Good bye false window, hello mask

[Rmfriday]

I have had 92Q for about two and a half years. I really like the plane and it has been good to me. I have “caught up” on some maintenance/upgrades, new donuts, overhaul the mags, new flexible lines, new engine mount with the added gussets, got rid of some plaid headliner and not so nice blue carpeting, upgraded to J yokes, standard 6 pack layout, got the Brittian working, AV30 and JPI 830. But the one thing that has driven me crazy is the false third window. I always liked the “masked“ look on Mooneys.

I decided to take the plunge and try to switch it up and add a “mask” and get rid of the rear fake window. I think it turned out decent, its not perfect but I am happy with the overall outcome.

I used Spray Max 368 0031 2KRapid Fill Primer and Spray Max 368 0080 2K single stage topcoat. All in it calculates to about 4.5-5.5 oz to the weight of the plane.

[BrianWilkins]

I think it looks much better! Just my opinion FWIW.

[PT20J]

Nice.

[47U]

2 hours ago, Rmfriday said:

I think it turned out decent, its not perfect but I am happy with the overall outcome.

I think it turned out great.  Please post a picture on the ramp with a wide perspective.  

Now, about those two different style comm antennas on top???

Really nice looking early (‘65) C model.  Good work.

[EricJ]

Very nice!   Good job on that.

 

[Rmfriday]

Now, about those two different style comm antennas on top???

It had a "7" antenna but i changed it to the current straigh blade, the whip stype antenna is not centered so not sure what if anything i am going to do with it..

[47U]

1 hour ago, Rmfriday said:

not sure what if anything i am going to do with it..

A consequence of a 60 year old airplane.  There are antennas with offset coax connectors, if that helps, but whether or not it will match the other comm antenna is still a question.  Or, at some point move the antenna to the belly with a bent whip?  

In the end, it’s not really a distraction to the great looks… I should have kept my trap shut.  Good work.

[KSMooniac]

18 minutes ago, 47U said:

A consequence of a 60 year old airplane.  There are antennas with offset coax connectors, if that helps, but whether or not it will match the other comm antenna is still a question.  Or, at some point move the antenna to the belly with a bent whip?  

In the end, it’s not really a distraction to the great looks… I should have kept my trap shut.  Good work.

I support this idea... move the modern one over the cabin aft, and replace the whip with a bent whip on the belly.  Moving the drag-producing elements further aft helps with efficiency.  I think I get better performance at altitude from my bent whip on the belly, too.

Nice work on the "mask"!  When that factory scheme debuted several years back I wasn't a huge fan, but in your case I think you really improved what you had with just a little sweat equity.

[Flyler]

Looks good to me, much more modern.  Maybe you can update us with a picture of the plane outside the hangar at some point- I bet that is where it will look best.