overhead panel

After many hours of deliberating and investigating different overhead structure options I decided to go with a simple, light and cheap method. I wasn't sure how it would end up as the strength and rigidity was in doubt, however it worked out just fine. It may not be everyone's ideal for a roof structure but once the lights are out and your looking only at the panels or scenery I don't think you'll notice.

So what am I talking about? Well I built the structure out of PVC pipe. Check out the pictures below and make up your own mind.

This is how it ended up. 40mm PVC pipe and couplings were very easy to fit and work with. Combined with the easy ability to bend and shape the pipe using a heat gun and anything was possible.

 

 

The overhead panel mounting box. The lower portion will house the aircraft's overhead panel and the upper portion will house a keyboard.

 

 

The overhead in place.

 

 

 

 

I am undecided as yet whether I will fill in the open sections of the roof or just leave them open. Time and use will tell but I'm kind of happy with it open at this stage.

 

 

Now to the panels. I started with a base panel made of 6mm plastic, the same plastic used for my main sim panel. This photo shows the cutouts ready for the switch panels to be mounted. Obviously I'd already made the panels the process of which you'll see below.

 

Here you can see the finished panels loosely placed over the backplate. The Lights panel is already finished with the home-made front plate.

 

 

And the completed panel set. All made using acrylic plexiglass and my home inkjet printer. Plenty of ink used but very low cost.

 

 

 

The backplate mounted to the overhead box. The upper portion will eventually hold my keyboard.

 

 

All switch hardware installed and ready for mounting.

 

 

 

Completed overhead mounted and ready for wiring.

 

 

 

And it results in very acceptable backlighting too.

 

 

 

I'm using a 600mm (24") household fluro light as a backlight. Panel edges need to be sealed but you can see promise in this method.

 

 

To see how to make these very simple and cheap panels download my tutorial from the sidebar of this website.