oscardeuce Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 (edited) Tweet experts: I need help with th canopy of the MAPS Tweet. We cannot get it open. We removed the canoply and windscreen plexi. The Canopy rails seem suck at the rear latches, and the yellow canopy realease is stuck in the middle position, we cannot move it. Can anyone help. Tail # 54-2732 Thank you Edited March 8, 2007 by oscardeuce Link to post Share on other sites
ChernayaAkula Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Maybe the screech of another Tweet nearby could have the plexiglass shattered. Of course, the heads of the crew would be as well.. Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Rotary saw. Link to post Share on other sites
airrex Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Super glue Debonder!Rotary saw. Link to post Share on other sites
oscardeuce Posted March 8, 2007 Author Share Posted March 8, 2007 I do not want to damage the airframe as it is the 4th built. Comedians! Link to post Share on other sites
aaronacw Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 I am not a Tweet expert but maybe some WD40 or similar lubricant will free it up. If it is jammed pull the canopy release thingie box apart. Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 The Mighty Tweet had an electric motor (amazingly enough) to raise and lower the canopy; any chance that might have frozen in place over the years? If so removing the actuators might have to be kept in mind eventually. As far as the immediate problem, since the canopy release handle is frozen, it sounds like the mechanical locks inside the fuselage and under the canopy rail, or the linkage to them, or both have rusted in place. I know the T-33 canopy handle could be a bear to move, when it was in constant use, I can imagine what it would be like on a jet that had sat for years. Regards, Murph Link to post Share on other sites
oscardeuce Posted March 8, 2007 Author Share Posted March 8, 2007 The Mighty Tweet :) had an electric motor (amazingly enough) to raise and lower the canopy; any chance that might have frozen in place over the years? If so removing the actuators might have to be kept in mind eventually. As far as the immediate problem, since the canopy release handle is frozen, it sounds like the mechanical locks inside the fuselage and under the canopy rail, or the linkage to them, or both have rusted in place. I know the T-33 canopy handle could be a bear to move, when it was in constant use, I can imagine what it would be like on a jet that had sat for years. Regards, Murph We disconnected the actuator, and removed all the plexi. the locks, 4 that I can see seem to be frozen. Looks like Im drilling the rails rivets out to free them up. Link to post Share on other sites
BAM'n'IVM Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Is there any way to get lubricant into the locks? There's bound to be some kind of commercial lubricant you can apply that'll free the rust up - heck, CocaCola will dissolve rust so there's gotta be some option... Is there a Tractor Supply store near you? They'd be my first destination for something like this. Link to post Share on other sites
yardbird78 Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 I would try using commercial grade penetrating oil in repeated applications over several days to attempt to free up stuck parts. Darwin Link to post Share on other sites
oscardeuce Posted March 8, 2007 Author Share Posted March 8, 2007 1 week with comercial grade penetrating oil on the beast and no joy. I think that the internals ar so corroded they need disassembled and cleaned to even think about moving. Thanks for all the input! Link to post Share on other sites
Rick in Ontario Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 If you can find some stuff called Kroil we used it to take apart 40 yr old steam pipes. It would workl its way into the threads no problem. Couple applications and it should work. Link to post Share on other sites
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