For those of you who didn't see my original post, you can see how I happened upon this hunk of metal. This will be the thread I use to update my progress.

Overall, I don't have a ton of time to work on it, so this will take some time. But I think it's gonna be a blast!

Here are some of the initial pics of progress I have.

First off, here is some pics of the original throttle and stick dampers. Maybe some of you have some good ideas of how one could wire them up.

The levers for the throttle each move a circular disc that's mounted to a common axle. The friction lever seems to spread two shoes inside the discs that locks them into position. Those two small stubs on the bottom of the discs move up when you pull the throttles off so you can move them into the fuel cutoff position. I thought of different ways of rigging them. The only thing I could think of to make them accurate enough would be to mount gears onto the bottom and have them mesh with gears that would move a pot underneath the throttle.



The flight stick is connected to two of these dampers. They represent an X and Y axis. I thought about maybe making a linkage that would move a linear pot. Only problem is that these things move about in the housing, so the pot would have to be mounted onto the damper itself.


In the end, I decided there is no way I can't just buy these and make them work seeing as they are pretty close to the real thing (the switches I have the originals are actually better quality, but in the end, I just can't justify all that time when these will feel better and be that much more accurate).


Ack! So close to just fitting!!! about 3mm too wide. Guess I'll need to mod the panel.


Here is the space I have to fit the throttles into. It will work without too much effort.


Pick of the new stick next to the old one. I have an extension ordered and being shipped pronto.


The center panel containing all the circuit breakers. What's awesome is that all these circuit breakers are actually already wired with switches. Just need to be interfaced.


Here is the center panel. Some of those switches are ready to go, most of them aren't. I'm thinking of using simmeter's stuff, but am open to suggestions.


Pic of the pit with the center and left panels removed. This thing had been sitting in a sea can for years. So it's got a lot of dust in there.


There are no pedals that come with this thing. Below is the width I have for the foot well. Any suggestions for what to use as pedals? I'm leaning towards the Saitek setup. But again, very open to suggestions.


There you guys have it. Have a good one!

I'm glad you went with the warthog. If you wanted, you could do with HALL effect sensors rather than potentiometers.

I was also thinking you could remove the "case" holding the throttle assembly, maybe that'll make it fit.

Can you give me measurements of the joystick from the base/floor to the end where it connects to the actual stick? And how "bent" is that extension?

Cheers!

That's amazing stuff right there, right up there with Gene's F-15 pit. No substitute for the real deal!

What looks like good news is all those screws on your left panel area for the throttle appear to just be mounted in a series of holes on each side. You might not have to mod anything with those fake radio panels and maybe only have to move them down one peg to the rear. I would take them out and see how they might line up in a dry fit with the WH throttle added in for good measure.

ANy chance that you want to get rid of the B8 grip?

I have a few spare parts you may need check your pms and drop me a line .

You can normaly find B8 Grips on eBay for around $200.00

Quiet the setup you have!

Does any one know if this guy is still around? I would like to help him out but no reply from pms. thanks

This may help you out https://sites.google.com/site/thewarthogpit/home

So I realize that I am not so good at replying to people's PM's and requests. There have been some requests for the measurements of the left console. I also took a measurement of the flight stick. Hopefully these will suffice. Progress has been much slower than I hoped, but life is life. I'm still trying to decide what to use for interfacing the switches. I've had some very...well..let's just say "interesting" offers come through. We'll see what transpires.

FYI, I probably won't be able to sell any parts from this trainer. The owner loves to keep stuff, no matter how trivial it may seem. Sorry folks!

Hepkat, the Simped F-16 USB pedals would fit, but the price (with the exchange rate as it is) could be too much. A second hand TM RCS with some mod gear from CubPilot could be an option, but might need additional conversion to USB. (Bodnar's BU0836X might fit the bill and more)

what about saitek combat pedals?

