My B747-400 Build help

[Jabsher]

Hello all,

I'm starting my B747-400 project and I need help!  This is my first build and this site has been an excellent resource.  Rather than start a new thread every time I have a question I just figured I would put it all here so it's in one place.

So here's the first question... I'm about to start on the overhead panel.  My plan was to find print outs of each section of the panel, print it on film, then adhear it to plexiglass and coat it with a clear coat.  This would allow for backlighting and accuracy in the look of panel.  I would then cut out holes for switchs/buttons....

However, there's plenty of pictures of these panels on the internet, but no "clean" print outs I could use.  Does anybody know where I could find these?  Also, I can't find dimensions for the overhead, does anyone have any?

Do you guys think I'm going about the overhead in the right way?  Or is there an easier (but still authentic and affordable) way to do this?

Thanks guys!

[Fcoq]

Hello jabsher

Are you interested by cnc machining panels?

You can look my work for an mcp in attachment

Franck

[Trevor Hale]

Hi James.

You are venturing down a path many of us have been before. It literally is the most cost effective means to start your project. The best thing to try and do is get ahold of a flight safety paper trainer. Usually it's a PDF and you can get it from places like sporties pilot shop. But be warned that the light will bleed through. And when you cut the holes on the plexi cracking can occur.  You may have to forego the square aml type switches for just round toggles to eliminate the cracking.

In either case. Buying CNC panels does cost more but you can buy one or two at a time and the end result will be far superior

Trev

[bernard S]

my two cents.. by the time you mess about getting dims, materils switches knobs and a whole lot of other items ..not to mention do overs ..your just better off buying either aircraft or simulated panels fully populated...i dont know what stage your build is at.. if its in the begining or early stages ..i would apply your best efforts to the design of your floor the deeper the better ..concentrate on up down left right faster slower turn and stop .. get those going first .then worry about panels .. there is a million other things to do first ..in short get your mechanicals out of the way first

in relation to doing the overhead first ..why its a huge expensive project in its own right.. nothing is cost competitive in building a sim as you will come to realise.. what are you going to put the overhead in? how are you going to support it ? I am not trying to rain on your parade its just i have been where you are and have a few t shirts to prove it ...

[Jabsher]

Thanks for the reply guys.  A few notes...

I have a friend who could cnc the panels for me, at cost. However, without the drawings it can't be done. Hence why I'm concidering making them myself by hand. 

As far as why the overhead.  I'm actually working on a few different parts at once, not just the overhead.  I wanted to start working on the overhead as its modular, and I can work on it during my downtime when I'm not at home.

Edit:  Found the panel sizes right after I posted this. 
http://cockpit.varxec.de/plans/

[fsaviator]

Or you can do what every one of us here should have done in the first place.  Sell everything you own and move into a large storage unit.  Take all the money you made selling everything and buy this.

[ebay]132014653207[/ebay]

Done!  You'll have saved time and money in the long run!

[RayS]

I solved the cracking issue when drilling plastic panels.

I have a few drill bits  that are called step drill bits... Drill a pilot hole then us the step drill bit to finish the hole to your dimension required.

They are expensive but after several ruined panels in my building endeavors, these things work like a charm.

[Jabsher]

Or you can do what every one of us here should have done in the first place.  Sell everything you own and move into a large storage unit.  Take all the money you made selling everything and buy this.

[ebay]132014653207[/ebay]

Done!  You'll have saved time and money in the long run!

And I'll be single again!  Hahaha 

I solved the cracking issue when drilling plastic panels.

I have a few drill bits  that are called step drill bits... Drill a pilot hole then us the step drill bit to finish the hole to your dimension required.

They are expensive but after several ruined panels in my building endeavors, these things work like a charm.

This is awesome! 

So I've scrapped the printing the labels on film idea.  I think I'm just going to cut the panels and paint them.  But how do you solve the transparent lettering/label issue (for backlighting)?  I was thinking about using sticker letters, then painting over it, and removing the stickers. Is there a better way to do this?

[Trevor Hale]

Plexi panels painted white...  a couple coats, then painted Grey a couple coats then CNC the lettering to remove only the Grey.  This gives you the back lighting for the  lettering.. 

There are videos on this you can see on youtube.

White sticky letters will not work for you because you will never get them small enough, or straight enough.

