RR
Funny you should mention the missile / NASCAR latches - I ordered one from the US about a month ago but it went missing somewhere over the Atlantic. Luckily eBay Global Shipping did a no quibble refund including purchase price, shipping / handling / duties.
PP
What you accurately describe is version 1b. Thankyou for the consideration too - that is why I do the build thread - someone will catch my mistakes. You are 100% correct but in the iso view, as you note, it is hard to see the relationship with the fixed panel / nose cone.
I originally modelled the hinge on paper but failed to consider the leading edge of the canopy / bonnet; in the up position it was hard against the panel that it hinges up and over.
I made a revised steel one and tweaked it repeatedly before coming to the conclusion that the secret here is to have the pivot point high (just under the fixed panel / nose cone) and forward of the panel gap - in my case 1.5 inches. That of course requires a longer down arm (the vertical one in the closed position, near horizontal in the open). That all results in a back and up motion through a moderate arc.
I have added some pics to demonstrate the result. Apologies for the quality.
The eagle eyed (all of you) will notice an added tab in the last photo (fully open), spot welded in place.
Experience on the Lotus says that gas struts should not be attached to the fibreglass panel, even with panel reinforcing. The vibration etc. and the strut load work the panel. I am attaching them (mock-up in progress) to the actual hinge so the load is against the oilite bushed pivot and, if I have calculated it properly, will be slightly over centre in the closed position meaning strut load is trying to close the canopy leading edge, not lift it.