I was hoping everyone could share their techniques for detailing a cockpit.

What materials do you use?
What tools do you use?
Where do you source your materials from?
Where do you turn to research a cockpit?

I would also like to hear any other cockpit related inquiries, so share what questions you might have.

A cockpit can really make or break a scale model, and is often the one of the only ways I can distinguish a photo of a model from the photo of a full scale. Show your cockpits and share your work


Here are some shots of the F-86 70mm I am working on. I used a cockpit kit from HK for a 90mm F-86, chopped it to pieces, then fitted to the smaller 70mm canopy. Pilot is by Rocco and is one of the top in this class in my opinion. I used the half pilot version, and did require some trimming to shorten the height. Foam was also removed to fit more of the pilot, and he was slanted back a bit to lessen the amount of trimming required. The pilot is my favorite part, loads of detail, metal shines, all accessories in place, every button, hose and strap has texture, etc.

FIGHTER PILOT BY ROCCO LEO (1 min 19 sec)

Last photo below shows current pilot vs the stock one that shipped with the jet

For those that don't want to fiddle with scratching their own cockpits, I found some very nice, scale cockpit kits here:

http://www.iflytailies.com/store/ins...-cockpit-sets/

Regards,

Astro

They certainly have some of the nicest drop-in kits available.

Their Multi-Function displays are outta this world... I very much want to install one in the MSX cockpit I have begun working on.

Toys-r-us...


Scott

I have a Propag team cockpit for my 1/4 scale P51, the quality is superb.

http://www.aerocockpit.com/en/7-esho...nd-panels.html

Wow- never heard of them, those are fantastic!

Originally Posted by Languid Virago

I have a Propag team cockpit for my 1/4 scale P51, the quality is superb.

http://www.aerocockpit.com/en/7-esho...nd-panels.html

I think those are the same cockpit kits I linked to a couple of posts ago. I think Iflytailies is the US distributor.

Regards,

Astro

That might make sense

Great thread! Thanks!

Here's an instrument panel I did for a 50cc Extra. Photo for instrument panel from Airliners.net.
- Make 2 copies
- Cut out holes for instuments in 1
- Cut out same holes in a peice of Depron (this was 3mm)
- glue full copy to piece of clear plastic
- glue Depron to that
- Glue panel with hole coutouts on top.

The glare shield was Depron and colored with a black Sharpie. Whole thing weighs a couple of grams. I'll post some pics of the entiure cockpit & pilot shortly.

I'm finishing up a new panel for my Krill. Used instruments from IFlyTailies.com.....nice stuff. Will post some pics soon.

Earle

Here's the panel I just finished for my 35% Krill. It's made from carbon fiber/end-grained balsa laminate that is very light and super strong. The instruments, radios, switches and labels are from http://www.iflytailies.com/. This is the first time I've used them and the quality is great. Very light weight as well. This completed panel is about 10" wide and only weighs 40 grams.

Earle

Originally Posted by astrohog

I think those are the same cockpit kits I linked to a couple of posts ago. I think Iflytailies is the US distributor.

Regards,

Astro

yes, but direct they have them all in stock, sell the full range of products, can make custom instriment panels and are quite a lot cheaper.

also Mick Reeves has quite a few odd scale cockpit parts. but you will have to rummage around his site looking for things that you might need.

http://www.mickreevesmodels.co.uk/~m...ccessories.htm

Anybody have a lead on 1/3 scale Nieuport 28 insturment panel?

see you soon,
John

Here's a shot I printed from Jim Leroy's Bulldog One and installed on my Pitts Bulldog....

I see Iflytailies has already been mentioned. dbalsa.com = DynamicBalsa also has some great kits. I dont like their instruments at all, however they are good for the ABS plastic parts for making the inner cockpit tubs and lining.

here is also a link to my site, where you can find some scale cockpit bling for more modern aircraft

www.voy-tech.com

Wojtek
www.voy-tech.com