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Bell 47 H-1 |
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Canopy fabrication |
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This section illustrates the process required to
fabricate a fibreglass canopy by first making a rubber mould of the canopy
pattern from the previous stage. The process starts with mounting the canopy in the middle of a flat base. In this example thin sheets of Perspex have been cut with a jigsaw so that the pattern is held firmly in the middle. Next the canopy is covered in Clingfilm in preparation for the next stage. |
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The canopy pattern is then evenly covered in clay which is approximately 20mm thick. This will be removed once a fibreglass jacket has been build and filled with rubber. The ridge is to allow for the jacket to be made in two parts. The thick rectangular shape at the top will act as a funnel for the liquid rubber in a latter stage. |
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One half of the fibreglass jacket is made at a time. |
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Once the first half has cured the clay wall is removed and the second half completes the jacket. |
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The two halves are then bolted together prior to being separated and the clay removed from the pattern. The Clingfilm used earlier keeps the pattern clean. The whole assembly is bolted back together without the clay leaving a cavity between the pattern and the fibreglass jacket. Through the funnel at the top liquid rubber is pored in. |
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When the rubber has cured the original pattern is removed and the mould is ready for use. |
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The same rubber is also used to mould the two saddle tanks. |
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Using a white gel coat the first fibreglass canopy is made faithfully replicating the original pattern. |
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Webmaster: John Neasham |
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