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Mi-24 Sim-Pit by Molevich


molevitch

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  • 3 months later...

Time for an update! 
 

I have finally added switches and wiring to the left foot panel and the right hand electrics panel. I now need to upload an edited DCSBIOS sketch to the Arduino Mega behind these 2 panels. @BlackLibrary has kindly updated the Mi-8 lua as I am currently flying that until the 24 drops. Within days, I should be able to run a full cold-start without using the mouse to click in the virtual cockpit.
 

Also, a lot of cosmetic work has been carried out, adding bezels and dummy gauges to the dashboard, as well as the map box and drift gauge box. The intention is to add the knobs and switches to the various gauges as functioning switches eventually, but not high priority.

 

Since getting a 3D printer, a whole new world of crazy possibilities has opened up, especially for repetitive stuff or multiple items like gauge light-posts. I have also produced the ASP-17V in Fusion 360 and printed it. Glare shields from scrap sheet steel have been cut, bent and spray-painted too, and a monitor mount made from MDF to position the screen behind all that.

 

The  weapons panel is mounted but still awaiting a few toggle switches, and those will be integrated with the dashboard switches into a DCSBIOS sketch too.

 

3D printer has been used to produce many items, especially knobs and switch guards, map box, bezels, ASP-17V, extensions to the top of the dashboard, landing gear switch, indicator lights (courtesy of @Razorback), map-box thumb-wheels and chicken-heads, etc. 
 

After all the functionality of switches and knobs is 100% (or at least 80%...) I will be tackling the exterior shell and framework including the door and frame, and possibly the canopy bubble!

 

 

 

 

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Edited by molevitch

SCAN Intel Core i9 10850K "Comet Lake", 32GB DDR4, 10GB NVIDIA RTX 3080, HP Reverb G2

Custom Mi-24 pit with magnetic braked cyclic and collective. See it here: Molevitch Mi-24 Pit.

 

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] www.blacksharkden.com

bsd sig 2021.jpg

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  • 4 months later...

As the Mi-24 module in DCS has now a “suggested” release date of May 31st 2021, I thought I would share a short video of recent progress. 
 

there is still a lot to do, but I have been focused on connecting switches which relate to functions in the Mi-8, which I currently fly increasingly aggressively! The weapons panel is fully wired up now, though the weapon switching systems in the 8 are very different to the 24. 
 

I still need to find a solution for the left and right breakers panels, though I have something in mind. And I still have yet to progress with the authentic pedals and their trim system, and I want to build the door and door frame also. I have built a working fan though...

 

 

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  • Like 1

SCAN Intel Core i9 10850K "Comet Lake", 32GB DDR4, 10GB NVIDIA RTX 3080, HP Reverb G2

Custom Mi-24 pit with magnetic braked cyclic and collective. See it here: Molevitch Mi-24 Pit.

 

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] www.blacksharkden.com

bsd sig 2021.jpg

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  • 2 months later...
8 hours ago, ollk22 said:

How are you doing with this? Have you started integrating with the software yet?

Yes, some of it is now running under DCSBIOS already, while some is working with Bodnar boards.

 

the right side electrics panel is now functional (except the 36v switch,a bug) along with the fuel tank selector, and the Fire Extinguisher panel and Autopilot panel are mostly working, though I still have a few corrections in their Sketch to correct. 
 

The weapons panel is currently on a Bodnar, but I will switch it to DCSBIOS to improve its functionality soon, though I also need to upgrade several switches on there first. I managed to find some On-On-On switches from China which need to have their toggle levers improved…

  • Like 1

SCAN Intel Core i9 10850K "Comet Lake", 32GB DDR4, 10GB NVIDIA RTX 3080, HP Reverb G2

Custom Mi-24 pit with magnetic braked cyclic and collective. See it here: Molevitch Mi-24 Pit.

 

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] www.blacksharkden.com

bsd sig 2021.jpg

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  • 5 months later...

