Pre-WWII window question

[dalepj]

Did the Pre-WWII 1941 BC12-65 originally have the D windows similar to the ones shown in this photo?
Thanks,
Dale Jewett

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre-WWII window question

The "Deluxe" ones did. The frames were wood.
Hank

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Pre-WWII window question

OK, how do you know? My Deluxe, I think it is a Deluxe, has nothing, no rear widows, no wood; is there something that might still be there like screw holes or someother permenent change to the fuslage? Larry

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre-WWII window question

The wood frames in mine were held in with rib tape to the tubes so if someone in the past decided they didn't want the windows in yours, you couldn't tell they were ever there after a recover.
I have the drawings of the frames I used on mine and some good info on what the frames were supposed to look like (found the original info after mine were already in and mine were much stronger so I didn't change the frames).
It's amazing how much visibility the "D" windows add. Second only to a skylight.
Hank

[Bird]

Re: Pre-WWII window question

I have a 41 BL-64 and it has D shape windows but they have a metal frame on the outside and nothing on the inside (possibly missing wood from rebuild?).
Starting to wonder what model I really have.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre-WWII window question

When I opened up mine the wood frame had been reduced to something that looked like burned potato chips. When I pulled back the headliner fabric the "chips" fell out in a pile behind/under the baggage sling. The window was screwed to the fabric with the metal outside frame around the edges. The whole window was only attached to the fabric and looked like it had been that way for a LOOOOONG time.
Amazing how little structure there was holding that window in!
Hank

[Carl E. Carson]

Re: Pre-WWII window question

My '40, BC-65, (built in Dec. '40) came without the D window. Dad put the D window in during a recover in the early 50's. It too fell apart during the next teardown to recover. Dad also had saved a set of D shaped metal frames that I installed two years ago during a total rebuilt, I much appreciate the added visability.

Carl

[N95334]

Re: Pre-WWII window question

Hank,

Is there a difference in tubing in the fuselage of a pre-war and post-war Taylorcraft? Looking at the D windows in pre-war models it appears that there is an extra vertical tube just behind the door in the D window. Or is that the door itself is wider in post-war models and that tube is part of the door frame on my BC-12D.
I don't have a rear window but when I recover (soon) I would like to put some style of D window in there with and a skylight too.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre-WWII window question

I have a 41 and a 45. The tubes in the fuselages are different. I don't have access to a 46 to compare to mine but I have the parts for the 41 and a 45 "D" windows.
Hank