Let us know how you get on!
By the way what is the best way of stripping out the corrosion from wheels?

Just to further add, It was a lovely display item in excellent shape, prior to selling it I offered it as a free long term loan to about 10 different aviation museums around the UK, one museum replied saying they already had one on display the others stated that they couldn’t display it due to H&S legislation on the instruments, Hey Ho!
So off it was sold to Germany.

I too collect control wheels and try to have them as original as possible incl original paintwork, coating, switches etc.

Every scratch, dent or paint flake is part of it’s history and no doubt tells a story. UP TO A POINT! There is a threshold and that threshold to me is when the wheel looks a complete mess and there is no alternative but to restore it. And if you want an honest personal opinion your wheel does look a mess, this is aggravated by the fact (understandably) that you have added replica parts to it, therefore I think best do this wheel some justice and get it restored.

Once restored, I think you will be very happy with the end product and it truely should end up looking like a good display item and no doubt the envey of many a collector.

Thanks for your advice Merkle, is reassuring to know this from you having worked in the field. I was going to sell a replica spitfire panel (with original interuments) displayed in my living room, I was initially worried but I’ll hang on to it now and keep it in there.

[The only way you can stop peolple using your images without permission is don’t post them on the web.

I’m sorry about your plight Rob, but I agree with Carmedic, don’t post your images on a web site. As Runway06 stated their are 6 billion people out there, and the chances of someone using your image is pretty good.

When people want to use an image the internet is the first and easiest place to look. And free to all to plunder what they may. As it’s a world wide web then its hard to have rules in place to govern it.