The Panther and Cougar canopies were basically the same from a structural standpoint and the defrost system, which was not initially on the very early Panthers. The frame detail (white fiberglass reinforcement) changed over time and a radio antenna was added on the inside of the canopy on a separate sheet of Plexiglas.
Note the canopy's internal structure that arched over the canopy actuator. Its forward edge was slanted so it butted up against the armor plate when the canopy was closed.
The defrost duct was open on its forward end when the canopy was open; when the canopy was closed, it connected to a supply hose on the aft cockpit bulkhead alongside the ejection seat.
The red insulated hose assembly teed off at its aft end to supply defrost air to two tubes, one for each side of the canopy.
Color photos of the F9F-6 at the National Naval Aviation Museum by Don Hinton
Not shown on the airplane above is an electrical cord on the right side of the canopy that connects to the antenna on the underside of the aft end of the canopy glass. It is fully extended in this picture of an F9F-2. (Note that the headrest is angled forward, which is why the "rope" handles that pull down the face curtain are not laying on the front of the headrest.)
This shows the electrical cord, defrost hose, and other components mounted on the aft bulkhead of the cockpit of an F9F-5 (the other Panthers are similar if not identical).
I will share this on my blog My Forgotten Hobby V. I am building Monogram F9F Panther
ReplyDelete