P-80 Shooting Star canopy question? Gap?

[sandiego89]

While looking at the XP-80 Lulu Belle at the NASM, the rear of the sliding canopy seems to leave a very noticable gap between the fuselage and the bottom of the canopy frame. Did not seem to be any rubber seal or other device to close the gap. Almost enough to slide your hand into, or surely a pack of cigarettes (no I did not try, she is behind viewing glass on a raised paltform that allows you to step up near the cockpit). I realize the cockpit was not pressurized, but surely this would make for a cold and noisy cockpit and perhaps worsen drag or buffeting? I can not find a photo that shows this sorry. A side view does not show the gap. Anyone else notice this or care to comment?

[The Inspector]

According to the monograph done by NASM on Lulu Belles restoration, they had no answer about the canopy gap beyond perhaps it wasn't designed correctly or the fuselage spine area was altered during manufacture of the airfame.

[51fixer]

Canopy seal probably is along edge of cockpit and that area would be more of an aerodynamic thing. On P-51 the seals are under and inside the canopy frame and mounted on the fuselage.

[The Inspector]

Canopy seal probably is along edge of cockpit and that area would be more of an aerodynamic thing. On P-51 the seals are under and inside the canopy frame and mounted on the fuselage.

Since it was little more than a P.O.C. and actually had to have a form of temprature control added after the first flights since it was so hot in the cockpit that Milo Burcham almost passed out during the first few flights and never had a pressurized cockpit, so the gap could have been a primative outflow valve.

[T Ricketts]

Is this the gap you are referring to at the rear of the canopy?. Don't have a clue what it's for, but it is interesting...