[MVP] Mugga

Doing some research and found the following picture;

As some may be aware, I am building an F-86F Sabre cockpit for DCS using all original aircraft components. As I work through all of the panels and controls, I am researching against original manufacturers documentation etc. See: This evening I did some work on the MISSILE panel, which is located at the top of the cockpit panel on the left hand side. I have included the PNG below. As I worked through this, i have found the following discrepancies between the manufacturers data and the DCS F86F Sabre: 1. The G LIMIT Push to Test light is part# MS24041-4 which calls for an 'AMBER' lens. The DCS F86F Sabre uses the 'RED' lens instead which is Part# MS24041-2; See the included screenshot of the manufacturers documentation (Page 2-554D). 2. The Missile SALVO, RH, LH & RH selection switch labeling may not be correct. According to the aircraft illustrated parts manual, it should be RH at the bottom, OFF in the centre and LH & RH at the top position. See the included screenshot of the manufacturers documentation (Page 2-554D). 3. MISSILE SAFETY switch is MISSING. All variants of the F86 that carried missiles had a 'Missile Safety' switch in cockpit. The version modeled in DCS would accordingly have the switch located to the right hand side of the MISSILE panel. Again see the screenshot of the manufacturers documentation below (Page 2-554D). 4. Missing panel mounting screws... this gets filed under the heading of pedantic... but there are three philips head panels screws (two at top and one at bottom) that affix the face plate to the Missile Panel dash-top structure. 4. And... if you really want to be super super tedious.... the MISSILE panel support frame is not a flat plate L-Angle.... but instead is a four sided structure. However, this is not as relevant to the functional issues above. Again see the screenshot of the manufacturers documentation below. If anyone from ED would like to discuss any of the above, reach out. More than happy to assist.

Did some work this evening on the MISSILE panel, which is located at the top of the cockpit panel on the left hand side. I have included the PNG below. For those seeking maximum authenticity and accuracy, i have found the following discrepancies between the manufacturers data and the DCS F86F Sabre: 1. The G LIMIT Push to Test light is part# MS24041-4 which calls for an 'AMBER' lens. The DCS F86F Sabre uses the 'RED' lens instead; See the included screenshot of the manufacturers documentation (Page 2-554D). 2. The Missile SALVO, RH, LH & RH selection switch labeling may not be correct. According to the aircraft illustrated parts manual, it should be RH at the bottom, OFF in the centre and LH & RH at the top position. See the included screenshot of the manufacturers documentation (Page 2-554D). 3. MISSILE SAFETY switch is MISSING. All variants of the F86 that carried missiles had a 'Missile Safety' switch in cockpit. The version modeled in DCS would accordingly have the switch located to the right hand side of the MISSILE panel. Again see the screenshot of the manufacturers documentation below (Page 2-554D). 4. And... if you really want to be tedious.... the MISSILE panel support frame is not a flat plate L-Angle.... but instead is a four sided structure. However, this is not as relevant to the functional issues above. Again see the screenshot of the manufacturers documentation below (Page 2-554D).

Have sourced original AN3219-1 Bakelite Chicken Head pointer knobs for the lighting control panel. Will hand them over to [MVP] IndianaShane so that he can replicate them in 3D so additional units can be 3D printed for anyone who would like them.

Spent some time last night laying out the 'LIGHT CONTROL' panel, which is located on the lower right hand console and has the instrument panel lighting rheostats on it. For those interested in the details... face plate that I have designed is the 'reworked' or revised NAA part, which has a slight elongation to the right hand side (ie. It's not a perfect triangle). This part can be found on Page 2-527 of the F86F Sabre Illustrated Parts Manual identifies the housing as 176-954021 - PANEL ASSEMBLY - Electrical Interior Lights Control (Reworked). The earlier version of the panel is the 191-54120 - PANEL ASSEMBLY - Electrical Cockpit Light Rheostat. Both are pictured in the diagrams.

