Hi Nick,
Coupes with original (long) sidescreens) DO pull up "all the way and meet in the middle".
Later, ERCO offered a "Sunshade Assembly - Cabin", see Ercoupe Parts Catalog, FIG. 24, p. 38. I believe it was tinted plastic, but I have seen metal ones. Some owners who use this "third panel" on a permanent basis (I am one) shorten the side panels to save weight, with no functional reason to haul the extra plastic around. Disclaimer-may not be "legal" ;<) to do so.
Personally I prefer a panel I can see thru, but that totally stops the head and ultraviolet. For this purpose, I advocate application of the mirror film on the inside in fore-aft overlapping strips of about 4" width (not critical). This allows for the change in curvature when sliding the center panel down on one side for entry and exit as well as for the inevitable shrinkage of the film strip width over time which otherwise would allow unprotected gaps if the strips were perfectly butted when originally installed.
The only time I do not have the canopy fully closed is when I am taking pictures or when ventilation is desired. For the latter I far prefer the wind "pattern" in the cockpit with a 1-2" gap on each side to that with a 2-4" single gap in the middle (which has sucked a full size sectional map out of my hands quite unexpectedly ;<)
Regards, William R. Bayne .____|-(o)-|____. (Copyright 2009) -- On Aug 3, 2009, at 12:31, Nick King wrote:
On some coupes I see what looks like a top to the cockpit.I actually have never pulled my side glasses up.Do they go all the way and meet in the middle or is there a center piece? I'm actually a little embarrased to ask , but I always fly open cockpit.
