The clamp man® did it again...

It was motivating to work with metal and the panel seems to be sturdy. Master switch & eng time/clock are still missing though. The panel will be spray painted with texture and black.
CB’s and switches for different circuits are installed, but the final wiring will be a challenge because I have never done it…

Reto,
Your instrument panel would make the Boeing Company proud if they had made it. One caution is to make sure that the panel doesn't touch any part of the airframe. The engine shaking during start and especially on shut down can be can be hard on instruments

Very impressive work. What dick said is really good advise.

Looks great Reto!


Bruce

Quoted from Dick Rake

Reto,
Your instrument panel would make the Boeing Company proud if they had made it. One caution is to make sure that the panel doesn't touch any part of the airframe. The engine shaking during start and especially on shut down can be can be hard on instruments

Hi Dick
Thank you for your kind words and good advise.
At the moment there is about a 3/16" gap all around the panel and the mounting rubbers are quite hard.
Might consider softer rubbers and 1/4" gap in the future.
... certainly not Airbus...  
Cheers
Reto

Quoted from aeronut

Very impressive work. What dick said is really good advise.

Hi aeronut
Thank you, quite cramped though...
And yes, Dick certainly got a good point there.
Cheers
Reto

Quoted from beragoobruce

Looks great Reto!


Bruce

Hi Bruce
I definitely have given up trying to catch up with your build...
Spending a lot of time fiddling around...  
Cheers
Reto

The locking mechanism works fine, but I had to turn around the bolt from the rear hold down bracket due to lack of space. Each bolt is held in position with two (1/2 thickness) self locking nuts. I wonder if it's the same with other builds?

Reto,
You with Bruce should set up a Minimax factory. SOOOO nice work.
I am green envy to see the instrument panel and see that this plane will not have my EFIS either... Or would ya if you have navi integrated ?
Peter

Quoted from pkoszegi

Reto,
You with Bruce should set up a Minimax factory. SOOOO nice work.
I am green envy to see the instrument panel and see that this plane will not have my EFIS either... Or would ya if you have navi integrated ?
Peter

Hi Peter
Trying... But Bruce is gifted, not me...
Realized that I am quite old school in many aspects of life...
Had to stare on the screens in a glass cockpit for many years during my former professional life...
Guess that's why I like it analogue now...  
But I hear your EFIS shall be very nice and certainly it would be a cost effective solution.
Cheers
Reto

The triangular cockpit guides which Bruce suggested work really well. It just can't move at all any more, rock solid...

First I add some corner blocks, now she is staring at me...
Perhaps I spent to much time in the workshop...  

soon I will be able to check if I really fit...

Looking good as always Reto. I am finding it quite hard to get a snug fit at the top of the Lexan windshield - the profile of the cut edge is critical. But I'm probably making it harder for myself by going for a one-piece wrap around screen.

From an earlier post of yours on the canopy locks:

Quoted Text

Each bolt is held in position with two (1/2 thickness) self locking nuts. I wonder if it's the same with other builds?

Re the above, instead of 2 stiffnuts, I used a spacer tube on the long side & pulled it tight with a single stiffnut on the other side of the lug. I don't suppose there's any advantage either way.

Bruce

Quoted from beragoobruce

Looking good as always Reto. I am finding it quite hard to get a snug fit at the top of the Lexan windshield - the profile of the cut edge is critical. But I'm probably making it harder for myself by going for a one-piece wrap around screen.

From an earlier post of yours on the canopy locks:


Re the above, instead of 2 stiffnuts, I used a spacer tube on the long side & pulled it tight with a single stiffnut on the other side of the lug. I don't suppose there's any advantage either way.

Bruce

Hi Bruce

Thank you for your insight regarding windshield and locking bolts.
The Lexan "wrapping" will be one of my next tasks too.

If you donate at least one of your wings to me, I might have a chance to catch up with you...  

What is your take on the brakes?
Only one hand lever seems to me not a reliable solution for short field landings...
Your arrangement is an ergonomic solution.
Did you have a chance to somehow test the effectiveness?

