Building a Mig-21 weapon selector

[Knugen]

For my first do-it-yourself project, I've decided to try to create a switch (rotary?) for the weapon selector knob in the MiG-21Bis, and possibly including the three cannon reload buttons and the two Air/Ground & IR / SAR switches.

 

Anyhow, I've never done this thing before and I could not find any similiar projects on here, so I'm looking to you for some assistance.

 

The technical specifications aren't that frightening - I need a knob that has 11 registerable 'buttons'. If it is required, it can be 7 'buttons', but 11 is preferable.

 

Does anyone know a good supplier that ships to europe supplying this hardware?

 

Thanks in advance

[Extranajero]

It won't be difficult to find a rotary switch. You may have to accept one with 12 positions as usually they tend to have an even number of contacts - unless intended for a special purpose.

Any ideas on how you would like to interface the switch ? Arduino or Teensy microcontroller, Leo Bodnar board ?

[Boltz]

Depends if the switch has limits (I'm not a Mig-21 fan so don't know) ie. If you rotate the switch is there a point where you can't go further and must go in the other direction? If so then you just need to find an adjustable 12 position switch and change it to 11 positions. It should just be the basic rotary switch at your local electronics shop.

[Knugen]

It won't be difficult to find a rotary switch. You may have to accept one with 12 positions as usually they tend to have an even number of contacts - unless intended for a special purpose.

Any ideas on how you would like to interface the switch ? Arduino or Teensy microcontroller, Leo Bodnar board ?

 

 

12 would be fine. I don't know how to interface it yet, the technical details is something Ill start looking into once I've found a suitable piece of hardware. that said, im open to suggestions

[Extranajero]

How do the key commands for weapon selection work in -21 ?

 

Do you have a key for each station or cycle the knob one setting up or one setting down ?

 

If you don't have a key for each station I think you'll need a software as a well as a hardware interface.

Edited January 25, 2015 by Extranajero

[Knugen]

How do the key commands for weapon selection work in -12 ?

 

Do you have a key for each station or cycle the knob one setting up or one setting down ?

 

If you don't have a key for each station I think you'll need a software as a well as a hardware interface.

 

Fortunately, there's a bindable key for each selection.

 

So far, I think I will go with the following:

 

1 x ON / OFF Switch for the Master arm ( 2 options, Air / Ground)

1 x ON / OFF / ON switch for the weapon AA mode (3 options, IR, Neutral & SAR)

1 x 12-point Rotary for the weapon selector

3 x Push-buttons for the cannon reload buttons

Edited January 24, 2015 by Knugen

[Extranajero]

You can do it quite easily then - one Arduino ( or clone ) and a few toggle switches.

[Hansolo]

If so then you just need to find an adjustable 12 position switch and change it to 11 positions. It should just be the basic rotary switch at your local electronics shop.

 

I agree with Boltz, the low cost I have can do it. Attached is a two photos of it. First one is of the complete assemble. Second is when nut, washer and lock disc has been removed. This switch is a 12-pos and has 10 slots where you can lock depending of how many positions you want to use (3-12).

 

In case of 11 positions you insert the tab on the lck disc into the 9th hole.

 

Cheers

Hans

[1.JaVA_Platypus]

I'm thinking about the same thing really. Because changing weapons and AA/AG mode can be a bit hard if you are in a chaotic online server. What do you want to use for USB interface? I will use a Leo Bodnar BU8036X board.

 

And how do I go around to make a Helios profile for it??