The MY-14 canopy rear panes

Suomeksi

The VL Myrsky II MY-14 canopy’s rear pane frames with their fastening strips have been preserved but are badly corroded. The frames of the opening hatch have remained as separate parts. The plexiglass panes have all been destroyed.

The rear pane frames were sandblasted from rust. The front and rear fastening points were thoroughly corroded, so replacement parts were welded from new tube.

After repairs the frames were painted and fitted back to place. Some of the plexiglass fastening steel strips were badly corroded and they were replaced with new strips. The axles of the opening hatch locking bars, made of piano wire, were broken off so they were removed, and new axles were welded to replace them. The aluminium strips inside the hatch were bent and cracked, so they had to be straightened and repaired by welding. All the strips and the opening hatch frames were cleaned of rust and painted grey.

The plexiglass panes were cut to measurements and fitted into place. Rabbets were milled and ground in the plexiglass panes, so that the fastening strips settled flush with the plexiglass panes. The plexiglass panes were fastened with new 4 mm screws and nyloc nuts.

The original aluminium locking clasp for the openable hatch was in good condition, so it was only cleaned with oxalic acid and refitted to place. A hole for the antenna wire was made in the right-hand side rear pane.

Photos by Finnish Air Force Museum.

Translation by Matti Liuskallio.