Dear all,
After visiting the excellent Cockpit fest for the second year running yesterday, I have decided that I have a large enough garage to fit in a cockpit!
I have always had an interest in aircraft, particularly WW2 ‘planes. I know that I am not going to be able to afford anything special especially now I have stepped onto the property ladder. My ultimate dream would be to one day own a vintage cockpit but at this time I do not have the means to afford one!
What I am trying to get at is whether or not there are cockpit projects available for people with low budgets such as myself?!
If anyone has or sees something, or has any suggestions they think may be suitable I would very much like to hear from you.
I would also be very interested in original panels but these ideally would have to be of WW2 vintage.
Thank you in anticipation, I hope that what I have said makes some kind of sense!
Cheers,
TEC
By: TwinOtter23 - 23rd June 2010 at 23:02
Ah but you dont know what I look like!!
At a guess you’ll be the one with an Anson under your coat!! š
Good luck with your search for a project! š
By: TailEndCharlie - 23rd June 2010 at 22:08
Ah but you dont know what I look like!! How about something small, like one of the Lancaster turrets?!
On a serious note, thanks for all the replies and PMs. I had no idea there were so many things to consider. I am just going to sit and be patient and wait for ‘the one’! I have very limited knowledge of post 1950s aircraft so it is harder for me to picture them in my mind (thankfully search engines help with this)!
One day I will show at the Fest!
Cheers,
TEC
By: TwinOtter23 - 22nd June 2010 at 15:33
Iād better tell them to get the CCTV re-orientated to keep an eye out for you two! š
By: geedee - 22nd June 2010 at 14:30
TEC – it wasn’t you trying to do a deal on NAM’s Harvard cockpit at the weekend was it? I heard a whisper from one of my colleagues that someone was talking about making NAM an offer they couldn’t refuse! :confused:
Glad you enjoyed the event – but KF532 isn’t for sale! š
That would have been me. I want 532 as a stable-mate to my Mustang.:D
By: TailEndCharlie - 22nd June 2010 at 13:58
Not guilty your honour!! I wouldn’t mind your entire Anson though!!
TEC
By: TwinOtter23 - 22nd June 2010 at 10:04
TEC – it wasn’t you trying to do a deal on NAM’s Harvard cockpit at the weekend was it? I heard a whisper from one of my colleagues that someone was talking about making NAM an offer they couldn’t refuse! :confused:
Glad you enjoyed the event – but KF532 isn’t for sale! š
By: TailEndCharlie - 22nd June 2010 at 08:07
Dear all,
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and ideas. It has already shown me that there appears to be projects out there that are not as expensive as I initially thought.
I do like the idea of an Annie cockpit – I have some really nice photos of one taken by a pilot training in South Africa. If I went for a ‘new build’ so to speak I would like to have at least some original parts to start it off.
The Battle part was less than I would have anticipated…..
Keep the thoughts coming,
Cheers,
TEC
By: smirky - 21st June 2010 at 23:24
or something like this …
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200480629104
By: merkle - 21st June 2010 at 23:04
I suggest mate, never give up, Ive only just got hold of my cockpit, and its taken me years of searching, but something will come along for you..if you keep plodding along, and get to know people , if you believe in something, and work hard enough for it, eventually it will come true š
By: ollieholmes - 21st June 2010 at 21:58
Or something like this?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Taylorcraft-Auster-J1-N-G-AHAT-Fuselage-Cockpit-/300436586771?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_CPV_Aviation_SM&hash=item45f36a8113
By: TempestV - 21st June 2010 at 21:50
Hi TEC,
If you want to go for a WW2 type then you face two choices:
1/ Popular type like a Spitfire/Hurricane – big competition for original parts by static and flying projects alike pushing up prices, however most parts are available due to the new-build industry shedding non-airworthy cast-offs. Also,these projects can benefit from good reference manuals and drawings available.
2/ Scarce/extinct type – you’ll need good skills to make a lot of parts from scratch. Not always costly, but usually the harder option. Parts can equally be scarce if they are type-specific, unless you choose a type that uses a lot of common parts.
This may surprise some, but I could suggest that you think about a Harvard for example? There are a couple of cockpits around, and certainly they can be built up from parts too. They have the WW2 heritage, are pretty plentiful globally, benefit from airworthy examples cast-off’s, and use a lot of common parts.
P.M me if you want to discuss further.
By: Ross_McNeill - 21st June 2010 at 20:41
For the low budget you need to replicate 1940-45 gear rather than buy at the premium price.
Consider an Anson as a project. Early replica blind flying panels were on sale at Cockpitfest for Ā£35 – real ones Ā£50-70. MkII and Mk20/21 were shaped but tracings are out there to allow a bit of tin bashing.
Add the surrounding instrument panels, again from tracings as your skills improve.
Cockpit frame is easily replicated in copper or steel tube with minimal bending and welding skills needed.
The cockpit floor is wood egg box type construction and late version pilot seats are quite easy to replicate with hand tools.
Throttle box for the MkII is flat plate held apart with threaded rods, Mk1 and later Mks are folded tin with only one compex casting that is easy to replicate in hardwood laminates.
Cowl would be the final job and needs a bit of metal bashing skill but is possible.
Most of the sub assembly work can be stored in a shed/spare room with only a workbench/hand tools needed for the bulk.
How about this for a project?
Ross
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June 21, 2010 at 8:18 pm