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Star wars canopy


andrearhh

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The attached pic is the only thing that comes to mind. I have it identified as either a model 144 or model CM 44 by Scaled Composites.

 

Aside from looks, there's no reason for a boxy canopy. You want as close to a teardrop shape as you can get for best aerodynamics.

post-386-141090153764_thumb.jpg

Jon Matcho :busy:
Builder & Canard Zone Admin
Now:  Rebuilding Quickie Tri-Q200 N479E
Next:  Resume building a Cozy Mark IV

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The attached pic is the only thing that comes to mind. I have it identified as either a model 144 or model CM 44 by Scaled Composites.

 

Aside from looks, there's no reason for a boxy canopy. You want as close to a teardrop shape as you can get for best aerodynamics.

Ah, jon,

 

A boxy canopy gives more lateral head room and gives less of a claustraphobic feeling in the cabin.

I Canardly contain myself!

Rich :D

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Ummm, there WAS a reason for it.

The canopy is odd, but the original "star wars" question takes me to the nose (which looks more like a star wars fighter than the canopy). I believe that was to hold surveillance equipment (or some other measuring equipment).

 

Ah, jon,

Oooh, Rich :)

 

A boxy canopy gives more lateral head room and gives less of a claustraphobic feeling in the cabin.

Yes, and I have one in storage that's slightly wider than the "stock" Cozy Mark IV canopy exactly for that reason. Still, it's somewhat close to a teardrop shape.

 

I attached another pic for the heck of it...

post-386-14109015378_thumb.jpg

Jon Matcho :busy:
Builder & Canard Zone Admin
Now:  Rebuilding Quickie Tri-Q200 N479E
Next:  Resume building a Cozy Mark IV

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Many thanks about your responses...

 

I remember first time I watched that aircraft on a magazine....(International Defence - 1986) It was an article about UAVs.... There was a picture into an hangar with Burt Rutan and some other near that airplane... It was the first time I read about Burt... Is it possible that the nose had a camera for automatic flight control system?

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Is it possible that the nose had a camera for automatic flight control system?

Sounds familiar, but with you having read the magazine from its time you're practically the expert, so you tell us... :)

Jon Matcho :busy:
Builder & Canard Zone Admin
Now:  Rebuilding Quickie Tri-Q200 N479E
Next:  Resume building a Cozy Mark IV

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In know that California Microwave bought up some Long EZs and turned them into drones under the designation CM-44.

After this, they had Scaled Composites build a more optimized Long EZ-like drone, designated th CM-144. I saw it fly (manned) when I was out at Scaled in 1989. I have no idea what happened to this program, but it appears to have dissapeared.

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  • 2 years later...

This is a very cool looking long! If I build an Open EZ I may decide to try and repeat these slick looks! The lofting looks fairly simple from the IP bulkhead on back. It looks like until the engine cowling the fuse is just widened a bit. Fwd and Aft of these locations look like they could be interesting to create molds for. Is there any chance this is owned by someone who would be able to talk about what they did for modifying the fuse? I worry a little about what structural changes need to be made and what calculations may be involved, but it doesn't look that much more different than a long EZ. I wonder if maybe it would be easier to "shrink" the Cozy IV to fit these lines... Ahh the wonder! Take care! Thanks!

 

-Chris

Chris Zupp

~Aircraft Designer~

Preliminary Design Sequence I: Project Endeavour

Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineer

Private Pilot

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Looks ugly to me...

Well U don't have to build it :-P. I think it looks way more cool than a stock EZ, except the nose snout, but that can be corrected! Still looking for more info if anyone has it!

 

*You will enjoy and bask in the glory of the Star Wars Long EZ*

 

(Waves hand in really dorky display of star wars jedi mind-trickiness)

 

-Chris

Chris Zupp

~Aircraft Designer~

Preliminary Design Sequence I: Project Endeavour

Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineer

Private Pilot

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Well U don't have to build it :-P. I think it looks way more cool than a stock EZ, except the nose snout, ...

 

-Chris

Cheap MS Paint Nose Job attached. Any better?

 

Didn't this aircraft just sell on ebay? There may be some more pictures there.

post-3922-141090164807_thumb.jpg

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Cheap MS Paint Nose Job attached. Any better?

 

That was what I was thinking of doing :). I think it looks neat, now if only I could find the fuselage plans :-P..

 

-Chris

Chris Zupp

~Aircraft Designer~

Preliminary Design Sequence I: Project Endeavour

Aeronautical/Mechanical Engineer

Private Pilot

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I know this plane was for sale but I don't know if it has sold. It has been in the Houston area for a few years now. Those pictures are taken out at Ellington Field (EFD) a couple of rows over from my hangar. The owner, I believe his first name is David tells the story, IIRC, that "officially" the plane does not exist anymore according to Scaled. Again, IIRC he does state that the nose is that shape due to instruments they were using at the time. The plane is bigger than a standard EZ.

 

My buddy David Staten has flown in it. He monitors these list at times and may be able to chime in. If he does he will be able to provide most all the details....that boy can be a walking encylopedia.

 

All the best,

 

Chris

Christopher Barber

Velocity SE/FG w/yoke. Zoom, zoom, zoom.

www.LoneStarVelocity.com

 

Live with Passion...

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  • 2 months later...

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