Pre-war instrument panel placard

Re: Pre-war instrument panel placard

The "swirled" finish is called "Engine Turning" and is done with a drill and VERY steady hand. That was what was on the cowl of the "Spirit of Saint Louis" and it is a beautiful finish, but I don't know how well it stands up over time or if it was original on a Taylorcraft. The panel in the second picture is partly original but someone has put a key mag switch in and added a cover for the fuel cut off that wasn't there from the factory (but is REQUIRED now). I kind of like that safety cover since there is just NO WAY you could accidentally pull the fuel cut off like you can with the little spring clip ones.
We are gathering parts for the restoration of Josh's plane and he wanted to put the original panel back into his, so we will probably be doing that. We have a panel and big Tach, as well a s some of the other parts so I will be following this thread closely. I am just starting to research the "big tach" panels and hopefully Josh had a lower plate in the boxes and I can post some pictures and make a drawing. If it was engraved I will be able to make them, but from the photos I have seen it looks like it was Silk Screened. Oh well, I have wanted to learn to do Silk Screens for years. Always fun to learn a new process.
If we can get a good example of an original rectangular panel, we should be able to make copies. Hopefully someone will chime in. Good project for the cold winter months.
Hank

If anyone knows a good deal on a pre war fuselage frame let me know. I never thought I would say a Taylorcraft component couldn't be repaired, but Josh's fuselage may be the one. Some of the parts that are damaged will be almost impossible to repair. Easier to build a whole new fuselage.

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