Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate This Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
#2849902 - 08/28/09 05:36 PM Generic Warbird Simpit Build *****  
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
PropNut Offline
Member
PropNut  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
Greenville, Michigan
EDIT on my EDIT: A nice bloke dropped by today and took the simpit away. He plans on putting a BU0836 back in and perhaps a projector. I hope it works out and maybe he will post a thread about his rebuild.

Thanks to everyone that kept an eye out on my simpit build and expressed their ideas and support.


Edit: Since I built my rollout simpit (sorta simpit) I have not used this simpit and my wife would like the walk-in closet back.

The choices are: 1. Toss the old pit on the burn pile, or 2. Find someone that wants it.

So, anyone in the West Michigan area want it? I am just north of Grand Rapids MI and am willing to let you haul it off.

What does it come with? Well...I have removed all of the electronics except the control stick and throttle assembly. You will need a Joystick controller (like the Leo Bodnar BU0836X that I used) to resurrect those flight controls.

Pretty much it is an empty shell, but a comfy one. It would make a good driving pit as well as a simpit for anyone that wants to tinker....

OH Yeah! And it is FREE to whoever wants it!

PM me and we can arrange something. But please do it fast, my wife wants it gone sooner rather than later!



Hello all,

I started on my simpit last night by building the seat. I will have pictures on Monday (I am not home this weekend).

The seat is made of 3/4 plywood (cabinet grade) inspired by an Adriondack chair. The padding is memory foam covered with fake leather (from the fabric store).

This simpit will be a 3/4 enclosure as I am using a projector system rather than LCD's. I decided on a generic pit as I prefer combat games such as Rise of Flight, IL-2, etc. I am not a fan of Heli's or Jet's (although I am very impressed by those pits based on the genre).

I am making the controlls, throttle quadrent, stick, etc. I do have the x52 but do not plan on using in the pit. A Saitek Aviator has provided 5 axis' and 18 buttons but I am also going to pick up a rotery controller from Desktop Aviator for more axis', buttons, and toggles.

The gauges will all be fake (just for show) for now, but will be backlit.

This is my first build, comments are welcome and I will post pictures as I go (got that shiny new Sony DSLR for some reason, might as well use it)

I own a cabinet shop but would still appreceate advice on the best way to build the carcus. I plan on making it modular, this way I can build it in the shop, then transport it to my upstairs "man cave"....and of course move it into the walk-in closet when we need more than to spare bedrooms (we have a HUGE house). The room is 14x16 so I should be able to get a large projection. I have been inspired by Simpit.net


Last edited by PropNut; 01/05/12 10:50 PM.

F/A-18C Hornet cockpit build project:

http://hornetpits.org/index.php?topic=15.0
Inline advert (2nd and 3rd post)

#2850007 - 08/28/09 08:26 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: PropNut]  
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 402
SFViper19D Offline
Forum Scout
SFViper19D  Offline
Forum Scout
Member

Joined: May 2009
Posts: 402
Goshen, IN.
Can't wait to see it.

PS. Nice custom computer!
PSS. Nice Battletech collection!!


"In the absence of orders, go find something and kill it."
- Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

I5-2500K
Corsair H80 Cooler
Asus P8Z68-V PRO
16GB DDR3 1600 Corsair Vengeance
Diamond Radeon HD5870
1TB HDD
Corsair HX750w
Windows 7 (64-bit)
#2850097 - 08/28/09 11:48 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: SFViper19D]  
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
PropNut Offline
Member
PropNut  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
Greenville, Michigan
Thanks Viper, that cabinet is three levels deep....too bad it is so hard to find players these days frown


F/A-18C Hornet cockpit build project:

http://hornetpits.org/index.php?topic=15.0
#2850723 - 08/30/09 05:08 AM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: PropNut]  
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,955
Sokol1 Offline
Senior Member
Sokol1  Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,955
Internet
PropNut,

Based in your wooden PC case, I imagine a fine cockpit! thumbsup
BTW - Show us pic of your Baloo Rudder Pedal.

Sokol1

Last edited by Sokol1; 08/30/09 05:09 AM.
#2851719 - 08/31/09 11:48 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: Sokol1]  
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
PropNut Offline
Member
PropNut  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
Greenville, Michigan
Pictures pictures pictures, here are some pictures.

