Instrument Panel

[dehavalandb]

Has anyone replaced an intrument panel with a wood one? I have been thinking of doing it and would like to hear from anyone who has done it. I may replace it all together or just mount a wood panel over the metal one. My current panel has holes in it from equipment that has been removed and it looks tacky.

[Hank Jarrett]

The panel in my 41 was wood when I got it and it was awful. You are much better off making a doubler from some thin aluminum for the instrument area and flush riveting and filling the unused holes. Of course the BEST deal is to get hold of one of the replacement panels. I have one on the shelf for my 45 restoration and it’s is fantastic. On the 41 I made a buck and hand pounded out a new panel. Took a long tome and was a lot of work but DEFINATLY worth it. Even a flat sheet of metal is better than a piece of plywood (plus your IA will NOT like it if he knows you put a wood panel in place of the original, not that many A&Ps or IAs have any idea what is original in our planes)
Hank J

[Dick Huish]

As note of interest. The L-2 series starting with sn 5116 (the last 50 L-2As and all the L-2Ms had a wooden instrument panel. I make both and suprising enough the wood is as strong s the metal. I prefer the aluminum over the wood for long term usage.

[Forrest Barber]

D model Taylorcrafts

Many of you know that Dick is the expert back here in Ohio for the tandem Taylorcrafts ( one fellow on another site calls them the other Taylorcraft). I love the Tandem and we need to start the Model "D", DC, DL, DF , YO-57 , L-2, L2A, L2B, L2M, and last but not least the MODEL 18 forumn.......... what do you all think about that idea.

[Dick Smith]

L-2 North

An L-2 showed up about 2 miles from here just recently...I will let the new owner know about the source of information. Dick

[Dick Huish]

Dick, if you can would you get the sn and N-number. I try to keep track of the tandems. Thanks,Dick

[Ron Greene]

L-2 Topic

Forrest,
Great idea, a forum for the tandem models would be appreciated.
Ron Greene

[Howard Wilson]

new metal instrument panels

The fellow I bought 20442 ('39 BL) from, made a new metal instrument panel, replica, of the old. He is an IA and does aircraft metal work for a living. He said he would make more. I don't know when they changed shapes. Howard

[matsuthunder200]

I heard that the taylorcraft factory has or will have brand new inst. panals for sale...

[Tcraft Classics]

When I visited the Factory in August, Harry said that he had the ability to offer the "new" panel, and the "classic" - panel, such as that in the '39. He may have them available now - I'm pretty sure he said the dies were all there. I was so overwhelmed that my visit is now just a blur of Tcraft parts in my mind! - give them a shout