Having posted about this build on a variety of Facebook Groups that relate to DCS World and Cockpit Builds etc, I was given a link to another DCS Forum posting that discussed converting the F86F Sabre throttle quadrants for use in game! I have included the link below. Some additional photos of the instrument panel, left and right hand control panels and the throttle quadrant that I have sourced for this project. You can see that the Australian CAC CA217 Mk32 Sabre Jets were not entirely identical to the F86F Sabres. Namely that the Australian Sabre used the Rolls Royce Avon jet engine, which required a re-design of almost 50% of the internal fuselage structure to accommodate it and its accessories.

Just received a link for this forum post today! Awesome work guys... I will need to take some photos of the CAC CA27 Mk32 Sabre throttle quadrant that I have acquired for my F86F Sabre sim pit build. You can see from the photos below, that the control unit is similar, but different. The Australian Sabres used the Rolls Royce Avon engine and the throttle quadrant accommodated a RELIGHT lever on the left hand side. Apologies for these photos, but I will post more detailed ones in the coming day. You can follow my F86F Sabre Sim Pit build at the following locations: DCS FORUMS https://forum.dcs.world/topic/247916-mvp-f86f-sabre-sim-pit-build-blog/ MVP FACEBOOK PAGE http://www.facebook.com/muggavirtualpilot MVP DISCORD MVP Discord: https://discord.gg/brSBc9BWaZ KOREA1952 DISCORD KOREA1952 Combat Server Discord: https://discord.gg/ht5uVAppvT

@scoobie You beat me to it... was just chatting with our team and reviewing the parts manual. It does appear that the bombing altimeter is just a standard cabin pressure gauge, that has a face bezel applied, with a manual adjustable needle. The bezel can be rotated using the knob to the left and the needle on the face of the bezel can be moved freely. It brings into question the way that the instrument is modeled in DCS. I am not sure if there are different versions etc. It may be correct, but I have little idea.

Did some alignment checks on the right hand console panel with the GBR SIGHT TEST PLUG tray and the ADF Control Panel today. Spent some time this afternoon, cleaning up the workshop and bringing all of the F86F Sabre parts together.

F86F Sabre main canopy has arrived and has been inspected. Lots of work to be done on this assembly to bring it back to life! Unfortunately, it is well beyond use in a flying airplane, but will live out its remaining years in retirement on the Sim Pit! I should say that to make it airworthy would simply take a big pile of cash. Nothing is really ever beyond restoration or rebuild, just a question of how much you would be prepared to sink into it. Aircraft structures when dismantled tell a very interesting story, and this canopy does that. During it's lifetime in service, it was disassembled and re-assembled several times, with quite a few elongated and figure 8 drilled holes etc.

Have sourced an original F86F Sabre Main Canopy rear light assembly and attachment bracket.

Photographs of the original F86F Sabre Main Canopy Air Pressure Regulation Valve, which is located at the back of the canopy frame. This unit was last overhauled in February 1969! This will be installed into the sim-pit but will not be functioning in any way. Photographs of the original F86F Sabre Radio Compass unit, which sits behind the pilot seat attached to the Main Canopy Frame. Again, this unit will be installed onto the Main Canopy frame for authenticity, however will not function in any way.

Took some time this evening to draw up the Bombing Altimeter instrument/gauge in preparation for making up a replica for the sim. To date I have not been able to find any source for an original item, so it may prove impossible to have an original fitted to the sim pit.

Took some time this evening to draw up the Bombing Altimeter instrument/gauge components - anyone who may have an interest in such.

Hey @Awger I may have a contact here in Australia that has an inventory of spare T-37 seats and spares, as they had to be removed and replaced with more modern units for flying aircraft here down-under. Feel free to message me on +61 415 577 724 and I can liaise with you regarding these. Regarding the F86F Sim Pit, I am starting to take a look at the Bombing Altimeter MPC atm. I don't really want to build a replica. Instead I would really like to source an original and convert it etc. But to do so, I also need to know manufacturer and part number details etc. So... if anyone in the community has information on the unit itself, it would be greatly appreciated. @scoobie would love to get a copy of any F86F Manuals and documents that you may have in PDF. Would you be open to sending through a download link? You can DM me here on the DCS Forum, or you can send me an email to: muggavirtualpilot@gmail.com

Took some time this afternoon to drill out the original arm-rest pads in preparation for media blasting and epoxy primer coats. The foam pads will be replaced, with new upholstery.

