Rounded Windows, to be or not to be??

[Scott Aviation]

I am in the process of restoring my 77 M20J, have it stripped down, getting ready for a new paint job, have bought all new glass for the aircraft 1/4 all the way around, dark grey back windows and smoked grey fronts, toying with the idea of buying new pillar skins and door skin to update the look of the plane.  The price $850.  I know others have done it and have no interest in painting rounded corners on or installing little inserts to me, do it right or not at all.... Just looking for opinions, am I wasting my time or is it a good idea. 

[Skywarrior]

You said you have already purchased the glass, but I am concerned about darkened windows in a plane.

 

Chuck M.

[skyking]

Chris: Thats a "want" not a "need"

if you are in the middle of spending a fortune on putting this baby back in the air spend your cash on things you "NEED".

 

Just my 2 cents worth since you asked.

 

 

[Scott Aviation]

Chuck:  Its only the back 2 windows that are tinted and its a medium grey tint only.  Front 3 are just grey.

Russ:  Ha Ha, if I only had your money.....

[Piloto]

You may be better off selling your current plane and buying one with rounded windows. Besides the indow itself you will need to install the rounded interior plastics. And no matter what you do to the plane it will still be a 1977 plane. It is the same with plastic surgery. No matter how many wrinkles you take away your birth certificate will always have the same date.

José

  

[KSMooniac]

I *love* the rounded window look, but opted not to do that to my '77 last year when I got it painted because my plane already had new glass and new interior from the previous owner, just a year or so before I purchased it.  The new interior included new plastic too.

IMO, you really need the later model interior pieces to match the rounded corners of the skin, otherwise it will look "wrong" from the inside.  I don't believe there is new aftermarket plastic available with the round corners, so you would have to scrounge for used ones, or fabricate some new ones somehow.  Willmar's new Kydex interior pieces might be available with round corners, but I do not know for sure.

I would have gladly paid $1000 for the conversion, but in my case it would have been a lot more.  If you can do it and get the interior to match, I think it is a good idea.  I also agree about doing it *right* without insert or painted corners.

[HopePilot]

I like square.

[Ron McBride]

Look at Jelswick's gallery before and after paint.  I don't know if he did the insides.  But the change outside is dramatic.

Ron

[Scott Aviation]

I had a look at Jelswicks gallery it appears to be painted in rounded windows, it looks good but not quite the same effect as the mooney mse's.  I was thinking that doing the rounded window sheet metal work before painting, so its done.  Leave the old iinterior square panels in for now, but down the road upgrade them, they are second hand anyway, but atleast the exterior would be complete.  you never know when a salvage company gets in a newer mooney and are parting out the interior.  Just my thoughts, Im just trying to plan ahead, but then there are other things to consider like the dorsal fin mod and the list keeps going.   The fact of the matter is I've got a blank canvas to work from, doing all my own work as an aircraft mechanic app. so labours free, I guess it really boils down to personal preference. 

[carusoam]

I like the rounded window look.  It is typical modern automotive. 

While looking for an M20J, I specifically was looking for models with rounded windows or newer.

I would not have changed my rectangular windows.  It is not so much about the windows as much as all of the other features and updates that came at the same time. 

On the other hand,  When you are in the business of being an aircraft mechanic, update and upgrade until it is a modern missile.  Rounded windows on the outside do not need to be matched with rounded plastic on the inside on the same day. 

For the most part, the old plastic on the interior of the rectangular windows does not match their windows all that well after many years either.

My thoughts....,

-a-

[howardld]

I have the rounded inserts on my '83. I am a very picky person but I have to say that after a week I did not notice the insert. The plane just looks good! There is an insert on the inside and it is a non-issue. Yes you can tell if you look but it does not stand out.

[Jeff_S]

I liked the rounded windows so much it was part of my purchase criteria. I only seriously looked at models that had this as a standard feature. I realize I probably overlooked some quality aircraft because of this, but I still got what I wanted in a price I was willing to pay. It's pure aesthetics to be sure, but that was just me. I think the rounded windows look a little sleeker. My Warrior had rounded windows, which probably helped set this idea in my head.

[docket]

Quote: howardld

I have the rounded inserts on my '83. I am a very picky person but I have to say that after a week I did not notice the insert. The plane just looks good! There is an insert on the inside and it is a non-issue. Yes you can tell if you look but it does not stand out.

[N9660M]

Rounded, without question. 

[N9660M]

Login problem, I am not 9660M. I am roundout. My thoughts are unchanged, though. 

[richardheitzman]

I like rounded, smoother lines, flows better. BUT for the purest, the square is the way to go.

[Parker_Woodruff]

Quote: docket

 If I was going to do it the inserts are the way to go -- the whole point is what it looks like on the outside.  I have seen planes with rounded windows and square interior trim and it looks lousy.

[67M20F]

Who cares if you gain no speed??

 

I like the square ones, or not,, I like the factory look!!

[RJBrown]

I don't think one way looks better than the other. My 80 K was square and looked great after it was painted. My 90 J is round and would look better with new paint. The shape of the windows is not important to me. The only reason I see to do it is to "look" newer. It is not like putting a J windscreen on a F where there is more than just a different look.

[231Pilot]

Mine are square and I like them fine.  If it doesn't add speed or help me or the airplane fly better I'm probably going to put it near the bottom of the list.  That said, I do like to think about new paint and interior some day......

[fantom]