Parallelism of canopy slide rail supports (CF-ANG-009)

Correct canopy slider operation presumably relies on the inward facing surfaces of both the left and right rear top rail channels (CF-CHL-009) being strictly parallel.  I imagine a large degree of deviation from parallel might cause an unsecured canopy to drift forwards or backwards. I have obtained information from two other builders (thanks!) as to such parallelism:

Aircraft 1: front distance 1133mm; rear distance 1145mm

Aircraft 2: front distance 1130mm; distance 200mm from rear 1135mm, inferred rear distance 1137mm

Addendum (information from Sling) Production Sling 2: front distance 1130mm; rear distance 1145mm

Note that these distances are for completed aircraft, with the rear fuselage attached. I hope to get some numbers from Sling in the new year.

I have clecoed all the side rail structures into place, with all custom shims and remanufactured parts and have taken the corresponding measurements:

My aircraft: front distance 1130mm; rear distance 1132mm

Note that my rear fuselage is not attached. It is possible the forces applied by the longeron 301 on the CF-ANG-010 might force the latter apart a small amount, increasing my 1132mm figure. I will investigate this when I test cleco the two aircraft halves together.

The canopy frame itself (perspex bubble not yet attached) is quite flexible. Holding one end I was able to flex the other end inwards or outwards 20mm with mild hand pressure. Clearly the canopy can cope with a high level of non-parallelism though it would be advisable to set the perspex with the canopy frame mounted.

The slide rails mount on the outside of the canopy frame slide rail mounts. The slide rails are 15mm thick. The distance between the outer surfaces of the slide rail mounts was found to be 1100mm at the front and 1110mm at the rear. This 10mm variation could have been due to the canopy frame resting on its rear end. There was ample flex.

Using the 1100mm canopy frame width, adding 2x15mm slide rail thickness gives 1130mm. So the "relaxed" canopy stucture width calls for an inside CF-CHL-009 channel distance of 1130mm. The setup as is very close to target. I will pursue maximal parallelism

The canopy frame composite slide rail supports are ~5.5mm thick, so when added to the 15mm of the slide rails gives 20.5mm which informs how much clearance must be present between the rear end of CF-CHL-009, extended, and the rear fuselage outer arch skin and rivets heads.