The Wonderful World of Airstream Wing Windows

These windows are EXPENSIVE to replace. With shipping and exchange, probably a grand. So, to paraphrase Elmer Fudd, 'Be vewwy quiet, we're sepawating wing windows....'

First step in the process, take courage and watch others' ideas via uTube. I once learned how to deliver a breech lamb via uTube, so I figured someone else has gone before me and posted a video. And they had.

Second, drill rivets and remove window from trailer. 

Third, take windows to shop and remove four screws holding frame together. I thought they were going to be recalcitrant little buggers, but some WD40 did the job. 

Front of sash removed

Fourth, remove the front panel after screws are loosened. This was the easy part. Notice the shape of the gasket. Yes, I cut it but notice there's no butyl tape left on this window. This is why it was filling with water.  

The water in the window was frozen until yesterday.

Once the frame was removed (Goof Off is my new best friend. It makes old gasket material get slimy—literally melts it) from the gasket, I pulled the two panes apart.

Sash removed without too much trouble. Go slowly, make sure all force applied is vertical in orientation and use plastic chisels to slooooowly pry the glass apart.

That's 45 year old butyl tape. Still sticky but no longer waterproof.

Here are the two panes apart. 

Now, it's just a matter of scraping off old butyl tape. More Goof Off and elbow grease. After a cursory cleaning, we have a clean window, ready for new gasket material and reinstallation.