I will start with the control stick, I wanted something that looked a bit more real than the x52 that I use now. I decided to hack a Logitech USB joystick for the mechanical pivot and pots, the electronics had a glitch in it so I am feeding it to a second joystick that I have hacked (Saitek Aviator). The Aviator also runs the rudder pedals. I have 4 buttons in the handle for the guns (all airplanes should have guns!). The bungies are temporary until I can figure out something better (like the spring on the X52) for self centering. (Or I might leave it as is) I hacked an old typewriter for parts, the stick is 3/4" PVC pipe, and the handle is 3/4 cabinet grade plywood.
I flew a couple of mission on IL-2 with it today, it works pretty good!





On to the rudder pedals, I apologize for the poor quality of the photos. I should not take pictures of a black object against a black background...bad PropNut!





I wanted a seat that was confortable for me (I am 6'4 300lb) so I wound up with a throne more than a pilots seat. The rear fuse will be contoured like the seat, and I made sure there was a confy headrest for those long autopilot naps!






Next up will be the structure, I want to have that done so I can design the throttles etc.


F/A-18C Hornet cockpit build project:

http://hornetpits.org/index.php?topic=15.0
#2852770 - 09/02/09 12:35 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: PropNut]  
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
PropNut Offline
Member
PropNut  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
Greenville, Michigan
I built the two side boxes for the cockpit, 39x24 (the reach of my fingers). They will house the trackball (on the right), the throttles, prop pitch lever, flap lever, trims, etc. on the left. They are built of 1x1 pine (frame) covered with 1/4" plywood (luaan). There are removable inner access hatches and the curved ribs of the outer shell will attach to the outer frame. I will have pictures on Friday of the carcus. Hopefully I will have the ribs finished and attached by that time also.

In addition, I have the rear bulkhead completed. The CPU case will attach to this area and the controls will feed back via USB cables under the pedestal (which will be 4" high)

Everything is designed to break down and be portable (maybe I will bring this to the Dayton Dawn Patrol!)

How about some comments and suggestions, I would be happy to incorporate good ideas into this build. I am pretty much designing it as I go along. Any help would be appreceated.


A note on the control stick, I was inspired by the stick in an I-15 WWII fighter such as this one:
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Polikarpov-I-15bis-(replica)/1544905/&sid=ef85b1dac8e20b5bf04578539b0a5bbd


David

Last edited by PropNut; 09/02/09 12:38 PM. Reason: added info about the stick

F/A-18C Hornet cockpit build project:

http://hornetpits.org/index.php?topic=15.0
#2852819 - 09/02/09 01:37 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: PropNut]  
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,221
f15sim Offline
More projects than sense!
f15sim  Offline
More projects than sense!
Member

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,221
Graham, WA
PropNut, do you mind if I borrow your seat design? I was going to install some kind of car seat in my personal Series One cockpit, but after seeing your seat I'm reconsidering. I'd be happy to post drawings online for others so they can build one as well.

ttyl!

g.


Proud owner of 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://geneb.simpits.org - the Me-109F/X Project
#2852826 - 09/02/09 01:54 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: f15sim]  
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
PropNut Offline
Member
PropNut  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
Greenville, Michigan
You are more than welcome, consider this build freeware wink


F/A-18C Hornet cockpit build project:

http://hornetpits.org/index.php?topic=15.0
#2853187 - 09/02/09 08:49 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: PropNut]  
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 352
pakfront Offline
Ground Looper
pakfront  Offline
Ground Looper
Member

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 352
CA, USA
Since you are clearly going for gold and have the skills to get there, how about placing a small (13" or less) LCD screen in your control panel, rather than fake backlit instruments? As I'm sure you know, some sims allow you to have a seperate screen with instuments that interact with the sim. For those that don't you could turn it off or just display a static image of the controls.

If you went touchscreen you could even get it to control the sim using TouchBuddy.

Last edited by pakfront; 09/02/09 08:49 PM.

