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Instrument panels
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 6:19 am
by T. C. Downey
My project has had the original plastic instrument panel removed, that's the area that looks like a checker board.
Where can I find anyone making new ones?
Re: Instrument panels
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 1:45 pm
by Bruce Fenstermacher
'52 and prior is the same size and shape plexi but the color and wording changed at least 3 times according to my research. '48 and early A models had the same wording even though the A model didn't have the options the placards described. Then there was the A model version and finally the '52 B model version.
There was a 140 association member making at least the early version of these at one time. Her is here somewhere a search might turn up.
Re: Instrument panels
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 2:49 pm
by bagarre
If yours isn't cracked or crazed, you could wet sand and buff it out. Then find a local engraving shop to reverse engrave the pattern/needed words and fill it with white paint.
I think George was the one that did this with his later panel and it really looks nice.
If I ever have a reason to pull out all my control cables at once, I'd consider this route.
Re: Instrument panels
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 3:24 pm
by GAHorn
The last NOS one I ever saw ...I brought to the Benton Harbor convention and it was presumeably bought by someone who needed it.
The background color is the color of the metal stationary panel beneath it, merely showing-through the engravings.
A clear piece of acrylic, drilled and fitted, then reverse-engraved, then filled with Tempo model paint, will look very nice.
The C-120/140 Assoc'n had a lady who made some for their airplanes which closely resembled originals. You might try them, Tom.
Re: Instrument panels
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 3:46 pm
by T. C. Downey
My project is a 48 S/N 18253, I guess I'll be building one, I was hoping to go the easy route.
Re: Instrument panels
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 5:40 pm
by n2582d
Cecil Neal apparently no longer makes these.
plexpanel.jpg
Don Sloan advertises this on the 120-140 website.
panel_sloan_lg.jpg
Joy Warren gets rave reviews on the 120-140 website for her silkscreened plexiglass panels. She is the newsletter publisher for the 120-140 folks. Her email address is jaw133jw (AT) aol.com.