jocko417

Now that we have 2.5 available I’ll be (eventually) updating all my Swords to take advantage of the latest and greatest metal/reflection and lighting effects. It will take a while, as I don’t have nearly the free time available for skinning as I used to. I’ll probably re-release all the metal liveries first and then tackle the camo ones, like I did with 2.0.

Sokol, you're right that it looks made especially for the IL-2 series of sims, but I celebrate the fact that we are in a renaissance of sorts for sim software and hardware these days. Even if it's not an official pic, I wish VKB all the best for 2018, the year that may shine the brightest for all us simmers! :)

Ohhhhh myyyy Godddddddd........ 2018 is looking frikking AWESOME.

I think I can answer at least some of your questions, having chosen Bodnar boards for my button boxes. You are correct that you need to know how many inputs you are going to be using. Bodnar boards typically allow 32 inputs for switches and buttons, although the joystick cards also have inputs for hat switches which you could also use for switches and button inputs. Rotary switches are nice, but depending on the number of switch positions required you could run out of inputs real quick. Rotary encoders are a good substitute, and only take two inputs. Software used could be JoyToKey, SVMapper, XPadder.

This looks very interesting! Congrats, VKB, can’t wait to see your WW2 throttle unit! :) Edit: TECS looks like a pretty good fit for F-5E pilots....

Yes, it works with Win10.

Yes, XPadder will see your controls but you don't have to/need to use XPadder to assign functions to your stick/throttle, etc, unless you want to. I'm currently using a TM Warthog throttle and VKB-Sim Gunfighter stick with TM Warthog grip installed via VKB-Sim's WH adapter. I use DCS options/controls screen to assign joystick/throttle DX button presses to various functions. I use XPadder to map key assignments for my panel switches first, then I go into DCS and use the controls screen (KEYBOARD ASSIGNMENTS) to make sure the key presses generated by XPadder match the ones in DCS. If you don't want to use the default key assignments DCS has, you can change them, but they must match the ones you use in XPadder. ie: Let's say I'm using a simple SPST toggle switch. For Gear UP, I choose SHIFT-G to be generated by XPadder when the switch is flipped up (physically ON), and CTRL-G for gear DOWN, when the toggle is flipped back down to off. I'd then go into DCS and make sure SHIFT-G and CTRL-G were assigned to Gear UP and Gear DOWN respectively. I find separate commands for gear UP and Down vs. a simple toggle command like "G" less prone to errors - if you air start a mission and forget to first check that the gear switch is physically up before hitting fly, you'll have the gear and the switch out of phase. :mad: Now you have to slow down, hit the G key on the keyboard to lower the gear in the game and then use the physical switch to raise it again so the switch state will match the game state. With two commands, you could just flip the switch up and continue on your merry way, since the gear is already up in game, the game will ignore the command. :) Well worth ten bucks!

Arrived in the mail yesterday, looks to be in fine shape for 60 years old :D All the guts appear to be present: Round silver pots are for manual ranging via throttle grip twist. Here’s the flap lever and micro switches for the electric flap control, after removing the cover plate (inboard side of quadrant) Flap lever in HOLD position Flap lever in DOWN position. Two micro switches each for both the UP and the DOWN selections, actuated by flanges on the flap lever. 7 pin cannon plug for throttle grip switch functions. Looking for female version now :)

Awesome work! :thumbup:

I used 2 and 3 wire cable (edit - 3 wire is actually 4 wire cable, I just nipped off the 4th wire down to the sheathing when I only needed 3 wires) to keep the bird nest aspect under control. Leo Bodnar BB-32 boards, switches range from 2 dollar NKK toggles up to a vintage Cutler Hammer triple throw switch (same type as from real aircraft for selecting bombs, up selects both pylons, down left is left pylon, down right is right pylon. Center off is safe. I needed all 4 wires for this one.) found on eBay. Encoders from Bodnar website. Fun part was researching original 50s vintage switches and guards and trying to find modern (cheaper) equivalents. God bless the internet and Avialogs for F-86 maintenance manuals and parts catalogue available as pdf. Wiring diagrams will come in handy when figuring out the cannon plug on the throttle wiring harness.

https://www.polycase.com/dc-series I used these, the plastic is strong but easy to drill holes in. Many different sizes. :) I got the ones with the smooth lids so I can put adhesive labels on them for switch placarding.

