Custom F-14 Throttle

[jaguara5]

So, as an F-14A   enthusiast, i'm considering the idea to order a custom F-14 throttle . The idea is not do  a 1:1 exact replica (like one from throttletek)  but a close enough throttle that mimics the basic layout of a real unit and can  ofc be used with other modules as well. 

So i was thinking of a more compact version of gvl's tomcat throttle 

 

 Since i don't need all these switches  and to reduce the cost, my idea is to to keep the part inside the blue square that can be seen  in the attached photo. 

First, i was thinking to add  a landing gear lever , which i think is essential for flying correclty the overhead pattern over the boat (the pilot raises his left hand from the throttles  to operate the gear lever during the break turn). One variation would be to replace the yellow wing  lever on the right side (when is that used IRL?), the other is to  build the gear lever in  front of the throttle and little to the right, so in a position realitvely close the the real one (the base would be accordingly bigger). 

Second, i was thinking to add behind the throttles the target designate switch (or if it's not possible to copy the real three posistion rocker swith to add  3 separate big white switches for VSL HIGH / VSL LOW / PLM respectively). The idea is to mimic the pilots hand movement to operate the real switch. Ok, we don't have a sidewall to put the switch there and i know that  irl the vsl was operated  almost always from the RIO, but i'm looking for a ''more realistic feeling''  than that  we get by simply mapping  these keybinds on a switch on the throttle lever itself (call it masochism). 

 Also, i was considering to put  2 simple switches on tha back side,  one for the SAS Roll switch (that according to real checklist was disabled before BFM, i'm aware that not all pilots did that) and one for the THROTTLE MODE.

Also in the front side of the right handle you can see in the video a simple switch and a four way hat switch not existing in the real plane, i was consdiering to keep them, the first one to call Jester's menu the second one to operate zoom view in / out (up / down) , usefull IMO during BFM sessions with a trackir. 

The cost for the (shorter) version of the base without the gear lever would be 245 euro  + 10 euro's for the 2 switches, the additional gear lever would add + 30 euros. 

Any other idea /  suggestion  / help is welcomed. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLYTsGLcIi8

 

Edited April 12, 2021 by jaguara5

[draconus]

15 hours ago, jaguara5 said:

VSL HIGH / VSL LOW / PLM respectively

That would be PAL. PLM is on the right throttle.

http://www.heatblur.se/F-14Manual/cockpit.html#throttle

All in all this hardware looks good.