Started on my crew seat

[Michael Carter]

Not really much to look at right now, but I'll post progress photos. I'm modeling this on the older Weber Boeing 727/737 seats from the '70's and '80's

Haven't decided yet on which base to build. It might be a hybrid.

Please tell me your opinions on this fabric color and texture I've included. This is as close as I've found so far to the right color. It's Duck Egg blue.

[Trevor Hale]

Looks good BSW.

It is like a carpet material?

I really like the shape of the crew seat. Are you going to place a 4" Foam on it?

Looking forward to more pictures.

Trev

[jmig]

Please tell me your opinions on this fabric color and texture I've included. This is as close as I've found so far to the right color. It's Duck Egg blue.

Can't say much on the carpet color. However, I am HAPPY to see I am not the only one with a lived in, worked in workshop

[Michael Carter]

I can't tell how close up the photo was taken, but I noticed the same thing about the texture. It looks like loop-pile carpeting. It's supposed to be upholstery fabric.

I'm going to call them in the morning since they are right across the river in STL.

A set of seat covers made by Coastal Aircraft is over $1,400. I'm pretty sure I'll be doing my own upholstery.

That's only one side of the shop! The e-lab bench is opposite the wood bench. It's not a very big shop; I'm pressed for room even to get a 4x8 sheet on the bucks, but it fits. I love working in my shop.

Tomorrow, I'm building the bottom edge framework, and then the bolsters (for lack of a better term) will be built underneath the bottom edge framework. Attaching the back securely is going to be a snap.

[Michael Carter]

Looks good BSW.

It is like a carpet material?

I really like the shape of the crew seat. Are you going to place a 4" Foam on it?

Looking forward to more pictures.

Trev

I'm using 3" hi-density polyurethane foam for both the seat pan cushion and the back. The seat cover material is going to snap on around the bottom framework like the originals.

Nick is holding a shoulder harness and reel retractor assembly for me at APHS.

[Bob Reed]

So along with pics, are you going to give is a few drawings so the rest of us can do this?

[Michael Carter]

I would if I had any, but I will take measuements and post tomorrow. And I'll continue to post dimensions as each piece is finalized and installed.

While surfing some sim sites, I ran across a builder who did a couple for his sim. They are pretty plain seats on a budget, but I used his basic dimensions for the seat pan and back. I had to start somewhere and I can't find dimensions for these seats anywhere. His dimensions seem proportional from the many photos of these seats I've managed to accmulate.

I increased the length of the seatpan by 2" so I had more butt and leg on the seat before the bend in the knee, as his dimensions were a little on the short side for me, and I'm of average build. (175 Lbs, 5'-10") I also used my office chair seat dimensions to find out what would be comfortable while staying within what looked like the original design.

I don't have a clue how big these seats really are, but this one is gonna fit my butt, legs, and back in comfort.

[Gsey]

I have a couple of 747 seats here which i can take measurements of if you like. They are the older webber type. As for the material I dont like that one very much. There are better ones out there for sure. I may be able to get you some of the real stuff. let me see tomorrow what I can do. And 4" of foam would be better that 3". Just glue two 2" together. Thats all we do.

Gary

[brissydave]

yep..ya just have to fiddle with the dimensions to make them "look" right.
i used 3 inch foam aswell...i didnt realise how expensive foam can be.

the weave of that sample doesnt look too bad. some seats have an almost hesian look to them....but grey in colour...just like the sample.
once a strip of sheepskin is applied it will all look fab.

its very hard to judge everything...but when the seats are in place...you find that you cant see much of them anyway...so thats kinda good/or bad seeing that i put so much work in.

i have used car recliner mechanisms to join the back rest on underneath. so at least they are adjustable. i also have used car seat rails for the time being too. until i gett off my *** and do some j style slider thingy.

btw you can already tell that they are going to look perfect from the pics....good on ya big fella...nice one.

everyone sees seats as a massive too hard thing....they are easy as.

dont forget to use the light cotton wool looking stuff as the underlay for the seat covers. or else the foam looks a bit dodgy without it.

[Michael Carter]

Well, I'll be using the 3" foam for the chair since I already have some left over from this build:


As Dave said, foam is expensive and I can't let this go to waste. Thanks for the tip on the cotton cover for the foam before the upholstery material goes on.

Back to the shop.