BTW, if you’re looking for an F-86 landing gear switch assembly, this isn’t quite the same (same manufacturer though) but it’s a steal! https://www.ebay.com/itm/Military-Landing-Gear-Selector-switch-Carma-Mnfg-Corp-NEW-OLD-STOCK-/232611068870?vxp=mtr

Photobucket.... well, you know. Older pics but I’ll be getting back to this project soon: Armament panel from center pedestal. The 4 rotary encoders along the top edge are extras, for heading bug, altimeter setting, etc. Have already replaced the guns/missle select round knob with a chickenhead knob. Labels to be added soon. This project had stalled (new puppy) but has been reawakened due to a new aquisition... :D ...annnnnd the OTHER new aquisition:

You could also use a simple on/off switch as long as you use 3rd party key assignment software like Xpadder or SVmapper, etc. This makes it possible to send key commands to the game even if the switch is only powered when in the on position. It’s an extra step but it frees up lot of room on your circuit board for more switches. You could assign gear functions so that when the switch is flicked up to the on position, the gear up command is sent, and when flicked back down to the off position, a gear down command is sent.

Yay: Nice work! Boo: You've reminded me I need to tweak mine...

414 RCAF "City of Sarnia", Fighter Recon Unit This will probably be the next release, once I get the camera ports set up the way I want in the normal map. The real aircraft had teardrop shaped fairings on both sides surrounding the camera ports... which I have not included because they look too fake when drawn on :) MJ351, coded "S", flown by F/L Ken Lawson of No. 414 Squadron, 39 Reconnaissance Wing, RCAF. Late war 2TAF paint scheme includes Night coloured spinner and no Sky fuselage band. 36" Type III nationality markings in all 6 locations. Will probably include a sister ship, "R", as flown by S/L G. Wonnacott, when he scored 3 victories on Jan. 1st, 1945 during the Bodenplatte attacks.

Interesting paint scheme, looks like the original serial was painted over using a theatre colour (I'm guessing Foliage Green), new Aussie serial and markings applied, and then codes applied so as to not obliterate the serial number.

Man, I really need to update my pony skins... nice work!

Very interesting :)

I think it was somewhere around the spring of '44 that the Spit IX changed from a white disc to a pink one, at least for the Jablo blades. Sheathing was brass, not steel, so not an armoured blade. Where the question mark appears above my head is trying to find out how many Spits had the thin Rotoloid covering (RTS vs. RS).

Some fantastic pics in this thread and a great livery!

This stuff is very subjective, but if you want my opinion I'd say the seams and rivets might be a bit too heavy, and the ones on your PP972 above are bang on. But that's just me ;) Also reminds me I need to tweak the normal maps again for my liveries. I adjusted some stuff early on before the template but they came out a little too soft looking. As for the devil being in the details, it's satisfying to get all the OCD rivet counting right but I have to remind myself that the majority of people will be in F1 view, not F2 ;) Again, nice job. Always loved the look of that Temperate Sea scheme, great colours.

Nice work, and a reminder to me to finally finish my own prop marking... made a placeholder out of the default markings but never finished it and it's not completely accurate. Just a small suggestion for accuracy purposes ;) for the Spitfire IX the drawing number should be RA 10046/RS. I'm not sure what the Mk.III Seafires had but the postwar ones had RA 10167/RTS. The disc for the Spit was usually pink/red or white. Not sure about the Seafires. The disc colour (and top row of letters within) had to do with the type of material and manufacturing process used for the blade, I'll have to dig out my notes. Lovely skins! :)

Postwar Trainer Found an interesting profile of a IXc trainer in postwar markings, Empire Flying School, RAF Hullavington, circa 1948.

105 Squadron, IAF Something different. Spitfire IX of 105 (Scorpion) Squadron, IAF, circa 1955. Keep in mind the actual aircraft was a clipped wing, broad chord rudder Mark IXe... and the camo right now is a place holder while I adjust the colours. The real aircraft had a very different camo pattern. Still some work to do, making the squadron nose art now.