Hi there,

I recently got started on my first Simpit. It's basically a generic pit that can be used in FSX, IL:2, Lock On and DCS A-10 (when I get it).
MK1, which is almost complete, is just the basic pit itself with the control columns and screens and so on. MK2 will then add workable switches and buttons using either Open Cockpits or Leo Bodnar boards and Helois software if necessary.
Here are some pics of my build so far.

Any input advice or constructive crits will be appreciated.

Very cool Glenn, good start!

One comment though, do you think the seat is a bit too reclined? Is it adjustable?

Thanks PropNut - the seat looks very reclined, but it is actually very comfortable in conjunction with the pedals.

I have just received my new Mecer 32" LCD and it looks like I may have to make a few modifications to accommodate it - it's huge!

Lookin' good so far!

Looks great! But how do you get into it?

LOL I like my seat back too, one of my biggest complaints with my playseat is that its too straight up and not adjustable. Maclean he may have to climb in, I have to do that in my pit no big deal really adds to immersion!

lol - at the moment you gotta step over onto the seat. But I'm mulling with the idea of installing hinges and gas struts onto the main panel so that it lifts like the hood of a car - will just have to make sure the monitor and all else is secure.

I'm interested in what you did to your rudder pedals. Circular saw and longer swivel arm?

Thats pretty much it.

First I dismantled it and stared at all the parts for a few hours. My first attempt was to simply extend the arms with a wooden strip, but that didn't work as they have to have play to compensate for the up and down movement, so then I cut off the ends of the swivel arms (the part with the guide groove) and inserted the extension in between. It increased the width of the pedals by about 33% - so they're no longer "nut crackers".







Now I just have to figure out a nice way to enclose them.

Very nice work. On the pedals, you could build plywood sections to cover the gaps, and then cover the lot with some vynil floor material to make it uniform. Some of these are in fake carbon or fake aluminium patterns. Or you could go for real aluminium, but that is probably overkill.

That's a nice looking pit.

I wouldn't even worry about covering it. Looks good the way it is except for the wires, maybe put then inside some of that split wire loom.

Ah, circular saws. Is there any problem they can't solve?

Nice work!

Thanks for all the comments guys.

I did some rebuilding yesterday and made it more enclosed, will post some updated pics tomorrow evening after finishing up the side consoles and hopefully painting.

The basic pit (phase 1) is basically complete and ready for paint - hopefully tomorrow.

Phase 2 will then be switches and buttons :-)

So I painted and re-assembled today - almost there!






Excuse the nasty iPhone pics...

Looking good!

Whoa! Looks like barely and space for your legs!

Yip - it's pretty tight, but I built it around myself and I'm not a big dude - so it's perfect for me.

Very nice Glenn!

g.

Thanks Gene - your BF109 pit was a big inspiration to me. Originally I was going to jump right in and try and make something along similar lines, but I don't have the skills at this stage, so I thought I'd keep it simple initially. I have plenty of wood left over from this build so I plan to experiment with some bulkheads and start planning a proper enclosed pit that is more realistic like the 109.

Don't underestimate the value of cardboard as a prototyping material.

Spending time to learn SketchUp (it's free) will be a big help for you as well.

g.

Well here it is in my room (thanks to my very understanding girlfriend for allowing me to take up so much space)

Ignore the old CRT - still waiting for stock to arrive of the 27" LCD - all working and comfortable apart from a calibration issue I'm having with the Saitek throttle quadrant - if any ones got any advice on that one I'd love to hear it!

But I'm pretty happy with it - now to start planning the control panels!!

Nice! Looks good.

Why should I ignore the old CRT? Looks like a pretty good monitor, especially if it's one of the 21" FD Trinitrons or Diamondtron NFs.

Looks great! All done in super quick time too.

Nice work, rare to see one put together that fast too.

lol - I must say it actually is a great picture. Its a Samsung 17" Viewsonic.

Thanks for the kind words gents.

Nice layout, very very nice. I too even like the CRT monitor....looks like it belongs there.