---------------------------------------------------------- Pietenpol-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 04/26/05:2 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 01:28 PM - Re: enclosed cockpit piet? (lshutks@webtv.net (Leon Stefan)) 2. 10:38 PM - Re: enclosed cockpit piet? (Mike Whaley) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 01:28:49 PM PST US ETAtAhRG2Ms8/8LdBUOvpMIjhY6dd0SXSQIVAJbRGZ2qeBkilh8lmeJ1MgXwacr9 From: lshutks@webtv.net (Leon Stefan) Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: enclosed cockpit piet? --> Pietenpol-List message posted by: lshutks@webtv.net (Leon Stefan) Mike, The problem is adding weight. From all I have read, the Piet doesn't tollerate adding weight, even if you up the h.p. The flying qualities will go down. Leon S. ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 10:38:40 PM PST US From: "Mike Whaley" Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: enclosed cockpit piet? > Mike, The problem is adding weight. From all I have read, the Piet doesn't tollerate adding weight Actually, this photo of an Acey-Deucy with a canopy is the photo I was trying to find yesterday. The caption says that top speed increased by 8mph. This plane is very much like a Piet in size and layout. In my opinion, this is a very nice-looking installation, it's (arguably) prettier than the traditional Acey-Deucy, in a way. Certainly makes it unique-looking if nothing else. Note that this plane also has a front cockpit side door. There may also be some benefit to a canopy like this, in that it would likely smooth out the airflow to the tail a tad... may lead to slightly improved tail surface effectiveness, perhaps, and maybe even a slight increase in lift or climb rate (I suspect this effect would be minor though.) I would think that this could be done without a large amount of weight gain. Since you're still in the neighborhood of 90-100 mph, there really is no need for a thick, heavy, bird strike-proof canopy, is there? Very thin (1/8 inch) lexan on a thin aluminum frame should do nicely. You would probably want to use something slightly thicker for the windshield, but I would think that 1/4 inch plexiglas or lexan would still be plenty strong and not weigh a ton. If the side panels had a simple piano hinge at the top so they could swing upwards (J-3 style) then there would be no need to worry about complicated, heavy sliding rails. A simple latch would suffice and you could likely even fly with the windows open. (The sliding fighter-style canopy setup on the Firebolt takes a year to build... just for the canopy part... it is nice, but that's kind of against the whole idea of a Pietenpol!) -Mike Mike Whaley merlin@ov-10bronco.net Webmaster, OV-10 Bronco Association http://www.ov-10bronco.net/