ISSA - Building ASH 26 Instrument panel.

Building the Schuler 1:3 ASH 26 Rick Briggs
Instrument panel.
	I start with 1/4" aircraft ply for the panel, don't use balsa it won't give you the finish you want. The full size 26 I used for detailing has a "GPS" in the instrument panel as seen in the photo below. I found a dealer of glider instruments on the web and I copied a photo graph of this GPS to a file, then reduced it to scale size and printed it. Then after cutting out the back of the panel I sandwiched the photo between the green acetate and a piece of clear for the back, It gives it a transparent screen look.
	I try to get as real as I can for the panel. Here you can see the example of the full size ship. I used the EMS 1:3 scale size instrument kit.
	In this shot the panel has been pre sprayed with 3M automotive rocker panel spray ( see bottom photo), then a first cote of flat black spray paint. The rocker paint gives you a light stipple texture on the surface like the full size ships have. Next you lay out your instruments to suit you liking. As you can see, some of the inst. have a square backing, I use them as a template for the screw holes. Most instruments are mounted from the back, with screws from the front. So I only use the round ones, you can file off the square part if you don't have enough round ones. I use the small battery powered Dremell drill for real small holes. These screw heads are 1/70 in size you can get them from a model train shop.
	Now that all the screws are mounted for each of the instruments you are using, spray a final cote of your flat spray paint and let dry. I use lacquer spray paints. Don't forget to mask off the GPS face, or you could wait to mount that face last so as not to get paint on it. Then glue your instrument dials to the panel. I have found that Zap a goo II is best for this job, I lets you move the dial into position before it dries.
	This is a fast and easy way to get nice details for your scale ships. Here you can see the light texture on the face of the panel. Another tip, if you can get photos of the instruments of a full size ship, you can scan them and reduce to fit the EMS dial faces.
	This is one more way to get a very realistic look to your 1:3 models. This is "3M" rocker panel spray, you can get it at a automotive paint store. Here you can see I have also used it for the canopy cowling. The edges were made by using three layers of striping tape, cut to fit the edge of the frame. Then using plastic filler, build up the inside edge of the cowling, sand the surface flush with the tape, then remove the tape and you have what we call a panel line. I then added some hex screws to the edge like the full size, then primed for later painting.