Some pics of the project& it still looks a lot like this. There's so much involved beyond the basic construcion
Gear panel & ECM will get printed w/ white text. Knob have since been painted like the
real ones. Note. The SW's are recessed like they are in the real panels (top part of panel is the backlit part and cut out around SW's like in real plane. I thought about back-lighting. (not practical).
Switch plates & panels are made from acrylic, ABS & PVC scrap. $1.00 Lb. at Tap Plastic.
I've got a buddy who recycles computers / electronics.
WOW is that handy, you can't beat free parts!!! Collecting good switches takes time. they're expensive to buy and the quality is usually crappy.
ebay is a good place to get toggle SW's really cheap.
I bought about 200 for $60-$70 USD. Now I just need rotary's.
scavenged stuff can be top quality if you get the right stuff like old test
equipment.
Gear handle assembly.
To move gear handle, the button must be pushed down to activate the solenoid for either up or down.
I used 2 SW's on either side that hook up to the keyboard matrix.
I also used some nylon washers and a lock nut to stiffen the action, so its harder to push up / dn
& it still looks a lot like this. There's so much involved beyond the basic construcion
