Very nice!

g.

Any updates?

Thanks Prop - I learned everything I know about building panels from Gene's site - there's some great reference stuff on there.

The gremlin really does want to be at the controls! The only problem is, he's at the age where repeatedly whacking a screwdriver against my lovingly applied aluminium skin is more fun!!

Thanks again for the encouraging comments chaps, I know it's taking an age - I get precious little time. The good news is that I've finally finished the structure (pics coming soon) - the next focus is building the throttle quadrant and hooking up some of the switchgear, at long last!

Valisk, any chance you'd release plans for that thing?

g.

Hi Gene - I've already released a couple of copies of the plans - they're not anywhere near as comprehensive as your 109F/X, but if anyone is interested, just drop me a PM

Update time...

I scored this little beauty off eBay:



After looking online it appears to be a pilot's seat as fitted in some Bombardier aircraft. I'm currently working out the best way of mounting it. Unfortunately, even in it's lowest height position, the seat is a little too high for the 'pit, so I've carefully removed the raise/lower mechanism.

I've also had a bit of time to start work on my throttle. Here's the X35T after the redundant rudder mechanism and other holes have been filled:



And then sanded down:

To fill the large hole where the rudder paddle used to be, I cut some 3mm foam PVC to size and then heat formed it (using a halogen bulb as heat source) to match the curves of the throttle. A bit of hot glue to secure that in place and then I filled the gaps with Milliput epoxy putty - it's great stuff, very easy to work with so long as you keep a bowl of water handy to keep your fingers wet when working the putty into shape.

Here it is after a couple of coats of paint, plus the new switch positions drilled out. I decided to keep the primer finish on the lower half (I just liked the colour!) - the new throttle arm that I'm making will be in the primer colour too:



Here's the interior - you can see the hot glue/PVC/Milliput patch more clearly in this shot:

Here's a few pics with the switches in. I might yet spray the bottom half black, not sure yet (not that I'd ever see it when it's installed in the 'pit anyway!).

Those pot knobs will be getting replaced with some nice chunky knurled brass pieces - the shiny plastic is far too slippery. They look ok in the photos though.

The dark-topped switches are another eBay purchase, from a seller in Russia who said they were ex-military... I used them because they require a medium force to activate, but they give a nice tactile click. The white capped switches again give a nice click, but need much less pressure to activate, so I've used them for more common inputs (Push To Talk, for example).

Great job on the grip! Nice catch on the seat too. Hopefully it didn't cost you an arm and a leg!

g.

Anything new since the throttle? You wouldn't have any measurements laying around as to the plans to this would you? Top of the monitor to where the metal curves and height of the sides ? Front to back? I'm two weeks from beginning a pit along these lines of looks and function. My current pit is a sim cockpit systems fighter from. Looking to build something more immersive but generic. I've got my controls, lights and everything but the wood and paint. This build is really impressive.