Windshield Support Wires

[Axelrod]

Hello, I am restoring my Taylorcraft. It does not have those little wire hoops that support the windshield...it does not look like they were ground off either. Are they optional? If I need to install them what size rod should I weld on?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield Support Wires

The ones on my plane look like they are made from coat hangar wire but I suspect they were added when someone put a "blown" one piece windshield on in place of the flat 4 piece original. My windshield does NOT deflect and touch the wires like a blown post war one does. I looked at Chet's book and couldn't see any wires on original pre war fuselages, but it could just be the photo quality.
When was your plane built?

Hank

[PA1195]

Re: Windshield Support Wires

The previous owner installed one of these windshields on my 1941: http://store.ceebaileys.com/category-s/580.htm The braces were removed at some point but not sure why. Maybe there was a fit problem. The plastic doesn't flex in flight so may be thicker than original. It would be simple to fab a standoff if needed but I can see no need currently.

Gary

[Axelrod]

Re: Windshield Support Wires

Mine is a 1946, most of the post-war ones I see have them...

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield Support Wires

ALL of the post war models with blown windshields I have seen have them. The only ones I have actually seen without them are PRE war models and most of them with retro-fit blown windshields have them added.

Hank

[PA1195]

Re: Windshield Support Wires

Not sure of the significance but Chet's book shows them on these pages and models:

p. 122-23; 1940 BL-12-B-12 Deluxe; 2 installed
p. 169; 1945 BC-12-D; probably 4 installed
p. 201; 1970's F-19; 4 installed

I'd install the windshield then fit whatever bracing felt necessary in the space provided between the center V-tubing and rear of the shield.

Gary

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield Support Wires

Page 169 is a 45 (post war and like my 45 that has a blown windshield with the brace wires) and page 201 is WAY post war. I didn't see any wires on the 41 (pages 122 and 123) until this time when I see you are right and I saw them on the instrument panel photo on 123. Didn't see those before, but as I said my front windshield doesn't appear to move back at all. My 41 DOES use Plexi and not the original Pyrline which was probably more flexible. The original thickness was also no longer available and I went up to the closest thickness I could get (sorry I can't remember what that thickness was any more, it was on a drawing somewhere).

DARNED good catch. My eyes aren't that good any more!

Hank

[PA1195]

Re: Windshield Support Wires

I keep my copy seasonally in the bathroom for inspiration during a typically long winter. Plus my wife has a lighted magnifying apparatus on a stand for her arts and crafts. Have to wash my hands to use it though.

My previous Taylorcraft N29694 had them. Mine have been cut/ground off. I'm not sure why except that perhaps a previous or the current windshield was closer to them than intended and they interfered with their installation. The previous owner did say he broke one new shield on installation and was successful with a replacement. Mystery. These must be 0.125" thick or more plexiglass now.

Their application would be critical under any air load that might deform or stress the shield. That could come from airspeed, propeller slipstream, or both. So far I haven't noted any deformation but I only fly in the mid-90's with my 74/40 prop and atypical gear.

My 7GCBC Citabria would start to flex at about 120 and above and under load from my 80" constant speed prop. Never cracked even in extreme cold.

Gary

[Nefj40]

Re: Windshield Support Wires

Mines a '46 and it had four originally but at some point in the past the top two have broken off. When I get to the point of replacing my windscreen I'll weld the top two back on because I can see where it bows in and hits the V brace. I haven't paid attention to what airspeed it takes for that to happen. A65/75 Mac. 7443

[PA1195]

Re: Windshield Support Wires

It may be that shield shape and potential flex varies by manufacturer. Mine's a Cee Bailey product but a quick search notes these are available.

http://store.ceebaileys.com/category-s/580.htm

http://www.glapinc.com/Taylorcraft/b.htm

http://www.planeplastics.com/accessories/lp-aero-windows

http://www.lpaero.com/products.html

Gary

[Nefj40]

Re: Windshield Support Wires

It may be that shield shape and potential flex varies by manufacturer. Mine's a Cee Bailey product but a quick search notes these are available.

http://store.ceebaileys.com/category-s/580.htm

http://www.glapinc.com/Taylorcraft/b.htm

http://www.planeplastics.com/accessories/lp-aero-windows

http://www.lpaero.com/products.html

Gary

I didn't realize the there where so many manufacturers. I know that I had a CB on my BMW motorcycle and they tend to be top-notch in that world. My windscreen must be from a different manufacturer because it doesn't take much to push it in. I stopped by the hangar on the way home. With the tape hooked on the top of the V brace cluster my wires are at 4.5 and 11 inches down.

[Ron Greene]

Re: Windshield Support Wires

Here is the L-2 drawing for that part, they call it the Anti-Rattler Assembly - Windshield

[PA1195]

Re: Windshield Support Wires

http://www.taylorcraft.org/docs/Taylorcraft_Parts_Manual_1985.pdf

See page 14 for windshields and wire support P/N as of ~1985. Two one piece shields described: B-A770 for "B" models up through 1942; 1551 for 1945 BC12-D and later.

I wonder if the parts simply changed due to a revised specification, or did the fuselage mounting evolve?

Gary

[Guest]

Re: Windshield Support Wires

http://www.taylorcraft.org/docs/Tayl...anual_1985.pdf

See page 14 for windshields and wire support P/N as of ~1985. Two one piece shields described: B-A770 for "B" models up through 1942; 1551 for 1945 BC12-D and later.

I wonder if the parts simply changed due to a revised specification, or did the fuselage mounting evolve?

Gary

I suspect that the boot cowl width at the fire wall changed at that date.

Probably I could have said it better if I had said the firewall width changed at that date.

Dave R