. A pig that doesn't fly is just a pig. - Porco Rosso
. Windows 8, Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3ghz, 8GB RAM
. GeForce 560 640mb @ 1920x1200 32bpp 96dpi
. TrackIR 3 Vector, Logitech G940 & G25
#2853195 - 09/02/09 08:56 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: pakfront]  
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
PropNut Offline
Member
PropNut  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
Greenville, Michigan
Pakfront, excellent suggestion. My main interest in flight sims is quick dogfights etc in prop aircraft (no later than WWII or Fantasy WWII+...with the exception of future Mechwarrior releases). I did not feel that higher end gadgets were neccecary for this build. I wanted to keep it as simple as possible. I am, however, going to make sure there is plenty of room for future upgrades to my pit. I may decide in the future to do servo driven instruments, and MFD or two, etc. At that time I can easily remove the current instrument panel and make a new one. The major drawback that I see to those (really neat) toys is that the software is usually specific to one program and I am not at all loyal to a particular game. I really wish there were a standard for all games, but that would not appeal to the majority of the buying public.


F/A-18C Hornet cockpit build project:

http://hornetpits.org/index.php?topic=15.0
#2853203 - 09/02/09 09:06 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: PropNut]  
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 352
pakfront Offline
Ground Looper
pakfront  Offline
Ground Looper
Member

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 352
CA, USA
Simple, um yeah... I wish I had the skills to build stuff that simple! Good luck and keep us updated - looks like a great project.


. A pig that doesn't fly is just a pig. - Porco Rosso
. Windows 8, Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3ghz, 8GB RAM
. GeForce 560 640mb @ 1920x1200 32bpp 96dpi
. TrackIR 3 Vector, Logitech G940 & G25
#2853245 - 09/02/09 09:52 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: pakfront]  
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
PropNut Offline
Member
PropNut  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
Greenville, Michigan
But it is simple! Course, it helps to own a cabinet shop and access to lots of extra supplies. wink
I appreceate your comments though, thanks for following along.


F/A-18C Hornet cockpit build project:

http://hornetpits.org/index.php?topic=15.0
#2855077 - 09/05/09 05:02 AM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: PropNut]  
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
PropNut Offline
Member
PropNut  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
Greenville, Michigan
Ok, more pictures:

The parts coming together, you can see the nose and one of the sides sitting next to the seat.



The entire thing sitting together, they are just sitting together, nothing has been bolted, finish sanded, etc. It is very rough.





The entire thing sitting on the pedestal, note that the pedestal slopes in to simulate a more rounded fuselage. This is roughly patterned after the SE5a of WWI.



More pictures as I get parts ready.


F/A-18C Hornet cockpit build project:

http://hornetpits.org/index.php?topic=15.0
#2855606 - 09/06/09 05:43 AM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: PropNut]  
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,221
f15sim Offline
More projects than sense!
f15sim  Offline
More projects than sense!
Member

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,221
Graham, WA
Looks fantastic!

g.


Proud owner of 80-0007
http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
http://geneb.simpits.org - the Me-109F/X Project
#2855694 - 09/06/09 11:58 AM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: f15sim]  
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 471
MudPuppy Offline
Member
MudPuppy  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 471
Appalachian foothills in Virgi...
I'm with Gene. This is looking great, thanks for posting pics of the progress.
With all the folks playing Rise Of Flight and flying the wood and canvas crates, I was sure we would have seen a simpit covered with painted canvas by now. smile
Regards,
MP

#2855714 - 09/06/09 01:33 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: MudPuppy]  
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
PropNut Offline
Member
PropNut  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
Greenville, Michigan
aahhhh, you gave the surprise away MudPuppy wink

Thanks everyone, it has been an obsession.


F/A-18C Hornet cockpit build project:

http://hornetpits.org/index.php?topic=15.0
#2856377 - 09/07/09 04:40 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: PropNut]  
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 352
pakfront Offline
Ground Looper
pakfront  Offline
Ground Looper
Member

Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 352
CA, USA
PropNut, looking great. A couple questions, if you don't mind:
What are the dimensions, roughly?
What thickness and type of ply are you using to cover it?
What tool do you use to do the large radius curve cuts?
If you are planning on surfacing it with fabric, is there a safe(er) dope to use these days?


. A pig that doesn't fly is just a pig. - Porco Rosso
. Windows 8, Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3ghz, 8GB RAM
. GeForce 560 640mb @ 1920x1200 32bpp 96dpi
. TrackIR 3 Vector, Logitech G940 & G25
#2856394 - 09/07/09 05:20 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: pakfront]  
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
PropNut Offline
Member
PropNut  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
Greenville, Michigan
Hi Pakfront,

It is 44" wide by 60" long and 39" tall.

