I currently have upholstered cockpit side panels in my 7BCM, and I'm wanting to go with just painted aluminum. I've not measured mine, but they seem pretty heavy to me. I know that this could vary from plane to plane, but does anyone have a consensus on what the thickness of the aluminum side panels should be?
Terry Irwin
Gordonville, MO
Cockpit side panels
Alum side panels
Hi, the ones in my 7DC are .020" alum. once were coverd with heavy Airtex panels but are niw just painted and thats good by me.
GB MN.Flyer
Flying a Champ 7DC and a HKS Kitfox III
Flying a Champ 7DC and a HKS Kitfox III
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Paul Agaliotis
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I just made some of my panels recently and the old ones I had were .020. I used the same thickness on the new ones. To make the radius corners I used a drum sander of the correct size mounted on my drill press. I used a nibbler and a file just to get close and then finish with the drum sander. I also used the hand nibbler to make the curved slots for the throttle arms, get close with the nibbler and then a file and sandpaper to finish. All it takes is some accuracy and patience.
Here's a look at the finished product.
All I have to do is to final cut to size after I get the floor boards in and use a shear to get a smooth cut on the top and sides.
Here's a look at the finished product.
All I have to do is to final cut to size after I get the floor boards in and use a shear to get a smooth cut on the top and sides.