Patrol Aft Side Windows

[Lee]

I have looked at the aft window frames on my Patrol just about every way I can and while I have some ideas, I am still not sure what I want to do. My delema. If I place the window frames on the fuselage where they line up with the opening of the forward window the aft window only extends to about the forward edge of the cargo door opening. The plans show the window opening extending almost to the aft bulkhead of the cargo bay, as do most of the pictures of other Patrols I find on-line. I am thinking that I must remove a section from the vertical part of the frame at the aft edge of the window frame.I would accomplish this by removing a section from the outside of the window frame near the top and another section from the inside piece of the window frame near the bottom of the frame and then overlap and rivet the pieces back together. My question becomes am I going about this in a reasonable way, or at least the way most commonly done? How have the rest of you attacked this side window issue or is this not a common problem?

Thanx
Lee

[Pbruce]

Mine were damaged during shipping or unpacking, for about 3 or 4 inches at the front. I just cut them off. I don’t think the length is all that critical However, I have not figured out how to finish the inside yet. So don’t take my word for it. Watch out for the thickness of the slot. Mine were way too narrow to accept the recommended 2.5 mm acrylic. I found this out after they were riveted to the airframe. I ended up stretching the gap with a series of prying instruments and also chamfering the outer inch of the acrylic panes around the outer perimeter with a router and a custom jig wherever they fit into the slot. It was a lot of work. I may still have to go for 2mm acrylic

[Lee]

Thanks Pat for reminding me of your issues with the channel width. I do have to address that also but I don’t think to the extent that you did. I am also concerned with keeping the top and bottom rails as straight as possible so the acrylic can slide in easily. There is some twist in the frame but I don’t see that as a problem. But the height of the frame has me wondering what to do so that the window openings of the front and rear side windows line up.
Lee

[Rollie]

It's possible you got window frames for a different model, possibly for an LSA. The kits are packed by humans, mix ups can happen. Talk to Mark to verify you have the right parts before you spend too much time trying to modify it to look like what should be a stock part.

[noema]

Hi Lee, I wrote up a blog post when I did my window. I don't have the short frames but it may help clarifying some details.

https://xhawk.substack.com/p/rear-windows

[Pbruce]

I lined mine up with the openings on the front windows. I thought it would look better, but in retrospect I doubt it makes much a lot difference. In order to raise the windows I riveted 1”X1” angles on the top stringer and then attached the window to the angle. Pretty easy but might complicate interior fabric finishing slightly. I haven’t looked closely at that

[500AGL]

As others stated, sounds like you don't have the std Patrol frames. Ironically I didn't think about "short" frames being available, and cut mine down to not be in the baggage area.

pb