Opening Windsceens...........

[jerryd]

Just wondering if anybody has come across opening screens like this brochure shows. I know you could get them for the split screen Volkswagens :)

Vintage Genuine Land Rover Series Front Opening Windscreen Brochure | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Genuine-Land-Rover-Series-Front-Opening-Windscreen-Brochure-/191128964011?nma=true&si=yrhq%252BYA%252BL5iLJPoPYc8OyAklHKw%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)

[JDNSW]

Never seen them, but one was pictured on AULRO a year or so ago. The split screen VW commercials came with them as standard up to around 1960 - I had one (1955 - traded it on my first S1). As far as I know there were no aftermarket ones for VWs.

John

[Esmac]

Old topic but I believe my recent purchase has one judging by the way the screen frame bolts to the mount on the body? I could be wrong though.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/01/1028.jpg

[JDNSW]

Old topic but I believe my recent purchase has one judging by the way the screen frame bolts to the mount on the body? I could be wrong though.


You are wrong. This is not an opening windscreen as discussed. All Series and 90/110 and soft top or early Defender windscreens are attached to the firewall by hinges. This allows the windscreen to be folded flat when the top is removed (about five minutes with the soft top, an hour with the hard top such as you have, albeit with seatbelt issues).

The basic Landrover design was envisaged as being either open or with a soft top. Hard tops or cabs only came later and were not fitted to most Landrovers until seat belts and vehicle thefts became more common in the 1970s or 80s.

The discussion in this thread refers to a windscreen that opened withoout removing the hard top - these are very rare and were never a factory option.

John

[123rover50]

I missed the original post but the picture has gone on the ebay link.
The S.A.D.F Forward Controls had this feature I believe.
I think Diana (Lotsa Landies) has one or has posted a photo of one.

Keith

[jerryd]

I've got a picture but I don't seem to be able to post it........computer says "invalid file" :confused:

[pop058]

I've got a picture but I don't seem to be able to post it........computer says "invalid file" :confused:

Jerry,

try hosting it with photobucket (or similar) as Inc. is having a play/tweek/fix with the picy upload thing.
Technical enough for ya, sorry best I can do with my PC skills :D

[Lotz-A-Landies]

The South African Defence Force (SADF) had opening screens on their Land Rovers, so they could shoot out of them. I have more images at home but these are a start.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/06/393.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/02/331.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/02/332.jpg

[S3ute]

Hello from Brisbane.

It is true that some of the SADF Land Rovers had forward opening windscreens, as suggested, but not necessarily all of them. Quite a few just had the standard fold down screen with which most of us are used to.

The really interesting variations were in the numerous anti-mine variants such as the Kudu and Rhino.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/02/326.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/Tilly011/media/RhodesianLR5_kudu_zps3zcdven7.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/02/327.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/Tilly011/media/RhodesianLR4_zpsqkfudb0f.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/02/328.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/Tilly011/media/RhodesianLR4_kudu_zpslctodmtb.jpg.html)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/02/329.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/Tilly011/media/RhodesianLR2_zps3uoz393j.jpg.html)

Cheers,

[Lotz-A-Landies]

A few more:

[jerryd]

This is what I'd found

[JPC]

The South African Defence Force (SADF) had opening screens on their Land Rovers, so they could shoot out of them. I have more images at home but these are a start.

http://www.enongqaipublications.com/uploads/2/5/0/4/25047672/4742204_orig.jpg

This image is of a SA Police vehicle of which the windscreen does not open.

The knobbies on the frame is where one attaches the windscreen protection grid. The front door's knobbies are also visible.

These vehicles were deployed often in townships where the SA Police were tasked to keep opposing factions apart and they themselves invariably became the target of stone throwing (Soweto confetti)

The reason for the opening windows on the SADF vehicles was not for shooting out of, but to get air movement through the vehicle when stationary. Most opening windscreens are found on vehicles where an operator would work in when the vehicle is stationary, example Crypto Office, Office, Radio Relay, RF Transmitter, RF Receiver, Direction Finder, Communications Center etc. Later vehicles had air conditioners that made the opening windscreens redundant.

[jerryd]

Stumbled across this dormobile restoration with opening screens. To quote the owner - "They were custom made based on the originals ... we used the original windshield... remove the original windows and custom made 2 vent windows....used Military Jeep opening system... and make new windows that fit to the new opening frame!"