When I purchased the Simkits panel, it came with a rather crudley, slapped together, MDF ‘pedestal’ covered with a replacement C172 pedestal ‘outer shell’ made from plastic. .

I set about making a new pedestal structure. I purchased two 6mm sheets of plywood, drew the shape of the pedestal to match the plastic shell. I then clamped the two sheets of wood together and set about cutting the shape out with a jigsaw.

Plywood sheets clamped together for sawing.
The simple construction of the pedestal is very evident here.
Looking forward from the back of the pedestal with the cover on.
The pedestal with the plastic cover loosely in place.