After a bit of a pit-building hiatus due to the release of the Mi-24P, due in part to working as a beta-tester on it, plus actually enjoying this long-anticipated module, I returned to setting up the multitude of switches and panels to connect to DCS via DCSBIOS. I have always planned to move it all onto a RS485 network. 
 

I had some panels connected to a network and some directly via USB. I decided to change my connections from 4-pin Molex types to RJ45…. I could NOT get this to work, and wasted 2 months or so trying. I don’t know why, it just would not work. Endless continuity tests, checking soldering with magnifying glasses, cleaning with isopropyl alcohol, etc. So a few days ago I reverted to the Molex types and within a few hours I had my SAU and SPUU, Landing Gear and external lights panel running (solo) on the network.

Happy New Year for me!

So now I am moving on to all the other panels to get them networked. Once that’s done, I will share some pics of my various solutions, and a video of a Cold Start and other functions.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year too, and looking forward to more flying the Mi-24 in Multi-Crew with my mates at Black Shark Den!

SCAN Intel Core i9 10850K "Comet Lake", 32GB DDR4, 10GB NVIDIA RTX 3080, HP Reverb G2

Custom Mi-24 pit with magnetic braked cyclic and collective. See it here: Molevitch Mi-24 Pit.

 

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] www.blacksharkden.com

bsd sig 2021.jpg

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And a little update which just happened today.

Developing WIP of the Circuit Breakers panels left and right of the pilot seat. Test 3D print of a bank of 5 circuit breaker switches for the rear left wall of the Mi-24. The finished panel will have 6 of these and a the lever operated frame to turn on all 29 CBS at once. Magnets will hold the switch bars in either the up or down position, and one of them will have a Hall sensor switch for the DCS command. 
Same system will be used for the right side also, naturally.

Not yet sure whether to 3d print the switching frame or make from metal components, or a mix of the two, but the lever arm for sure will be aluminium rod.

 

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  • Like 1

SCAN Intel Core i9 10850K "Comet Lake", 32GB DDR4, 10GB NVIDIA RTX 3080, HP Reverb G2

Custom Mi-24 pit with magnetic braked cyclic and collective. See it here: Molevitch Mi-24 Pit.

 

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] www.blacksharkden.com

bsd sig 2021.jpg

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It's all looking incredible! I am going to attempt to get my colleagues to bend me some copper pipe at work for a home made collective at some point, which will be the start of the collective!
In the meantime, I just had to buy myself an original fan, but that is as far as my cockpit has got and probably will get lol!

I do like your 3d printed fan though, an excellent job!
 

 

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Update on work in progress- Circuit Breaker panels. The left-side one is almost done. 
 

Slightly off scale, narrower than the real thing due to the rest of my build… but I think that’s ok. Each bank of switches is a dummy, and only the lowest one will activate all in DCS through the Hall sensor. Magnets will give a bit of “clicky” resistance and snap to the action. 
Reprinting the black handle as it looks too big, and needs to be in 2 halves for a cleaner print. 
The paint finish will get some aging and scratching too, to look more worn in and abused. And labels added too.
 

Already working on the right-side panel.

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Edited by molevitch
  • Like 2

SCAN Intel Core i9 10850K "Comet Lake", 32GB DDR4, 10GB NVIDIA RTX 3080, HP Reverb G2

Custom Mi-24 pit with magnetic braked cyclic and collective. See it here: Molevitch Mi-24 Pit.

 

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] www.blacksharkden.com

bsd sig 2021.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 1/7/2022 at 7:58 AM, molevitch said:

Update on work in progress- Circuit Breaker panels. The left-side one is almost done. 
 

Slightly off scale, narrower than the real thing due to the rest of my build… but I think that’s ok. Each bank of switches is a dummy, and only the lowest one will activate all in DCS through the Hall sensor. Magnets will give a bit of “clicky” resistance and snap to the action. 
Reprinting the black handle as it looks too big, and needs to be in 2 halves for a cleaner print. 
The paint finish will get some aging and scratching too, to look more worn in and abused. And labels added too.
 

Already working on the right-side panel.

