jrsteensen

Just had the following dim questions. One possible solution would be to have the "extension" of the hud box extend perpendicular to the MIP, then just have the face of the three sub hud box panels canted parallel to the base of the CP.

Look at these beauties. Canopy Jettison lever and Seat Arming lever from a Marine F/A-18C. Was going to do the exterior in a Navy paint scheme, but guess I have to paint her in Marine markings from the VMFA-235. Got these from a maintainer who worked on the bird and had them kicking around his shed.

Been teaching myself Altium...should have learned it years ago. It's leaps and bounds better eCAD program than Eagle. It even lets me export my PCB model from SolidWorks, and use it as the base of the PCB with all the keep out areas, mounting holes, etc already defined. This is freaking cool.

Jag, I didn't know crap about pitbuilding when I started in 2001. Taught myself electronics, interfacing, woodwork, CAD. Heck, I ended up with a career doing CAD work in the aerospace/defense field based on what I taught myself. Your only limited by what you can learn through hundreds/thousands of hours of reading and experimenting.

Making them myself. I'll use a 3D Printed base and buttons, with a layer of 1/16th engravable acrylic for the legends. That is what I've been using, however it doesn't show a side view - the UFC projects farther forward than the rest of the MIP panels.

Solidworks - I'm a mechanical designer/lead draftsman for an Army UAV for the day job.

Started work on the design of my F/A-18D Cockpit. Going to build the two cockpits separately, but able to roll to a tandem configuration. My 5yo son has the same enthusiasm for aviation I do, and he will make an awesome WSO. I do plan on keeping an override switch in the front cockpit though. :-P First I'll do the front cockpit, and it is based off Hawkeye's wonderful Sketchup models. Working on the CP. Simplified it slightly to use three LCD displays versus discrete displays. Almost all parts will be .5 birch, .25 birch or 3D Printed ABS, with the exception of the panel faces, which will be 1/16" engravable acrylic. The seat and the center tub are going to be split into two pieces, so each portion of the pit can easily be maneuvered through a standard interior door easily. (Don't want to build the proverbial boat in the basement.) My first question, is how far is the face of the UFC from the face of the left and right eyebrow caution panels? Now for the screen grabs:

One solution for the future when you get into a dedicated pit is look at leveling casters, either for the pit or for the UMC. We use them in our machine shop - they solidly mount up, but you can lower them and roll the machine around.

Awesome work! Would you happen to have a link to the glass? My searches for reflective glass keep coming up with dang sunglasses. :megalol:

Generally you would want to reverse that....better to prep the LZ, than to try to coordinate fires with troops on the ground in potential close contact... :thumbup:

I need to! I'm originally from Walnut Creek, but nowadays I'm down in Sierra Vista, AZ for work....I do get back there about once or twice a year to see the folks. Didn't even know you got a new hanger...awesome! That was his name! Ed. :doh: Amazing resource, and seeing his MIG-17 up close was jaw dropping...especially with the engine exposed and realizing that basically they were strapping a human on the front of one REALLY BIG afterburner. I hope to get to chat again with him. L-39 is still my favorite airplane flying, and I need to get a better job so I can have one of my own. :megalol:

Couple years ago I started designing a physical L-39 pit, which I still work on from time to time. Talked to the Patriot's primary A&P (His name is escaping me, and I'm horribly embarrassed...he was a Vietnam F-106 pilot.) and he invited me out for the day to measure the cockpits in the flying L-39s. Other than a minor uhoh moment of stepping into an unpinned hot seat, was amazing. I have 300 odd hi def photos laying around detailing my measurements. Absolutely one of my favorite days EVER. The Patriot's home plate is about 45 minutes from my hometown. I've still been looking for a privately owned L-39 to get to fly in one of these days.

This is now Sold Pending Funds. Thanks all for your interest.

Total: This is actually going to go out as two boxes, with everything completely disassembled to allow for more secure packaging. I am going to double box everything, and get custom boxes built for it. (4 boxes at approximately 12 dollars each. ($48 in boxes.) 2 large bags of packing peanuts at 8 dollars each. ($16.) Plus tape and saran wrap to secure pieces together and insulate them from each other to prevent the paint from marring too badly in transit. ($8 bucks total), $72 for supplies alone, plus the actual shipping. Like I said previously, if there is an overage on the shipping, I will refund the difference. If anyone is particularly interested, this site is blocked at work so you can email me at john~dot~steensen~at~live~dot~com or hell, call me at (Five-Two-Zero) Two-Seven-Zero - Nine Five Seven Six.

It certainly is!

Still available. The whole frame with all accessories, minus seat, is available for 500 shipped anywhere CONUS.

Still available! In an individual sale, I will accept the purchase price up front, then I'll go package and get a shipping quote, and have you send me the actual packing and shipping cost. Price is now 700 + 150 shipping UPS ground. (Just went and bought a scale and got some good quotes.)

Like I said, its heavy and bulky...shipping is a killer on these no matter what. By the way, I did find one of the side mounts with ergotron monitor arm, and the side stick arm rest, so I will be tossing those in as well. (250 dollars extra new.)

Gadroc - I got the 4 way DCS switches from Otto before - had to do a minimum order of like 10 IIRC and the company had to order from the factory. A group buy may be in order. Call Otto, they will refer you to their regional distributor.

IM back. I will take PayPal or USPS Money Order for payment. PayPal price is $721.22 plus ACTUAL shipping. The auction on EBay ends tomorrow, so let me know pretty quick so I can end that before someone bids.

up on ebay due to lack of interest here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190610522152

Dropped to 700 flat plus actual shipping (or local pickup) OR will trade straight across for an excellent condition HGU-56/P with faceshield, ANVS mount, full mil or civ single plug comms, and CEP. (I will be using it for actual flight use.)

Hey all. Just realized that when I fly, I don't take the time to hook my cockpit up anymore....so, I'm going to sell it. This is the SCS UMC Version 1, with the forward monitor mount, HOTAS mounts, and mouse mount. Seat is a ACES II Replica (A-10C). What you see is what you get, with the exception of the Warthog HOTAS, which is not included. This seat is painted, with wear on the seat back. A quick paint roller of grey should fix that. I am asking 750 plus actual shipping, with insurance and signature confirmation. (Which once I get it disassembled and boxed, I anticipate being around 150-200 CONUS, alot more for overseas, but the buyer will be responsible for ACTUAL shipping costs.)

BTT! This work of art doesn't belong on the second page. (And I am still waiting for CAD models!)

AWESOME work! Can't wait to see this finished....and get ahold of the model so i can make an all steel construction. CAD good! But seriously, great work! :thumbup: