PART 1-DESCRIPTIVE

    27.  Hood operation
         
    (a)  When the hood is closed, it is supported and locked by
         catches on the port and starboard sides and by two hooks
         at the rear.  When the hood is opened, the rear hooks and
         port catches are released, allowing the hood to swing up-
         wards about the starboard catches until a folding strut
         (midway between the two cockpits) straightens and locks.
         A tie-rod then locks the hood opening handles and port
         catches in the open position.  When the hood is closed, the
         sleeve on the folding strut below the joint is pushed down
         and the strut folded downwards.  The hood is then pulled
         down until it seats on the decking and is locked by means
         of the internal or external handle.  The external handle is
         for servicing only, as its action is not sufficiently positive to
         ensure absolute locking of the hood.

    (b)   (i) There is a hood opening handle (11)(93) on the port
              wall of each cockpit.  When either handle is pushed
              forward it releases the port catches and rear hooks.
              While the hood is being opened, the handles are free
              to move.  They should never be pulled back into the
              closed position before the hood is closed again, as the
              weight of the hood coming down might damage the
              rear hooks, which would be in the locked position.
              Post-Mod. 815, the hood cannot be closed with the
              handles in the locked position.

         (ii) An external opening handle is provided.  To open the
              hood, the catch at the rear of the handle is pushed
              forward and the rear end of the lever is pulled out and
              pushed upwards.
               
        (iii) When the hood is locked, both internal handles
              should be one-quarter inch from the fully-down
              position on the guard (92).  (This space is to ensure
              that the mechanism has been moved over the dead-
              centre position before reaching the stops; if there is
              no space, the locking mechanism should be checked.)
               
         (iv) The toggle handles (77) (120), on the starboard wall of
              each cockpit, release the rear hooks when pulled
              forward.  The handles should only be used when the
              front opening handle fails to release the rear hooks.
              An external release, similar in action, is on the port
              side of the fuselage, under a fabdic patch.

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