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Windshield question.

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raymondj(at)frontiernet.n
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 2:32 am Post subject: Windshield question.

Greetings,



The airplane I'm designing will probably have a windshield shape similar to 

the Tailwind.  Can someone tell me what the dimensions of the material used 

for the windshield, including thickness.  I see some people are using lexan, 

which will be my choice.  Anyone using other materials and can offer pros 

and cons of the various choices?  My gas fill will not be near the 

windshield so exposure to gas is not a big issue.



Thanks very much in advance.



Raymond Julian

Kettle River, MN



"Hope for the best,

but prepare for the worst."



do not archive

eschlanser(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 6:40 pm Post subject: Windshield question.

Raymond, 

  The plans call for 1/8" plexiglas. Many builders now are using 3/16". Plexi and lexan each have good and bad points. I am building with 3/16" tinted and coated polycarbonate(lexan). The coating improves the fuel/chemical resistance. Plexiglas is cheaper and will also do the job. Eric

---

raymondj(at)frontiernet.n
Guest

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:42 pm Post subject: Windshield question.

Eric,



    Thanks for the reply.  Can you tell me what the dimensions of the 

windshield are and is the brace I see running down the middle helping to 

strengthen the windshield?



Thanks,

Raymond Julian

Kettle River, MN



"Hope for the best,

but prepare for the worst."



do not archive



---

owenld(at)earthlink.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:59 pm Post subject: Windshield question.

I welded little tubes with small crutch tips midway up the diagonal tubes.

Lou N6PJ

[quote] [Original Message]

 From: raymondj <raymondj(at)frontiernet.net>

 To: <tailwind-list(at)matronics.com>

 Date: 4/3/2009 12:45:17 AM

 Subject: Re: Windshield question.



 



 Eric,



     Thanks for the reply.  Can you tell me what the dimensions of the 

 windshield are and is the brace I see running down the middle helping to 

 strengthen the windshield?



 Thanks,

 Raymond Julian

 Kettle River, MN



 "Hope for the best,

 but prepare for the worst."



 do not archive



 ---

planecrazzzy
Guest

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 4:11 am Post subject: Windshield question.

In a bird strike.... Plexiglas would shatter like glass....

 Not a good feature for a windshield...

                   

                                           Gotta Fly...

 [quote] --> Tailwind-List message posted by: eschlanser(at)yahoo.com (eschlanser(at)yahoo.com)



Raymond, 

  The plans call for 1/8" plexiglas. Many builders now are using 3/16". Plexi and lexan each have good and bad points. I am building with 3/16" tinted and coated polycarbonate(lexan). The coating improves the fuel/chemical resistance. Plexiglas is cheaper and will also do the job. Eric

---

Mytyweav(at)earthlink.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 5:37 am Post subject: Windshield question.

Funny how Plex has worked for many many airplanes for many many years...........   It's still a viable way to go. However, Eric's using perhaps the "best" size and material for the application. It also costs more.......   

 Weav

 

 Mike & "Jaz" wrote: [quote]                                 

         In a bird strike.... Plexiglas would shatter like glass....

         Not a good feature for a windshield...

                           

                                                   Gotta Fly...

         [quote]           --> Tailwind-List message posted by: eschlanser(at)yahoo.com (eschlanser(at)yahoo.com)

           

 Raymond, 

   The plans call for 1/8" plexiglas. Many builders now are using 3/16". Plexi and lexan each have good and bad points. I am building with 3/16" tinted and coated polycarbonate(lexan). The coating improves the fuel/chemical resistance. Plexiglas is cheaper and will also do the job. Eric

 ---

eschlanser(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:49 am Post subject: Windshield question.

The center brace is absolutely needed to strengthen the 47 inch long windscreen. The Cougar has about half that length and uses no center brace. The width is about 39 inches. I don't have the plans in front of me. Some builders also add clear plastic blocks or other supports above the diagonal frame tubes directly behind the windscreen in order to add bracing strength.

  Paul Baron lost his 1/8" windscreen in a high speed dive. He survived, but increased the thickness from 1/8" to at least 3/16" when he made the replacement. He also had to change his underwear.



--- On Fri, 4/3/09, raymondj <raymondj(at)frontiernet.net> wrote:



 [quote]From: raymondj <raymondj(at)frontiernet.net>

Subject: Re: Windshield question.

To: tailwind-list(at)matronics.com

Date: Friday, April 3, 2009, 12:38 AM



[quote]--> Tailwind-List message posted by: "raymondj" <raymondj(at)frontiernet.net>  Eric,     Thanks for the reply.  Can you tell me what the dimensions of the windshield are and is the brace I see running down the middle helping to strengthen the windshield?  Thanks, Raymond Julian Kettle River, MN  "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."  do not archive  ---

raymondj(at)frontiernet.n
Guest

Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:00 am Post subject: Windshield question.

Eric,



    Thanks for the info.  I will be putting in 3/16 lexan with braces unless 

they find something tougher before I get around to it.



Thanks again,

Raymond Julian

Kettle River, MN



"Hope for the best,

but prepare for the worst."



---

Pat Reilly

Joined: 06 Aug 2009
Posts: 345

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: Windshield question.

This is 4 months late, I just found the forum. A fellow out of MI has heat formed a windshield out of plexi on his Cougar. It is one piece with a 90 degree bend to form each the 2  sides. It eliminates the metal corners on the windshield. Sweet looking. I'm not sure but it looked like 3/16". I will build one for my rebuild project this winter. I don't think you can heat form lexan very easily, so I'll have go with plexi.



Pat Reilly

W10 0290 Rebuild

Rockford, IL

planecrazzzy
Guest

Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:23 pm Post subject: Windshield question.

Plexi Glass shatters like glass.... Birds will go right thru it... and cut you to pieces...

  

  There's a reason to stick with Lexan.... We don't like it because it scratches so easy...

  

  It's because it can take the impact.... 

  

  Not to mention how the plane it going to fly now that it's a big SCOOP for all the air...

  

                             Gotta Fly...

                                              Mike & "Jaz" , sticking with Lexan

 Buttercup - STOL - Aircraft 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Buttercup-STOL/ 

 

Firestar I&II - STOL - Aircraft 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Kolb_Firestar/ 

 

My Web Site: 

http://www.geocities.com/planecrazzzy/Planecrazzzy.html 

  

 Sometimes you just have to take the leap and build your wings on the way down...



--- On Thu, 8/6/09, Pat Reilly <patreilly43(at)gmail.com> wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  

From: Pat Reilly <patreilly43(at)gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Windshield question.

To: tailwind-list(at)matronics.com

Date: Thursday, August 6, 2009, 6:06 PM



 --> Tailwind-List message posted by: "Pat Reilly" <patreilly43(at)gmail.com (patreilly43(at)gmail.com)>



This is 4 months late, I just found the forum. A fellow out of MI has heat formed a windshield out of plexi on his Cougar. It is one piece with a 90 degree bend to form each the 2  sides. It eliminates the metal corners on the windshield. Sweet looking. I'm not sure but it looked like 3/16". I will build one for my rebuild project this winter. I don't think you can heat form lexan very easily, so I'll have go with plexi.



Pat Reilly

W10 0290 Rebuild

Rockford, IL





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