Armored glass windscreen - what is it off of?

[carlisle1926]

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]

Sorry,

I am as "perspexed" as you are!

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

[the330thbg]

Looks like maybe this?

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

Last edited by the330thbg on Tue Jan 03, 2012 3:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[carlisle1926]

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]

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

Last edited by carlisle1926 on Tue Jan 03, 2012 2:57 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[the330thbg]

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]

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]

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

[carlisle1926]

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]

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

[the330thbg]

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

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[the330thbg]

So.., any other thoughts?

Can not believe the WIXers have not solved this yet.

Last edited by the330thbg on Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:22 am, edited 1 time in total.

[cooper9411]

So.., any other thoughts?

Can not believe the WIXers has not solved this yet.

Hold on, I'm thinking!

[the330thbg]

I am voting on the Bearcat!

[carlisle1926]

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.