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Ferret owners/drivers seem to drive with the front "driver's hatch" fully
down for better vision. It's hard enough to see from these vehicles, so in
this case "bigger is better" as far as the forward visibility is concerned.
I've tried the original windshield but its configuration restricts vision to
a rather small window with large blind spots left and right. My simple
solution was a piece of 7/32nd inch thick, laminated automobile "safety
glass". For any Ferret owners out there, just order up a piece that is
14-3/4" by 17-3/4", with 1" radiuses corners. Make sure the glass cutter
understands the term "exact measurement", as I had to make a return trip to
get my piece trimmed. The exact measurement of the hull opening is 15" X
18", but you need about 1/16th to 1/8ths of an inch on all sides for
"wriggle room", and the 1" radius is important, too. The measurements are
for my Mk 2/3, but the others should (?) be the same.
I just lay the glass in the opening, and is stays there at all speeds. One
could make some kind of retainer for the sides but I believe it's
unnecessary. The rear slope of the hull and the depth of the hatch recess
keep everything in place. I used plain plastic electrical tape and put a
piece on each edge, stopping just short of the corners. The tape prevents
glass to metal contact on the inside and edges. I don't know it that's
necessary. One could also get some simple, thin rubber molding from one of
the classic car restoration shops, and use that to really seal the window
against rain.
This glass meets all standards for auto use, so it should be able to make
even the most ambitious "tire biter" (traffic cop) satisfied. I really
appreciate the protection as I wear contacts, and not having that wind in my
face is a great relief.
An added benefit is that the window allows me to leave the hatch open so
folks can peer inside, and I don't have to worry about arms & hands invading
the hull to "tinker" with things. I have two little side hatch windows for
the same purpose, which stay in place to about 40 mph before the right one
blows out :-) because the antenna mount creates a vortex, I think. I would
be happy to email anyone a mechanical drawing of the shape and dimensions of
the side windows - use 1/16th to perhaps 3/32nds Plexiglas or equivalent.
I would think that similar vehicles might be able to use the same approach
for a "windshield".
Ian Wallace, Seattle, WA
1960 Ferret Mk 2/3 (with 137 more road miles since 12/27/99)
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Mar 02 2000 - 22:30:35 PST