Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Does anyone have a source for this Latch.
Thanks

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That's a latch off a Steel Coleman Cooler. Ken Knowles used to sell them as canopy latches ..

try this ...

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/parts/Pr ... t_id=latch

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Thanks Lee, I found it at Billing Army Navy Surplus Store for $5.00.

I also need one of these latches. I called the Billings surplus store and they don't have any at this time. Does anyone know another source for one of these latches?

Go to the site Lee posted for Coleman and type in P/N 5216-5301. It shows a latch listed,but no pic ? I got the P/N for the "metal cam lock type latch" from an old coleman site that had parts diagrams for the old coolers. I would call Coleman to comfirm that is indeed the metal latch and not a plastic one. They list the price for the latch at $2.50. Pretty sure it is a Commie piece of C _ _ P !

RB

Coleman went to a new latch about 12 years ago, and does not have any of the old latches available. Does anyone know of another source other that Coleman.

There was a small vendor just past the entrance of the Flymarket at Osh that had some for $10, I think. Maybe one of the ten will check. Not exactly the same, but close. Looked miltary.

A window latch a Home Depot is also very close.

Bob MO

If you don't want to make the original Thorp latch (which is not that hard to do) you can use an over center type latch that most guys (and gals) use. McMaster Carr has then. Have you checked with CSA ? I believe Mike used the Coleman type latch ? Try Amazon.com F2527 window sash lock. About as close to the Coleman latch as you can get.

RB

That coleman latch looks a lighter than the original Thorp latch, is it?.
Was there anything other than the fact that it saved some time that prompted them to be used instead?
Looking at the original plans the latch is not overly complex and looks much stronger but Is there any scope to lighten it up?
Stuart

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

You can still operate the coleman style from outside the airplane ... there's been an allen wrench on N51863's key chain for 30+ years for that very purpose.

_________________
Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Did not know that ? Mr. Coleman gets the nod ! Maybe Mrs. Coleman ?

RB

I thought Tom Hunter had some sort of latch that he could close the canopy from the outside AND remove the handle ?

RB

Your right Rich, he just replaced the handle with a socket, open and closed it with an fancy Allen wrench that was his key. I believe it was all but flush also, It was a slick set up....Dan

So would a variation on the Thorp latch be to replace the main latch shaft with a turned down 3/8 Cap Screw of some sort? The outside handle can then be left off leaving just the head of the cap screw showing outside the canopy with an allen key doubling as the handle.
Stuart