Ragtop

Well, I never thought I'd be making one of these threads! I've always been a very relaxed gamer, once every couple of days or so, and never for too long. I'd always been a Warthog fan since LOMAC, which I got into in about 2005-6. Always sucked at it though, never took the time to learn the controls! I got an X-52 as a christmas present which really marked a turning point for me, making sims FAR more playable than with my Microsoft Sidewinder. Over those couple of years I faded in and out, and settled at the faded out part unfortunately. Until that is, I saw DCS A-10C in Beta! I was totally hooked and followed every article, forum and video from the announcement. So, here we are, a few months down the line. I bought the TM Warthog, TrackIR 5, Saitek Combat Rudder Pedals, bigger displays, a new headset for multiplayer (Got that today infact, so I'll be online very soon!) But nowhere to put it all. I scoured the web for a LONG time, looking at all the amazing simpits, messaging a lot of builders (Very helpful builders too!) and trying to come across ideas. Then I saw Dimebug's AWESOME modular pit design, and my mind was made up! I'm going to build the consoles first, followed by a generic ACES II seat, and a generic centre console/keyboard/display stand, which will eventually become a replica centre console as by the plans Dimebug has released. I'll be posting my progress/questions in this thread, so your comments/feedback will be greatly appreciated. On with the show...

Thanks for the advice Lumper, although simple it's something I think we're all guilty of - Attempt something, get into trouble with it, but continue trying without actually looking into what the problem really is! As far as the ACES II goes, I'm not really going for a specific design, more a general ACES II style. I'll probably make it a little less deep, a little shorter - to fit my size better.

I've made a start, borrowed a neighbours circular saw which cut through wood like butter, Used clamped beams as a saw guide which was a huge help. I'm going to have a tidy up and I'll start on my build thread!

Beautiful BHawthorne! I'm with Icemaker, what did you do to build this piece of art?!

I've got the Combat Pro Flight pedals, and although my first set of rudders, I'm very impressed. My only gripe is that theres a little bit of side to side wobble in the actual pedals, but when you're flying it is totally unnoticeable. I'd definitely give them my vote.

Cubpilot: No kidding! I can't help but feel like I'm in some sort of debt from now :P Loving your little desktop pit btw, very nice build with great attention to detail! Mr. Burns: Some very useful info, thanks. I've worked every cut onto a single 2440x607, so if I can't find 2x 1220x607's, I'll just get the shop to cut it down the middle for transport, then it's down to me!

Well it looks to be decided, (By my girlfriend mainly, to stop me going round in circles!) tomorrow we'll start work on Dimebug's left and right consoles! When they're done, The Simhangar ACES II will be underway. I've figured out that I can get all the fundamental shapes cut on a single 2440x607mm board which was one of my biggest concerns, so I think I'll be having a try with the circular saw, then the jigsaw for the little parts. I'm going to use 18mm MDF which I am confident will be tough enough to survive, and easier to manipulate with handheld tools. I'm going to design my own display/keyboard section for now, then as I start to learn how to build switch panels, I'll start working on the replica centre console. I may well be starting a build thread in the morning!

:lol: No pun intended! Had to... Anyway. My mind is running around in circles trying to figure out cockpit plans, prices, space constraints and a million other things, and I'm gassing myself out! But my fundamental issue - Materials and preparation of said materials. I need opinions on the best way to get this done! A) I go to Wickes/Homebase/any material store it's bought in large boards and I need to have the pieces cut to shape. This can be done by them, but they don't promise accurate cuts and the amount of intricate cuts gets quite expensive. B) Having the pieces CNC'ed by a professional, but I imagine that could be a very expensive venture. C) Cutting myself with a circular/jigsaw, but I'm afraid that I wouldn't be accurate enough to do this well. Ideally I'd like to send in my cuts in a blueprint form and have a company supply and cut for me, but I have no idea how I'd go about this? How have you guys tackled this in the past and what would you recommend? Price is the biggest killer for me!

