Posted by Zach Lovering on April 17, 2009 at 10:30pm
This is a pretty simply modification to the canopy to replace the plastic tabs with magnets. Once done, it is quick and simple to get the canopy on and off and, as a bonus, it makes a neat snapping sound when you put the canopy back on. The process is straightforward. (Note that these pictures were taken after I had already done this modification)Materials:1. EasyStar RC plane2. Hobby knife3. Epoxy or CA4. Four neodymium magnets (I used 0.25" diameter, 0.125" thick; in retrospect, going one size up to 0.375" might be better)Process:1. Remove the plastic tabs by cutting around them with a hobby knife and then pulling them out.2. Cut small holes in the canopy area of the fuselage to fit the magnets into. Install the magnets (I installed mine near the front, as shown) by bonding them in place with either CA or epoxy. I used CA and have had no problem with them coming out.
3. After the adhesive has dried, cover the magnets with a piece of wax paper and snap 2 new magnets on top of them. Replace the canopy and push down so that the magnets leave an impression in the canopy. This will ensure proper placement of the magnets in the canopy.
4. Cut small holes in the canopy where the impressions were made and put adhesive in the holes.5. Replace the canopy on the fuselage so that the magnets fit into the holes. I feel that this method is better than dropping the magnets into the holes since it guarantees that the magnets have the correct orientation.
6. Once the adhesive has dried, remove the canopy and peel off the wax paper.
What I've done with larger, stronger magnets is orient them verticle instead of horzontal so you end up using a shearing action instead of normal force to dislodge the magnets and open the hatch.
Very nice mod, Zach. It is often used for smaller RC gliders and works like a charm. And for those who, like me, eventually thought the magnetic field would harm electronic devices, here's another post with at least one answer.
Comments
Where did you buy the magnets from, did you buy them online? Thanks, Vic