sliding windows and frames

[fly4fun]

Hi All. Just signed on for the first time and would like to know if anyone has a good source for sliding windows and frames for a 1946 BC12D. I'm wanting to replace the solid windows that are in there now. Thanks

[waltermrich]

I would second that I would like to see of a good sliding window frame and installation if anyone wants to share that. Thanks

[Robert Lees]

Hello fly4fun. and welcome!

Do you happen to know why solid fixed windows are fitted (perhaps for cold weather ops?) All 1946 BC12Ds I have known have the correct sliding windows.

Anyway, to answer your question, and assuming that the doors themselves are still original, the interior frames are easily made fron 0.025" aluminium with common sheet-metal forming tools. The glazing is simple acyrlic sheet.

You can so this under pilot-owner maintenance for the side glazing. Just a log book entry.

I attach some photos of one of my old ones (I made new, due to corrosion). Simple cutting & folding tools, plus a shrinker to form the curves.

All the best, Rob

[astjp2]

The doors on the project I have for sale are solid 1 piece.

[woodmw]

My windows are one piece.

[fly4fun]

Thanks to those of you who responded and a special shout out to Robert Lees for the idea and pictures. I'll definantly look into this.

[Hank Jarrett]

I have several doors for post war planes but the problem is they are terrible to ship. I am in SE Virginia and the doors would have to be crated to survive transport. If someone is coming this way they are welcome to go through the pile but shipping would cost more than the door are worth.

As for why many planes have been converted to non-sliding windows I would bet it was because, 1) the felt was worn out on the windows and they didn't slide easily any more, and 2) they were set up with the outer pane of plexi on the rear slide groove which causes lots of water to blow in if you happen to go through a shower. The outer pane goes in the FRONT, not the rear and the "fuzzy" part of VELCRO works pretty well in place of the felt. You also need to glue knobs on the inside of the windows so you have something to pull the window back and forth with. These seem to always be breaking off. You can also not lock the doors with sliding windows but I can't see that it would be a real security issue on our planes. If someone wanted to break into our planes even a child could do it.

Hank

[waltermrich]

Thanks Rob for sharing the photos of your frames, I would like to find a example of the sliding tracks for the plexiglass, I saw a track on a Aeronca Chief at Oshkosh last year The owner had made it out of hard foam he had purchased somewhere and routed groves top and bottom for the sliding plexiglass.

[Scott]

The basic problem with the sliding windows in post war doors is that the doors/window frames are curved (top to bottom) and plexiglass is straight!
The typical installation I found during my research is basically two pieces of plexi sandwiched between the frame (that Rob showed) and the door frame, with various amounts of felt to try and make them tight.

There was a post wherein someone had formed plexi in the oven to get a better result. I built on that idea and fabricated wood frames/spacers to get an airtight and smooth operating result. All the gory details of the complete door rehab can be found here: http://c-fclr.blogspot.com/p/doors.html

[Scott]

Here's what it looked like after final assembly;

[waltermrich]

That is beautiful if you take your plane to Oshkosh as you did last year I hope to see it to get a good look. Thanks Scott