Sissy Straps

[Hank Jarrett]

Starting this thread so we can work together on a small project to make replacement hand straps that went at the top front of the door frame to assist in getting in and out of the tight little doors on our planes.

We can repeat the discussion already done on the "Pre war Identification question" thread if anyone wants it.

Photos are attached and I will post more of the new ones as soon as they are made.
Hank

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Sissy Straps

Found another photo of a pre war with the round wheels. Note the Sissy Strap in the top right of the photo.
Hank

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Sissy Straps

From astjp2

I have several rolls of woven handle material, you could wrap it with the material of your choice for aesthetic purposes...Tim

N29787
'41 BC12-65

Tim,
We are looking at a synthetic webbing (similar to what seat belt straps are made from) and cotton webbing (like in military belts). What is the woven handle material?

Hank

[M Towsley]

Re: Sissy Straps

I think 'Forward Assist Strap/Handle' would be more suitable.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Sissy Straps

Marty, you sure you never worked for NASA? They would have loved that and promptly called it the "FAS/H". I would prefer the "Forward Angle Reaction Transmission System" for the sound you make as you use it to pull yourself in and watch for how long it took for someone to "get it".
Hank

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Sissy Straps

The material is windlace minus the chord. The pattern is identical to the windlace I just replaced in the 36 Ford. Mac's antique auto is the only one I have found with the correct taupe with brown dot pattern. SMS, lebarron bonney, and bill hirsch do not have the correct material, but similar patterns.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Sissy Straps

Cool, I will check it out for the upholsterer.
Thanks
Hank

[mikeg]

Re: Sissy Straps

Airtex used to supply the assist straps.
Mike Girdley

[Robert Lees]

Re: Sissy Straps

Austers have them too. They fit to a welded tube in the door post.

I'll try to get pics when I can, but please remind me to do so.

[horrible 21st century quote]Austers are so not on my radar [/horrible 21st century quote]

[flybikefarm]

Re: Sissy Straps

Get pics when you can!!!!! (reminder)

[Robert Lees]

Re: Sissy Straps

Hey! there's no point reminding me 10 minutes after I last thought of it!

I've never seen a US-built Taylorcraft with Girlie straps. Perhaps someone can edumucate me.



Did you have a good Picnic this year, George? I thought last year .it ..had ...lost .....its..........way....................a........ ..................bit.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Sissy Straps

The ones shown with post 1 are supposed to be original Taylorcraft straps. They are attached through tiny span wise steel tubes welded into the fuselage frame at the top of the "A" pillar (the door hinge tube). I have an interior upholsterer who is going to make a set for me now that I have the right eye bolts. I tried to find photos of the Airtex ones but no luck.
Hank

[M Towsley]

Re: Sissy Straps

Forward assist straps, Rob. Not 'girlie straps'.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Sissy Straps

The attached pictures are from a 1945 Auster 5, sometimes called "Auster Alpha". This was developed from the five Model A Taylorcraft that came over from the USA (see Chet Peek's book).

It has the flat-pane screen, with an 0-290, and was used in military service as an AOP (Aerial Observation Platform).

Anyway, much of the interior is original, and these straps are made of canvas.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Sissy Straps

The ring looks the same except the ones I saw used an Acorn nut and the tube was horizontal instead of vertical (which seems to result in the ring/bolt bending). That also looks like the same rivet with the fabric cover worn off through the strap. The strap looks WAY too new! Must not be many "sissy" pilots in the UK. ;-)

Hank