Today I began work on the side panels for the center console. I didn't like the fit of the pre-cut side panels provided in my kit, so I decided to fabricate my own. Luckily, I had a sheet of .034 6061 aluminum sheet available left over from the wing root doublers I fabricated earlier in the project.
So I created a template using a piece of cardboard (available from kit packing!) to fit the left side of the console. While it took a lot of back-n-forth to trim it into precisely the shape I wanted, this was a fairly straightforward process. Once I was happy with the template, I tested it to make sure it also fit the right side of the console. I'm happy to report it did - to report otherwise would've been depressing news on many levels.
With a new template in hand, I traced out the shape onto the aluminum sheet and called it a day.
Viewed from left forward - the pilot (L) side console panel template after fitting and trimming.
Same template seen from right forward to view rudder cable clearance.
Console side wall template transferred onto .034 aluminum sheet.