[bernard S]

 still dont understand why you so fixed on building your  own panels 9 times out of 10 they look micky mouse whos switching are you using.. look simplest why to get correct panels is buy cockpit training poster scale it to 1.1 and your done but then you are limited to aircraft switches ... again i will tell you this ..you are just opening can of  problems 

[jackpilot]

I solved the cracking issue when drilling plastic panels

Just use Lexan for your panels
Lexan does not crack or split , can be cut, drilled, thermo bent etc...

https://www.sabic-ip.com/gep/Plastics/en/ProductsAndServices/ProductLine/lexan.html

[Jabsher]

I solved the cracking issue when drilling plastic panels

Just use Lexan for your panels
Lexan does not crack or split , can be cut, drilled, thermo bent etc...

https://www.sabic-ip.com/gep/Plastics/en/ProductsAndServices/ProductLine/lexan.html

Nice! Thanks!

[RayS]

I can tell you first-hand that Lexan can fracture if drilled incorrectly or too aggressively. If you remove the protective plastic sheeting, the problems get worse. The only way I've figured out how to drill Lexan, or any other plastic material without fracturing it, is with a step drill bit. Using a standard drill bit on lexan can give you holes that aren't perfectly round or might be somewhat off-center, depending on the bite of the drill bit.

I solved the cracking issue when drilling plastic panels

Just use Lexan for your panels
Lexan does not crack or split , can be cut, drilled, thermo bent etc...

https://www.sabic-ip.com/gep/Plastics/en/ProductsAndServices/ProductLine/lexan.html

[jonesthesoftware]

If you have the money this could be your answer

http://www.flightdecksolutions.com/components/b747/b747-overhead/b747-ibl-series-overhead-panel-set/

regards
geoff

[jackpilot]

I agree with Bernard (for once!  ) the OVH is probably the most complex part of a 747 build and it would be wiser to concentrate first on the MIP, which is fairly streamlined, to get experience and faster results.

Ray,  I disagree (for once ! ) I drilled about 450 holes in my circuit breakers panels (with a column drill) and never had a single crack, cut the panels with a jigsaw and here also not a single issue. (hasprobably  to do with Canadian Lexan! lol) Polycarbonates are a bit pricey but worth the expense.

All this ...my 2¢ 

[Jabsher]

I agree with Bernard (for once!  ) the OVH is probably the most complex part of a 747 build and it would be wiser to concentrate first on the MIP, which is fairly streamlined, to get experience and faster results.

Ray,  I disagree (for once ! ) I drilled about 450 holes in my circuit breakers panels (with a column drill) and never had a single crack, cut the panels with a jigsaw and here also not a single issue. (hasprobably  to do with Canadian Lexan! lol) Polycarbonates are a bit pricey but worth the expense.

All this ...my 2¢ 

I'm actually running a few projects simultaneously.  I have the MIP all drawn out, just need to cut it.  I actually really enjoys the physical building parts of the project, I guess it's the novice craftsman in me.  The electronic sides of things (software, wiring...) is what worries me, that's not my strong area.

[RayS]

"Canadian Lexan"!

Love it! You guys up north get all the good stuff!

[jackpilot]

 

We get most of the snow tooooo !

[Jabsher]

Hey guys,

So I'm about to order the korey switches for the overhead but I need a little help from you guys.  I know what needs to be printed on the switches (see diagram below), but I don't know which switches are ON-OFF or MON-OFF.  Does anyone know?

[B747-400]

Hi James,

I picked up my OVHD panel a few days ago - and my website update is in progress!

Here are two pics who shows which switches can be switched ON and OFF. All others are momentary switches.
If you realize a setup with Autostart feature, this switch is also ON / OFF - but not installed in my setup!





Hope that helps!

Cheers
Hans

[Jabsher]

This is awesome!  This is exactly what I was looking for.  Thank you very much.  If you have the time, can you clarify the fuel panel?   

[B747-400]

All switches on the fuel panel are ON / OFF.
The symbols on the two switches with the switch guard are same as the X FEED switches.

Cheers
Hans

[Jabsher]

All switches on the fuel panel are ON / OFF.
The symbols on the two switches with the switch guard are same as the X FEED switches.

Cheers
Hans

Thanks Hans!

[Jabsher]

For anyones who's interested, I've taken Hans photo and labeled the switches that are MON-OFF as well as the one with switch guards.