Windshield Moulding

[mulwyk]

Re: Windshield Moulding

Joels photo of the fluted edge fairing strip started me thinking I might be able to salvage the really pathetic fairing strip on my project. My fairing strip was all deformed and bent outa shape. Seems like everything I did to try and get it to follow the curve of the windshield only made it worse. I was about to give up on the old thing, but decided to try a little low-tech fluting and see if that would fix it.

I made a crude fluting tool out of a length of 1/4" dowel. I glued three short pieces of half round dowel onto a length of scrap plywood. Then I taped a longer (6") piece of dowel onto the plywood to act as the anvil. The procedure was to jam the plywood/dowel tool into the space where the windshield normally sits, squeeze the longer dowel on top to create a little depression in the fairing strip, move the tool over 1/4", squeeze again, move, squeeze, ...etc. It took about an hour to do the whole fairing. I used a pliers to squeeze the dowel, but someone with strong hands could just squeeze it with their hands.

The results were like a miracle. My fairing strip now fits the windshield perfectly, it lays down a nice sweet curve. Thanks Joel, that fluteing idea works great!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Windshield Moulding

The 41 windshield is finally in (with no broken glass!) and I have templates for all the parts (this is the pre-war 4 piece windshield with the metal strips between the pieces and NO windshield fairing strip at the bottom, just the rubber seal). I have got to say it looks BEAUTIFUL, but was a pure PITA to get in and fitted up. I will try and post some pictures and whoever it was that wanted tracings of the parts please let me know and I will start tracing and mailing.
Be forewarned, it was a LOT harder than it looked to get all the pieces shaped and fitted. Each plane will be a little different, so the templates will just be a starting point. Make cardboard ones and plan to waste some Plexiglas. Anyone have a use for 6 or 8 busted side windscreens? If it's at all cold they will break like glass. You have to warm them up and GENTLY bend them in place. Once they have heat soaked for a while they take a set and will break if you try to flatten them.
Hank

[M Jones]

Re: Windshield Moulding

Bob, excellent idea

Hank, you know we'll want those don't you?! I would like the tracings for future use when you have then available. I'll send you a PM, thanks!

[jCandlish]

Re: Windshield Moulding

The 41 windshield is finally in (with no broken glass!) and I have templates for all the parts (this is the pre-war 4 piece windshield with the metal strips between the pieces and NO windshield fairing strip at the bottom, just the rubber seal). I have got to say it looks BEAUTIFUL, but was a pure PITA to get in and fitted up. I will try and post some pictures and whoever it was that wanted tracings of the parts please let me know and I will start tracing and mailing.
Be forewarned, it was a LOT harder than it looked to get all the pieces shaped and fitted. Each plane will be a little different, so the templates will just be a starting point. Make cardboard ones and plan to waste some Plexiglas. Anyone have a use for 6 or 8 busted side windscreens? If it's at all cold they will break like glass. You have to warm them up and GENTLY bend them in place. Once they have heat soaked for a while they take a set and will break if you try to flatten them.
Hank

I would very much like to see your pictures!