Slugtastic

Getting some decal work done, did some more paint touch up.

Great, thanks!

Made some more progress! It's now 'complete' until my Crosswinds arrive and my VKB fighter (will be building a floor piece to mount them on, and probably adding a curved nose to the cockpit to house it all. I currently have the slugpit in WWII mode (without the front screens), but exchanging the top panel takes 60 seconds tops. The entire thing is super sturdy, and incredibly comfortable. I could not be happier with this! Oh also you'll see that I added side panels. It felt strange not having walls on your sides... Just felt too open. Feels a lot more realistic this way. Excuse the mess! Been too buys building to clean up down there yet. Total cost so far, with paint, is just under $200.

I run 60fps at 4k with a GTX 1080. It's pretty nice since its a 55" tv. You can see pics here: https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=184184

Any update on the delay?

Any updates on when they ship out?

Hey thanks! I know it's nothing like the crazy cool cockpits most people here build, but hey we all gotta start somewhere :)

It's built! My buddy modeling the beautiful set up. Next up I'll be putting in some new switch panels and stuff, then fill in gaps, then paint! Will update as it goes. I can post build pics too if anyone is interested. Also waiting on new joystick and rudder pedals before building the floor.

Screens came! Quick test in the F-15. Started building the top panel today. Going to be *attempting* clean cuts today so I can embed the MFDs. Screen test:

Oops sorry I should have specificied! Oculus Rift CV1, whatever the default VR resolution is.

Updated my design a little! I didn't like my controls being so low, so decided to move the panel to on top of the flat shelf. This will also make changing this panel much easier should I still decide to. This all came about when I did some more "cardboard testing" for positions of controls, knee clearance, etc. Going out today to buy the remaining wood I need!

Hey there! Is there a way to improve the VR experience in FC3? The non FC3 modules all work well, but take for example the F-15C. Because your default position is so far forward (sitting on the front edge of your seat), your eyes are trying to focus on objects both right on your nose and far away, making it kinda hurt your eyes. The HUD is also kinda busted (it seems to exist on a different plane than the HUD normally would). lastly, the mirroring effect on the cockpit glass is horribly distracting. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Hey thanks for the huge compliment! Really means a lot to me. I'm certainly not even a fraction as talented as most cockpit builders here, but it should be fun to build something of my own design :)

A quick hack job to test my thoughts on embedding the MFDs, since there will be a screen behind them. This is in 3/4 MDF. I love the idea of using MDF (it's an MFD in MDF) for this because it is just so darn shapeable, but it's really heavy... This panel would be 1/2" most likely.

S! After many many plan revisions I've ended on the following, less-than-pretty-but-more-functional cockpit! My goals are to create a modular front panel that will allow me to semi-easily switch between modern combat, WWII combat, and cessna style general aviation with a yoke. The side panels are going to start pretty bare, but will eventually be added to over time. So far I've started the chair! Some build pics: Finished Chair Ergonomic Test Internal Structure Hoping to start building the panels this week!

Update: Well then! I re-did everything but the chair (although I guess I re-did the chair too because I decided to go with a 20" wide seat design after creating a test run). From my test run (cardboard is your friend!) everything felt like it was in a good comfortable spot. This new design also gives me a far better modularity than the previous one. The front control panel will be removable so I can also build a General Aviation one for use with my yoke, TPM, etc. I will also be able to more easily expand in terms of added switches or controls. It's not as pretty anymore, but hey it works better!

Oh very cool! I haven't seen that, but I feel like that's similar to my aesthetic. I'll definitely look these over, thanks!

Blargh. I just modeled the MFG Crosswind pedals (I have them on order, don't own them, but they post the exact specs online), and it turns out they're slightly too wide for my current design (pic below). Back to the drawing board! Edit time! I updated the width. I realized I actually had the seat at a very narrow 15 inches (38cm) wide. Decided to move to a closer to reality size of 19 inches (48.25cm) wide. This *should* be wide enough! Updated screenshot:

Ingenious way to get it done! So I decided the monitor simply doesn't need to be part of the cockpit for now. And I'll have an extra desk so I'm going to use that for the monitor mount for now. Since I have the extra space, and I was on the fence about it, I'm going to build a control panel containing a keyboard, and 2 MDFs with screens behind them. Here's my current idea (not fully fleshed out yet). EDIT: This entire time I had a 45" monitor in my design. Oops! It's supposed to be 55". Fixed! Edit 2: Updated the design a little

Hey Thadiun! Thanks for all the input and the pictures! Your cockpit looks awesome. Gonna look through your thread for sure. And ya you're right about the monitor jiggle. I'll have to think that one over to see how I want to approach it. As for the joystick bend, you are definitely right! When I was copying the official joystick dimensions into my model, I put it in backwards haha. I just fixed that, oops! Also thanks for the fantastic side pic of your chair. You did an awesome job. I'll be meeting with my buddy this weekend to plan things out. I'll certainly show him your pics! Thanks for the detailed reply, I really appreciate it!

