New Stratus Canopy Pics

[EricLarson]

Well I figured it was time to get a couple new canopies painted up for my Stratus heli's. There are lots of nice paint schemes out there, but I wanted something clean but a bit different. I am pretty happy with how they turned out.
http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/4ce8b9e1bb033e6fa1be716b786d6aa0.jpg
http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/f5e088852d60549b00ec8a838ad59a7b.jpg

[bighands3d]

They look AWSOME!!! Great job Eric.. I like the second one. Did you paint those.

[Ray Fernandez]

Nice looking paint job on the canopies, Eric. I like the underlining text on the windshield..Cool :D

[Data]

great looking canopies eric!
can I use my existing extreme canopies when I convert to the stratus or do I need to sell them and get me those new stratus canopies?

[bighands3d]

Same canopys for the stratus, you can use either Xtreme or Tempest canopys. Both will fit. has mount holes for either.

[EricLarson]

Ya I paint my own canopies. I have done quite a bit of painting, but just do my own as to do a custom job it is pretty time consuming.

The windshields are candy with ghost text under. There is also some prysmatic material in the candy so it should look pretty nice in the sun.

Everything is airbrushed and paint, no vinyl under the clear, That would be almost like cheating :)

The stock canopies will fit, but need some trimming. Not a big deal. I needed some new ones so it was a good excuse to get them done.

[bighands3d]

Looks like you could quit as a pilot and Custom paint Race cars for a living and do well for your self. I know people who get up to $10,000 for custom paint jobs for a single race car.


Any how they look AWSOME!!! you have some natural talet with the brush and color schemes..

[EricLarson]

:) thanks. I have done a few motorcycles and such as well as a few airplanes when I was working as an A&P. Painting is a lot of work! The canopies could turn out even better but I am very conscious of weight. One weighed in at 7.1 oz and the other at 7.6 oz so that is not too bad. I have seen quite a few over 10 oz and just don't want to have to drag around the extra weight.

[ChrisLaFollette]

Good looking canopies dude! Lets see some video with them on. :twisted: I like to keep my helis light also but man I got a heavy C-Cell in mine. Heh I actually dont have a heli anymore. :shock: :shock: :shock:

[WayneBrown]

What paints did you use? If I can't find a design I want, I might have to break out my airbrush and do my own.

[EricLarson]

Everything is HOK (House of Color). Just be prepared as by the time you get all of the supplies they sure add up cost wise. Most all of the painters out there work for peanuts when it is all worked out. The process is not hard, it just takes some time and practice.

For equiptment I use 2 small HVLP guns (one for clear, and one for color), a IWATA HP-C plus airbrush, Mac xcaliper pinstriping brushes and all HOK paints.

[WayneBrown]

Cool, now to find a bodyshop using HOK and see what I can scrounge...hehehe.
I still have my devilbiss gravity feed, agitator guns, and a few paasche airbrushes, maybe I can embarass myself good!