Tom, impressive list of instrument panels.

Skyediamonds, Love the  craftsmanship that you are putting into the seat.

Bob

Hi, Craig - just poked through this build thread and I love what I'm seeing.

Hope all is well with you and look forward to any updates on the Mr. Mulligan project

Great!  I just received the instruments from JTec.  They were just a wee bit late.  The owner even threw in an extra set to make up for the delay.  Wow. 

Sky9, that panel for me to download is just the type of instrument panel I need for the Mustang.  In fact, it IS a P-51 Mustang panel.  Great job.

I'll try to see if I can download it and use that image.  If not, then I'll fabricate my own panel using the instruments from JTec.   BTW: those instruments from JTec are very good.  The colors and detail are crisp and clear.  Very nice.

Thank you Craig.  I'll be using them for future builds as well.

Skye

What diameter(s) of dials will you be needing?

Thanks, Gary- that plan looks like a plan! I appreciate the interest and suggestions!

In my humble opinion, I see two possible options:  1) the attenuated version or simply lobbing off the rocker arms.  The latter is most appealing simply because most of the rocker arms will be hidden by the cowl anyway.

Gary, I'll look into that film- I have yet to do any heat-shrink, but this is as good a time as any to start considering it, as I picked up a NIB OS FS-20 four-stroke that's going to get me out of my Esaki safe zone at some point.

As to the engine mounts... I already have a proper scratched P&W on hand, that I did a few months ago with the idea of using it in this build. The problem is, I built it to exact 1/16 scale, not considering the fact that a balsa cowling wouldn't fit over the rocker boxes. So, I'm faced with some options here:

1.) Display without the cowling. This would entail possibly  adding carb, mag, supercharger, etc detail to the rear of the engine ( I've posted pictures of the prototype both "naked" from the firewall out, and with the rear cowling covering the ancillaries so it would be a matter of how far I wanted to go), AND finally answering the question "Am I modeling Benny Howard's airplane or the Younkin brothers' replica?" One of the changes to the replica was was in the engine mounting system, as a broken prop blade causing the engine to tear itself from the mounts is what brought down the prototype. The brothers redesigned it for their replica.

2.) Build an attenuated version of the engine with the rocker boxes left off to make room for the cowling, and display the engine I have on a stand beside the model.

3.) Just slice the rocker boxes off the one I have, space it out appropriately from the front of the fuse, and wrap it in a balsa cowling.

Or 4.) Try to wheel, hammer, and spoon an aluminum cowling with functional rocker cover fairing blisters.

What do you guys think? I'm game to attempt anything- I can't promise a satisfactory result!

I'm slammed with prep work for cars going to Watkins Glen next month, so I have time to think about it because I'm not finding much time for building right now. I gotta say, though, I'm leaning towards #4. I have some .015" dead soft 1100 aluminum I'm going to experiment with.

It's going to have to start getting some cover on soon, but I need to figure out just how I'm going to do the engine mounts. And, I either need to build the wing, or a dummy center section, so I can do the internal windshield bracing and finish the panel top. There are a lot of moving parts in this build sequence!

I did get a little bit smart and leave most of the fuselage stringers off so I don't have to replace them three times while manhandling it.

Thanks, guys, for the kind words and encouragement. Everybody gets a ride