Orion72

Friggin genious Triggerhappy!!! Nice progress as usual!!! :thumbup:!!! If my pit only turns out 1/4 as nice as yours, I will be very happy! Keep up the genious work. :worthy: MadDog

Progress... Here are some pics of my very first steps towards my simpit construction. As most things in life, you must start with a good and strong foundation. Well, this is the metal frame which will support my simpit structure. 18 guage 1" box tubing. Mig welded together. As my plan states, I want my simpit to be mounted on castor wheels so I can easily move it if needed. Six 4" castor wheels will mount to the frame and the wooden simpit structure will be built on top of this steel structure. Keep checking back for progress! MadDog

must...:cry:....have.....:huh:....will......:cry:......power.....:no_sad:.....must.....:unsure:......not.......:cry_2:........buy........:unsure:.........russian........:noexpression:.......version.........:unsure:..........must.........:cry:.........WAIT.........:huh:.......for.........:(..........english........:wassat:.........version........ It is incredibly difficult to wait for the english version for me! I am very envious of those that have already taken flight! I will fly like an eagle one day:pilotfly:! Sorry, I've had a couple of pints and just wanted to vent.........cheers......:drink:!!! MadDog308

Progression of design concept : Great work on the electronics end of your project CAT! I hope you can help me out when I get to that point. I will follow your advice on keeping my electronic controls simple at first. For now, I am concentrating my efforts on the structural and ergonomic aspect of my simpit. I want it to closely resemble the KA-50 as much as possible. With the Google CAD tool, I have been able to refine my original design dimentions and have gotten it pretty close to what I am shooting for. The only thing missing is the outer skin and door. Let me know what you all think. MadDog :joystick:

KA-50 Simpit Work In Progress Still in my planning stages. Working out the bugs before I start building. I've put together a 3d model via Google Sketchup program. Thanks for the CAD tool Sundown! Anyway, this the the design concept for my simpit structure. See post #167 for more detail. MadDog

Appreciate the advice Rocketeer! My basic plan is subject to change. Just a start point. It is the best plan I could come up with based upon my current skills and abilities. I know that there will be problems that arise and adaptations required. I tried to incorperate everything that I wanted in a SimPit. First on the list was a realistic looking cockpit, good sound, and visuals. Secondary was functional toggles and buttons. I will try to add as many toggles, rotary switches, etc... as is practical and my budget will allow. Not all switches will be functional. At this point, I just don't know how many are practical to wire up. Gameplay will probably reveal the answer for that question. I would love to get ahold of a full set of USB Instruments www.simkits.com , however, I would have to cash in on my daughters college savings to fund them... :cry:...not going to happen. The next best thing is static indicators......just for looks. The only thing I would like to do is illuminate the guage. I think that is a project that I can handle. Like you, just need some time and $$$ which I am always in short supply of. I like a challenge! For now, these ideas are just in my head, a few sketches, a scale model, and some notes. I'd love to share my ideas with you and CAT over a cold beer. Live here in Visalia (south of Fresno). MadDog

KA-50 Simpit Still working on another project (1945 Willys MB). Haven't started my simpit yet (see post #167). I plan to start after the first of the year. I'll post some pics as soon as I begin. MadDog

As long as it fits in the pit and the wife won't wonder why we don't mount the new 32" HD flat panel television in our master bedroom, I'm all for it! :thumbup: MadDog308

I don't know if I belong in the "hardcore" group quite yet. Trigger's creativity and technical ability are definitely "hardcore". For me, time will tell, and I will try to earn my place in the hardcore group. For now, I just have a pretty good plan. I'll do my best to execute and finish that plan. Stay Tuned!!! MadDog308

Have considered building my own rig, however, I fear that if it did not work when completed, it would meet this fate: :crash: MadDog308

KA-50 simpit project Thanks for the warm welcome all! Just purchased the first materials to start my KA-50 simpit.........I guess i'm committed now!!! My basic plan is as follows: KA-50 Simpit - Fully enclosed w/ internal LCD Display Structure - 1) welded steel frame with 4" castor rollers (to be able to move the pit around if needed) 2) ~3/4 inch plywood base 3) ribs every 1 to 2 ft to provide the cross section shape of the aircraft 4) probably masonite skin as external and internal covering. 5) JC Whitney off road racing seat (truck) $129.00 (**nice seat!) 6) Cockpit replicated as closely to a KA-50 specs as possible: toggles, switches, dimentions, etc... Electronics - 7) Computer upgrade....(my current PC is a little old and tired = got a 1040 score using 3dmark06) Possibly a Fragbox 8400 or a Cyberpower Gamer Infinity 8800 Pro SE. Either way = $$$ ouch! 8. 24" internally mounted LCD display. Mounted where the HUD would be. 9) Good surround sound system with speakers mounted inconspicousely within the cockpit. 10) already have and am planning to use my Saitek X52 flight controls 11) X-Keys Matrix Board to provide interface for toggles and rotary switches 12) Ebay Avionics Indicators(hopefully cheap).......just for looks I think that covers it..............oh God, what have I gotten myself into??:doh: P.S. Did I mention that I am currently doing a ground up restoration of a 1945 Willys MB as well? I must be crazy! p.s.p.s. I live down here in Visalia, CA......near Fresno. MadDog308

Time to start building! Hi all! I've been contemplating building a flight sim for several years now and KA-50 Black Shark development has finally motivated me to begin the building process. I am in the planning stages for now and have a long want list for the project. I have got the construction concept figured out and will share its development as it progresses. I look forward to sharing my ideas and learning from this community of simmers. Talk to you later! MadDog308