F-86 canopy problem

[jmarmor]

Hello! I am restoring an F-86F cockpit section and I am having great difficulty opening or even moving the canopy. The emergency canopy release beneath a small circular door on the left side of the cockpit section (just aft of the ejection seat) is inoperable, and I cannot get the spring-loaded canopy handles on each side of the canopy to open (I suspect the springs are broken), and I might be able to pry them open but would damage them in the process. The canopy is currently open a few inches and I want to slide it back and remove it, but it won't budge when I grasp the canopy's front edge and pull backwards hard! I thought of trying to lift the rear tip of the canopy but there isn't enough space to get my fingers securely under it. I have no idea why it is stuck - perhaps one of the rollers isn't properly aligned in the track? Any suggestions?

[peter]

Sounds like the rollers might be corroded solid in the sliders??

[Sabremech]

Jmarmor,
E-mail me at sabremech at gmail.com. I should be able to help you get it open.
David

[jmarmor]

Hi Peter - Thanks for your reply. The rollers aren't corroded - I'm sure of that, since I reinstalled the canopy about 6-8 months ago and saw them at that time. It has to be some other issue.

[jmarmor]

Thanks very much, David - I'll Email you today. I really appreciate the help!

[peter]

Oh ok I was given the impression it hadn't been open in years or something.. no problem..