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Firestar II Windshield

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Tom463(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 5:23 pm Post subject: Firestar II Windshield

I recently purchased a Firestar II with the full enclosure and I do NOT  like 

the center tube in front of my face.  I need the full enclosure due to  

health reasons. Any suggestions on SAFE methods to remove the obstruction and  

still maintain the stability of the windshield?

John Jung

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 108
Location: Surprise, AZ, USA

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 6:18 pm Post subject: Re: Firestar II Windshield

Tom.



Mesure the thickness of your windscreen. If it is .090", just remove the bar. If it is less than .090, make a new on out of .090 Laxan and then remove the bar. I didn't like the bar either. Mine has been gone for 7 years.

_________________
John Jung
Firestar II N6163J
Surprise, AZ

Larry Cottrell

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 35
Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:08 pm Post subject: Firestar II Windshield

If that is the original factory supplied windshield, then you can take out 

the center bar. It is tough enough to take any speed that you are likely to 

go with no distortion.

Larry, Oregon

do not archive



---

Tom463(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 3:39 am Post subject: Firestar II Windshield

I have a friend who is telling me the same thing, but he has no Kolb  

experience to base his suggestion on.

 

I have a 503DCDI and sometimes get close to 80MPH for short periods. Do you  

fly that fast?

 

Your input makes me feel better about removing the bar, but I'd appreciate  

your speed info.

 

Thanks,

 

Tom Yowell

Florida Flying Gators

Clermont, Florida

Larry Cottrell

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 35
Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:05 am Post subject: Re: Firestar II Windshield

I assume that you are talking about the factory enclosure. If so it will not buckle. To check it close the windshield, put your hand in the middle at the furtherest point from any support and push. If it feels squishey, don't do it. While I took out the center post, I did retain the screw that held it at the top of the pod. Remember the wind is not hitting it at a 90 degree angle. I have seen 90 on mine, but not on purpose.  Or you could do it like this, it is a lot more trouble.

Larry, Oregon

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Larry Cottrell

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 35
Location: Klamath Falls, Oregon

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:18 am Post subject: Re: Firestar II Windshield

Well I see I still don't have the hang of the attachment part of this BB. I don't seem to be able to preview my post, and have to do it by trail and error. Seems mostly like error. Here is the other picture. I decided that I wanted doors, so I built this one. I of course had to order chromoly,hinges, and a sheet of lexan. Weld the new doors and fit the lexan. I like it, but I wasn't able to get the thickness of lexan that I would have prefered. (0 is too think and the one that I have is a bit too thin, but is still usable.

Larry,Oregon

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eagle1(at)commspeed.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:57 am Post subject: Firestar II Windshield

I didn't like it either, so  used a tube on each side of the insturment 

panel, back up to the steel framework behind my head. I then used the right 

new tube for the hinge for the door. I no longer  have the plane or I could 

send you a picture.

    Az Bald Eagle



---

John Jung

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 108
Location: Surprise, AZ, USA

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 11:57 am Post subject: Re: Firestar II Windshield

Tom, 



The information that I gave you about using .090" Lexan without the bar was from the old Kolb company. I have flown 90 mph many times without the bar, but I know of no one flying without the bar and .060 Lexan.



do not archive

_________________
John Jung
Firestar II N6163J
Surprise, AZ

N111KX (Kip)

Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Posts: 96
Location: Atlanta, GA

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 4:04 pm Post subject: Re: Firestar II Windshield

I used 1/8 inch thick Lexan to make a custom windshield. It's very rigid but takes 3 people to bend it while installing on the plane.

Here is a view...



http://www.springeraviation.net/



Kip

_________________
Kip
Firestar II, N111KX
Waiex, N111YX
Quickie 1, N111QX
Atlanta

scrounge69(at)alltel.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 5:52 pm Post subject: Firestar II Windshield

Kip,Thanks for the great pictures , they really took me back, We all know 

Homer designed great airplanes but what a wonderful sightseeing aircraft and 

its a photographers dream, slow, steady and and if your lexan is clear and 

you have a camera a great place to take a 1000 pics so you can share the 

love of flight we all have. Thanks again, Chris Davis

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