Here is my pit in flight, 2 short videos taken by the wife holding over an NDB.

My pit is an old Thrustmaster. I fly X-plane 9 with a Cherokee 235 add on. I have 5 computers running 5 seperate views networked in the program. My front OTW view has 3 19" screens 3head2go, instrument panel is a 21"WS, lt.,& rt. views 22" WS, & a 7" for the moving map.

My work in Progress. This is an actual surplus f15A procedure cockpit that I found in a barn. The nonfunctioning MFDs will be replaced with Thrustmaster Cougar MFDs and I am adding a Ch MFD to the right console. She's done in a desert camo because I can Eventually when I can get the ok Ill hang a larger Tv on the wall. Construction is all steel except for the seat mounts, floor and stick base hump. I used 2 Cougars to make the extended shank for a full throw stick. They can both be returned to stock in about an hour. Heavy dense seat foam and 2 shifter boots add resistance for "feel" in flight. A dogfight in Il2 is quite a workout. Rudders are Simped vario pros. Not as slick as some of the other pits I have seen but those have inspired a pantload of ideas.

Awesome stuff guys!

You lucky so and so. Great find!

g.

We have traded emails before. I found your site when I first got mine. It has been my goto place for instrument layout I was amazed at how hard it is to get good console shots. I am adding thrustmasters couga rpack mdfs and a Ch mdf. I wanted to see how the instruments were so I could get the same type of layout. It wont be as accurate as yours. I dig how far you've gotten on yours. You may remember I accidentally threw out a perfectly good SFS box during rebuild of my setup I still kick myself around the house about it every now and then..

MI-8 Seat
Thrustmaster Cougar Stick, modified with curved tube
UH-1H Collective, all buttons functional
UH-1H Pedals
Saitek Pro-gamer command unit, hacked up for the FPS panel
Thrustmaster MFD's
BU0836 interface card ties all the axis and buttons together















































BU0836 card





















































































































Floorbug

Floorbug,
Awesome job! I love that you are using real world collective and pedals. Mind giving me some insight on how you modded your Cougar? How did you end up making the connection at both ends of the curved pipe? Is the pipe permanent or can you still shorten up the stick later if you so desire?
Thanks,
Dud

Thanks for the cudo's. Changing the stick back to it's original configuration would be tough. I basically modified the portion that comes out of the grip by grinding it down (it is fairly light weight cast aluminum) then cutting threads into it, so that it could be threaded into a piece of ninety degree pvc...I suppose I could try to order that particular part from thrustmaster, therby returning it to original. The bottom portion is a smaller thin alumninum pipe that fits into the larger curved pipe, I then took some channel locks and slowly worked my way around the edges flairing it so that I then could use the existing grey locking ring. I then simply soldered an extension to the wiring and viola an extended Cougar. It is only extended 12 inches, anything further makes the throws extremly unrealistic. Im not much of an electric jet jockey, so really this configuration fits me for most of the other A/C I like...A-10, AH-1,64....F4U Corsair etc..etc.

Floorbug

That collective is boss man!

Sweet heli-pit. How about some closeups of your stick and collective?

Here are a couple more shots...first the gearing and potentiometer for the collective, quite simple really.















































Side view before left and right consoles installed.














































Finally another left angle view.

I just love the use of a real collective!!!

I am totally envious of that seat!

And I am somehow strangely calmed, by the duality of a war machine simulator back-dropped with shelves of cute little dolls?!

Thanks for the close-ups! Does this collective have a twist grip for the throttle?

Just starting out on mine.

Mike D, nice start with the AB. What are your plans for the next one or additions(as you said "starting out")?

Floorbug..love the collective!

Viper "almost" complete:













And the Spitfire which is all but finished apart from some detailing, piping and monitor tray:















.

Currently completing a repaint of the interior in a darker colour.

You have been a busy boy..Love the viper

You wouldn't love it if you'd had to do the 6000 odd soldering connections*G*

Yep. years worth of work there until I got sidetracked!!

Anytime you're comming over this way, let me know.

Amazing work DarrylH, its not enough to have one incredible build is it?

Thanks DarrylH
i am Planning on upgrading the AB pit over time i have already modded the design by adding 8 inches to the height of the Chassis.
as it stands now i have Voice Activated Command and the Trustmaster Afterburner HOTAS
In the future i Hope to have a pair of MFD's new Joystick and Pedals, and Freetrack.(working on that now).
I want to get the Keyboard to Slide out from under the dash.
then there is the standard stuff, Painting and cushins for the Seat. I would like to Mod the seat to look more like a Ejector seat...