1977 Sovereign Rock Guard, What's Missing Here?

[superdave74]

I just purchased this 1977 Sovereign and haven't seen a rock guard quite like this before. Typically they appear as a frame like this with what I understand is a semi opaque window/plastic. The 3 panels are there, but they're aluminum.
Is this missing some sort of insert in the 3 panels or was this just another design and it's complete as is?

Thanks,
Dave

[TheGreatleys]

Others can correct me if I'm wrong, but this looks like a custom job. I'm guessing something happened to the plexiglass and they replaced it with aluminum.

[featherbedder]

IMO it is home made as original is smoke plexiglass like matl. and all one piece, upright piece at corners on orig is inside not out side of matl. Your year did not make 3 piece as far as I am aware of.

[Lumatic]

Original frame. Someone replaced the plastic with aluminum.

[superdave74]

Thank You all for the replies and thoughts. I'll try to get a closer picture in the next day or so to show the frame in better detail. I've done a bit of searching and one thing I notice is the locks to hold it closed and in place are black plastic slide locks, similar to the one to hold the door open, yet I've seen in many searches where these hold downs appear to be rubber, similar to the closures on a yeti cooler.

[Lumatic]

The rubber hold downs came later. The plastic slides were replacements of earlier latches no longer made.

[featherbedder]

The 3 piece guard did not come out until later when AS widened body, 1977 was still narrow body, and upright stud was inside of frame not out side. Plus top and bottom corners were more rounded, and this looks like top not rounded but sharper bend. IMO this is home made guard and hold down are dif. they did change bottom mounting of part on guard, rubber strap is mounted on AS not on guard. IMO it looks dorky but will not crack or rocks penetrating as plexiglass style does.

[Lumatic]

The frame looks identical to my rock guard. I think if you look closer you may see it is not 3 pieces but 1 piece with 2 vertical supports. Mine also has the J hinge on top. It raises and lowers as one unit. Mine is not wide body and it fits. If this is the case it is factory. When I got mine I replaced the aged plastic with new Lexan.

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

The frame looks identical to my rock guard. I think if you look closer you may see it is not 3 pieces but 1 piece with 2 vertical supports. Mine also has the J hinge on top. It raises and lowers as one unit. Mine is not wide body and it fits. If this is the case it is factory. When I got mine I replaced the aged plastic with new Lexan.

I see 2 supports as I posted they are inside of plexiglass plus plexiglass and frame conforms to curvature of front of AS. if can replace w/lexan would like to do as old style retainer for rubber strap when riveted on cracked then stop drilled more cracks and same one ran more. I no how to stop drill as did several windows on one of my airplanes stopped further cracking, this plane not pressurized and it is legal to do.

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by featherbedder

I see 2 supports as I posted they are inside of plexiglass plus plexiglass and frame conforms to curvature of front of AS. if can replace w/lexan would like to do as old style retainer for rubber strap when riveted on cracked then stop drilled more cracks and same one ran more. I no how to stop drill as did several windows on one of my airplanes stopped further cracking, this plane not pressurized and it is legal to do.

Your description matches my rock guard. I took it off for 2 reasons. It is a little flimsy and subject to wind buffeting. The lexan yellowed from UV exposure. I used the original as a template to make the new one. I think 1/16" lexan pop riveted to the frame. I would use tinted UV resistant lexan if I do it again.

I would like to make a pair of removable wing window guards. The wing windows are more subject to rock damage and much more expensive and difficult to replace. The center being flat glass would be no big deal.

[superdave74]

I took a few more photos this weekend. I'm hoping the close up of the framework, hinge and supports might help ID.

Thanks,
Dave

[rugjenkins]

If that's not stock it's a good fabricated unit

[Glenritas]

It's the stock frame with the Plexiglass replaced with aluminum and a couple of vertical bars added over the aluminum to the stock frame to stiffen and help shape the aluminum.

[featherbedder]

The pictures posted after my post explains why 2 uprights are out side cover, close up of frame, as prev. pics frame corners looked a little more square. Well thought out to continue protecting window and wing windows. Pics tell more than words.

[superdave74]

Thanks for the thoughts and inputs. So it sounds like an Airstream Rockguard, modified most likely once the original insert broke.

Thanks again,
Dave