location: Australia
I got one.The Coleman metal type. Didnt like the idea design my own with canopy hold down.
Any one wants it can get it off me at Oshkosh.J.P.
Top
 Profile  
 
Lou
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Sat Jun 01, 2013 3:10 pm 
Sr. Member
Sr. Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Feb 12, 2012 4:04 pm
Posts: 375
Images: 3
Location: San Bernadino, CA
I got the prints.

Thanks guys

_________________
http://www.dixiefriedfabrication.com/
Top
 Profile Personal album  
 
PanchoGA
 Post subject: Re: Canopy Latch
PostPosted: Tue Oct 13, 2020 7:21 am 
Newbie
Newbie

Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2017 9:54 pm
Posts: 18
Rich Brazell wrote:
The Coleman latch is lighter than the "Thorp Latch." The fact that you could take the Coleman latch out of the package and bolt it on did save time. The advantage to using the "Thorp Latch" is you can secure the canopy from the outside. I don't like rain/water in my cockpit. I took my plans to KINKO's and made copies to use as templates. Traced them onto the flat stock, cut out the stock on the bandsaw and made the bends using a torch. The main body of the latch does not weigh that much. The handles weigh more than the main body. I suppose you can make the handles smaller and save a few ounces ? If you do not want to secure the canopy from the outside (with the Thorp Latch) and you can not find a "Coleman Latch" (Made in China) , then I would go with the over center type latch you can get from Mc Master Carr or another supplier.

RB

Hi All,
Are plans for the original canopy latch available? I would like to be able to latch the canopy from the outside as well as the inside. I have a picture of the parts from Rich (thanks!), but a set of drawings would be very helpful. I would be happy to pay for copying and shipping.

Thanks,
Pancho
Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  Page 2 of 3
  [ 33 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next

Board index » Thorp T-18 » Canopy

All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron

[ Time : 0.122s | 12 Queries | GZIP : On ]