Saves money but there's still only so much you should save on even for such a budget project.
External hinges is taking the piss a bit too much. The opening mechanism is going to be pretty much like any other. It's separate to the hinge. Usually hinges for side opening canopies (if any are used) are hidden on the inside. Like was there absolutely zero space on the inside? Again, the mechanism for opening and shutting is pretty much the same as any other side canopy mechanism. The hinge is part of the system but also sort of separate and it's not difficult to put them on the interior or go with a mechanism that doesn't require hinges.
Really a money saving endeavor that one. Maybe Pakistan had very little budget for a twin seater version development. This is the best CAC can offer for said money and the PAF was okay with it. After all the priority of the platform probably isn't so dependent on the extra drag those hinges impart or the eyesore factor.
External hinges is taking the piss a bit too much. The opening mechanism is going to be pretty much like any other. It's separate to the hinge. Usually hinges for side opening canopies (if any are used) are hidden on the inside. Like was there absolutely zero space on the inside? Again, the mechanism for opening and shutting is pretty much the same as any other side canopy mechanism. The hinge is part of the system but also sort of separate and it's not difficult to put them on the interior or go with a mechanism that doesn't require hinges.
Really a money saving endeavor that one. Maybe Pakistan had very little budget for a twin seater version development. This is the best CAC can offer for said money and the PAF was okay with it. After all the priority of the platform probably isn't so dependent on the extra drag those hinges impart or the eyesore factor.