This is what the instrument panel looked like before any modifications were made.
http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/PanelMugshotJet.jpg
Here, we can see a single wheel fairing attached to test whether or not the fairings would fit (they did ;)). Don't mind the garish blue color, we've recently repainted them red so they will match better. Pictures of the repainted fairings are still to come.
http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/FairingSampleJet.jpg
Problem 1: The nose gear strut was completely depressurized, and as a result simply could not bear the weight of the aircraft without collapsing entirely.... Also, the shimmy damper needed to be touched up and refilled.
http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/NoseStrutBeforeJet.jpg
The solution: we partially disassembled the strut, replaced several faulty O-rings in the hydraulic assembly, then re-assembled, refilled, and re-pressurized the strut. This was the result. (The shimmy damper was repaired off-site)
http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/NoseStrutAfterJet.jpg
Problem 2: The original instrument panel had its gauges set up in very awkward positions (refer to the panel mugshot to see which was where). Obviously, me and my stepfather (your semi-professional mechanics on duty), were unwilling to fly the aircraft with such an arrangement, so we decided to move things around.
>What you can see: The instruments have been moved to better resemble the commonly accepted T arrangement.
>What you can't see: Moving the instruments like that required that we rearrange the vacuum and static hoses behind the panel. all that said and done, this was not an easy fix to make.
http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/ReconfiguredInstrumentsJet.jpg
At the same time, we purchased a new NavCom set for the aircraft, with digital displays...
http://www.simviation.com/yabbuploads/NewNavComJet.jpg
...and a new faceplate for the Transponder. It's not actually a whole new unit, this one was just a touch-up.
