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05-11-2015, 09:52 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Hobbs, NM
Posts: 253
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Windscreen Fairing Alternative
I have noticed on several finished and flying RV's that the glassed fairing at the base of the windscreens is cracking. My Cessna has a strip of aluminum to fair the base of the windscreen. I was just wondering if anyone out there has tried any alternatives to "glassing" the windscreen fairing to the windscreen? If so, any pics? Likewise, are there any known ways to prevent the cracks from occurring?
The last RV I saw had a beautiful paint job and now cracks are forming at the base of the windscreen. I just want to put some thought into this as I am just about to start cutting the canopy.
__________________
Ben
RV-7A Tip Up Airworthy on 12/20/2016
RV-10 Emp 95% complete - sold
RV-14A Empennage Done,
RV-14A Front Fuse kit Done
RV-14A Front/Rear Fuselage Joined!
RV-14A Fuselage waiting for finish kit items
RV-14A Wings in progress (ailerons and wingtips left.)
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05-11-2015, 10:08 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 255
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I had similar cracks. In my case it appeared to be a result of using Poly Fibre Super Fil from Aircraft Spruce. It has all shrunk. Fortunately I didn't paint yet, but I would stay away from that product. It would be interesting to know if others with cracks also used it.
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Richard Talbot
RV-7A
Sydney, Australia
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05-11-2015, 10:39 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ottawa, Ks
Posts: 2,532
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A few have done aluminum windscreen fairings, overall I thought they took less time than finishing the glasswork. Google "RV aluminum windscreen fairings," there is a good article in an old RVAitor about how to make them.
My version:
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RV 7 650 hours and counting
23’ donation done
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05-11-2015, 10:50 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BC
Posts: 1,750
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I did aluminum. Worked out good. I'll try to find some pictures.
Bevan
__________________
RV7A Flying since 2015
O-360-A1F6 (parallel valve) 180HP
Dual P-mags
Precision F.I. with AP purge valve
Vinyl Wrapped Exterior
Grand Rapids EFIS
Located in western Canada
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05-11-2015, 11:35 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Hobbs, NM
Posts: 253
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Looks nice, Crabandy! Did you use an English Wheel to do any forming?
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Ben
RV-7A Tip Up Airworthy on 12/20/2016
RV-10 Emp 95% complete - sold
RV-14A Empennage Done,
RV-14A Front Fuse kit Done
RV-14A Front/Rear Fuselage Joined!
RV-14A Fuselage waiting for finish kit items
RV-14A Wings in progress (ailerons and wingtips left.)
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05-12-2015, 09:46 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ottawa, Ks
Posts: 2,532
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drone_pilot
Looks nice, Crabandy! Did you use an English Wheel to do any forming?
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Nope, simple tools I had/made/slightly modified. I would love to get an English Wheel and play around....
I think page 12 of my build log shows most of it:
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...=94648&page=12
Good Luck!
(I saw all the excellent craftsmanship after I posted this, nice work in everyone's pics!)
__________________
RV 7 650 hours and counting
23’ donation done
Last edited by crabandy : 05-12-2015 at 09:52 PM.
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05-13-2015, 04:57 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Asheville, NC
Posts: 2,787
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I used the 21 years of the RVator method too. I like the results and it only took 2 work sessions on one weekend.
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Bill Pendergrass
ME/AE '82 Retired.
RV-7A: Flying since April 15, 2012. 980 hrs
YIO-360-M1B, mags, CS, GRT EX Horizons & A/P, Navworx
Unpainted, polished....kinda'... Eyeballin' vinyl really hard.
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05-11-2015, 11:10 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Posts: 1,391
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwtalbot
I had similar cracks. In my case it appeared to be a result of using Poly Fibre Super Fil from Aircraft Spruce. It has all shrunk. Fortunately I didn't paint yet, but I would stay away from that product. It would be interesting to know if others with cracks also used it.
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Hmmm... They claim it will not shrink or crack: http://www.polyfiber.com/epoxy/
I wonder if they have changed it since you used it. I am interested as I used it on my empennage tips and rear slider skirt.
Chris
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Chris Johnson
RV-9A - Done(ish) 4/5/16! Flying 4/7/16
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05-11-2015, 11:46 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 255
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Quote:
Originally Posted by YellowJacket RV9
Hmmm... They claim it will not shrink or crack: http://www.polyfiber.com/epoxy/
I wonder if they have changed it since you used it. I am interested as I used it on my empennage tips and rear slider skirt. |
They claimed that when I used it too. I may have had a bad batch. However, these days I only use West Systems and make my own.
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Richard Talbot
RV-7A
Sydney, Australia
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05-12-2015, 06:46 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central IL
Posts: 7,306
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rwtalbot
They claimed that when I used it too. I may have had a bad batch. However, these days I only use West Systems and make my own.
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It is a polyester filler, and they all shrink - just some faster than others. Better to use micro with epoxy. It just does not set up as fast as the poly esters.
I am considering aluminum too, it is in the 6/97 RVAtor. You should buy the CD version all 27 yrs - searchable too!
__________________
Bill
RV-7
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