That is correct, perfectly flat with protective covering, you bend it to install it.

Probably just prefer to fly. I just don't spend a lot of time admiring the machine's appearance. I am in awe of the way they perform.

Fuselage In-House
 

Fuselage In-House

The window is in your Fuselage Kit

You caught me Joe.... I guess that's what I get for having the fuselage crate laying in the floor, never opened :o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o
I learn something new every day. I'm hoping to get the skin on the wings in the next few days, and then I can crack open the fuse crate.

But on a positive note, it must be a stout plane, this RV-12. Because the EF-2 tornado that ravaged my home, didn't even touch my shop located in my back yard / pasture :D

Keeping everyone informed - I have sent a powerpoint file with photos of my crazing incident and with detailed ideas for solution testing to txaviator - gary(dot)robertson(at)sbcglobal(dot)net. (Yes, I'm an engineer if you had to ask...)

He will forward it to DELTAHOTEL - (DH - if you are reading this you can contact me directly at billhollifield AT iname DOT com)

I encourage others to send their crazing pics as well - more pics could really help the student's test methodology.

Bill H and others,

Sorry for the delay. I've been out of the office and away from the computer for a few days. I called our plant today (remote from my main office), and I am gathering up the scraps to deliver locally, to our team of professor and his college students. Bill, I will forward your excellent Powerpoint to him as well.

Many thanks,

pictures ...
 

I think the magic number was four "dousings" ... two by me and two by linemen ... :(

When I messed up, I barely pulled the trigger and whoosh ... the rear window, the side of the plane and my pants were dripping in gasoline.

I still haven't ordered a new rear window from Van's ... spent the last 2 weeks with my grandchildren in NC, DC and Baltimore.:)

My rear window also has some paint on it professionally done by the paintshop to cover the rollbar and rear support of the rollbar that'll have to be redone when my window is finally replaced.:(


Here are a few of pictures I took today. :mad:

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

Me too
 

Hi Jerry,

FWIW mine's not much better. At a field with helicopters you cannot hear the fuel coming up the neck. And with Scottish wind, that's all it takes...

I just grin and bear it now.

Cheers...Keith

fuel spill wedge?
 

This is the first picture I have seen of the fuel cap location for the 12. It is very close to the window that from all the reading does not like fuel on it. Would it be worth considering a small wedge, about the size of a rudder stiffener along the edge of the window bent mostly over that would direct spilled fuel away from the window? It wouldn't be perfect, but it may deflect some or most of the fuel from the window. It would be a reminder to be careful too.

With the LSA restrictions on speed, I can't imagine a 1" wedge bent to about 130degrees would cause much problem with air flow. Just a thought.
[IMG][/IMG]

some additional lexan thoughts.....
 

hey guys, as I've said a million times, I'm not an expert, but have seen this many times, and wanted to flesh out some of the ideas...at risk of repeating what others have said.
lexan ( polycarbonate) is not meant to be bent more than a few degrees. cold forming 90 degrees like this rear window, introduces stress as evidenced by the obvious checking through the sheet.
The edge is very different from the face; it is like a loaf of italian bread. splash something on the outside, it mostly rolls off. Hit the exposed core, it easily 'soaks' in, even vapours may attack the material over time.
Try glueing scraps with methylene chloride; two exposed faces will barely bond, two edges will melt together like butter. My point being, if you can seal the edge, you may achieve more resistance to degradation from solvents etc.
idea #2; since optics are not critical, after sealing the edge, apply a clear polyester laminate to the outer face, ( graffiti film, like window tint) which will repel the occasional splash of gas.

by the way, a quick Google of Vivak shows that it is meant for indoor displays, and has no UV inhibitors, so I would expect it to perform worse than lexan or plexi that is intended for outdoor use. ( possibly yellow, harden, craze etc.)