I am using 1/8" door skin plywood. This perticular product is baltic birch and is 5 ply, most is 3 ply but that would work perfectly also. I just happened to have several sheets laying around the shop.

I laid out the radius with a string and then cut it with a jigsaw. I then cleaned up the radius with a 80" edge sander (side belt sander on a pedestal).

The fabric that I was thinking of is Polyester Dress lining from Joanne Fabrics (about 1.00 a yard) and I would use clear contact cement to adhere it. You can use several products but the best might be a water based contact cement from a company called Weldwood (easy to find at most hardware stores and they have water based adhesive) you can paint it on the wood, let dry and then iron the fabric to it (I use a commercial type contact cement that is chemical based). As far as dopeing the fabric, I had not planned on doing so, just paint. Polyester shrinks when you heat it. If you want to dope the fabric you can purchase several products that are 'safe' from Aircraft Spruce and other such companies.


F/A-18C Hornet cockpit build project:

http://hornetpits.org/index.php?topic=15.0
#2856456 - 09/07/09 06:59 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: PropNut]  
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,118
Brigstock Offline
Senior Member
Brigstock  Offline
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,118
London, England
I love the concept of it being an SE5, perfect smile

The stick is looking good too, very in keeping with the SE5 spade grip.

Well done PropNut, looking forward to further updates

#2856464 - 09/07/09 07:34 PM Re: . New Simpit build [Re: Brigstock]  
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
PropNut Offline
Member
PropNut  Offline
Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 792
Greenville, Michigan
Thanks Brigstock,

This is not really patterned after any one aircraft, it just looks simular to an SE5a fuse. The grip is modeled after an I-15 russian WWII fighter that I found on airliner.net.

I really just wanted a quick shell that I could use, I am really looking forward to making the rest of the controls.

I set up the projector last night in one of the spare bedrooms, it is awesome! It fills an entire 12' wall floor to ceiling.

I have all the parts for the computer;
EVGA 680i A2 MotherBoard (SLI)
Intel Q6600 Quad core CPU (B2 stepping)
4 gigs Corsair DDR2 memory (800)
WesternDigital IDE 160gb HD
ASUS Nvidia 9600GSO 3D card (96 pipes)
Cooler Power 480W PSU

These will be mounted in the nose of the cockpit under the dual hoods. I need to make some "t" nuts to hold the hoods down, right now I am using hex bolts but the "t" nuts would look better.

Big change in the design:
I decided to have the seat slide out the back for egress instead of a suicide door on the left. I have two sets of 24" full extention slides left over from a custom build (customers) and I bolted them together to give me 50" (1" over travel each), I mounted a wheel on the bottom rear of the seat to take the weight of the pilot (in my case a very strong wheel, lol) and the slides are just to keep everything in line over the travel. This way you can sit and slide into place. I can also make it so the seat has several ajustment settings for legroom if anyone else every uses it (which I honestly doubt, I have no sim buddies around here).

Pictures later today. I have it disassembled so I could paint the insides of the components.


Last edited by PropNut; 09/08/09 12:42 AM.

F/A-18C Hornet cockpit build project:

http://hornetpits.org/index.php?topic=15.0
Page 1 of 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Moderated by  RacerGT 

Quick Search
Recent Articles
Support SimHQ

If you shop on Amazon use this Amazon link to support SimHQ
.
Social


Recent Topics
Carnival Cruise Ship Fire....... Again
by F4UDash4. 03/26/24 05:58 PM
Baltimore Bridge Collapse
by F4UDash4. 03/26/24 05:51 PM
The Oldest WWII Veterans
by F4UDash4. 03/24/24 09:21 PM
They got fired after this.
by Wigean. 03/20/24 08:19 PM
Grown ups joke time
by NoFlyBoy. 03/18/24 10:34 PM
Anyone Heard from Nimits?
by F4UDash4. 03/18/24 10:01 PM
RIP Gemini/Apollo astronaut Tom Stafford
by semmern. 03/18/24 02:14 PM
10 years after 3/8/2014
by NoFlyBoy. 03/17/24 10:25 AM
Copyright 1997-2016, SimHQ Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.0