The horribly warped plastic control panel cover

[Chimpanzee]

The control panel cover on the pilot side (the one with the switches, carb heat control and throttle, mix, prop) has suffered badly in my M20C since it was put in in 1963. It looks very ugly and I can hardly read the labels anymore. I would like to replace it, but have not seen a replacement part. As I am not too fond of the Magnalab kits (the would all be single labels and would agoin look rather untidy) I thought about making my own, (Aluminium and have the labels ingraved). I just wonder if anybody out there has possible a dimentianal drawing of that piece of an old and even more rotten one than mine, which I could use as a template.

Cheers

Norbert M20C 1963

[sreid]

I removed mine ('67 F) when I cut new instrument panels a few years ago. I could trace it so you would have a 1:1 outline if that would help. From your picture, my part appears to be the same size and shape as your C model.

Steve

[jetdriven]

Check this out, he is also a MS member http://www.hendricksmfg.com/prod02.html?Iit=4&Ict=2

[N601RX]

I have cad drawings I developed when I made my new panels. Several other people on here have used them or modified versions of them to make new panels. PM me with your e-mail address and I'll e-mail them to you.

[N201MKTurbo]

Go to a vinyl sign making company and give them a drawing, they can make you a new sticker that looks just like the origonal or any way you like. They have printers that can print any color you want and computer controlled cutters that can make any shape you need. The price is reasonable. These are the people that make car wraps. Have them make the stickers in two pieces so you don't have to remove all the control cables, which will take about a weeks work.

[Chimpanzee]

Thanks for the helpful replies guys. The result will probably be a combination. Steve and N 601RX, I have send you a reply via the forum. It would be phantastic to have the CAD and the trace.

Cheers

Norbert

[carusoam]

Norbert,

That is not original 1963? That appears to be an upgraded six-pack on the left and a complete change on the right. Including the replacement instruments.

Definitely consider the Hendricks panel. It'll finish what it looks like someone started already.

Just sayin'...

-a-

[Wildhorsesracing]

I am anxious to find out what you decide - I have the same ugly plastic panel - and mine is crumbling...

[BigTex]

So what's the going price on swapping out an existing panel with a Hendrix panel (assuming no additional avionics)?

[N601RX]

The biggest expense is the lighting. You loose the lights built into the back of the plastic and either have to buy post lights or ringlightsfor each instrument. I used nulights. They were about $43 each.

[SkyPilot]

I removed mine ('67 F) when I cut new instrument panels a few years ago. I could trace it so you would have a 1:1 outline if that would help. From your picture, my part appears to be the same size and shape as your C model.

Steve

Hi Steve, I am very close to changing my left side panel. I just finished with the new com selector and new SL30 Garmin Navcom. My airplane is a '67 F and has about a 10 degree bend horizontally in the middle. I'd like a flat panel. My avionics guy is going to change the left side to a steam gauge 8-pack for me, for about $3500. I will have 2 ILS heads plus the usual six-pack. But a flat panel would be nicer. What did you do? I added a picture of what I've done so far. The plastic woodgrain is going and I'm also going with the NIBS or similar intrument lighting.

Any suggestions would be great before I rip and tear.

Paul K

[Chimpanzee]

Hi Carusoam,

you are of course right. The panel is not the original, but a refit. I agree that the Hendrix units are beautiful and if I could do at least some of the work myself I would go with it immediately. However my avionics also need a lttle upgrade and the cabling could do with cleaning up. I might at first try a vinyl fix as suggested by M201, but in the long run will change the panel complete. I will however very soon buy his plates for the lights and cowl flap.

Norbert