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[KiwiBiggles]

Hi all

I'm trying to research, for an upcoming project, at what speed WWII aircraft were rated to fly with their canopies open?  The question is a bit obtuse for google, but I know you guy's will have the answer.  :lol:

There are a few mod planes around where the open canopy breaks off at around 150 kph.  This seems too low to me?  I've seen any number of pics around which appear to show pilots cruising with their canopies open, especially in the Pacific or Africa. 

I'm thinking for IL-2 a good general speed for the canopy to break away would be 20-30 kph above the normal in-game cruise speed for any particular aircraft, so the player can cruise, canopy open, with a small margin for error?  Can anyone tell me if that would be about right compared to real life???

Cheers
Kiwi

[CWMV]

That would depend on the aircraft I would think.
A bubble canopy bird would probably loose it faster than a P-40 or Zero.

[F22-Raptor-2006]

I don't think the normal canopies on spitfires p40's etc have such a speed... They are basically the same shape as the rest of the canopy area or fuselage area so it doesn't create additional drag to have it open really, at least not on the opening part itself. bubble canopies are different because it's kinda like a parachute holding air inside but without the hole at the end... To give you an idea of around that time or a slight bit later, the sabre in the cockpit I believe it says that the canopy must not be opened above 480 mph. which would be around 750 kmh or somethin similar... It's not something that just flies off easily.

[Stratodog]

The Pilots Handbook for the F4U-1 versions of the Corsair says 300knots (indicated) and I'm sure there was some "fudge" factor in that speed.
The same Handbook for the F6F Hellcat does not mention any limitation.

[Schwieger]

I'd love to cruise with the canopy on my P-39 open :rotfl: :rotfl:

[CWMV]

I'd love to cruise with the canopy on my P-39 open :rotfl: :rotfl:

Better yet, my 109... ???

[Pursuivant]

I'm trying to research, for an upcoming project, at what speed WWII aircraft were rated to fly with their canopies open?

It might be possible to find or figure out some sort of formula, based on drag vs. airspeed vs. canopy weight. As others have said, a bubble canopy (lightly built, lots of wind resistance if it's opened) would probably rip off a lot faster than a "birdcage" canopy (heavier construction, just with just an inch or less of gap between it and the rest of the plane). It's always seemed a bit fishy to me that, in the game, sliding canopies blow off like they have explosive bolts on them when you bail out.

[WhoDatNotSayin]

From the Spitfire II manual:



It may well be safer to rely on jettisoning a canopy than trying to slide it - any damage, and/or aerodynamic loads, might make this difficult. There doesn't seem to be anything in the Spit manual regarding the maximum speed you can have the canopy open, but given the extra drag and buffeting, I doubt you'd want it open at high speeds.