Excellent guide Viper, thanks a lot. Got my headset in transit from Amazon and I can finally get into multiplayer!

I've tried a lot of alternative options, FaceTrackNoIR, Webcam IR tracking software, and everything in between, all of them had random different problems. Bad frame rates, poor tracking at extreme angles, batteries for hat LED's running out, old cameras with bad drivers, I could go on all day. Eventually after constant frustration I took the plunge and bought the TrackIR 5, and let me say, I felt stupid for all the time I wasted on all the, previous attempts, because the TIR is INCREDIBLE. So much better, faster, more accurate, smoother and reliable than anything else out there. I couldn't imagine flying without it now! When you've just dropped a GBU-12 on an angry Zeus' from angels 16, banked 45º and turned away, then you've just gotta watch the TGP and hope it hits. But with the TIR, you can lift your head up and look over the edge of the bathtub and watch your baby find its target from pickle to pop! Buy one right now, I guarantee you'll be blown away by the results.

You can pick up a Logitech G25 for about £110, which is (was, until it's big brother, the G-27, came out) known as one of the best consumer wheels of its time. Lots of nice features including a clutch, maybe that would be a good option for you.

Mine failed almost instantly, and although the amazing folk at RCSimulations (Shameless plug) replaced it fuss free, it's not been out of it's packaging. I really can't feel the difference between it and the Hat Clip. For the sake of having another wire, vulnerability, needing to wear headphones, and almost no performance gain, I'm a Track Hat fan. I think a lot of people only prefer it cause they paid extra for it, and don't like admitting it's no different :P

If its The Falcon and The Hog you're flying, you'd be a crazy man to get anything other than the TM!

As I said in the Military Aviation Forum, this is a huge loss to the aviation community as a whole. the Reds are not just a display team, but highly honourable, decorated and seasoned combat veterans. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Flt. Lt. Jon Egging and all those that were close to him.

Huge loss for the aviation community. The Red Arrows are not just display pilots, but like in many of the great display teams, honourable, decorated and weathered combat veterans. Let us all pay our deepest respects to the family of Flt Lt Jon Egging.

It was the first time I'd ever been there, I just couldn't comprehend the size of the place. The amount of planes in a single hangar is staggering.

Spent the day at the simply awesome Duxford Imperial War Museum today, for the American Air day. Fantastic event, didn't get many pictures but I'll upload them when I get them off the camera tomorrow evening. Spent a long time walking about enjoying all the different exhibits, talking to different USAF members and pilots. One little surprise for you guys was in the Conservation in Action hangar, they had a TV playing our very own Glowing AMRAAM's DCS trailer on loop, and from what I could see, all the 'Take ones' had been taken, so hopefully we'll see some newbies on here from the day! Anyone else happen to be there today? Discuss!

Amazing job dude, cannot wait to see it lit up!

And now you know where my callsign comes from :P

That's a good point made by Succellus, if you're using a TrackIR you'll want to set the trim hat back to trim, as it'll be set to POV out of the box!

Agreed, it also means you just need to keep the hat straight, not straighten the hat, then straighten the clip on it etc, results in the best tracking!

Assuming you're playing DCS: Warthog, then no, it's plug and play!

+1, Kids these days with their TWO fancy new fangled MFCD's! Back in the A-Hog we had to make do with dropping dumb bombs with an ANALOG ACP! Sigh... I tell ya!

RC Simulations, 100% Their website is a little hard to navigate, but the staff are amazing. I got mine with the bundled Track Clip Pro, which I had heard was a notorious for snapping in the center pivot pin, and after 2 days of VERY gentle use, it snapped, exactly where I'd read they do. I emailed RC and within about an hour I got a friendly reply, "Just send us the broken clip and we'll replace it.." Within 48 hours (including posting my broken one) The new one turned up. Service like that is hard to find, but RC Simulations deliver.

I made this thread a while ago to try and group all of this stuff together, it never really caught on but hopefully it can be of some use to you!