3 ms·

Well, it's not just the added weight of windows, but, I imagine, additional reinforcements for the structure that are needed when you have windows? (IANAPE - I'

Well, it's not just the added weight of windows, but, I imagine, additional reinforcements for the structure that are needed when you have windows? (IANAPE - I'm not a plane expert :) )

WalterBright 8y ago
You are correct. There's a forged doubler that goes around the window opening to reinforce it. The DeHaviland Comet lost several airplanes due to cracks starting from the windows; Boeing was having none of that.
- tikhonj 8y ago
  Which is a real shame because that plane looked gorgeous, especially with square windows. It's always sad when physics gets in the way of aesthetics...
- manigandham 8y ago
  A fantastic video about the De Havilland Comet from one of my favorite channels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0Cg2ZeYa5E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0Cg2ZeYa5E
- jacquesm 8y ago
  That was more due to the shape of the windows then due to the fact that it had windows. Square holes are not a good idea in aluminum that's under tensile stress. For the same reason you end a straight cut into metal in a round hole, otherwise you'll surely end up with a stress fracture.
  - WalterBright 8y ago
    The square corners were indeed a problem, but round windows wasn't enough. The doubler was added.