Been working on our straight tail this past couple of weeks because the engine is out getting repaired.

The instrument panel was really sad looking. Flying around with holes and no instruments. Being an old jump plane.

i fabd up a new lower that looks like the original but without all the old holes. We had an upper panel with the center stack sitting around for the past few years. Itwas Waiting on an excuse to get installed. Also installing a vacuum pump to do away with the venturi.


Sometimes engine problems are what you need to jump start a project.

Straight tail 150, 172, 182, or 310?

Tim

182. Always forget there are more. It's a 56.

mmartin1872 wrote:....Also installing a vacuum pump to do away with the venturi. ......

Interesting-- I don't think I've ever seen a 182 with a venturi.

We probably had the only one. . The venturi didn't even have a doubler installed behind it to stiffen up the skin. I have a feeling it was installed because it was cheaper than a vacuum pump back when this plane was use for skydiving.

In the 3rd picture you can see the holes where the venturi was, just above the first aid kit

I did my own panel -everything left to right -top to bottom like later model(1959 182) 182.Left of radio stack is removable -with instruments. First thing to change is the defroster vent with later bent back toward firewall version ,for more instrument clearance .Center stack radio rack - "U" control column(out of 185) will help . The old "T" is limited in to about 3 small radio / gps transponder units. Check N5502B records (10 bucks in OKC) for pictures ,field approval .

I would have built the upper also but one of the partners in the airplane had bought that upper panel a number of years ago, from a guy that spent a tin of time trying to work the 6 pack around the column and the original heater ducting. We are Centre stacking the radio and transponder and putting the gps down low. This plane is being setup for basic vfr with enough instruments for the just in case.

mmartin1872 wrote:........We are Centre stacking the radio and transponder and putting the gps down low. This plane is being setup for basic vfr with enough instruments for the just in case.

None of my business but I'd go the other way -- radio & txp down low and the GPS front and center. I spend a lot more time looking at the GPS than at the radio & txp.

Truthfully that is what i thought also but the guy who Flys the 182 the most prefers it this way because he has 4 frequency changes in about 15 minutes of flying when he goes to work. And he wants the radios close enough that if he is flying with a Co pilot that they can work them. And the holes are already cut the other way lol.

The panel is looking great. I would love to re do my lower panel in my 182.
How did you flange the upper part? What kind of labeling are you going to do?
I saw a panel recently that was powder coated with lettering laser etched. Really cool.

I formed the edge with a rubber mallet and a few bucking bars and slowly worked the radius's. It's getting powder coated this week and on the weekend I'm probably going to label it with "transfer lettering " and then spray over the lettering with some sort off clear coat. I'd love to get it last engraved but we want to get the plane flying sooner rather than later

Starting to put it back together. . Got the engine hung. The holes were the venturi plugged with rivets and a flush patch. A few old antenna holes on the roof plugged. . Slowly but surely

Nice to see the project starting to go the other way

Well the project is still moving along. . Work was a little slow so i brought the 182 in to work for a lot of much needed love this week. . Dragged it over to work and started giving the plane a little more love than we had planned when we started fixing it

This weekend we got all that black crud off the interior and it will be getting sprayed this week, along with trim colors on the outside.

This might be the first time that we think. . Hmm the 182 needs to go in the hangar. .

mmartin1872 wrote:This weekend we got all that black crud off the interior and it will be getting sprayed this week, along with trim colors on the outside.

This might be the first time that we think. . Hmm the 182 needs to go in the hangar. .

Just about ready for trim colors

mmartin1872 wrote:

mmartin1872 wrote:This weekend we got all that black crud off the interior and it will be getting sprayed this week, along with trim colors on the outside.

This might be the first time that we think. . Hmm the 182 needs to go in the hangar. .

Just about ready for trim colors

Decided to practice my sheet metal skills fabricating a instrument panel cover. . A little more finessing and I think it'll be there

mmartin1872 wrote:

mmartin1872 wrote:This weekend we got all that black crud off the interior and it will be getting sprayed this week, along with trim colors on the outside.

This might be the first time that we think. . Hmm the 182 needs to go in the hangar. .

Just about ready for trim colors

Decided to practice my sheet metal skills fabricating a instrument panel cover. . A little more finessing and I think it'll be there

mmartin1872 wrote:

mmartin1872 wrote:

mmartin1872 wrote:This weekend we got all that black crud off the interior and it will be getting sprayed this week, along with trim colors on the outside.

This might be the first time that we think. . Hmm the 182 needs to go in the hangar. .

Just about ready for trim colors

Decided to practice my sheet metal skills fabricating a instrument panel cover. . A little more finessing and I think it'll be there

Looks good to me. What are the rules on instrument panels? I'd like to do a carbon fibre one on my 180...