Wag Aero Window Frames

[Kerbs]

I was going through records on N96234 and found a 337 approved in 1977 to install a set of 3rd Window, Wag Aero Frames, PN M302-001 & M302-002. The odd thing is the plane does not have them installed. I would love to have rear windows and being they are already approved on the plane, I thought finding a set may be the easiest route. I tried Wag Aero and they haven't inventoried these for years nor could provide any info. I doubt anyone has a pair of these laying around. Any ideas or suggestions on where i could track down the NOS parts or even the drawings?

[Hank Jarrett]

Those look like the standard 46rames. They come up on here and e-Bay every once in a while and there are patterns to make them. Not to complex to make except for the rolled depression for the retention screws. I made drawings of mine and have them somewhere.

[LostnSpace]

I made a set of those for a guy in Oregon, it was not that hard, working with a flat piece, cut a couple pieces of MDF board, the top one a little larger that the bead, used a 4X rivet gun with a Teflon ball end to drive the bead into place, with the edges bent over it was very ridged, he was happy with the parts, gary

[Hank Jarrett]

Teflon ball on a rivet gun using MDF as the form is a great idea. Can't imaging you could make very many that way, but most usually only need two! Did you take any photos of the process?

Hank

[woodmw]

It's called Flow Forming. It is the process where a rivet gun with special forming bit is used to do the banging (bashing, hammering, etc). What little I know about it, I got from some videos online. I Googled 'flow forming video' and found a couple of videos by Kent White, the Tinman, that show the basics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K6c3_DMXjQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUNrxB7Vypk

We had a bit of a conversation in a post by Scott:

Blog update and Cooling Blurb

[LostnSpace]

Teflon ball on a rivet gun using MDF as the form is a great idea. Can't imaging you could make very many that way, but most usually only need two! Did you take any photos of the process?

Hank

Hi Hank, no I didn't think of taking photos, an old guy showed me long before I did that one , have done other pieces, it's usually one off things, gary

[woodmw]

Hank,

Is that the drawing under the frame in the photo you posted? Any chance you could post it? I'd like to try to fabricate one. Is it possible for you to measure metal thickness? What am I thinking, it's probably already on drawing!

[PA1195]

No disrespect meant....but what's the advantage of rear windows versus leaning forward and looking back? Are they cosmetic or functional? I'v had both and wonder what's their use?

Gary

[Hank Jarrett]

Hank,

Is that the drawing under the frame in the photo you posted? Any chance you could post it? I'd like to try to fabricate one. Is it possible for you to measure metal thickness? What am I thinking, it's probably already on drawing!

Yes, that is the drawing I did. I have a room full of drawings I have made of parts as I rebuilt my planes. Unfortunately they are mostly in a huge pile and on the "to-do" list to sort and file. I will take a look and see if I can find it. I also have the pre war wood frame in there. Just have WAY TOO MANY things on the list!

Hank

[woodmw]

That would be great, Hank. I'll see if I can make a buck using hardwood. If results are acceptable, then anyone that wants to try fabricating some can borrow. Hope we can get a number of frames from each set of bucks.

[N96337]

Gary, I'd say the biggest advantage would be when looking across and back.... plus I like the look and the extra light they let in. Mine didn't have a skylight or back windows and a buddy summed it up perfectly when he said it felt like sitting in a bucket!
John

[PA1195]

Hi John. Yes I guess looking right and back they would help. I have those clear seaplane doors so they're taller and wider and I can look left and back easily. Greg Clayton's skylight permits vis in a good bank. Above is my first T in 1974 with real windows all around.

Gary

[N96337]

What prop is that?

[PA1195]

Flottorp Beech-Roby prop (https://vb.taylorcraft.org/forum/tay...ech-Roby-prop=) Had a mechanical crank in the cockpit per the thread. It also came with a Mac 1A90-CF 7538 so I used that on floats and skis as it seemed to pull better. Item (2) on the 696 Data sheet. Model R003-100 with 232-72T blades on a C-85. Installed 2/6/74 along with STC SA1-210 per 337. The plane now has a new owner and a O-290D2.

Gary

[N96337]

The only Beech Roby I ever saw had wooden blades if I remember correctly. I only saw it for a few minutes, in a guy's living room.
John