Pilatus canopy advice please!

[Nigel Argall]

Ok chaps (and ladies), I need some help/advice. I have been happily building a Pilatus B4 quarter scale for the last 9 months or so. I enlarged the Mike Trew plan and then just did my own thing with a hybrid foam/balsa/glass combination. Glider is not far from completion but as it is not a ‘plan’ as such, I have no canopy. Now... I assumed (perhaps stupidly) that I’d be able to find something to fit – I’m happy to make a little bit of compromise on shape if something is a close fit. I have had an email exchange with Barry Atkins at Traplet and despite having dozens of canopies, he couldn’t find anything to fit the dimensions – see the second pic.
SO... I think my options are:
1) Keep looking – anyone got any suggestions or just happen to know if a B4 canopy happens to be almost identical to something else that is available?
2) Barry suggested I try and find a commercial one from someone who does an ARTF B4. I am happy to do this but I am a bit cynical as in my limited experience, when manufacturers say ‘scale’ they often mean ’vaguely based on’ so I don’t think I can assume a ‘quarter scale B4 canopy’ will actually fit.
3) Mould my own – I mean, how hard can it be? I think I know what I am trying to do in principle but have never done this before although I suspect a load of SSUK forum members will have. I have found a sheet of ‘Bayer extruded copolyester’ in the garage – is that the right stuff?
Any thoughts from those of you NOT away on holiday?? Thanks!

[Nigel Argall]

Thanks for your help guys. Not sure how i missed that 'build thread'...