Author Topic: This is why F4U-1s are superior to F-22s (Read 540 times)

Red Tail 444 · « **on:** April 23, 2007, 12:45:16 PM »

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=20396

At least now, I don't feel so badly about shelling out 80 bucks if I lock my keys in the car.

Wolfala · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2007, 12:50:53 PM »

Christ, you see how thick that damn thing is?

Airscrew · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2007, 12:58:47 PM »

he could have just pulled the ejection handle, that would have unstuck that canopy

Bodhi · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2007, 12:59:27 PM »

I imagine that was a lot cheaper than blowing the canopy off....

Either way, looks like a monumental pain in the arse to clean the interior.

Gunslinger · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2007, 02:14:31 PM »

I've worked on that canopy system and yes it is prone to failure if you burn up the motor.

Double goes for what bohdi said. That cockpit now has to be torn apart and vacumed from head to toe.

Wolfala · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2007, 03:17:51 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Gunslinger
I've worked on that canopy system and yes it is prone to failure if you burn up the motor.

Double goes for what bohdi said. That cockpit now has to be torn apart and vacumed from head to toe.

Thats why god created Senior Airmen.

Red Tail 444 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2007, 03:20:40 PM »

Niki HO...blow a hole clean through that canopy...

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2007, 06:55:02 PM »

Canopy replacement cost is $182,205

For a peice of molded 1" plexiglass???

Next thing they will try and tell us is they paiid $900 for a toilet seat or $500 for a hammer.
Or 100K for a Vietnam era jeep
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-12-28-corps-jeep_x.htm

Man I gotta somehow get into the racket of supplying the US military with stuff.

the proverbial cash cow

Bodhi · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2007, 07:00:03 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by DREDIOCK
Canopy replacement cost is $182,205

For a peice of molded 1" plexiglass???

Next thing they will try and tell us is they paiid $900 for a toilet seat or $500 for a hammer.

Man I gotta somehow get into the racket of supplying the US military with stuff.

the proverbial cash cow

You need to take into account a bit more than just the "plexiglass". It also has inlaid film to reduce solar radiation. Last I heard that stuff they use to make it was 100k for a 40 gal drum. Also don't forget the development costs... thats added to that total too.

LLv34 Jarsci · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2007, 07:02:36 PM »

Those canopies are really expensive, I think that 182k$ is understatement. Its more like 1000000$ .

Hardened plexiglass made under heavy pressure and has to have same thickness everywhere to avoid distortions , it has to withstand birdstrikes and such.

Does not come cheap.

If I remember correctly F-18 c/d canopy costed around 800000$ or so when I was training with Hornets. They told that to us to handle those things with care. We had to ground the canopies before pilot could step out , the canopy developed static electricity charge and if the pilot touched it while getting up he would find himself unconscious instantly.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2007, 07:32:09 PM »

Couldnt be hardened all that much if they are able to cut through it with a sawzall

100K for a 40 gal drum.
Based on my experience with coatings and looking at the size of the canopy
I'd say its a pretty good bet you could coat at least 100 canopies with a 40 gallon drum
The stuff cant be laid on that thick or it would distort the view. Its gotta be put on ultra thin
And probaby less then 2 mil thick

But for arguements sake we'll say 50 canopies. (but im being REALLY generous here with that number)
that 2K per canopy

Of that $100K per 40 it probably costs about a 4th of that to actually make before a profit is shown.

Development? C'mon man all you need is to input the dementions you want I'm sure they have really nifty software long in place to take care of the rest.
Once the machines are tooled its simply a matter of mass production

I'd be willing to bet that if it were really looked into.
Most of the stuff the military buys is at about a 75% markup over cost

mietla · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2007, 07:37:37 PM »

Ok, I'm starting new business, "Discount F-22 Canopies R Us". You think it will succeed?

DYNAMITE · « **Reply #12 on:** April 23, 2007, 07:38:29 PM »

too bad he didn't have onstar.

cav58d · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2007, 07:50:25 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by DYNAMITE
too bad he didn't have onstar.

LMAO...."I Love you baby....hey, am I getting charged for this?" haha....

So whats the stuff on the F-16's canopy that gives it the goldish hue

eskimo2 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 23, 2007, 07:51:04 PM »

Do they really still use Plexi? I would think Polycarbonate would be so much better.