MPP USERS CLUB - MICROTECHNICAL MK VII VIEWING HOOD

The Mk VII is fitted with a removable viewing hood which comprises a cast alloy frame which forms a chassis on which all other components are mounted and four flaps. The outer flap forms the top of the hood when open and is a thin sheet steel pressing with an impression which has a vynide insert. The insert matches the other panels on the camera body. Each panel has a simple rounded fold which forms one half of a hinge the other part being a steel pin set in a hole at each end cast in the chassis frame. The bottom and top panels are different whilst the side panels are the same but handed left and right. All dimensions are finished sizes meaning the base will be of lesser dimensions before being painted.
	Rear view with hood closed
	Spring loaded catch on ground glass screen casting and lug on hood casting. Both sides of the hood are identical so it can be fitted the other way round. The spring catch is replaced on the other side of the ground glass screen casting with a fixed lug under which the other hood lug fits.
Cast Chassis Frame Dimensions (Cast 'L' section) Outer : Width 135.5mm, Height 111.25mm Inner : Width 121.0mm, Height 97.0mm Thickness : 1.57mm, Depth : 7.94mm.With extension for bottom flap hinge pin 10.8mm. (1) below. With extension for top flap hinge 12.00mm (2) below. Lugs for fitting to ground glass screen 9.43mm wide by 6.3mm : Height to top of chamfer 2.25mm : Position - midway.	Flaps Top - External :138.0mm x 115.25mm Vynide insert pressing 116.0mm x 94.25mm. Depth of folded edge 7.35 mm. Material thickness : 1mm. Fixed with 5 small rivets. Bottom - Width 133.25 x 97.5mm, side skirts 5.8mm back skirt 2.44mm Side - Height at hinge 101.0mm tapering to 82.76mm. Length from hinge to narrow end 96.0mm. Back skirt 2.44mm.
(1) Bottom flap hingepin casting extension.	(2) Top flap hingepin casting extension
	Front view showing casting which forms the chassis of the hood and the locking catch for the outer flap. Each flap is spring biased to 'open'.The outer flap holds the hood closed by a simple plated spring catch shown in the centre at the top of the picture. View is from underneath.
	Side view showing the lower flap partially folded in with a notch in the side skirt to prevent fouling the side flap spring. The hinge pin is set back to allow the lower flap to close over the two side flaps. The pin is set in an extension of the chassis casting. See dimensions above. Notch is sufficient to clear the spring but not too much so avoiding weakening the flap. Sides and bottom skirts at hinge ends are rounded.
	Side view of the outer plate showing the notch which avoids fouling with the spring loaded catch on the ground glass screen casting. Both sides are identical. Notch is sufficient to clear the catch but not too much so avoiding weakening the flap.
	Close up of the hood closure catch. Both parts shown. The spring shown behind the bottom plated catch operates the bottom flap.
	Inside view of the hood with all parts folded flat. The leaf spring in the centre back tensions the back flap catch. The spring at the front centre tensions the top (Vynide panelled) flap of the hood. To close, fold in the side flaps then the bottom flap and close shut by folding down the top flap until it clicks closed.