Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Lee: Did you "curve" the bottom of the panel like in the plans ? I suppose that is to keep from cutting off your legs at the knees ! I found a HYVAC shop with a HUGE hydraulic press that put the "curve" on the bottom of my panel . When the young man found out the panel was for an aircraft, he didn't even charge me !

RB

Hey RB ... Short answer is no, the leg-panel clearance is pretty significant as you know. I've only seen a half dozen or so airplanes (thorps) that actually have the radius on the panel. I suspect that was more about bending a meaty piece of alum rather than knee protection.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Lee: Have to disagree . There maybe "adequate" clearance during flight, but in the event of an off field landing I would rather have the "curved" panel than a straight edge of .090 across my knees ! The bend is probably impossible to do at home . I think the only way you can do it is with a LARGE hydraulic press . It took me many weeks to find someone that could do it, but I am glad I did . I can understand why JT put it in the plans.

RB

Ive made several from .063 2024-T3 for builders just like Lee's and made the radius bend on the bottom on my brake in the shop...it's all in setback. I agree with Rich, no sharp edges in from of me. Ninety thousandth seems a little heavy. which I would use 5052 aluminum and it will make that bend. The panel will seem flimmzy with the panel cutouts, but after the instruments are installed it will tighten up

Another idea, admittedly heavier, is to run a piece of angle across the bottom that is flush with the bottom of the panel. Thats what I ended up doing and ran a hinge all the way across the bottom (of the backside) of the panel.

I had to do that also Ray, by the time I installed my engine instrument panel cut about half in two with the 2in holes. I formed me and angle out of .090 5052 and ran along the bottom of the panel. The leg of the angle that goes back under the panel made a good shelf to tie the wiring to. I had some pics of it on the old website, would post them here but I lost the hard drive on my old computer along with all of my old pics of the build. My panel was a pain to set up, the ends of it are curved and this was a royal pain........Dan

Bill: I looked at the plans again and it sez .091 2024 .

RB

That's where the bonded second piece comes in. Bend the .063, bond on a second maybe .040 and you get it all. That is how my panel is made. Leave off as many of the sharp corners as possible in the cockpit area.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

Yeah guys, I agree the radius on the lower panel is "safer" but I can think of only a handful of thorps that actually have it. For that matter I'm having a hard time thinking of anything I've flown , production or homebuilt that have a rounding lower edge. Either way it can't hurt!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Yeah guys, I agree the radius on the lower panel is "safer" but I can think of only a handful of thorps that actually have it. For that matter I'm having a hard time thinking of anything I've flown , production or homebuilt that have a rounding lower edge. Either way it can't hurt!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

That's exactly what I did too, Bob.

Great minds think alike... I wish I could remember who thought of that for me! <--(I know that's Rich Brazell's logo, but I like it too!)

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

Not my Logo...it belongs to the "Mod Squad !" You are probably to young to remember that show !

RB

I don't recall seeing this "Bonding Process" in ANY of the NL's ? SECRET NORFORN ?

RB

I do remember Linc!

Notice how I'm building my "post" count? I've been studying Fraser and you! Now I'm a "Full Member"!!!

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

Lee, you flew with me at KD and I forgot to inform you the bottom of my instrument panel has a radius during pre flight, sorry.
Rich, I think JT used .090 because back in the 70's most instruments needed to be shouck mounted. Rule of thumb, "If you throw it up into the air and it comes back down, it's not an airplane part". The RV's panel are .063