VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 05-26-2012, 08:11 AM
Flyer68 Flyer68 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Independence, OR
Posts: 127
Default Rear window

Did I read on here that the after market rear window is no longer available?
As I recall it was formed and tinted, and some builders used it instead of Van's?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-26-2012, 08:28 AM
DonFromTX's Avatar
DonFromTX DonFromTX is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: La Feria Texas
Posts: 3,822
Default

Yes, the maker discontinued making them, I think getting them delivered was a big problem, since they were formed with the curvature instead of the flat original. There was also a lot of discussion that the original window was structural, and the tinted one made of different material might be a bad thing. I have both, have not decided which to install yet. The original does not like fuel spilled on it, the replacement does not mind fuel.
__________________
A&P, PP-SEL, Pathological Flier, EAA Technical Counselor
EAA Chapter 595 President,http://www.595.eaachapter.org/index.htm
Retired US Army Officer
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-26-2012, 08:44 AM
funflying funflying is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: arvada, co
Posts: 445
Default Bad thing

Don,

What was the "bad thing" about the material of the curved tinted rear window? I have one and I recall some back and forth about plexiglass and lexan but I don't recall what people were worried about.
__________________
Patrick Claar
Arvada, CO BJC
RV12, #401, Flying 2013, N612PC
RV6, 1996-2010 sold
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-26-2012, 09:22 AM
DonFromTX's Avatar
DonFromTX DonFromTX is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: La Feria Texas
Posts: 3,822
Default

The concern seemed to center on strength of the replacement window material vs the original. There were those that thought we might be weakening the fuselage structure by this "untested" window, as I recall even Vans cautioned about it. I am no engineer, but if the rear window holds the plane together we are all in a heap of trouble, and if I recall correctly, my tinted replacement is thicker than the original. There are always those that want to see extensive testing before trying something.
__________________
A&P, PP-SEL, Pathological Flier, EAA Technical Counselor
EAA Chapter 595 President,http://www.595.eaachapter.org/index.htm
Retired US Army Officer
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-26-2012, 10:55 AM
Flyer68 Flyer68 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Independence, OR
Posts: 127
Default rear window

Has there been much cracking around the screws that go into the roll bar. It seems to me that it doesn't take much to crack the window there.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-26-2012, 11:26 AM
funflying funflying is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: arvada, co
Posts: 445
Default

Thanks Don, I do recall the structural questioning.

I haven't read about any cracking but there may be some out there.
__________________
Patrick Claar
Arvada, CO BJC
RV12, #401, Flying 2013, N612PC
RV6, 1996-2010 sold
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-26-2012, 06:10 PM
Mich48041 Mich48041 is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Riley TWP MI
Posts: 3,070
Default

http://lafdtraining.org/ists/tb031v0476.pdf
The polycarbonate rear window that comes with the kit is the same type of plastic used for school windows and for bullet proof glass. It can be hit with bricks or baseball bats without breaking.
Acrylic glass breaks much more easily.
Joe Gores
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-26-2012, 06:53 PM
DonFromTX's Avatar
DonFromTX DonFromTX is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: La Feria Texas
Posts: 3,822
Default

Makes me wonder how long it will be until vandals realize all they need is a gasoline container to vandalize a window they cannot break.
I also wonder when gasoline crazes it, does it effect its strength appreciably?
__________________
A&P, PP-SEL, Pathological Flier, EAA Technical Counselor
EAA Chapter 595 President,http://www.595.eaachapter.org/index.htm
Retired US Army Officer
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-26-2012, 07:19 PM
fmiddleton fmiddleton is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 52
Default

I think y'all might be referring to this thread from earlier this year about the differences between the windows...
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=67728

Last edited by fmiddleton : 05-26-2012 at 07:26 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-26-2012, 08:29 PM
Bill_H's Avatar
Bill_H Bill_H is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Marshall TX (KASL)
Posts: 1,783
Default

Something may have changed. I very carefully made a rubber mat shield for when fueling, to avoid spillage touching the window. Then the VERY FIRST TIME I fueled the plane - from the flo-fast system using one hand with the crank - the hose popped out and made a big spill behind the mat and on the window!! darn!! But I quickly wiped it off with a rag as thoroughly as I could and there was no effect at all on the window. Now I jam in a no-lint rag with the plastic tube in the fueling port.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:29 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.