Windshield and Open Cowls

[3Dreaming]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

[QUOTE=Laz;27291]How is the rummer channel that sits on the boot cowl attached if at all to the boot cowl. Also were the verticle strips attached to the tubes in any way?

The rubber channel is just attached to the bottom of the windshield. It sits in the rolled bead in the boot cowl. The metal strips for the windshield attach to the boot cowl with some PK screws. The strip that goes across the top attaches to the 2 false rib type pieces in the upper corners of the windshield.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

There are also a PANT LOAD of soft rivets through the metal strips into the transparency material (Proxal?). I can tell you from experience drilling holes (or melting them) in most transparent plastic, then squeezing rivets, runs the risk of MASSES of cracked holes. The real "for plastic" drill bits make a huge difference. DON'T believe the people who use a flame on the hole to "stress relieve" the plastic and take the tiny scratches out. It may work for some old timers with a magic hand but I have never seen it work consistently. Melting the holes with a soldering iron doesn't work either. The plastic isn't that expensive, but why waste it. Try it out on some scrap and then let it heat cycle and watch it crack.
Hank

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

Question! I have a 41 BC-65 with a one piece windshield. It is cracked beyond repair, what do I have and where can I get another one?
Larry

[Laz]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

Thanks Chet and all. The plane is a 1941 . We have tracing of the original windshield, the problem is exactly where are those strips attaced to the Boot cowl. From the pictures we have seen. it appears that the strips must have been attache inside. We have the rubber strip that goes in the beading grove. It just seems odd that there is no attachement along the lower edge. Did they glue the rubber to the windhield?. I have a 46 BC12 D there are these tabs welded to the frame just under where the boot cowl is . They were never attached to anything. My thought is what were they fore? maybe they were used to attach to the early windsheild strips and never removed?

Thanks for all your help.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

Question! I have a 41 BC-65 with a one piece windshield. It is cracked beyond repair, what do I have and where can I get another one?
Larry

Sounds like you might be a candidate for the original windshields we are developing. Can't say for sure but it's a pretty good bet they will be less expensive and a WHOLE lot easier to replace pieces on when one cracks.
Hank

By the way, there are at least two sizes or shapes of "blown" windshields. The wrong one won't fit and I have never figured out how you tell which one fits the planes right around WW-II. Another reason I'm going back to the original design.

Hey Laz! How do we get copies of your transparency tracings?

[Ron Coleman]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

Hank is right about drilling acrylic plastic. There are several types of drills which will work. They are "scraper" types bits, similar to brass cutting drills. There are both spade and spear types. Both work but I have had most luck with the spear types. Warm the plastic before you drill and have the plastic on a solid supporting surface. Don't try to drill unsupported plastic. It sometimes helps to put masking tape on both sides of the hole to be. If you melt or burn the hole you will have to anneal the plastic. You will have to bring it up to temperature and than allow it to cool over a long period of time. I don't remember the timing cycle but it doesn't make any difference anyhow because the first time it gets in the hot sun and cools suddenly you have the problem all over again. I saw a Meyers with windows crazed at every bolt hole because they had been pierced with a soldering iron instead of being drilled.
RonC
N96995

[Laz]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

I will see if we can makes some copies of the traceing.

let me know who wants them

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

At this point I am in need of a set, Thanks! I like the one piece look but will be looking at the multi piece a lot before I make a final decision. The 3 piece will make the plane appear more "old and original". Larry

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

Michael (Laz), can you send me a copy of your tracings? This is the "glass" parts, right? Do you need copies of the metal frame parts?
Hank Jarrett
805 Kings Creek Drive
Virginia Beach VA 23464

[1938BF50]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

Way-a-back, when I started this thread.......I offered to make sets the metal pcs. Offer still stands. I need templates, patterns, drawings or all of the above. Let me know how I can help? Mike C.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

Mike,
I have the drawings for the metal parts but nothing for the "glass". I can send the drawings to you but I'm not sure the metal parts weren't made long and trimmed to fit the planes. That was why I wanted to get some old "glass" to make patterns and fit the parts to several planes and see if they were the same.
I'm up for any ideas on how we can do some "fit checks". All of the windshield is off my plane awaiting the new headliner and interior so I can fit parts to mine fairly easy. Anybody else have ideas?
Hank
Mike, send your address and I will copy the drawings. They are LIGHT and not real easy to read.

[1938BF50]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

PO Box 51
Lake Mills, WI., 53551

I am anxious to help any way that I can.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

I will try and get them to the copy center this weekend.
Hank

[M Jones]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

PO Box 51
Lake Mills, WI., 53551

I am anxious to help any way that I can.

Mike,

I meet another Taylorcraft owner/flyer form Lake Mills at an AOPA saftey seminar at the Rockford airport last week. Do you know Dave Mulderink? WS74
is his grass strip. http://www.runwayfinder.com/

[1938BF50]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

I know Dave and his brother Al well. Both are local icons in the Experimental arena. Been to his strip many times. Once buzzed him in Johns BT-13. That was a fun day. I tried Daves Taylorcraft on for size when I decided I wanted one. Pretty discouraged when I finally got myself wedged in. Only upon graceful exit did I realize that he had 6"+ of padding on both the seat and seatback. Great guys!