need to see shark photo and my canopy is

LAST EDITED ON Feb-07-04 AT 10:00 AM (CDT)
 
I'm to the part on my Shark .45 where I shape the top blocks and install canopy and tail. I badly need to see a photo of the tail area and canopy fairing. I also got some bad news when I went to unwrap the canopy, it was split. I guess I shouldn't be surprised since the kit is really really old. Anyone know where I can get a new canopy? Thanks

IIRC, one of the Sig bubble canopies (not WWII type) is a very close fit. The front section of the 9-10" one. Maybe a little smaller, but it will work when you superimpose the kit one on the new one and trim.
Maybe Dale B. will comment since he has scratch built a very nice one.
Bill <><

Check with Eric Rule at RSM. He kits the Shark 45 and may be willing to sell just the canopy.
Steve

Mitch, check the cockpit thread from a couple of weeks ago. If I remember right there was a nice shark canopy picture in it.

>I badly need to see a photo of the tail area and canopy fairing.

Check out the Shark display at the VSC aquarium

Cy

And here is the Shark Exhibit at VSC 2K2

Cy

Mitch, another option is just to carve and hollow a block to simulate the canopy. Paint it black, no one will ever know...

It's a little grainy but it might be of some help.

Excellent. Thanks for your help, everyone. I'll try to buy a new canopy or use the front of a SIG bubble. The pics and links were a great help. I'm about ready to hook up the rear linkages, glue the top and bottom blocks on and start final sanding. Boy, that sure is easier to say than to do !!

LAST EDITED ON Feb-07-04 AT 11:09 PM (CDT)
 
Mitch,
The front of a Sig 8" bubble canopy is a perfect fit.

Thanks. You rock. Love this plane. Nothing is solid. The stabilizer, elevator, fin/rudder, flaps and even the flap ends are all built up. Toughest model I've ever built. But--and a big but at this point--, likely to be my best to date. Stepson wants a Schneider Trophy racer plane, so I might make pontoons with wheels inside. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea !! Anyone tried this? Got any tips?

Hi Chris,

Here are two Shark shots from my archives.

The front 3/4 shot was at the 1961 Nats and the
rear shot was at the 1962 Nats if the dates on
the slides are correct. I do not have the slides at the
moment they are in storage, the dates were attached when
I did the scans and assume they are accurate.

Hope the photos help. Good luck with your project!

Greg

>Hi Chris,
>
>Here are two Shark shots from my archives.
>
>The front 3/4 shot was at the 1961 Nats and the
>rear shot was at the 1962 Nats if the dates on
>the slides are correct. I do not have the slides at the
>moment they are in storage, the dates were attached when
>I did the scans and assume they are accurate.
>
>Hope the photos help. Good luck with your project!
>

That's what a stunt plane is supposed to look like. I gotta build one some day.

Brett,

Definitely build one! Keep it around 60 ounces or less and the preformance is phenominal! With my ST .51 for power it is every bit
the equal of my Intrepid X/L! It just winds up in the wind a little bit more due to the higher pitch on the prop, but not so bad that it can't be overcome.

Dittos on that being one cool looking plane. How big a prop can you stick on one of those and have any ground clearence with the trike gear?

Steve,
Pretty sure Dale B. uses a 12" on his ST 51 Shark. Super flying plane.
Bill <><

Steve,

I made my gear just slightly longer so I would have no issues using a 12" 3 blade prop. Works just fine, even off our grass feild.

Posting these for Allen Brickhaus

Allen will add to it

I have often wondered what was the correct contour aft of the plexi. It appears that Lew McFarland's and the Nazi Shark (Reeves?) have contour best shown by the first two pics in Cy's Post #7, which is Pat Johnston's model from a few years ago. So's you don't have to go looking, I pasted the link below. It was very light, about 55 oz and had a SSW Magnum XL .53 for power. Wake turbulence killed it, as I recall. What kind of muffler is that? Steve

http://www.nwskyraiders.com/index.html

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