Sometimes, we need something that just doesn’t exist.
Often, canopies fall into this description. I mean, who hasn’t built a new plane,
and just cannot seem to get an off-
This has been happening more and more often with me. The first time, in a long time, happened when I wanted to put a canopy on my new “Sheeks” design, “Torino”.
I remembered an article in an RC magazine from 20 plus years ago, that showed how to make one off canopies from empty soda bottles. It seemed easy when I read it. It was, and it worked perfectly, even after all those years sitting in my head.
Here’s a picture of that canopy still in the molding buck. Notice that there are standoffs so the buck fits tightly in the bottle. The standoffs are important so the plastic doesn’t have to shrink nearly as much. This makes the job faster, and the amount of heat needed less.
Below is a picture showing the plug I made for the Zweipanzerflug. This canopy is so different from standard canopy styles that there was no other way to get one, without forming it.
It’s not too important, with one offs, to apply a super finish to the plug. A few coats of dope, or better yet, clear epoxy, well cured, should be enough.
I used a different way to make a stand off with this one. It also functions as a handle, which is good because the plastic gets very warm when you shrink the plastic to the form.
I was pretty amazed at how easily the plastic bottle started to shrink when the hot air from the heat gun was applied. Work around, and side to side so the shrink, is over all, pretty even.
Once you’re pleased with it, let it cool, and trim it to fit. That wasn’t hard, now was it?
Custom canopies
Using empty soda bottles, and your heat gun.
By John Miller
