KA-50 Mini-pit console build

[zimbakin]

Hi Guys,

 

Here's a small movie showing my KA-50 Black Shark ‘Mini-Pit’ build and final working consoles in action. Sorry about the intro... I get carried away with these things.

 

 

The panels I chose to build are primarily focused around KA-50 start-up and shut-down procedures.

This is the reason I also chose to build a life-size replica of the electrics/hydraulics panel.

Another pre-requisite was to ensure it is all plug and play for easy pack up.

I want the realism and immersion, however, don’t want a life-size cockpit taking up a room in my house.

 

On the replica Elec/Hyd panel, I took some creative license and utilised the bottom left vacant space, to add in some rear wall switches such as Ekran/Hydraulics, INU etc. This is one of two parts of that panel that vary from the real thing. The other part is a redundant button that I translated to landing gear, with a nose gear status light.

 

The second console is what I call a multi-function panel.

This slim-line panel consists of a buttons and switches I wanted access to.

I designed it to fit perfectly under my main display (between the monitor and stand base).

 

It consists of:

 

- Working Master caution button / cancel light

- part of the start-up panel

- Master Arm

- Auto pilot button lights

…and a few other switches

 

I also added a red anti-collision strobe to really light up the room, adding some extra immersion during the start-up procedure.

 

(Note. In the video, I incorrectly activate the anti-collision out of sequence. Too busy playing with the camera while filming… (sorry to all ground crew who lost their heads))

 

Also, for the panel builds, I varnished the finished MDF products, then wrapped them with 3M film, rather than painting. This gives a more professional finished look and feels more like a real console.

The panels were laser cut for the same reason.

 

The only thing I hated about this project was wiring and soldering. It was a painful laborious slug. After the first console was finished, I left the other sitting there for 3 months before getting back into it. Be warned :)

 

If I do build another console, next build will be the weapons panel.

 

Happy flying.

 

Build specs:

 

- 30” + x2 27” LCD monitors

- DCS World - Black Shark 2

- Old SFS Flight controller and throttle converted to USB (works great)

- MFG Crosswind rudder pedals

Note. These are brilliant. More realistic feel as they glide over the self centre point

- KA-50 replica electric and Hydraulics panel

- Custom multi function panel

- Surround speakers with a decent sub-woofer for the gas turbine and canon raw

- Phidgets LED board with Gadroc’s Helios for software interfacing

+ modifications based on Capt. Zeens excellent profile

- Leo Bodnar BBI-32 Button Box Interface with Xpadder for software interfacing

 

Cheers,

 

ZIM

Edited December 24, 2015 by zimbakin
Update

[Devrim]

Congrats. A great "mini" cockpit. :)

[zimbakin]

Congrats. A great "mini" cockpit. :)

 

Cheers Devrim, thanks!

[xjiks]

That's very nice cockpit, just one question how do you make a switch become a input for the game ? Do you have any link to share that would explain the way it works in the background ?

(how to connect switches to the computer, what program to run etc.)

[zimbakin]

That's very nice cockpit, just one question how do you make a switch become a input for the game ? Do you have any link to share that would explain the way it works in the background ?

(how to connect switches to the computer, what program to run etc.)

 

Hi xjiks,

 

Thanks man.

Seems like only yesterday I was asking the same questions.

It's actually quite easy.

 

There's a lot of detailed explanations in the forums here that can explain the detail you're after.

This is more of a showcase, rather than a 'how-to'. However, happy to offer some help.

 

In a nut shell, I use x2 primary boards to interface with the computer (provided in my specs/description above). There are many options. However through research, trial and error, I found this combination works well... meaning, everything works in real time for me.

 

Light control:

Hardware - Phidgets LED board

Software - Gadroc’s Helios

+ modifications based on Capt. Zeens excellent profile

 

Switches, Buttons and rotary encoders:

Hardware - Leo Bodnar BBI-32 Button Box Interface

Software - Xpadder

 

All the best.

 

ZIM

Edited December 24, 2015 by zimbakin
Clarify

[mig29movt]

Looks really good!

[xjiks]

Thanks Zimbakin, I will study this and think about it carefully

Have a merry christmas

[Terrorvogel]

Very nice work man!!! :thumbup:

How did you exactly made the printing of the side panel? What software do you use for that?

I made same sidepanel but it looks not far that good than yours man:helpsmilie:

[zimbakin]

Hi Terrorvogel,

 

I used Adobe Illustrator. Any vector program will do the trick.