Cheers
Reto

Quoted from Reto S

The triangular cockpit guides which Bruce suggested work really well. It just can't move at all any more, rock solid...

Reto:
I'm don't understand quite well how those triangles work. Could you give us more details?
Thanks!

Quoted from Ricardo

Reto:
I'm don't understand quite well how those triangles work. Could you give us more details?
Thanks!

Hi Ricardo

The triangles are glued on the fuselage side and the cockpit frame has the negative shape (cut out). When the cockpit is closed they join and match together and the frame can't move any more.
It's great idea from an other member of the forum.
Please have a look at the pictures...
Let me know if it's clear.

Cheers
Reto

Thanks Reto! Now I get it. That's a neat feature, although my cockpit is very tight when closed, there's always room for improvement.
I also have  have in the check list, right  before departure: "Cockpit handle in the lock position".

Hey Reto, I'll give you a wing if you do my engine installation as well as yours! Those reed valve low mounted carbs don't make things easy, do they? I'm working on it. . .

Quoted Text

What is your take on the brakes?

Not sure what I can say about brakes - I'm sure others can comment with the benefit of realtime experience. I don't have any of that on this plane - yet  

I fitted heel brakes because I didn't reckon there was enough room to get toe brakes in, & I don't mind heel brakes - I think you can get used to most things.

I don't suppose they'll be particularly effective. The drums are very light pressed steel, and don't look completely true. But I'm not expecting much more than a bit of help with low speed taxiing, and the ability for at least a partial engine run up whilst doing pre takeoff checks.

I too would be interested to hear how those with differential drum brakes have arranged their system, and whether they work well.

So the Max won over the MGC gearbox?

Bruce

YEEHAW I knew there was someone out there that likes heel brakes better than toe brakes (beside me).

You can now get brake drums that are machined on the inside with a little flange on the outside to help them maintain their shape.. They are a lot better than the originals..

Quoted from beragoobruce

Those reed valve low mounted carbs don't make things easy, do they? I'm working on it. . .

I fitted heel brakes because I didn't reckon there was enough room to get toe brakes in, & I don't mind heel brakes - I think you can get used to most things.

I'm not expecting much more than a bit of help with low speed taxiing, and the ability for at least a partial engine run up whilst doing pre takeoff checks.

So the Max won over the MGC gearbox?

Hi Bruce

Thank you for your generous offer, but I will have to decline because if I accept, I will end up with one ordinary wing and one excellent wing. It might veer to one side.

I wished I could find a good solution for the brake issue. you are right about lack of space for toe brakes. I might fit heel brakes too instead. I might have missed this, but did you fabricate the hardware?

Certainly I would like to use the brakes in the same manner as you describe, just for peace of mind having differential braking available would come handy.

Neither of both... Missus has left for 3 weeks, doing some home improvement as a surprise...  

Cheers
Reto

Quoted from aeronut

YEEHAW I knew there was someone out there that likes heel brakes better than toe brakes (beside me).

Then we could found a heel brake club...  
I hope it's not a bother, would you be able to show some pictures of your brake arrangement?

Thank you and cheers
Reto

Quoted from Harless Greear

You can now get brake drums that are machined on the inside with a little flange on the outside to help them maintain their shape.. They are a lot better than the originals..

Thank you for that input...
As Bruce mentioned, mine aren't true either.
Would you have the details of a supplier handy?

Thank you and cheers
Reto

Dear members

I would appreciate if members in the forum with a differential drum brake system (heel or toe) installed in their MM could reply with some pictures of the arrangement and share their practical experience.

Thank you in advance!
Reto

Quoted from Harless Greear

You can now get brake drums that are machined on the inside with a little flange on the outside to help them maintain their shape.. They are a lot better than the originals..

Any idea where we can get these? My search has been fruitless

Sorry but I do not have any brakes on my Minimax and do not miss them. Just use good energy management; of course it helps to have a 5000' runway.

http://www.out2win.com/catalog/brakeaz.html

I have the AZ 2213-ID

Here is another one..

http://www.azusaeng.com/brakes/4brk.html