I have the Saitek Combat Pedals, the base at it's widest point is 16.5" and the pedals at their widest are 17.5 so they might be perfect for your use.

there's some nice info and pictures about the layout of the controls for the A10 here: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=45095

There are some A-10A and A-10C panels listed on eBay now

There are some things that can't bee unseen!! I can't believe you hacked the side counsel to put a Warthog Throttle in it with out taking off the bottom plate.I am sorry but I can't believe some one is actually paying to do this kind of work. I hope it comes out well for you but you should really look for some real parts.

No one is paying me a cent for this project. Forgive me for "hacking" the side console apart. The bottom plate was not the issue. It was the width of the throttle itself. I spoke with someone who is good with metal working and we decided that would be best. Sorry if you figure there are better ideas. I'll be sure to ask your permission before I make any modifications. LOL!

A-10 throttle quadrants are pretty rare beasties. In 1998/99 I scored one for $500 on eBay. That's the only time I've seen one there. (I eventually traded it plus cash to another eBay seller for an F-15 (pre MSIP II) throttle quadrant)

I cringed when I saw the cut as well, but if he's got a good sheet metal guy helping him, it's not nearly as bad as you think.

g.

I guess what "we" are curious is, why not just take the throttle control out of the cougar case and mount it?

Because the Cougar is for one of those wimpy aluminum lawn darts, not a reigning God of 30MM DU Death Spitting Awesomeness.



g.

Well Hepkat I did offer to sell you parts in several emails before i posted some of the A-10A items. I had for sale on eBay.
A Throttle at a very reasonable price, the other two item are higher priced do to the rarity of the items
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290569713730&ssPageName=STRK:MEUSX:IT

Other were Items like a landing gear panel, http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290569713851&ssPageName=STRK:MEUSX:IT

A weapons panel http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290569713648&ssPageName=STRK:MEUSX:IT

Warning light panel http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290569767068&ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT

and several other item that have all ready sold. You may wish to check with me do to the fact that I do have one of the largest collection of real panels and parts for the A-10A/C and sell them some time for much less then asked on eBay to people that are actually building something. but you did wish me luck on the sales thanks

Your first post in "I happen upon this" Thread has me a bit confused. Where you clearly state that you are being payed by the owner to work on his pit

Deadman,

Fair enough, I see how you were confused. Poor choice of words on my part, I honestly don't know why I wrote that I was getting paid to do this. So sorry for the word salad. Further down in the same post I correctly stated the deal ("he pays parts, I do the labor").

I didn't take the throttle out of its case (it was discussed) just due to the fact that I'd rather keep warranty, and when it's mounted in there, it actually looks decent. You are welcome to disagree with my decision, but I ain't a wizard like Gene is. Bottom line though, if that hole I cut really winds up hurting me, I can get a replica panel cut without too much hassle. There are a lot of people around here that would do it for me for free.

As far as you offering me parts. Yep, I really appreciate it. And I have that message sitting there because I knew that I would talk to you as the need arises (it will). My main limitation right now is that I'm extremely busy. I'm a commercial pilot and summer is the busy season. Combined with moving, planning a wedding, etc., it just gets a little busy.

Thanks for all the support though!

Wizard? Um, no. Guys, I've made mistakes that would make some of you throw up on your shoes. At this very moment I'm deciding whether or not to restore the Bonanza cockpit I started with in 1996. It's a farking MESS and it's 100% my fault.

Knowing what I know now, I would have NEVER modified that cockpit at all.

Remember Hepkat, warranties are THERE to be voided. They're for the squeamish types that like to pretend they're uber geeks. If it was me, that throttle would have fairly leapt out of its case the second I discovered it didn't fit the throttle quadrant well in the side console.

g.

Hepkat I would suggest if your looking for parts have the owner contact me asap, with a list of what parts he wants. Panels are selling quickly. I may put a few spares on eBay once again

The Cougar was MEANT to be opened from the moment you got the box, it's the first stick I bought that did not have a "warranty void" sticker on it since the older Atari ones. And am quite glad I did open it, since the grease in it was definitely insufficient. I assume the Warthog throttle to be the same, but since ThrustMaster has been acquired by Guillemot I can't really be sure.

WTH?