I got an aircraft carrier for Christmas

[Wildflyer]

I received my new Leer 122 canopy, shortly before Christmas, basically it was my huge Christmas present.

It is 48" high inside with lots of area for planes, I am going to make a roll out tray using garage door rollers and track, the frame around a sheet of plywood I will weld up from simple angle iron, I figure it will cost less than $150.00. If any one would like, I will email pdf drawings of what I designed.

Now I can go to the field with more than I could cram behind my seats inside the cab.

[gramps2161]

Nice matching canopy you got for Xmas I could use one of those. Your idea for a pull out system sounds like a great idea. Hope yo post some photos in the future when it is done.
John

[stuart]

looks great and youl'll have your own flight table to setup on with that design your thinking up....don't ya just love going to home depot or lowes with a simple design in mind and come out with a new invention to make kife easy.

[firemanbill]

Very nice. I had one like that on my old F-150. I have a 5th wheel camper now so can't put one on my F-250.

I sure do miss that cap.

[Old Fart]

Really need to trade out my tonneau for a cap next year. Only (1) of the 1/4 scale planes fits under it (RV-6), the others require me to pull it off - and forget the 33%

[firemanbill]

Originally Posted by Old Fart

Really need to trade out my tonneau for a cap next year. Only (1) of the 1/4 scale planes fits under it (RV-6), the others require me to pull it off - and forget the 33%

I know how you feel. My 27% Pitts will not fit under mine. I leave it off most of the time now and strap the Pitts down with 2 straps to keep it from lifting out of the bed.

[TLyttle]

Not sure why you guys BUY caps, they are the easiest thing to build with basic tools. We built caps as part of our RV shop output... One owner had his fly off (bad mounting on his part) at 70mph: it glided over a set of power lines and landed in the bush, scratched one corner on a rock when it landed.

All the parts you need are available off-the-shelf. Use 1x2s and doorskin; fiberglass it if you really think it needs it. Another customer used flashing material to skin the outside, worked fine. Too many guys over-plan projects like this!

[Wildflyer]

I have build 3 caps, 1st one was built with 2x2s pegged together with 5/8" dia. hardwood rod used as glued dowels, I built it very strong so I could carry heavy loads on top, it was covered in textured RV trailer metal, and alum corners with screw cover. Used all commercial materials, and people asked where did I buy it.

2nd & 3rd were built large and high to provide max tool storage space, for my general construction company. On these I used 2x2s and painted 1/4" plywood because I can put my fist through door skin unless it is fiberglassed on both sides.

Also built a complete slide in camper with my buddy for his truck. For a construction company I worked for, I built 2 job site trailers from the frame up to the wiring.

I have been a carpenter for almost 50 years, and I had intended to build this one. It's not from lack of skill, tools, or experience, it's just that my wife and I decided that I have better things to do, like finishing her total brand new kitchen, in which I am doing everything from design, cabinets, counter-tops, tile, electric and plumbing. I am retired now and want to reduce the things on my list, so I will have more time to fly, and enjoy my self.

[Catalina]

Bloody hell you guys have big cars over there.

[firemanbill]

Originally Posted by Catalina

Bloody hell you guys have big cars over there.

you think...

[BradT]

Originally Posted by Catalina

Bloody hell you guys have big cars over there.

Yep, we like 'em big, to haul the big toys and the big models

Wildflyer, I bought the Cap-It canopy when I bought the '04 GMC 3500, and had it matched to the factory paint. I've had as many as 4 1/4 scale models in there, with the wings removed of course. It has also carried 2 complete Bison carcasses over 1000 miles, hardly making any difference to the ride, or the fuel econmy.

[rcers]

Originally Posted by Catalina

Bloody hell you guys have big cars over there.

Not all of us....here is my aircraft carrier. I especially enjoy the 43 MPG I get. I actually took it on a long road trip last summer, taking my son back to college with all his stuff (got a bunch in this little car....) and managed on the highway to get a high of 53MPG and a low of 42MPG. Average (measured) for the 4k mile trip was 48MPG. Not too shabby! Unlike the Prius the Honda does better on the highway, if you don't drive 75MPH that is....

The forecast for gas prices are going to ~$5 a gallon (I hope the guys estimating are wrong!!!). It is my little gutless wonder.

Mike

[groundrushesup]

Originally Posted by Catalina

Bloody hell you guys have big cars over there.

Yes, we call them "trucks"

Why? Apparently its every American man's god-given right to have their own personal Road Train hahahah

[firemanbill]

Originally Posted by rcers

Not all of us....here is my aircraft carrier. I especially enjoy the 43 MPG I get. I actually took it on a long road trip last summer, taking my son back to college with all his stuff (got a bunch in this little car....) and managed on the highway to get a high of 53MPG and a low of 42MPG. Average (measured) for the 4k mile trip was 48MPG. Not too shabby! Unlike the Prius the Honda does better on the highway, if you don't drive 75MPH that is....

The forecast for gas prices are going to ~$5 a gallon (I hope the guys estimating are wrong!!!). It is my little gutless wonder.

Mike

Well in my defense I do counter the truck with our 54mpg Turbo Diesel VW Jetta.

Kind of hard to pull the camper with the Jetta though

[rcers]

LOL - yea that Jetta might bog down a bit with the camper. I wanted the TDI Jetta, the wife ruled it out. It is certainly more comfy to drive and no Hybrid worries. She remembered growing up with a crappy Pugeout that stunk and rattle like a semi truck.

I told her the TDI was refined beyond measure, was fancier than the Insight.....but alas.....

Now we just need the hybrid diesel and get into the 70-80mpg range. I was PO'd when Honda announced their clean diesel for the US and two years later they scrapped it for the US. Bummer......

[firemanbill]

A hybrid diesel would be awesome! I could live with 80 mpg!!!

[Wildflyer]

Actually the main reason I bought the F-250 Turbo Diesel in the picture is to pull my 34' Airstream trailer, it weighs about 9000 lbs, and the reason I wanted a high cap is to streamline as well as possible to the shape of the trailer. I get about 15mpg on the freeway with trailer, almost 3X my old truck.

I wanted to build a cap that would have projected out over the cab, to a line from the windshield, smoothly flowing up to about 7'6" high so I could still get it in my garage. It was going to be all smooth/rounded corners and then fiberglassed. I wanted it to be high enough to get my 85 Honda Goldwing LTD into it, with out taking off the windshield, but then I realized I would have to be about 8'6" to do that. Then we decided to save time and buy this one, mine would have looked very similar, but higher. Now I will have to take my windshield and mirrors off to load it for a major summer time trip. (if I actually take the bike, more likely airplanes) Many model airplane fields will allow dry camping in an RV so I may try this as a way to save money and fly all over the country.

[BradT]

I also tow my 27' Jayco trailer to fly ins during the summer; it's greAt to wake up at a new field, grab a plane, and have a flight with your morning coffee