Thought I should share how we have progressed over the last week. The seat and support frame have been completed and it looks every bit the part. With it installed the cockpit shell has suddenly been transformed. Sitting in it, albeit without any of the controls mounted, one gets a sensation of what it must feel like sitting in the real aircraft. Soon, it will be almost indistinguishable from really being there.
The seat height lever operates as per the original. It is interesting to feel the different working heights of the cockpit and how it affects the view out to the front. I fitted two 350N gas struts (the original had spring cylinders), but the forces they introduced to the frame were a little unsettling so I decided to take them out again. I am not sure what the spring force on the original is but I think I will tune them down to 100N each and see if that is manageable. As it is, the seat moves easily without them if you press your back against the rear and move the handle. Only a minimum of leg input is required.
The door has been completed and installed. Again, the latching mechanism is as per the original, and operates very smoothly.
The column too is starting to take shape nicely.
I have received the double mould for the windscreen brow section and had 4 clear acrylic pieces pulled from that. Next I will be cutting that out for fitment.
