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If your dream is to build your own flightsim modelled after your favorite Airliner then look no further! We now offer two types of Panel Packages. 1. Nova Series (Engraved Acrylic With Backlit Capability) 2. Standard Series (Laminate/Wood/Lettering Decals) Please read below for more information and feel free to email or icq me for details. (19991130)
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NOVA Series Backlit Panel Kits These new panels are certainly gaining in popularity as the backlighting part of the setup really works well. Using a Professional Laser Engraver we can get an amazing level of accuracy. The material we are using arrive in the specific color we order and we simply engrave through the baked on color creating a clear lettering appearance. Once that is done the builder has the option of spray painting the reverse side white to bring out the lettering as well as enhancing the backlit effect or he can simply shine light up the rear of the panel. We are currently using a 1/16" panel material to gain the maximum level of accuracy. We studied thicker panel materials but found the end result to be very "Glassy" and not up to the level of accuracy we wanted for our own project. Being a builder we can appreciate the detail you are likely after. In order to add strength to the setup and maximize the installation process we developed "Plexi Backing Plates". These back panels are laser engraved out of 1/8" clear plexi and allow you to mount all your hardware to them, once done you simply mount the NOVA panel on top and shine as much light as you want into the back side. This approach is excellent in that you gain the thickest panels around, maximum light capability, Hardware mounting underneath and flush mount appearance on top.. perfect!! Our Advantage: 1/16" Super Accurate Looking Nova Panels with no "Glassy" Appearance Optional 1/8" Clear Plexi Back Panels for Super Strength and Hardware Mounting Professionally Laser Engraved All Panels Designed by a Commercial Illustrator Hardware Available Built with Pride and Passion By a Fellow Builder A320 PROJECT Tutorials and Building Support
Aircraft Types Available in the "Nova Backlit Series": A320 (For electronic parts info see here) A340 (For electronic parts info see here) B777 CRJ B737NG NewB747!New! F16 New! BIZJET NEW! I can accept Bank Transfers as well as Credit Cards. Please email me for details
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Standard Series Panel Kits The original type of Flightdeck kits offered have been constructed of Wood/Laminate and Vinyl Backed stick on lettering. This approach to building your own flightdeck is excellent with regards to constraining budget. This hobby can get very expensive and these packages can get you started fast and in scale. WOOD: The Wood portion of these kits is made up of 1/8" high density material. This wood is cut using an industrial CNC machine and offers an amazing amount of precision. Try to duplicate this by hand would take forever ( I tried!) LAMINATE: In order to present a consistent texture throughout the flightdeck we use laminate material cut in the exact same pattern as the wood parts. You simply glue this 1/16" layer to the wood. Many people ask if the laminate is absolutely necessary and my answer is that I believe it offers the best "finishing" results. Paint might get you close but laminate takes you the full distance. LETTERING: Professionally printed on clear vinyl. This part of the package took the longest to get ready as alot of trial and error was required until we got it right. Typically you would apply one panles worth of lettering at a time and trim away any unneeded vinyl. Once trimmed you can spray "KRYLON" on the panel to protect the lettering and flatten the appearance. This lettering approach works very well and needs only sopme patience and a steady hand. Though not able to be backlit it sure looks realistic when set up right with small amounts of lighting! Aircraft Types Available in the "Standard Series" A320 A340 B777 CRJ B737NG This Picture below shows the three primary elements that make up the Standard Type Kits: |
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The sample above is my original A320 Overhead. At the time I took this shot I was half way through
painting the reverse side bringing the lettering up to a higher degree of sharpness. If you look closely
you can see that I have started adding the Green lines like the real aircraft has!
The picture above shows the approach we take with our kits. The above panels are
the "Plexi Back Panels" that are available as an option when buying our Nova Panels.
So far, all of our builder/friends have elected to use this innovative approach.
The clear plexi back panels are 1/8" thick and are designed to offer the following advantages:
1. Offer a thicker stronger overall assembly
2. Allow you a firm base to mount your hardware
3. Allow large amounts of light to shine through to the lettering
4. Offer easy/inexpensive replacement when hardware is updated later.
A large amount of AML type switches are in place (Optional Black Caps on the way!)
and we have positioned a few of the A320 NOVA Panels back on top.
Here is the BEST PART!
FLUSH MOUNTED HARDWARE!!
Typically most panels available to us builders have had top mounted hardware.
The real aircraft we try so hard to model are usually using rear mounted hardware
and this approach will allow for that.
The samples above are from the original A320 Kit I manufactured for myself. The wood
parts can be seen on the left and I have already applied the lettering to the laminate.
To see this process check the "Build Tips" area of the web site or follow this