Hey there! Here's a side view. It's kinda hard to tell from the plans, but the front end of the seat, once padding is added, will be 13 inches above the ground. This places the seat somewhere between an ACES II ejection seat, and a Cessna bench lol. I originally considered going for a proper aggressive seating, but when trying it out in my work shop I found it a) very difficult for moving your head in VR, and b) not the most comfortable in general. So I decided to go for kind of a hybrid, more comfortable neutral leg version. So it actually ends comfortably. That said, it's a pain in the butt to get into... So now that you mention it, I think I may curve cut it to make more space! Added to my list, thanks :) And ya I agree about the monitor, it's far lower than you'd normally game. I'm going to play with this height once I have the rest of it built. My *thinking* is that since I'm going somewhat minimal on physical systems, I went with a 55" 4k monitor that would allow me to see all the dials somewhat close to where they'd be in a real cockpit. But you're certainly right, I'll have to see how I like it in person. If it's too low I'll probably just add a slab on top to raise it. Edit: Here's the updated curve. Good call! Edit 2: Added keyboard i'll be using.

Hah yea I know what you're saying. I have both VR headsets, and sometimes I fly in VR, sometimes I fly with the TrackIR. I fully admit that much of these cockpits are not necessary, but it's just kinda fun ya know? I enjoy designing my own woodworking projects, and I figured why not have a little fun with it and make it semi-stylish, but while still being versatile enough to fly any aircraft. I'm going to be building a general aviation attachment that will sit on top that'll house my PFC Cirrus Yoke, TPM controls, main panel, etc. Also, worth noting that I fly some sims that don't have VR support (Rise of Flight I'm looking at you! damn DX9) Ahaha I was wondering if someone would notice the turned around joystick :P I fixed that today when I switched my current stick to the VKP-Sim new fighter stick (see pic below) Do you have any suggestions on how to create a movable seat? The chair will be fixed with bolts so it's *technically* moveable if I put some extra holes in the connectors. But certainly not easily! The rudder pedal mount (not in the design yet since I don't have sizes) will be adjustable though. And ya I definitely agree with you on flat seat being killer. All angles in the seat are made with that specifically in mind too (after much research on ergonomics). I'm fortunate in that a close friend of mine makes professional level molded cushions (among other things)! So I'll be making a properly molded and ergonomic cushion. Before I realized he was free to help out, I was going to kind of go the CP1 cockpit build way and create segmented sections of padding on 1/4", held on by vinyl. That way I could create any contours needed very easily. I even left space for both cushions specifically in the design! I'm actually using a race seat in my current ghetto build and its... ok. It does the job, but it's not my favorite. Don't have a picture of the finished one on me at the moment, but below i've posted a picture of the sketchup plans! Updated stick: The current ghetto rig I fly in:

Does anyone happen to know the degrees of movement of the new gimbal? Trying to figure out where to mount it in my new cockpit design. I'm assuming around 20º like the Warthog?

Oooo yea good call on ejection handles! Will help getting in and out too since it's not going to be easy lol. And actually good point about the keyboard. I think I need a tilted mount in front of the monitor so it'll be easier to access. I'll add that to the design tonight! Thanks for your suggestions, I really appreciate it :) I'll be posting updated designs tonight. I'll look into it! And yea I'll definitely want something for control panels. My current plan is to use the right hand side for that. At the moment I have various GA controls like the GoFlight TPM module, their switch module (has a bunch of switches for GA planes). The purple part that the monitor sits on will probably evolve if I end up adding more controls. One key constraint is I wanted to keep my monitor low since its a 55" monitor. I currently have it on a desk too high above my current cockpit and it's a pain always looking up. It also makes my TrackIR unreliable :( After I finish this project I'm hoping to move into learning how to make custom switch boards and controls (arduinos? raspberry pi?) and all those electronic things I've literally never touched. So maybe I can use that full right side to be a bunch of controls, along with a low profile mount on the sides of the keyboard for other controls. Thanks for your input!

EDIT: This top picture is the most updated revision based on everyones comments! Original post: Hey! I've been planning a new cockpit for the past couple weeks and wanted to get some critiques on the plan so far. Here's screenshots of the SketchUp (although the design of the top head rest has changed a bit since I took these screenshots, it's still essentially the same): =================== This shows the overall idea. Materials, I'm thinking 3/4" MDF for the chair and sides, 1/2" MDF for the curved supports and shelves, and plywood for the floor. The rounded supports have threaded little leg things (don't know the name) that will make it easier to move. All colors are just for easier viewing of pieces, I won't be clown painting it! =================== Here are the 4 main parts that will be removable with bolts. I haven't yet added any joints for this in the design yet. =================== This shows my approach to joining load bearing areas. I'll be using standard 1x1s to reinforce the butt joints. I've used this in other projects and find it's pretty rock solid edit: Also worth noting the joystick will be different (going with the new VKB Gunfighter Pro with extension and the warthog connector), and the pedals are actually MFG Crosswind, but don't have a model for that! Thoughts? Concerns? Suggestions? Thanks! ============= Current Suggestions to add: Keyboard mount Ejection handles Easier adjustment for seat location for taller/shorter people Headphone hanger Curve cut the area in front of the joystick to make it easier to get in and out.