I have always liked the VP-2 but it's a bit of an odd bird, quite big for a single-seater but not quite wide enough for a real two-seater. The photos of the original flying two-up show the passenger with an arm literally around the pilot's shoulders. That actually fit the original design brief, which was a successor the single-seat, open-cockpit VP-1 big enough to take a friend up for a short hop.
Of course, builders are always looking to "improve" the design which means there have been dozens of different cabin/canopy modifications to the VP-2. Below are a few that I like, but the problem with all of them is that, by enclosing the previously open cockpit, you have reduced shoulder room from infinity to the width of the fuselage and made it even more cramped flying two-up.
I have been scheming some tricky cushion arrangements to provide staggered seating when flying two-up, and I can easily imagine a removable or convertible canopy or cabin top to fly enclosed when solo and open cockpit when two-up. But neither is a real solution to the basic problem. I'd rather not have to widen the fuselage because of the changes that would then cascade through the whole design.
Does anyone have any suggestions and/or inspirations on how you might enclose the VP-2 cockpit in a way that maximizes width at the shoulders without looking hideous?
Cheers,
Matthew
Of course, builders are always looking to "improve" the design which means there have been dozens of different cabin/canopy modifications to the VP-2. Below are a few that I like, but the problem with all of them is that, by enclosing the previously open cockpit, you have reduced shoulder room from infinity to the width of the fuselage and made it even more cramped flying two-up.
I have been scheming some tricky cushion arrangements to provide staggered seating when flying two-up, and I can easily imagine a removable or convertible canopy or cabin top to fly enclosed when solo and open cockpit when two-up. But neither is a real solution to the basic problem. I'd rather not have to widen the fuselage because of the changes that would then cascade through the whole design.
Does anyone have any suggestions and/or inspirations on how you might enclose the VP-2 cockpit in a way that maximizes width at the shoulders without looking hideous?
Cheers,
Matthew
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