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I'll ask at the Planes of Fame next weekend.
Interesting subject as I would NOT think it would take that long, but I also haven't tried to do one, so I must be underestimating the work required.
And I used the terminology of the manufacturing company, to assist those who are reading this thread, and might get the wrong impression of how things were done at the time.my terminology referred not to the process but the bulged shape as differentiated with flat sides.
If you check a map, you'll see that Henley is just a few miles from Maidenhead, and, as well as building Spitfires, it was a relief landing ground for RAF White Waltham (on the outskirts of Maidenhead.)the references I have for RAF stipulate RAF Henley as the first stop from Speke(?) just for that Modification.
Not surprisingly, they sometimes have to attempt one several times before they get a "good" canopy. Hence, the cost ... they ain't cheap. A new baby Corsair canopy will be about $10,000, but the world-wide supply is zero, so I suppose it isn't really all THAT expensive to a Corsair owner.
Bill,
The real work comes in making the canopy fit the frame. So I can fully understand the labor you mention above if it includes fitting the new "blown" canopy. It isn't easy to find the holes, overdrill them to allow for expansion, and get them all correct and in place. The Plexi expands at an entirely different rate than the Aluminum canopy frame, so the holes have to be oversize.
Anyway, I'll ask, assuming anyone is around the weekend after airshow. They might all be taking the weekend off, but they will BE there sooner or later.
digging into it i see where John England's G4*H 2106462 ( never noticed these long numbers at the beginning months ) U'Ve Had it had both a birdcage and a malcolm. and i am able to find at least 6 others that had bird cages swapped out for malcoms.
C5*0 2106923 Daddy's Pet
B6*Z 2106458 Doodle Bug
G4*E 36698 Texas Ranger
B6*H 36755 Kalamazoo Kid
B6*E 324842 Blackpool Bat
G4*D Miss Marvel