With the headliner in place and the trim panels ready it was time to fit the windows. Brand new rubbers had been bought and it was near impossible for me to visualise how these straight lengths of thick rubber could form the curves required, particularly around the side windows. However, it was one of the hottest days of the year and the rubbers were laid out on concrete to naturally heat up and become more pliable. Again, i scoured the internet for window fitting tips before starting. Using the old rubbers as rough templates I could begin trimming the new ones to size & offering them up to the aperture for fine adjustment.
It was now that I began to experience issues with the headliner. Struggling with the seals made the liner peel back, loosing its tension. The glue was foamy and didn't dry that hard. It was therefore easy to disturb. The problem persisted with every single window. It was impossible to rectify properly as the liner had been trimmed and there was little to grab hold of to tension it. Having the side and rear glasses slip and pull the seals off the body added to the woes.
The various trim panels are held in place by the seals. The front pillar trims just would not seat underneath the seal properly. I had no choice but to fit them best as possible and trim them down.
I had the use of various window fitting tools, but the thought of using metal to fit the glass was too much. Fitting the glass was a two person job. The side windows were really tricky as the bottom of the seal sits on a very small ridge of fibreglass. When pushing in the glass the whole lot could easily come straight off and crash into the cabin, also further disturbing the headliner. Some simple tools became very useful. Plastic bicycle tyre leavers & large coffee stirers & lolly sticks were used to ease the glass into the seals & help seat the locking strip. I used a locking strip tool to get that in, but the corners were sometimes difficult.
The SkyFame Museum sticker. This was bought on one of the first ever trips I can remember in Phoebe, when we went to Staverton to see this now defunct aircraft museum, sometime in 1974.
And with the glass all fitted it was time to put her to bed in amongst the clutter.