Now that the frame is drilled, you can go ahead and drill the C-653 cover strip. This is an aluminum stip that runs over the central line of the canopy.
After edge prepping the piece, I clamped it to the canopy. This has to be done with the canopy removed from the frame.
You can see the duct tape supporting the sides of the canopy. It's very floppy now.
Drew a centerline on the cover strip and aligned it with the drilled holes in the canopy. Also made sure the big hole in the canopy is centered over the line.
Drilled #40 and clecoed to the canopy.
Next I copied the hole location on the cover strip where the latch handle will be. Pilot drilled in the center with a #40 drill en then enlarge with a step drill.
Getting near to the final dimension I checked the alignment with the hole in the canopy. Fortunatly it all lined up perfectly so I could updril safely to the final size.
Next I countersunk the holes in the canopy. Bit scary at first but countersinking the plexi is a rather safe operation with little risk at cracks. Heat the bubble before drilling.
Next I enlarged all the hole to #31 and then used a #30 reamer to make the final size.
Same exercise in the rear part.
Here the canopy is clecoed back on the frame using #30 clecoes.
Finally countersunk all the holes on the front and rear bow of the canopy.
