Aircraft Cockpit Sections/Instrument Panel Projects

Hornet cockpit update.

Here’s a little taster of the Hornet cockpit progress.

There are still a number of components to be fitted yet, but I’m pleased that everything so far has fitted without problem.

The photos show the completed fuselage skin, two interior panel views, and marking out the equipment ferrule positions.

My greatest respect goes out to the RAF and FAA fitters who worked on these. The cockpit is small, very dark, but fortunately has few sharp edges!

As did the real thing (at $6.6K)……….

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/North-American-F-86-Sabre-Jet-Fighter-Cockpit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ26428QQihZ003QQitemZ130119635957QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

.

For our American Forumites

This would make a terrific cockpit project.
http://cgi.ebay.com/F-86-Sabre-Aircraft-Instrument-Panel-Complete-Original_W0QQitemZ190120205251QQihZ009QQcategoryZ14050QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Firstly, I’d like to say that I prefer whole airframes, but a recent visit to Aeroventure just opened my eyes –

A disabled person would find it very difficult to get into an aircraft of any sort, let alone sit in the cockpit (I’m thinking wheelchairs here…). Imagine if you will, a cockpit at ground level (a small ramp to the cockpit floor), and only one seat fitted. The cockpit has lights, and sounds, and allows said disabled person to see / re-live the sights and sounds of a cockpit. That to me is priceless, and a brilliant way of introducing aircraft preservation to those who cannot climb vertical fuselage sides…

Children benefit too – As a kid, there is only one important part of an aircraft – cockpit!

I don’t agree with culling good airframes to keep the cockpit, but if the airframe is done for, the cockpit is worthy of saving…

Cockpitters – I salute you….

Lindy’s Lad,

We cockpitters salute you!

These are EXACTLY the sentiments we have been trying to get across to the less ‘enlightened’ and open-minded members of this forum for a long time.

Well said sir.

Lindy’s Lad,

Check out 30 cockpits at Newark’s Cockpit-Fest 2007 – June 16th & 17th.

More details at…… http://www.newarkairmuseum.org/news.php

…. and scroll down the page.

A further thought, how many of the cockpits featured on this thread will actually be at Cockpit-Fest 2007?

Firstly, I’d like to say that I prefer whole airframes, but a recent visit to Aeroventure just opened my eyes –

A disabled person would find it very difficult to get into an aircraft of any sort, let alone sit in the cockpit (I’m thinking wheelchairs here…). Imagine if you will, a cockpit at ground level (a small ramp to the cockpit floor), and only one seat fitted. The cockpit has lights, and sounds, and allows said disabled person to see / re-live the sights and sounds of a cockpit. That to me is priceless, and a brilliant way of introducing aircraft preservation to those who cannot climb vertical fuselage sides…

Children benefit too – As a kid, there is only one important part of an aircraft – cockpit!

I don’t agree with culling good airframes to keep the cockpit, but if the airframe is done for, the cockpit is worthy of saving…

Cockpitters – I salute you….

Hornet cockpit progress update.

Hello,

Here’s a quick photo update showing the fully skinned upper half of the DH Hornet cockpit. All of the laminations, and joints appear to have bonded well, and the skin has retained the shape of the mould. The canopy and windscreen cutouts in the wood have all been done now, and have trimmed up nicely.

The lower half of the skin is currently un-trimmed around the cannon muzzle door. Next job is to make the two curved underside cannon beams, and skin over them.

Hhhmmmmm..

Nothing like the sweet sound of aluminium being whacked by a large wooden mallet first thing in the morning..Sweet work Cees…:D Love the hammerform work on the last pic;)

cees can you email me?

Need to ask you something off board

Some pics of the seat being made by a friend of mine

Progress is swift these days.

Cheers

Cees

Thanks Peter

Now I only have the pilot’s compartment to worry about, things can speed up a bit.:D

The pilot’s seat is hopefully ready before long.

Cees

Looking good Cees!

All in the name of progress which is happeneing quite rapidly as well good job!:)

Yesterday I picked up the side angles for the engine control duct. This
is fitted next to the pilot chassis which is already finished. The engine
cables etc. run through this and a lot of items such as the throttle box
trunk and box as well as the trimming consoles are mounted on it.
All I have to do now is rivet the thing together. Also some of the front
windscreen frames are finished now so the thing is growing albeit in
component form at the moment.

Cheers

Cees

Hey Richy, how goes the bulkhead on your Old Lady? Oh I might be down your neck of the woods in the next couple of weeks. Bex

Hi Bex,

Not done a great deal since we last spoke, finding it hard to get motivated at the mo !! PM me when you might be in the area, if you got time I will show you the T.22.

Richy.

I have re-skinned the nose and it is just about ready to go back on. Not looking forward to re-building the back end. 🙁

Hey Richy, how goes the bulkhead on your Old Lady? Oh I might be down your neck of the woods in the next couple of weeks. Bex

Hi Bex

“Im certainly looking forwards to your finished cockpit, as until I saw your projects thread & accidently bought a set of repro pilots notes I didnt even know the plane existed!!!!!”

….Well something good has come of the project then! 😀 The project website, and on-going efforts to build one, are with the intention of bringing the type back to life, and spread awareness to people. With the Hornet being introduced too late for service in WW2, it and several other types seem to get missed out of many reference books.

p.s. Just to clarify, Elliot (whitley project) is referring to Dave (Funhouse) in his previous posting.

Hello Dave

Any news on the channel section machine you made for us? I have been emailing and writing but no response….

PM on it’s way sir.

Regards,
Dave

Hello Dave

Any news on the channel section machine you made for us? I have been emailing and writing but no response….

Excellent work as usual Dave, nice to see things are progressing well with this unique project, keep up the great work sir.

Regards,
Dave

Hi Peter

TT193’s remains consist of the entire wing centre from wing fold to wing fold. Most of the fuselage bulkheads. The rear of the cockpit structure (rearwards of the pilot seat mounts). Drop tanks, propeller spinners and blades. Undercarriage legs, and lots of brackets from the entire airframe. Put it this way, there is enough to build around.

Would that be the one in Alberta?

That had wing centre section remains correct?