73G Panel Modification

[hayesjaj]

I'm working up a plan for my 337G (1973) panel and am looking for options. Option one is to retain the entire structure and make new overlays (carbon fiber etc) over the top.

The alternate is to use the "nibble" method to modify the original metal panel to allow for a new CNC panel to be installed over the top of it with all instruments mounted conventionally (from the rear). This is done to preserve the structure of the panel. Does anyone have pictures of how this was done on your panels?

Either way I'm likely going to add 2x MVP-50s so the RHS will need some modification either way.

Attached is my panel's present state.

[n86121]

Checkout http://www.pfluegers.com

D

[cartrm]

I would be interested in carbon fibre overlays.

Let me know if you find a source!

[hayesjaj]

Originally Posted by n86121

Checkout http://www.pfluegers.com

D

This website is not active. I’m not sure if Hal is working any longer.

[hayesjaj]

Originally Posted by n86121

Checkout http://www.pfluegers.com

D

Originally Posted by cartrm

I would be interested in carbon fibre overlays.

Let me know if you find a source!

I’m going to have https://www.maxqcomposites.com/ do one part for me to see how things go. Will report back.

[Dr.Dan]

I'm also looking for panel covers for a 73G. I plan on making some out of ABS for now, but carbon fiber would be great in the future.

DD

[SkyKing]

Do you have a photo of the ORIGINAL Cessna plastic covers before the dismantling stage? My thought is you should try and retain/maintain originality as it came from Cessna.

[hayesjaj]

Originally Posted by SkyKing

Do you have a photo of the ORIGINAL Cessna plastic covers before the dismantling stage? My thought is you should try and retain/maintain originality as it came from Cessna.

Of course, I still have all the original panels. They are in awful shape, brittle and cracked, multiple acetone repairs, etc. Also, I'm going to go with a full engine monitor solution so the whole RHS needs to be redone anyhow. See attached pic for my concept.

[Skymasterdriver]

I made overlays abs panel my first ones are very thin almost like paper but the new overlay is about a 1/16 thick so we will see how it goes for prettying up the panel after the mvp50s go in.

[JimC]

Originally Posted by hayesjaj

Of course, I still have all the original panels. They are in awful shape, brittle and cracked, multiple acetone repairs, etc. Also, I'm going to go with a full engine monitor solution so the whole RHS needs to be redone anyhow. See attached pic for my concept.

Belt, suspenders and ladder? 3 artificial horizons? I'd go with just two (your choice for backup - elec or vacuum) and use a stratus/ipad as your 3rd if you REALLY want a 3rd.

[Learjetter]

Originally Posted by hayesjaj

Of course, I still have all the original panels....See attached pic for my concept.

Nice! What computer program makes that panel rendering possible?

[Rick Erwin]

Originally Posted by hayesjaj

I'm working up a plan for my 337G (1973) panel and am looking for options. Option one is to retain the entire structure and make new overlays (carbon fiber etc) over the top.

The alternate is to use the "nibble" method to modify the original metal panel to allow for a new CNC panel to be installed over the top of it with all instruments mounted conventionally (from the rear). This is done to preserve the structure of the panel. Does anyone have pictures of how this was done on your panels?

Either way I'm likely going to add 2x MVP-50s so the RHS will need some modification either way.

Attached is my panel's present state.

I am finishing the install of two MVP-50Ps in my FT337GP.

Here are a couple things to consider:

If the structure behind your co-pilot's panel is like mine, there is a structural brace behind the panel. Its about where your previous fuel flow gauges were and it slopes upward from aft to forward. After taking that brace into consideration, I had about 1/8" vertical extra to play with to get the two MVP-50P's in the stack. Part of that 1/8" went to separate the two boxes behind the panel by about 1/16".

Also, allow space on the pilot's panel in front of you to place the 2-master warning and 2-master caution annunciator lights.

Additionally, the prop sync will be lost as it will not interface with the MVP-50Ps.

I used plexiglass sheets to do test cuts on. Then I mounted the plexiglass panel, and the instruments, to test the location of all the holes. After 4 iterations I got it the way I wanted, then cut the final panel.

Be sure to spend all the time necessary to research all the options for the MVP-50P. It's a very capable system and has a lot of options that you may, or may not, want to take advantage of.

Full panel during install

[patrolpilot]

Originally Posted by hayesjaj

Of course, I still have all the original panels. They are in awful shape, brittle and cracked, multiple acetone repairs, etc. Also, I'm going to go with a full engine monitor solution so the whole RHS needs to be redone anyhow. See attached pic for my concept.

Very nice concept!

[hayesjaj]

Thanks Rick that is a great help! Do you have any pictures of the cuts to the original panel available prior to installing the cnc'd cover? Also, looks like ours is almost identical. Would you mind sharing the CAD for the panel?

I would be interested in the options you picked for the MVP 50 as well.

[hayesjaj]

Originally Posted by Learjetter

Nice! What computer program makes that panel rendering possible?

This render is done in Solidworks. If all goes to plan, if I go with an overlay, I will 3D print them in ABS, make a mold out of fiberglass, then make a part from that mold. That is again, if all goes to plan.