Instructions on how to make a realistic cockpit panel for flight simulator?

Question

Anyone know of any websites to get instructions and or help with making a realistic flight panel with all the gauges and controls to help in playing flight sim?? Thanks!

Answer 1

I will tell you what I was involved with.....  I assisted building  two partial full-scale mock-ups of an F-18 ("The Rock"), and an F-15, ("Air-Force One").  The Hornet fuselage was  bought from a junk-dealer out in the Mojave Desert.  It was a mock-up actually built of wood by the manufacturer, and had been sitting in the desert for over 15 years.  By the time I began working on it, there were severe dips (from exposure to the elements) between the ribs, from the nose to the lexus (leading edge of wings).  I used over 52 gallons of bondo to attain smoothness. But back to the c**k-pit.  Research was made on-line and from books for the c**k-pit, and the instruments were purchased from used instrument dealers. The ejection-seat was fabricated from photos, and some parts were purchased from dealers of that sort.  We were close to reality, but some modifications were made over all the cockpit. The Eagle was made from scratch, and the same research was made for authenticity.  A couple of Aerospace worker's were used for harnessing the instruments. On both aircraft, some changes were made (switching bulbs, etc.) so that all instruments would function with a 12-Volt battery.  Also, to have a working opening canopy, a different design was built for ease.  I answered way more than you asked, but it was an such an interesting experience, I wanted to relay a small part of it to you.

Answer 2

Better off buying one.They are made variuos ways and costs.