Scratchie

I was wondering if you scale builders mostly use cockpit kits or make your own cockpit interiors? I don’t plan to participate is scale competitions (at least not for now), but my next build will likely be a fairly scale, TF Giant P-47D with scale modifications (landing gear placement&hellip. The reason I ask is that I do not like mass produced "cookie cutter" airplanes, and I don’t mind taking the extra time to finish the plane properly.

BobH

My Feedback: (2)

My guess is that most that don't compete use commercial cockpits. Those that do compete may build their own or use parts from hi end suppliers.

FYI the cockpit is not allowed to be judged in competition. Given that some competitors don't spend a lot of time there. Others do though with the thinking that it "may" influence the over all impression of the plane.

You can do a mix if you like. I did that on one of my planes. The parts that were ok like the seat and floor boards I used. The Instrument panel etc I scratch built.

It's another skill to learn and can be lots of fun.

dionysusbacchus

My Feedback: (25)

It depends on the project for me, I like to use whatever I can and if it's for a semi scale I'll use some off the shelf parts and mix in my own. I like to vacuum form my own parts because it's lighter, and using layers of vacuum formed parts you can get good depth. Here are some examples of my work:

First up is a 1/9 scale B-17 panel, the yokes are cast in resin from my own molds. The panel is vacuum formed.

Next is a 1/8 scale Hellcat cockpit.

Then a 1/9 scale Black Widow cockpit.

And finally a 1/8 Corsair cockpit.

dionysusbacchus

My Feedback: (25)

Here is a cockpit I did for a semi scale Top Flite P-51B, it has some Royal cockpit parts and I made the seat.

One thing I would like to add, is that a good cockpit will always help a model. Especially with the non-RC flying public, the first place they will look is at the cockpit, it's what most people do when they go to an airshow, let's go see the cockpit! So I usually go crazy and even add cockpits to my foamies! Other modelers will probably not even notice a cockpit, they are more interested in the technical aspects of your plane for the most part.

Here are some pictures of a cockpit I did for a Venom 70mm F-86![8D]

Boomerang1

Mostly build my own as I scratch build & commercial items aren't available or
aren't available in the right size. When one is available I treat it as the 'starting point'
& go from there.

Bottom line is, if you enjoy doing it do your own. If not, & one is available buy one.
Whatever you do, do something, an empty hole in the top of a scale model where the
covkpit should be is always a disappointment.

Obviously dionysusbacchus enjoys doing cockpits! - John.

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

Formeit has been a combination of bita and piecesand and commercially available products

N1EDM

My Feedback: (2)

Ram-bro, I'm not sure what you meant, but where did you get those laser-cut pieces? Did you find them on line or design them yourself?

Thanks,

Bob

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

sorry about my typing,apparently I cant .....lol. [email protected]
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_83...10/key_/tm.htm
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_83..._6/key_/tm.htm

the thread on the my Mig 3 build showsyou what ,who and where

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

sorry about my typing,apparently I cant .....lol. [email protected]
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_83...10/key_/tm.htm
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_83..._6/key_/tm.htm

the thread on the my Mig 3 build showsyou what ,who and where

TomCrump

I make my own, or buy what I need. For me, the idea is to have an interior that looks the part.

Dynamic Balsa has some nice cockpit kits. http://www.dbalsa.com/accessories/cockpits.htm

I Fly Tailies http://www.iflytailies.com/store/simulators/ sells nice instruments, along with other goodies, to make a nice cockpit.

For civilian models, a sewing machine can be used to make authentic looking seats and side panels.

abufletcher

Beautiful work, guys! I get the feeling this is much more of an issue with the more modern aircraft with their more extensive cockpit instrumentation. By comparison most WWI cockpits were pretty sparsely appointed...although some of the later war aircraft started to have a pretty cluttered dash. For myself, I tend only to consider what can be seen from the outside at common "camera angles." But maybe now that I'm going to try a 1/4 scale model, maybe I'll be motivated to do some detail work in the cockpit.

One good thing about having a super detailed cockpit is that it tends to discourage the use of troll dolls as pilots!

N1EDM

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks Ram-bro et al!!

Bob

bokuda

My Feedback: (7)

Here is a panel I made for a Taylorcraft. The instruments were purchased, but the rest was constructed. I do not consider myself a precision builder and as of yet have not competed in scale. With determination and patience it is definitely satisfying to DIY.

The first two photos are of the panel I made and the other three are of the full scale panel.

abufletcher

That looks like some very precise building to me!

Scratchie

Thanks for responding, you guys do beautiful work. I'm not near ready for a competition, and maybe Iwill never compete, but Ido like scale airplanes so it's nice to see how they're done.

bobripley

I like working on the detail aspect of a scale build so I pretty much do make my own cockpits.

The TopFlite T-34 that I am working on now will be for contest work but as mentioned before the cockpits are not judged except at Top Gun and FAI levels of competition. I did mine because there is so much plexiglass on this trainer that one's eye will be drawn in to see what the office looks like.

Many of the details are from my own resin castings and vacuum formed pieces. It took a little over five and a half months to build this out.

Scratchie

How does the resin casting come into play?making multple parts? Iused to build full scale wood boats and Ifind that the techiques used in scale model building are nearly the exact same thing so I'm interested.

bobripley

In my case I made the joy stick grips, elevator, trim wheels, rudder pedals etc.. Even the fire extinguisher was cast from resin. If you need to make highly detail parts or multiples there of. It is a good way to go.

Ripley

Scratchie

Ripley, what are the approximateoutside dimensions of that cockpit?

Deadeye

While no where the detail of the previous guys (NICE JOBS!), I can supply a more mediocre 'scale' cockpit on my Top Flite 182. It was my first attempt, and I used the TF interior kit. GI Joe is the pilot.

abufletcher

Really inspiring stuff guys! I've definitely avoiding doing this sort of detailing on any of my cockpits so far...but I think I'm going to have to give it a shot!

bobripley

Hello Scrathie,

The dimension of the cockpit cavity is 6.25" x 21.5". It is a pretty big area with lots to see.

Ripley

tunakuts3d

Would or could any of you who are making resin cast parts share some details of how you do your casting? What type or brand of resin are you using? what type or brand of mold making material do you use? Are you pouring one at a time or making multiple cavity molds? For the really small parts that you need several of how much resin do you mix for a pour? What is the pot life of the resin you are using? Just a few questions, any info would be most gratfully received.Pictures would be a great plus. I have made some cast parts but I'm wondering if i'm missing something that I could be doing differently that might result in better parts with less cleanup and finish work. Thanks for any help you can offer.
Paul

bobripley

Hello Paul,

I learned how to do resin casting by watching YouTube videos. My source for the mould making RTV and casting resin is Aeromarine and, surprise, they posted the YouTube videos that I watched. If you do the same I think you will learn the answers to the rest of your questions and more.

http://www.aeromarineproducts.com/videos/index.htm

Ripley

Scratchie

Ripley, did you just print out the gauge graphics on a computer? if so, would you mind sending me the file?