Alex,
Haha..

Thanks for the comments. The little cutout in the front is just a hole that was in the box that I used for the mockup. I should have taped something across it. As mentioned in the text above those pictures, I stole that box from my daughter and that was just a hole she had cut for something.
Actually, the vantage point from my view when sitting in the seats is very good. I can see the ground probably within 10' of the carrier without effort and the field of fiew on the side is almost 180 degrees. I am pondering some plexiglass visors that fold under in that front drop down but will probably just wait until I get it built and see how it works.
The metal is supposed to be in today so I should have some new pics to post within the next few days. We'll see...
Ross