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07EC103C-EA58-4305-A9D8-985C4895E36B.jpeg

 

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That's very creative... Have you been tempted to individually address each switch 😄

?

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13 hours ago, ollk22 said:

That's very creative... Have you been tempted to individually address each switch 😄

?

Tempted? Hell Yeah! But fortunately common sense prevailed…. I have enough else to get on with, and the CBs are the least of it.
 

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  • Like 1

SCAN Intel Core i9 10850K "Comet Lake", 32GB DDR4, 10GB NVIDIA RTX 3080, HP Reverb G2

Custom Mi-24 pit with magnetic braked cyclic and collective. See it here: Molevitch Mi-24 Pit.

 

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] www.blacksharkden.com

bsd sig 2021.jpg

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Right side Circuit Breakers panel is now finished and mounted, though not yet wired up. A couple of minor tweaks and improvements planned, but not essential. Oh, and it needs a handle, 8mm aluminium tubing ordered, arriving next week. (I also know I have a couple of extra switches which are blanked out in DCS....)



From here, I go back to reconnecting the Electrics Interface panels, and then on to wiring and setting up the Dashboard elements, Map box controls, Compass switches and Heading setter, Rad Alt Height adjuster knob, Gyro switches and Pedal damper switches. I will also be integrating the ASP17V controls into the dashboard. 

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Edited by molevitch
  • Like 1

SCAN Intel Core i9 10850K "Comet Lake", 32GB DDR4, 10GB NVIDIA RTX 3080, HP Reverb G2

Custom Mi-24 pit with magnetic braked cyclic and collective. See it here: Molevitch Mi-24 Pit.

 

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] www.blacksharkden.com

bsd sig 2021.jpg

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  • 2 months later...

I now have 90% of the pilot cockpit switches fully functional, though with one or two needing editing/debugging. (Isn’t that always the way?). Everything is running on DCS-Bios and 1 Bodnar board (for the cyclic/collective). It’s great to be able to make weapons selections from the weapons panel without using a mouse, and make adjustments to the ASP-17 on the fly, change radio channel, select radio, hit the flares button etc. 

But I still felt something was missing…. Then I found myself with some large sheets of packing card after a delivery, and thought of a better way to recycle them. Now I have to model and print the door holding piston and the opening handle and bolts, make the faux leather map and tool pouch, and decide what livery to paint. Will glazing with domed acrylic be too much?

 

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  • Like 2

SCAN Intel Core i9 10850K "Comet Lake", 32GB DDR4, 10GB NVIDIA RTX 3080, HP Reverb G2

Custom Mi-24 pit with magnetic braked cyclic and collective. See it here: Molevitch Mi-24 Pit.

 

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] www.blacksharkden.com

bsd sig 2021.jpg

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On 4/1/2022 at 2:07 PM, lesthegrngo said:

Very cool, nice work! Eco friendly too!


Les

Thanks Les, cracking the DCSBIOS networked issues made all the difference, 90% of switches now functional. But I jump from one thing to another depending on inspiration, so one week it’s electronics, the next month it’s Stanley knives and corrugated card boxes!

  • Like 1

SCAN Intel Core i9 10850K "Comet Lake", 32GB DDR4, 10GB NVIDIA RTX 3080, HP Reverb G2

Custom Mi-24 pit with magnetic braked cyclic and collective. See it here: Molevitch Mi-24 Pit.

 

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] www.blacksharkden.com

bsd sig 2021.jpg

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3 hours ago, lesthegrngo said:

You are just like me - no plan, just do whatever takes my fancy next. Still, my wife worked out long ago that most of the pleaure for me is the building not the playing so she realises it keeps me happy!


Les

Yeah, I spend way more time building than flying! (Sorta feel there’s something wrong with that…. Whatever!)

SCAN Intel Core i9 10850K "Comet Lake", 32GB DDR4, 10GB NVIDIA RTX 3080, HP Reverb G2

Custom Mi-24 pit with magnetic braked cyclic and collective. See it here: Molevitch Mi-24 Pit.

 

[sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] www.blacksharkden.com

bsd sig 2021.jpg

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