Author Topic: opening canopy (Read 759 times)

scott123 · « **on:** December 10, 2005, 09:13:29 AM »

Never happen but this is a wish list

frank3 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2005, 10:00:30 AM »

It would be a nice feature indeed, although the opening canopy should have some purposes before it'll be added.

I've heard things about leaning out for taxiing or even getting a better view when your oil tank got hit!

Or maybe it could serve a role in the bailing-out-busines, with the canopy being jettisoned or slid back

Debonair · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2005, 04:23:24 PM »

jammed canopy would be an evil bit of damage to have taken if you needed to bail out

Jester · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2005, 08:10:37 PM »

Believe it was in WARBIRDS that you could look outside the canopy. Was handy when first learning to land on a carrier.

Other than that can't think of any real operational use for it other than the "Neat" factor.

frank3 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2005, 12:54:44 PM »

I wouldn't try to lean out at 300+ mph though

(or type .flightgoggles)

The Fw-190's had their canopy's jettisoned with explosive charges because it was so heavy (I believe a large part of it was armor)
Would be nice to have that

Tilt · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2005, 05:25:58 AM »

Most Lavochkin and many Yak Pilots flew habitually with the canopy always open............... often even in combat.

Closing it only when particular speed otr altitude was required.

frank3 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2005, 06:10:51 AM »

I recall Russian pilot disliked enclosed cockpits and found it hard to switch to the newer aircraft (with closed cockpits)

I can imagine it though, during battle, it would get quite hot and smelly in that cramped cockpit!

Tilt · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2005, 04:15:45 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by frank3
I recall Russian pilot disliked enclosed cockpits and found it hard to switch to the newer aircraft (with closed cockpits)

I can imagine it though, during battle, it would get quite hot and smelly in that cramped cockpit!

Early La7's were almost impossible to tolerate with the cockpit closed.......

Oil pipes ran along the side of the bottom of the cockpit floor between engine and cooler......making it incredibly hot...........

Further sealing off of the engine compartment was often not performed properly causing exhaust gasses to be sucked into the cockpit.

An early modification was the addition of a hole and tube arrangement at the wing root (next to the supercharger intake) that diverted air directly into the cockpit to cool it and presurise it against the engine compartment seals.

Czech air force added vents above the armoured glass for the same reason.

Having said all this its clear that most VVs pilots flew their aircraft with a mind as to how to get out quickly..................