P-51D Canopy

[Owen Miller]

I have a rookie question for the board, so be patient.
Let's say I have a P-51D and need a canopy for it.
The frame is OK, the plexi is broken. It is a static
display so it does not need to be airworthy, just look
good. What do I do????

Thanks,
Owen

[chippie51]

Wasn't Evans Plastics (I think!) in California a main supplier of these over the past few years. Their workmanship is great.

If anyone comes across a front hoop/bow or knows of anyone manufacturing a set of Z channels, please let me know as we need these for our canopy.

Thanks,

George

[Jack Cook]

Paint it black like the AFM does!

[bdk]

Wasn't Evans Plastics (I think!) in California a main supplier of these over the past few years. Their workmanship is great.

I "think" that Evans got old/sick/deceased and the business was bought by Aero Trader. You might want to call them.

[Jerry O'Neill]

You might ask around for a canopy that is no longer airworthy that perhaps one of the restoration shops have kept. I remember three or four years ago, Mid West Aero in Danville, IL had an original NOS canopy that was useless because it was badly distorted. not sure if they still have it.
Jerry

[ZRX61]

Wasn't Evans Plastics (I think!) in California a main supplier of these over the past few years. Their workmanship is great.

I "think" that Evans got old/sick/deceased and the business was bought by Aero Trader. You might want to call them.

Yup, Evans either quit or died. I'm pretty sure I saw some new 51 canopies at AeroTrader a whiel back.

[RMAllnutt]

AeroTrader specialize in all sorts of clear plastic panels and blown plexiglas canopy sections now. Call them. I wouldn't be surprised if you could get a non-airworthy P-51D canopy plexiglas section from them. I would imagine they'd have a few available considering how many have been converted into two place canopies of late.

Cheers,
Richard

[mustangdriver]

Paint it black like the AFM does!

Ummm where is there a painted canopy in the air force museum?

[ZRX61]

Paint it black like the AFM does!

Ummm where is there a painted canopy in the air force museum?

There's a quite a few on the outdoor *loaners*.... Lackland springs to mind

[mustangdriver]

Not to get off topic but the air force musem didn't paint those canopies. But they are painted for a good reason.

[Ken]

the air force musem didn't paint those canopies

I understand why the canopies are painted. My first choice would be to have all static displays indoors, but that is not realistic. As a result, painted canopies are okay.

To say that the Museum has control over the aircraft it has out on loan ... but counter by saying that the Museum doesn't spell out the manner of maintenance or display standards isn't correct. Just because they oversee and allow canopies to be painted doesn't make them bad or in need of defense.

Here are some facts from the source:

From the NMUSAF web site:
The National Museum of the United States Air Force, Collection Management Division, in addition to managing the Historical Property Collection of the U.S. Air Force housed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, is also responsible for tracking more than 30,000 artifacts on loan to government institutions and certified civilian museums. These include everything from aircraft to the smallest collar insignia. The entire loan program is governed by AFI 84-103.

The museum's Plans & Programs Division oversees the aircraft loaned for long-term outdoor static display at municipalities and veterans' organizations. For more information, call (937) 255-5174.

For a local example:

The following examples are from Hurlburt's 84-101, which is the local supplement for maintaining their airpark.

8.1. General. Maintenance of the airpark aircraft will be conducted in accordance with AFI 84-103,
chapter 7 and the appropriate Technical Order (TO) Dash 3 structural repair manual.

9.1. Information. This instruction covers the requirements for the preservation and preparation of aircraft
for exhibition or storage by an Air Force organization within the USAF Museum System
(USAFMS), and by federal, state, municipal and civilian museums borrowing aircraft from the
USAFMS. The term aircraft, as used in this instruction, refers to all aerospace vehicles.

9.1.2. Generally, all reconditioning, repairing, and refinishing will be accomplished in accordance
with current Air Force directives and instructions. However, when it is unfeasible to return items
to a completely serviceable condition, they will be processed so as to be suitable for display purposes.
Deviations from this standard must be requested in writing and approved by the USAFM.

9.18.1. Forward one signed copy of AF Form 3580, Aircraft Acceptance, Condition and Safety
Certificate to USAFM/MUC.

9.18.3. Deviation from the procedures outlined in this attachment must be requested in writing
and requires written approval prior to deviation.

9.18.4. A written notice of any restoration/preservation task extending beyond 180 days shall be
submitted to USAFM/MUS. The notice shall include work to be completed and a projected completion
date. A final report shall be submitted upon completion. An annual progress report shall
be submitted if the project extends beyond a 12 month period.

[mustangdriver]

Thanks Ken, cool info. My problem lays more with the people that request airplanes for loan, get them, and then never touch them. Then on top of that the NMUSAF get crap over it. If it is loaned to you for display then you need to take care of it. I know of an F-86 that lost it's canopy. They told the NMUSAF that the canopy was damaged, and the NMUSAF had another one made, and shipped to the people taking care of the F-86. Last time I looked that canopy was still sitting on the same workbench it had been for 3 months.