 

The starting point was using the DCS World console textures as templates. This is a good start for getting the first cut / rough panel. I also sourced as many real photos of the real KA-50 from the Internet (not that many), including freeze frames from videos. Then just need to do some paper mock ups to make sure it all fits.

One cool thing with this panel is, a lot of the labels are offset in odd ways. This is part of the Russian charm and adds to authenticity.

 

Cheers

[LevelPulse]

Wow, this looks incredible.

 

Amazing job!

[Terrorvogel]

Thx you for the interesting answer zimbakin!

I will have a look at that Adobe soft.

Did you print out the console on paper and glued it onto the case or did you completely CNCed the console somehow?. Does light come through the panel from behind? I am thinking about to completely redo my panels because they're ugly. Would be nice if you could answer this questions for me too.

[hannibal]

fancy... but can you fly?

lol

 

looking good... buddy!

[Mr_Burns]

Nice - i felt like I should have bought tickets though!!

 

So were they print outs over laser cut panels? Looks really good.

[98abaile]

This is cool. I've always though about doing a mini pit type project.

[KROLSKI]

Nice job!

[zimbakin]

Thanks LevelPulse!

 

Also have a look at BaD CrC on these forums.

I drew some inspiration from his full size pit.

 

Cheers.

[zimbakin]

This is cool. I've always though about doing a mini pit type project.

 

Do it man! Even a few switches here and there really enhance the simulation.

 

Cheers.

[zimbakin]

fancy... but can you fly?

lol

 

looking good... buddy!

 

Any idea what all these switches do ;)

[98abaile]

Do it man! Even a few switches here and there really enhance the simulation.

 

Cheers.

Working on something more general purpose that will hopefully benefit the community (and others) at large.

[Gadroc]

Looks great. Nice workmanship on the consoles!

[33rd_Elvis]

It looks very good:joystick:

[Hansolo]

Beautiful work Sir. Looking really great :thumbup:

 

Cheers

Hans

[zimbakin]

Thx you for the interesting answer zimbakin!

I will have a look at that Adobe soft.

Did you print out the console on paper and glued it onto the case or did you completely CNCed the console somehow?. Does light come through the panel from behind? I am thinking about to completely redo my panels because they're ugly. Would be nice if you could answer this questions for me too.

 

Hi T,

 

I used a company to CNC the panels. There are plenty of backyard operations online if you do a search. You can't see light through the panel, it's opaque. The clear option with backlighting pushes the cost up again, so I went without. Instead, I added x2 blue LED lights to the panel as you can see in the vid, which sync with the simulator panel lights.

 

Here's a link to my panel (in PDF) if it helps.

 

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bx4n5nzTqzahRy03YWVPWjN4Rlk&usp=sharing

 

Feel free to use and make your own modifications.

 

Make sure you do a paper mockup before committing to a final CNC build to check all your switches fit. I used a standard heavy duty toggle for most + a few odd buttons. Unfortunately I didn't draw up a plan for the panel housing, it's a simple box, so not too difficult.

 

The electrics/hydraulics panel was split into 2 halves in order to fit the box for laser cutting.

If I did it again, I would probably add the weapons panel to my custom multifunction console. Other than that, it all works great.

 

Cheers.

Edited January 18, 2016 by zimbakin

[NO1PRODIGY]

Thanks for taking the time to show us your setup. .i too have limited space to build a full size cockpit and i think your mini cockpit is just what I'm looking for. .

I gave a few little questions. .

1) Can you start the ka50 with ALL the switches you have on the large switch panel? I want to build a large panel very similar to yours but with the blue auto pilot buttons on. I may even add the weapons system buttons on their too or build a small switch panel for that.

2) Could you please please please add some still photos of your switch panel so i can source similar switches to the ones you have.

 

Thanks

 

Hi xjiks,

 

Thanks man.

Seems like only yesterday I was asking the same questions.

It's actually quite easy.

 

There's a lot of detailed explanations in the forums here that can explain the detail you're after.

This is more of a showcase, rather than a 'how-to'. However, happy to offer some help.

 

In a nut shell, I use x2 primary boards to interface with the computer (provided in my specs/description above). There are many options. However through research, trial and error, I found this combination works well... meaning, everything works in real time for me.

 

Light control:

Hardware - Phidgets LED board

Software - Gadroc’s Helios

+ modifications based on Capt. Zeens excellent profile

 

Switches, Buttons and rotary encoders:

Hardware - Leo Bodnar BBI-32 Button Box Interface

Software - Xpadder

 

All the best.

 

ZIM