TFT Display for NanoPi Neo Air - Can't Find Mainline Drivers

Hello, I have been trying for a few weeks to get this LCD dsiplay (Store Wiki) to work with the NanoPi Neo Air.  The display driver required is apparently the ST7789V. 

I was able to get the pair to work using this image supplied by FriendlyArm.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CAKS1BNGk6vbAsPy5HmeGdO4FPZkvksz

However, the OS introduces other issues to my setup and I don't want to depart from our beloved Armbian. at last I know the hardware working and wired correctly.

I think I need a custom kernel, but I'm not sure. 
This thread mentioned the display I am using and talked about building a custom kernel. I got the build env up ran a kernel build but I was not able to find any drivers relating to the ST7789V.

Any advice on how I can get this working? I can get the fbtft and the fb_st7789v drivers running but they do not detect the lcd display.

In case you are interested in the back story this is what I have tried so far:

• Add drivers to currently running kernel (was 4.1.x somthing at the time) according to instruction here.
  https://forum.armbian.com/topic/7119-guide-how-to-configure-tft-display-touchscreen-on-orange-pi-pc-mainline-kerneel/
• Copy kernel files from FriendlyArm OS
• Copy Armbian rootfs to friendlyArm OS image (almost worked) 
• Found out that fbtft_device name is no longer supported
• Tested two incompatible fbtft driver alternatives
  • https://github.com/bitbank2/bb_spi_lcd/tree/master/examples/spi_lcd_demo
  • Some rasberry pi only one.
• Found that I can build custom kernels fairly easily!
  https://docs.armbian.com/Developer-Guide_Build-Preparation/

EDIT:

Had trouble adding the wiki link. Here it is:
http://wiki.friendlyarm.com/wiki/index.php/Matrix_-_2'8_SPI_Key_TFT

Edited March 30, 20206 yr by Dandaman46