Button box for the Su-33 and other FC3 aircraft

[N22YF]

My first button box build! When I was figuring out what to do, I found it really helpful seeing what others had done, so I thought I’d share mine in case it might be helpful for people considering doing something similar. This button box is for the left-cockpit off-throttle controls for the Flaming Cliffs 3 aircraft; I modeled it after the Su-33’s cockpit, since that’s the FC3 aircraft that has the most left-cockpit off-throttle controls, but I laid it out so it works well for most or all of the left-cockpit off-throttle controls of all the FC3 aircraft. (I play in VR, so it’s not confusing having the wrong labels when I fly other aircraft - the labels are just for fun since I can’t see them in VR anyway.) I have to say, it feels so much better to use what’s basically the actual controls for these aircraft rather than just pressing buttons on the throttle or keyboard to accomplish the same actions! And it's much easier than groping for the keyboard in VR.

 

 

I’m using a Leo Bodnar BBI-32 board with 32 inputs:

• 3 single-throw toggle switches (including the landing gear lever)
• 4 single-throw momentary toggle switches (including the landing lights switch)
• 2 double-throw momentary toggle switches
• 9 momentary buttons (used e.g. for autopilot controls on the Su-25T, Su-27/33, and MiG-29)
• An interlock pushbutton switch with two buttons (pushing one button will "unpush" the other button - used for flaps, for aircraft with only two flaps settings)
• A 5-position rotary switch (used e.g. for setting operating mode on the Su-27/33, MiG-29, and A-10A)
• A regular rotary encoder
• A rotary encoder with an integrated momentary push button

and I use Joystick Gremlin to do things like sending the command when a switch is moved, so I can map the on and off movement of single-throw switches to two commands.

(Honestly a VIRPIL throttle would have gotten me most of the way there with a lot less work, but they’re always sold out and I haven’t been able to order one, so… here we are!)

 

This was a pretty fun learning process - I learned how to use Fusion 360, how to use a laser cutter, and how to 3D print. The button caps, the mode select knob, the landing lights switch cap, and the landing gear lever are all 3D printed. The faces of the panels are three layers of 3 mm laser-cut acrylic, so that I could get the top of the toggle switch bases flush with the panels. The top layer is white acrylic that I spray-painted black and then etched away the paint with the laser cutter. (The button labels are done the same way - they’re acrylic inserts that drop into the top of the button caps.) I thought about replicating the Su-33’s blue cockpit colors, but doing three colors (white, black, and blue) was much more complicated than two, so I went with just black and white since I can’t see it anyway in VR. The base, which allows for my TWCS throttle to be attached aft of the button box, is 6 mm plexiglass, and I have the whole thing mounted on a J-PEIN desk mount. The side panels are ¼" thick Delrin (also cut on the laser cutter, and then spray-painted matte black), which was easy to drill into so I could screw the whole thing together.

 

I have a new appreciation now for the price of higher-level sim gear (such as the Warthog throttle) now - I spent close to $100 (over $100 with shipping) on switches and encoders etc. alone (and that’s not including about $50 for the Leo Bodnar board)!

 

Here's a video demonstrating it in action:

 

Here's a shot with 2 of the 3 panel layers removed:

 

Here's how I use it with the Su-33:

 

And with the F-15C:

Edited December 4, 2020 by N22YF

[Rick50]

I like it!!!

[Sprool]

Great build - nicely done :)

[N22YF]

Thanks! :) It took a lot of trial and error, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out!

[Zpigman]

Just checking in

 

Hey saw this here then went to YouTube to comment not thinking, and want to know if you will send out part files for 3d printing like thingiverse or if it is all hand made give any ideas of the scale to the parts.:thumbup: Nice build am and looking at this or making a proper simpit, so far this is cheaper and fits my play style better. Keep up the good work can't wait to see what else you come up with.

[N22YF]

Hey saw this here then went to YouTube to comment not thinking, and want to know if you will send out part files for 3d printing like thingiverse or if it is all hand made give any ideas of the scale to the parts.:thumbup: Nice build am and looking at this or making a proper simpit, so far this is cheaper and fits my play style better. Keep up the good work can't wait to see what else you come up with.

 

Thank you! :) I printed the 3D printed parts myself. The autopilot buttons are about 25 mm (1") square and the two larger knobs are about 40 mm (1.5") in diameter at the base, to give you an idea of the scale.

Edited September 1, 2020 by N22YF

[Outlaw24]

Nice job well done!

[Zpigman]

Thank you! :) I printed the 3D printed parts myself. The autopilot buttons are about 25 mm (1") square and the two larger knobs are about 40 mm (1.5") in diameter at the base, to give you an idea of the scale.

Thank you, makes it much easier to get an idea, here is hoping I can get something similar designed.

[notproplayer3]

Looks like a very cool project and looks very good too, it also gives me some ideas so thanks for sharing your build.