008work2

If you look closely you can see the original instrument panel still in-place behind (forward of) the supports for the relocated panel. Now, I understand what Bartman meant when he said he had no dash! The secondary panel is a good foot aft of the original placement! Note the secondary panel structure consists of 2 separate support tubes, one upper and one lower. Top mount is riveted to the frame and the bottom mount is riveted to the "arm rest" channel running horizonally from the firewall to the original panel supports.. Also note the rubber shock mounts installed in the panel supports (one visible at top). This is of special interest to those like myself that will be using gyro instruments. Another point of interest concerning gyros. The origianl panel's top is slanted/angled toward the nose. This is NO GOOD for gyro instruments. They need to be mounted perpendicular to the path of flight or will not read accurately. On the other hand gyro'd instruments in the vamp aren't at all necessary and most will opt to use none I'm sure. My middle name is "overkill" and that's the only excuse I'll offer:)

In this view you can see that the original panel support frame and the aft panel frame is joined by a simple (and thin) sheet of alluminum to form the "dash board top". Believe it or not, although it's quite thin, because of the bend/curve to form to the panel mount framework that little piece of sheet metal becomes very strong. However, in the case of Bart wanting to mount a compass to the top I'd brace it somehow or use something tougher.

Just a shot of my right main. If you look at the entry hole at the top it looks like the main strut has been replaced(hole cut out larger). I'm hoping this is the case as I was planning to beef up those anyway. Instead of total replacement I was thinking about sliding another tube of slightly smaller diameter inside the existing ones. Then bolt in place. This should add plenty of beef:) But, I'm guessing here and if anyone out there thinks or knows this is a bad idea please let me know, lol. Ryan, are you there? :) Also note in the background an example of the skin damage I will need to deal with soon :( Drag.

Another chair leg bites the dust:) Started working on this soon to be my Vampire throttle grip...unless I figure out a way to mount an old Hurst "T" handle on there. The grips are really pretty fun to design and make. A little Dremel goes a long way. Am thinking about putting a matched set on ebay to see what happens, lol.