That is awesome @CpAleks what a great setup!

More progress today on the Sabre Sim Pit, this time focusing on the left hand arm-rest assembly on the ejection seat. I actually started this tear down many months ago, and had to stop mid-way because all of the attachment hardware (nuts and bolts, screws and fixings etc) were all rusted and frozen up. For quite a few weeks I soaked the suspect hardware in a special aviation penetrating and lubricating oil called 'mouse-milk' (LPS branded) and today managed to get all of the hardware out - bar one rusted bolt which was given the hacksaw treatment. With the left hand done, I will move onto the right hand side a little later this evening and if luck be on my side all of the hardware will come out easy. If not, hacksaw treatment for those refusing to move. With the arm-rest assemblies all reduced to components, I will media blast all of these this week and give them an epoxy primer coating, and then ready them for their finish and clear coats. From there it will be a case of re-assembly. I will not be re-using the original assembly hardware, instead I have kept a bag of all of the old bolts etc and will replace with cad plated aviation gear. This will keep it all looking very 'aircraft' in its finish etc. An interesting discovery was the painted 'DANGER' lettering on the ejection handle attachment casting (see commented photos below). This component was given a white face and red lettering on top, which I could not see until I had removed everything.

Thanks @Scotch75 appreciate the kind words! I spend a fair amount of time searching online and reaching out to warbird parts sellers etc. Have been incredibly fortunate to find some quality equipment. Cannot wait to start assembling the sim pit, but still lots of small assemblies and components to finish first.

Tracked down and purchased a brand-new (NOS) IFF Control Panel, dated manufacture of 1955! Once the unit arrives into Australia, I will ship it across to [MVP] IndianaShane in Western Australia, where he can work his internal avionics conversion magic!

Spent some time this evening working on the cockpit defroster selector, which is located on the left hand console control panel. I have made a paper template of the selector fascia and will take that down to the workshop and cut out an aluminum duplicate, drill out the attachment holes and selector slide etc.

Several months ago, I purchased an original F86F Sabre Main Canopy assembly, which is now in transit to me! The plan is to integrate a fully working canopy frame assembly etc.

Managed to get the Bomb Pipper Control Box fascia card cleaned up today and reinstalled. You can also see the freshly painted base plate sitting under the box as well. The face card is anodized alloy and is in remarkable condition given its age and that it survived the scrap yard! The dark area on the card is where the flip cards sat over the top, protecting it from sunlight. The faded area to the right and where the flip card cutout is, is from 70+ years of direct sunlight in the cockpit. The next job is to paint-strip the flip card hinge and repaint the attachment brackets and reinstall. I also have to clean up the metal end-plug and repaint it, along with connect the new wiring harness and connectors.

A massive shout out and thank you to [MVP] IndianaShane who has taken on the task of reworking of the original UHF Radio Control Panel AN/ARC-27. This has entailed removing all of the internals and replacing them with modern kit, along with some custom engineering to keep the original old-school clicky-ness! I asked [MVP] IndianaShane for some comments on his work: "Mugga had sent me the radio panel a while back to find a solution to make the original channel selector mechanism work with modern electronics, keeping the solid original feeling but having the ease of programming and wiring. I decided a rotary encoder was the best option and had to figure out a mounting system for one to fit the original mechanism. The design consists of a step up bracket and collar with 2 grub screws to fasten both selector shafts together. Luckily the rotary encoder has the same throw as the original switch allowing for a direct connection without the need for gearing. The final design will consist of a single height step up and an aluminum collar. I replaced the original parts with a modern multi-position rotary switch and a new potentiometer and wired it all up to a 25 pin connector that will be fitted to the original housing making it almost plug and play with DCS BIOS." The MVP team are the greatest - thank you again Indi... you are awesome!

@BlackLibrary thank you very much for that, it is greatly appreciated.