The evolution and explanation of this site's Glarewings

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to take this blog post to explain the evolution of the glarewings on this website and address a common question: Can you take the 737SS (Single Seat) and fit it to the Dual Seat? The answer is simple: No. These are two (in fact, three) very different designs that have evolved over 10 years of designing for other projects.

Version 1: The First Dual Seat Design

The first dual seat design was created in wood (MDF) and cut with a CNC or jigsaw. These were designed to fit the whole dual-seat cockpit and were purpose-built right from the start. At this time, I didn't even know what a 3D printer was. However, over the next few years (2018), I created a very simple 3D printed version that used no screws to hold them together, just simple glue joints. Looking back, my CAD skills were so basic that I didn't know how to make organic compound curves. This led to its basic shape and heavy filament usage. These are generally much smaller, time-intensive to print, but they do the job when done. If you need glarewings, there are two downloads available: the CNC or 3D printed version, free from the downloads section of the website.

You must use either one of these designs to ensure the glarewing fits into the cockpit. Many people have bought and printed the Single Seat V3 or V2, only to discover they would never fit. They interfere with the side windows, and the glareshield would be incorrect. This is why, in the later versions, I have tried to highlight that they are incompatible. Your best solution if you wanted a 3D printed version to fit would be to take the CAD and create a much better version, like V2 or V3, using the outline to ensure it fits. I have thought about doing this for people, but I have to admit, this would probably take 4-6 weeks of design again. Something I don't have time for right now until I finish the single seat.

Version 2: The 2022 Design

This design was created in 2022 at the request of a long-time Patreon subscriber, specifically to their dimensions (not actual aircraft dimensions), and put my CAD skills to the test. With its glorious under-curve shape, side lugs, and under lighting, this unit was stunning. While very easy to print, it did take a lot of support and filament. It was also very time-intensive, even with a Bambu. This unit was a massive hit, and people with good hand skills wanted to utilise these in the dual cockpit. But once again, it's not until you place the glarewing into the cockpit with the sidewalls, and due to its size, you realise it can never fit. The CAD can be found here. This glarewing is primarily intended for individuals creating their own Sims and adapting the CAD to suit their specific needs.

Version 3: The Pinnacle of CAD Design

Created in 2024, Version 3 is quite honestly the pinnacle of my CAD design knowledge. It was made from shell pieces, eliminating the need for all support, and consists of a 4mm shell surrounded by a central master spline. While smaller than Version 2, it's almost a quarter bigger than Version 1, meaning it won't fit the dual seat. Along comes 2025, and I realise another revision is needed for the Single Seat, falling into the same error as the dual seat initially did. I left the single-seat glarewing straight and parallel to the MIP sidewall. This was a huge mistake, and because I hadn't created the sidewall and windows at the time, I didn't know they would clash. So, back to the drawing board, and the outer edge had to have a 15-degree slant away from the side windows added. I also added the extra panel for the MIC and Chrono buttons. I have also recently added a support frame on top of the glazing for the 3D-printed window frames.

Please note that a revision is forthcoming for the single-seat Glarewing. You only need this updated revision if you are building the complete 737SS 3d printed shell to accompany the MIP. Otherwise, the original version will work fine.

In conclusion, while the evolution of the glarewings has been a journey of learning and improvement, it is clear that the designs for the Single Seat and Dual Seat are not interchangeable. Each version has its unique features and dimensions, making it suitable for its specific purposes. I think the best way to explain this is to consider each of the three Glare wings for different aircraft. I hope this blog post clarifies why you can't use the various versions for the 737 dual-seat and single-seat glarewings. I will return to the Dual Deat design once the 737SS is complete and correct, and produce a dual-glarewing that outdoes the single-seat design. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Best regards, Karl