Armored glass windscreen - what is it off of?

carlisle1926 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 02, 2012 11:42 pm

I found this beat up old armored glass piece this weekend. I would like to know what airplane it would have been used on. It measures 17-1/2" tall and just under 12" wide at the base. It is made of 6 layers of 1/4" glass with two outer layers of 1/8" glass(about 1-3/4" total)

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

Sorry,

I am as "perspexed" as you are! :shock:

Initially thought B-29.., but not the with those curves.

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

Looks like maybe this?

Definitely a fighter front pane. Actually, looks more like a P-51 piece.

carlisle1926 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 12:09 pm

The bottom edge is rounded to the shape of the cowl and it also has about a 1/2 inch wide recess all the way around it on the front side so that the aluminum frame can rest flush against it. It is certainly shaped very close to the Spitfire at the top, but the bottom edge is different. I'm thinking Hellcat or something like that, but it could well be off of an early jet as well.

carlisle1926 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 12:31 pm

Here is a picture of a Hellcat armored windshield. What do you think? It has the radius on the bottom edge like the piece that I found. Also, the part that I'm referring to is not the external windscreen, but the armored glass that is the zinc chromate colored part just behind the windscreen

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

close, but no large arc across the bottom.,. that is why I was thinking P-51.,

This looks WWII-ish just because of the use of all glass.., versus compounds.

cool piece.., must weigh a ton.

shrike · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 2:06 pm

the330thbg wrote:

close, but no large arc across the bottom.,. that is why I was thinking P-51.,

This looks WWII-ish just because of the use of all glass.., versus compounds.

cool piece.., must weigh a ton.

Or F-84, or F-86, or FJ

carlisle1926 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 2:44 pm

The F-86 and F-84 both are much longer than this piece and they are squared off at the bottom.

carlisle1926 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 2:53 pm

Here is a picture of what the bottom edge is shaped like. Note that the 1/2 inch border is completely around the front side where it is designed to be flush mounted to the aluminum frame. The backside is just flat with no border.

carlisle1926 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 2:59 pm

I put the windshield on my scale and it looks to weigh about 20 lbs!

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

What about an F8 Bearcat or an F7 Tigercat on the bottom?

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

So.., any other thoughts?

Can not believe the WIXers have not solved this yet. :shock:

cooper9411 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:09 pm

the330thbg wrote:

So.., any other thoughts?

Can not believe the WIXers has not solved this yet. :shock:

Hold on, I'm thinking! :drink3:

the330thbg · **Joined:** Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:06 pm **Posts:** 2713

I am voting on the Bearcat!

carlisle1926 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:46 pm

It does look like it could very well be a Bearcat. I think you might have solved the mystery. I just need to find a Bearcat now and match it up! I plan to mount it on my wall and put a tag on it that says what it is off of.

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Armored glass windscreen - what is it off of?

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