Windshield and Open Cowls

[Laz]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

I just came back from my friends hanger . The traceings we have are onky for the metal partrs NOT the glass. Sorry IF I mis-led everyone. It apeared to me to have the glass but does not. I think all we are going to do is use a one peiece windsheild and put on the metal stris so it looks original. I sill send some Picks of the plane.

MIke

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

Bringing back an OLD thread! I actually have the templates for the 4 piece windows ON THE PLANE and THEY FIT! I also have the metal pieces cut on the shear and just need to make the end trims. I am looking for the .125 Plexi for the windshield (front piece) and the thinner (.070-.080) material for the windscreens (side pieces).
I am actually finished with the first two designs for the CEV landing systems and getting ready to start my next project so I have been able to devote several weekends to the 41 "T". The wings are still off, but it is progressing again!
As soon as I have the final plexi in I will have the paper templates available with photos of the install.
Hank

I may be slooooow,, (REALLY slow) but I eventually get-er-done!

[Ray36048]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

What is your SN? I also have a 41. Did they also use a one piece windshield in 41? My SN is 3015.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

My 41 is NC-36296, SN 3214. From everything I can find there were no "blown" windshields prior to WW-II. The British developed the technique just after the development of the Spitfire. If you notice, the prototype Spitfire had a flat section canopy and the Mk I had the first "Blown" Malcome Hoods. These were later adapted to the early P-51s coming over on lend lease. Early in the war the manufacturing process was a pretty closly guarded secret so I doubt Taylor had access. Once the secret was out (plexi and a little heat draped in a form wasn't that complex, just that everybody didn't have plexi and just a couple extra degrees and the whole thing filled with tiny bubbles. Other early clear plastics DO NOT seem to form well!) both sides improved the process to the point that planes like the FW-190 and later p-51s had full blown canopies. If you ever noticed, the BF-109 and hurricane had flat panels to the end of the war.
It was VERY common to take the flat panels off light planes and put blown windscreens in after the war, but I have yet to see it in the logs of one. As far as I know there was never a pre-war formed windscreen. They were all formed from single curvature or flat panels.
Hank

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

I'm digging around looking for the people who wanted the engraved Taylorcraft logos for the big compass and came across this thread. Needless to say the 4 piece pre-war glass was harder to get fitted than I thought it would be but I DID get it done. I could have sworn I posted photos of the finished product, but in case I didn't, here is one from last fall. Can't remember if I still owe anyone tracings of the parts but if so, just keep yelling till I respond.

All who know me know I am slow and let things get lost on the home/hobby front. I am a lot more focused for the manned space program.

With Obama's new NASA budget that may not be a problem pretty soon. They are calling the Constellation program "Canstellation" at Langley Research Center. I may have a LOT more free time pretty soon.

Anyway, the windshield/windscreens came out really nice (and have survived the wild temprature changes here recently.

[NY86]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

They are calling the Constellation program "Canstellation" at Langley Research Center. I may have a LOT more free time pretty soon.

Part of the new focus on jobs creation...

Not union, huh?

[jim cooper]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

When you start two wars and give over 1.2 trillion dollars in tax breaks to the wealthy something has to give! Then of course Wall Street was deregulated in 1999 which allowed the banks to steal from the public, then get bailed out! This all happened of course, BEFORE the current administration. This is just fact, not some left wing drivel. Larry Lindsey, economic advisor under bush, when asked in 2003 what the Iraq war would cost said "200 Billion". He was promptly fired. It has cost over a trillion and still counting. Alot of things have to be cut and all of us are going to pay for these mistakes.JC

[Pearson]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

When you start two wars and give over 1.2 trillion dollars in tax breaks to the wealthy something has to give! Then of course Wall Street was deregulated in 1999 which allowed the banks to steal from the public, then get bailed out! This all happened of course, BEFORE the current administration. This is just fact, not some left wing drivel. Larry Lindsey, economic advisor under bush, when asked in 2003 what the Iraq war would cost said "200 Billion". He was promptly fired. It has cost over a trillion and still counting. Alot of things have to be cut and all of us are going to pay for these mistakes.JC

Could we please reserve this for the rant and rave section? I have feelings and opinions about all the major issues our country is dealing with. But I come here for my airplane fix, not politics.

[Guest]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

amen

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

I wasn't making a political statement, just saying I may be working on my plane a lot more pretty soon. Several of us have lost our jobs recently. At least I am going BACK to retirement. I will really miss working on something as fantastic as manned space flight if it happens. It was a life long dream come true.

Hank

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

Looks nice Hank. Is this a 3 or 4 piece istall? If a 4 where is the 4th? Larry

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

It is 4 piece. There is the front windshield, the two side windscreens and the top piece that curves from the top of the windshield to the main spar.
I went out yesterday and while I was there wanted to measure the thickness of the new door windows to compare it to the ones from the 45. Anyone know how thick the windscreens and door windows are SUPPOSED to be? Mine are .080 on the 41 and the more I look at it the thinner that looks. I would hate to have to change them out again, but I would hate it more if they failed in flight! Anybody have an original piece they can measure or the drawings?
Forrest?
I plan to take the whole mess off again to finish putting in the panel parts and mount the trim indicator. That will let me take the windscreens down to a plastics specialist to cut the holes for the vents, so if they are too thin NOW is the time to fix them.
Might be a good time to reroute all the engine control and sensor lines through the firewall and maybe even pull the tank too to check for leaks while it is all apart.
Hank

Anyone figured out why my plane seems to be down for so long?

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

Yea, but like a good Marine and his M-16, you will be able to pull her apart, fix/clean her, and put her back together in jig time!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield and Open Cowls

Now if I just had some jigs to put it together with.

Never got to tear apart an M-16, but the M-14 and 45 auto we had to do in a dark room. Field stripped by feel, had a Gunny walk past and scramble all the parts, then had to put them back together, still in the dark. Got to the point where I knew exactly which part just fell on the floor from the sound.
MAN! I HATED that sound. A spring hitting and bouncing three or four times.
AND I WAS NAVY!!! Only went with the Marines to take pictures!
Hank

I really miss that Gunny. Wonder where he is now.