Making a Windshield Pattern
  When scratch building models, one of the toughest jobs is working up the windshield cutting pattern. The
process is really pretty simple once you understand how it works. And the good news is that this method works
regardless of how large, or small the model is.

  The idea is to make up a paper pattern, carefully fit it to the model, then use that pattern to cut out the
actual acetate windshield that will be glued onto the model.
Measure the length of the window opening and transfer that
dimension to a piece of paper
Cut a piece of paper to the correct length, and more then wide
enough to wrap around the fuselage
Determine the cabin width at the top and transfer that dimension to
the paper pattern. Then determine where the pattern will begin to
roll around the forward-most end of the wing root and cut it to that
dimension along the cabin sides
Roll the pattern around the side of the cabin, hold the fuselage up to a light source so
you can see through the paper to the underlying frame and mark the outline for trimming.
Fold the pattern on the centerline to insure that it will be symmetrical on both sides. Cut
along the lines to remove the excess paper and fold the pattern back open.
Tape the pattern back on the fuselage and
fine tune the fit. Remove and trim as needed
to insure proper fit and alignment
Once the final shapes are achieved, tape the
paper patterns over the appropriate thickness of
acetate. Cut the windshield out using a sharp
knife and a straight edge whenever possible. A
sharp scissors is used to cut the curved lines.
Starting at the top and working downward, glue the
windshield into its opening. I use medium Cya very
sparingly, and accelerate it to prevent the "frost" from
forming around the glue joints.