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.................---- Canopies/Windshields -- Page 10 ---
If you are building a lakester or streamliner this page might give you some ideas on canopy/windshield shapes. I might make a few comments, but they are just my opinion and not necessarily based on aerodynamic fact.
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The first 3 pictures are of the Nish Streamliner, which ran about 388 mph in 2006 if I remember right. It is fairly flat or teardropped shaped across the front.
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The transition off of the front body into the canopy is fairly abrupt and at first I wondered about that, but this would tend to be the same situation where the wind on a plane meets the fuselage and I can see that they might be trying to get the air to go down the sides of the car instead of over it......
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.....that would also help to keep turbulence from forming in front of the air intake on the top. The more I look at this the more I like it and obviously this car is fast.
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This is the 412 E/GL True Radius Bending Special out of Santa Barbara, Calif.
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I really like the transition off the body in front of the canopy up into the canopy windshield and then over the top back into the top of the body.
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Here is a side view showing the side window to meet rule requirements for 120 degrees of vision. I'm not sure how much "blind area" is allowed, such as what you see in front of the side window.
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Next up is Costella's little motorcycle streamline that has run almost 150 mph on I believe a 100 cc motor might be almost all canopy.
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Here the streamline is on it's way down the long course.
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The 7795 B/FS Thomason & Tradup entry out of Brewster, Washington.
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A whole lot of airplane design/influence on this canopy and tail.
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This is Eric and John's record holding 50 cc motorcycle streamliner at over 130 mph. It has also set records as a sidecar.
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Here again it seems to have very nice transitions below and above and below the windshield of the canopy into the body. I hope to have something close to this and/or the True Bending one on my lakester.
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And the fastest canopy of them all. This is the 411 Burkland car that has run 450 mph. With the crease in the front and up through the windshield area I wonder if Tom is trying to get the air to go down the sides of the car. In my mind I can see where this would help to keep the car going straight, but that is a guess on my part.
If you are interested in making a canopy and/or windshield you should check out my "Links Page" ( HERE ) and go to the section "How To Do-it Sites". There are a couple different links there that might help you out.