Windshield for A model

[DerekR]

Have a 1938 T-Craft A with a cracked windshield. Where can I find a replacement? Nothing seems to be approved for an A. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Buell Powell]

Re: Windshield for A model

Derek,
You might try LP Aero Plastics @ 800-957-2376 if you want to use the 1 piece-they may need yours for a pattern. If you want to put back as original you might try a search-I believe there are some post from people who have done this that could help with information and patterns.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield for A model

I have the templates to make the original 4 piece windshield. It is NOT easy. Every plane is a little different and you need to custom fit the frames and "glass" to fit your boot cowl. The results look great and I wish my 45 had been delivered with the 4 piece. To me it looks really classic.
Hank

[DerekR]

Re: Windshield for A model

Thanks to Buell and Hank !
Hank, do you make the the pieces? Also, the windscreen in the aircraft now is 1 piece. Where could I get the frames for the 4 piece? Would these have to be fabricated?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield for A model

To put the original system in you have to make everything. The frames are made of aluminum with a mind boggling number of fastener holes that have to line up with the holes in the Plexi. I bought the aluminum already sheared and had an initial bend put in to make it easier. The frames run between the wing leading edges and from the leading edges down to the boot cowl. There is one piece of Plexi between the cross frame and the front spar, between the leading edges. There are two windscreens on the sides between the "A" Pillar and the frames from the leading edge to the Boot and the windshield between the boot, the two windscreens and the top piece.
I made the windshield from cardboard first, followed by a piece of 1/8" tempered Masonite to get the fit right. The windscreens were cardboard for the same reason. Once all of the pieces were shaped right I had the windshield cut out, drilled and the edges polished by a professional plastics company. It is the most expensive piece and when you drill the plexi you WILL break some. Don't believe the guys who say to melt the holes or spin the bit backwards. BUY A PLASTICS BIT! T cheap ways will work "most of the time", but you are going to drill HUNDREDS of holes. I threw away at least 8 or 10 windscreens. The professional made the windshield in one try.
We talked about doing a set of instructions for the job but no one has stepped up to be the second to make an original set of parts since mine. Eventually I will make one for Josh's plane, but that is a ways off and I don't know if you guys want to wait that long. It would be great if someone would do a video of the steps and I could do an instruction with photos of the process. I should have documented what I did better. I am sure the second time would go MUCH faster.
Hank

[Buell Powell]

Re: Windshield for A model

Darn that looks nice! If you make any paper patterns for the plexiglass I would really like to have a set.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Windshield for A model

I think the "A" model just has a 3 piece windshield, and not a 4 piece like the "B".

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield for A model

I haven't gotten to look at an "A" close up. Anyone have any photos of an original "A" windshield? The theory and process would be the same and I am sure we could do it, but there would need to be a new set of templates. NOT that hard.................... the second time anyway. ;-)

Buell, drop me a message and I will put together a set of tracings. I still have the Masonite and cardboard pieces. I just need to get them out and trace them on a piece of paper. Just remember, they WILL NOT fit your plane without some minor corrections. If Derek wants to try it too I will work with him and we can have a set of basic templates for all the common pre-war planes. Not sure there is much call for a "Chummy".

Hank

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield for A model

Just looking at Chet's book (The "T" Bible) and there is a picture of C.G. in front of an "A" on page 24. It looks like the windshield is actually curved and cut to fit against the leading edge of the wing with two windscreens on the sides. IT does look like a single curvature windshield which would make it a lot easier to make. That same window set up is also on pages 30 & 31.

On page 41 there are more pictures but it looks like a FIVE piece! There is a distinct frame piece in two of the pictures dividing the windshield. The same thing is clear on the bottom picture on page 42 (the middle picture with Bite Livingston is NOT an "A").

On page 46 the pictures look like they are back to a three piece, but the dividers are moved so the aft windscreen/windshield frame is gone. On page 59 the girl sitting on the boot cowl (WHO LET HER DO THAT!) is positioned so her shadow lets you see the frame location perfectly. The windscreens are BIG and the windshield is almost like the 41.

We REALLY need some good photos of the tube arrangement on the "A" and any original photos of the different configurations. I couldn't find ANY photos of the top of the windshield and how it attaches at the top.

Hank

Derek, where are you? Anywhere close to the Chesapeake Bay by any chance?

[DerekR]

Re: Windshield for A model

Hi Hank,

I'm in Western Massachusetts....quite a ways out from you, unfortunately.

This sure looks like quite a project. I assume that a B windshield (say from LP Aero or the like) could not be modified to fit?

I appreciate your input.....the aircraft is now unusable and I would like to be able to fly it.

Derek

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield for A model

I really don't know. I have the dimensions for the tubes for a B but not an A. We need to compare notes. Can you get some photos of the nose/windshield area? From that I can compare to the photos I have and see how everything must attach.
Where are the rest of the A owners? Can anyone answer the B windshield fit question? Anyone have an original windshield in an A? If not we will just have to do it like I did my 41. LOTS of cardboard windshields till we figure out the shape. The pictures I have DO look like the plastic is all single curvature, which simplifies things a little.
Sounds like we are about 400 miles apart, not bad except that the Chesapeake Bay, Philadelphia and New Your City are in there! Talk about potential delays!
Hank