I’m new to the game of collecting aircraft control wheels and have just started collecting some nice vintage airliner control columns. Just wondered if any forum members knew of any web sites or literature dedicated to collecting aircraft control wheels or grips (both military and civil).
I am obviously aware of plently of web sites dedicated to rebuilding aircraft and collecting cockpits and instrument panels, but are there any web sites dedicated to control columns?
Thanks in anticipation of any advice.
By: FLY.BUY - 14th February 2008 at 11:09
Thankyou Air Ministry for the link, after many hours searchingthe internet I was aware of that site but it seems to be the only one that I know of.
Just a tip to those seeking reference drawings for cockpit interiors (especially ex RAF service aircarft), I always use the Research dept at RAF Hendon. You can drop your request via e-mail (see the RAF Museum web site). The reply normally comes through your front door some weeks later. Lots of photocopies of pictures/drawings or diagrams for any parts or layouts you are looking for/requested. They will normally invoice you for the photocopying but this is normally a nominal couple of pounds. Excellent service and recommended.
Any other web sites out there for control wheels?
By: old eagle - 14th February 2008 at 00:54
What about the long running “What Cockpit” on PPrune.
It’s now in it’s sixth series, must be a great source for reference, is there any way of connecting it with this thread/idea for data collection under one “roof”
DC
By: Rocketeer - 13th February 2008 at 18:53
concerted pooling of knowledge required…i am more than happy to provide my archive
By: J Boyle - 13th February 2008 at 14:51
In the U.S. you can find control wheels, cockpit seats and other fun stuff at the scrapyards next to Davis-Monthan as well as firms that breakup old airliners. They do place items on ebay and in their online stores.
Trouble is these firms have an inflated notion of what they’re worth. I’ve seen then ask hundreds of dollars for tatty unrestored pieces.
I bought my Convair 440 wheel 15 years ago when they were fairly cheap…
less than $50.
By: TempestV - 13th February 2008 at 11:20
Alan, I have sent you a pm! 😀
By: Arabella-Cox - 13th February 2008 at 11:12
I have a fairly extensive collection of cockpit photos and drawings, from the Pilot’s Notes, Volume Is, manufacturers, and any other references I stumble across. I try to obtain exactly the sort of details you list, Dave.
I also have the collection of control columns, throttle boxes etc to fall back on.
It all takes up quite a chunk of my hard disc, even though I try to concentrate on pre-1945 British types.
By: TEXANTOMCAT - 13th February 2008 at 11:06
I’d suggest getting a-hold of ‘Cockpit – an Illustrated History of WW2 Aircraft Interiors’ and ‘Cockpits of the Cold War’ bu Patterson/Nijboer
Both excellent reference books and whilst initially over £20 each IWM was selling the former for a fiver at a recent airshow!
Mid Counties had them new at a tenner apiece a while back
ATB
TT
By: TempestV - 13th February 2008 at 10:30
Cockpit interior reference
It would be interesting to see a reference book or website showing good photos of all historic military aircraft interiors and flying controls listed by type showing:
Instrument panels
Control column
Throttle
Rudder pedals
GGS
Seat
Original pilots notes are a good reference, but a modern detailed reproduction in colour that collected many types together would be really interesting. What are peoples thoughts here?
By: Arabella-Cox - 13th February 2008 at 00:16
This is useful for reference:-
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February 12, 2008 at 9:54 pm