Shadow912

Are you 'blogging' your build Mike? I'd be interested to have a look...

A bit more work done last night. The centre console complete with the 3rd Thrustmaster MFD...

Hi guys, Thanks for all the suggestions. I've not used joy2key before so I'm going to take a look at that using one microswitch and failing that I'll try my 3 microswitch solution. MFTDarkEagle, I think that was just my dodgy drawing, the switched are definitely in parallel.. This pic shows it correctly..

Hi Han, Unfortunately I'm using LeoBodnar 64BBI boards. I was hoping there might me a 'hack' to LUA files to allow a single button press or I will have to go with the 3 microwitch setup....

You mean like this? I guess it would work... :thumbup:

Thanks Mike, I'll keep them coming. Won't be much this weekend as I'm away to Newcastle with an old RAF buddy of mine. Maybe a couple of beers to be drunk... :drink::drink:

Hi people! As an aside to my FA18 Simpit thread (see below) I wanted to ask if anyone had come up with a way to override the need to 'pull' the ejection seat handle 3 times in controls. I was thinking of using a microswitche to activate the seat but I don't want to have to pull the handle 3 times to activate the ejection process. Does anyone know if the joystick/keyboard lua files can be edited to bypass the 3 pulls/3 button presses? https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=243783 Dave 'Shadow912' S

Started putting things in place yesterday evening... its looking more like a pit! I tried to bend the glare shield over the front panel but the board I'm using is too stiff so I took the jigsaw to it! Again I'm pleased with the way it looks... I've used good old duct tape to join it so it folds.... Needs a coat of black paint obviously! :D

Thanks Rick, As I said in my opening post, it will be used only in VR so it is really all about the functionality rather than looks. I'm no engineer but I'm really pleased with my wing fold and parking brake solutions. Just hope they stand the test of time. :thumbup:

No problems JG... I'll keep on posting bits if people are interested :D

Hi again Mr B. I took a couple more pics.. 'a picture paints a thousand words' :smilewink: (There are some more on my VR SIMPIT thread - It wont let me upload them twice...:doh:) https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=243783 Dave 'Shadow912'

Left and right vertical panels A few pics of the 2 vertical panels. I've used a series of microswitches to control the wing fold and the parking brake. As the handle is pulled or turned then the small screwhead in the end of the respective handle activates the microswitch. It does mean that I wont be able to 'hold' the wing fold but its a tiny price to pay. But on a carrier its either fully folded or fully spread so no big deal. :smilewink:

So this weekend was spent making the left hand console and 10 individual ribs. As I mentioned earlier, I have used the plans from Dogfight Boss. Their kits are made from foldable stiff board. As I am using MDF and hardboard I can't fold it so I had to the internal walls piece by piece. A bit of a PITA but I'm quite pleased with the finished look and when it gets a couple of coats of grey paint on I think it will suffice! I have added a few lighting dimmers to the right hand panel (I did a VR flight at night and realised that I had to turn interior lighting on! I don't want to have to use the hand controllers or the mouse unless I really am stuck!!) The flood control will be connected to green strip LEDs around the pit to add a bit of ambient light (pics to follow when its wired up). I am only putting in the necessary buttons and switches for VR so hence there are only 4 volume pots on the volume panel (for now). A couple more pics attached....:photo:

Hi Mr B. I've made mine using microswitches. I have a piece of aluminium tube with a small round headed screw which activates a microswitch as the handle for the lock is pulled or pushed. Then another pair of microswitches can be activated when the handle is rotated. I have attached a picture of the push/pull switch. If you like I can send more pics? Dave https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=243783

UFC Wiring Wired up the UFC last night... Although it looks like spaghetti, its because the small looms to the ribbon cable card (bottom right) are laid across the back of the switches... Tested it and its working!:thumbup:

RH Vertical Panel Completed the right hand vertical panel this weekend... The lonely looking rotary encoder is the Radar Altimeter setting knob...

Hi guys, I fly only in VR and am building a 'pit'. I'm hoping muscle memory will work for me :pilotfly: Check out my thread.... https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=243783

Check out the new pics :smilewink:

Some larger pics... Some larger pics....

I was just looking at the pictures and you are right... leave it with me :smilewink:

Hi guys'n'girls... Just wanted to share a few pics of the F18 simpit I'm building... Hopefully be of interest to some of you. It will be used solely in VR so its more about the functionality than the looks... (please don't judge me :thumbup:). I've used the plans from the guys at Dogfight Boss and used 9mm MDF board for the structure, 3mm HDF and hardboard for the panels. I have built my own UFC (not as pretty as the 3d printed versions I have seen but a lot cheaper!) and I'm using 3 Thrustmaster MFDs. I have Thrustmaster HOTAS and Slaw rudder pedals. All the switch gear will be controlled by 2 x Leo Bodnar 64BBI. I'll keep updating the thread if anyone shows any interest... Dave - Shadow912