\nMore canopy latch work. I buggered up the 6061 T6 tubing by tapping it with 1\/4-20 instead of 1\/4-28, the threads needed to accept the rod-end bearing and the latch idler clevis. I did get the latch hardware drilled and fitted, and it all goes back into the box for now.
\nNote: I’m publishing this on Dec 22, but the actual events happened on Dec 5. I had to go to Japan for a week, and it’s only now that I’ve been able to get caught up.
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![](\"http:\/\/stjohn.openbar.com\/airplane\/images\/12-05-2009\/IMG_0432.JPG\")
<\/img>\nThis is the canopy latch hardware temp-installed. This is truly a situation of kneebone-connected-to-the-thighbone. From one or two reference points, you have to spider your way down the decision chain through a series of matchdrills, and if you do it right, you get a setup that looks a little like this. The yellow handle pulls back and releases the claws on the canopy bubble.
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![](\"http:\/\/stjohn.openbar.com\/airplane\/images\/12-05-2009\/IMG_0433.JPG\")
<\/img>\nOutboard, there are two metal tabs. when you squeeze them together, they release a spring-loaded ratchet. Once that’s done, you push the aft tab in and it exposes a lever, which is the same piece of metal the yellow handle’s connected to. This lets you open the canopy from the outside.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"