alzictorini Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 Afternoon BMs I have just completed a build of a Vickers Supermarine Spitfire MKIIa Instrument Panel. The panel is hand made and all the instruments/switches etc I designed in Fusion 360 software. Ive printed the gauges and switches off on a Creality CRS10-Pro (its about £400 in current money to buy online) 3D printer. Plans for the panel are easy to find online and I just blew it up until the dimensions were 1:1. It will be boxed and made available for display by either hanging from a wall or just standing in the box. Here are some pics of the completed panel: It took about 6 months for the research, design and build: Enjoy 59 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangseat Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 This is fabulous work! I've always wanted to have a crack at something similar myself. A lit panel particularly would be a fantastic wall piece. Was there CNC cutting involved as well? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alzictorini Posted June 4, 2022 Author Share Posted June 4, 2022 Hi Bangseater No, its just 3mm MDF I cut out with a jigsaw and filed down. I painted the dials also with children's glow in the dark paint, works well: looks spooky when walking past it in the early hours 16 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maginot Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 Outstanding! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbadbadge Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 That's absolutely fantastic, great work, what a cracking project. Wonderful Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangseat Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 4 hours ago, alzictorini said: Hi Bangseater No, its just 3mm MDF I cut out with a jigsaw and filed down. I painted the dials also with children's glow in the dark paint, works well: looks spooky when walking past it in the early hours Lovely! One more question - how did you make the dial glass fronts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 Outstanding!!!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Autle Posted June 4, 2022 Share Posted June 4, 2022 I was only kidding about the rest of the cockpit, just like the yoke this is brilliant work, well done. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alzictorini Posted June 5, 2022 Author Share Posted June 5, 2022 Afternoon BMs Thanks for the replies and support. Bangseater, you asked: Lovely! One more question - how did you make the dial glass fronts? I used to use old CD case clear plastic, I now use clear plastic sheet from ebay. I used a scalpel for the CD cases but the plastic i now use is about .75mm thick and cuts simply with scissors and does not shatter as CD cases would! It doesn't take long to cut out and sand to a specific shape. The Clock in the pic has 2mm clear plastic (with a green tint). This i cut out on a band saw and I sanded it to the correct dimension. The clock glass took me 2 hours to cut out and sand to a perfect shape (it is a snap fit). Ill do a thread on aircraft clocks next, there are a few ways i can make them. Hope this helps 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James G Posted June 5, 2022 Share Posted June 5, 2022 Looks great! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janneman36 Posted June 5, 2022 Share Posted June 5, 2022 23 hours ago, alzictorini said: Hi Bangseater No, its just 3mm MDF I cut out with a jigsaw and filed down. I painted the dials also with children's glow in the dark paint, works well: looks spooky when walking past it in the early hours It would be really spooky when those meters starting to move when you pass it… Anyhow this is a great looking panel, very well done 👍 cheers, Jan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invidia Posted June 5, 2022 Share Posted June 5, 2022 Thats just stunning 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Robin Posted June 5, 2022 Share Posted June 5, 2022 Interesting, fascinating and very well done. Regards Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattheCat Posted June 5, 2022 Share Posted June 5, 2022 Fantastic! It would fit in a RAF museum. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigglesworth Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 That's fabulous. Amazing work. It would be great to have a collection of instrument panels from classic aircraft. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col Walter E Kurtz Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 Brilliant and astounding project! I'm gob smacked! Does the clock work? Any plans to 3-D print the rest of the aircraft? LOL. it's an amazing skill to 3-D print such a thing of beauty and quality. Very well done indeed! Regards, Andy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve in Ottawa Posted June 6, 2022 Share Posted June 6, 2022 Man, that is really spectacular! I would love to see the entire process written up and the various steps explained in more detail. I'm especially fascinated by the 3D printing aspect of the project. WELL DONE! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alzictorini Posted June 6, 2022 Author Share Posted June 6, 2022 Thanks Steve I did a HP Hampden Panel for the RAF Coningsby Heritage Centre before Christmas, ill write up that panels build for you at some point. Prior to 3D printing I made full scale panels from card and paper - Ill post one of those builds also so you can compare. I can make card and paper look realistic also...... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alzictorini Posted July 18, 2022 Author Share Posted July 18, 2022 If any of you BMs live in the Lincolnshire area - The panel is now on display within Kinema in the woods, Woodhall Spa. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
providence Posted July 18, 2022 Share Posted July 18, 2022 Impressive work ! I love it ! Regards Providence 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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