Universal military aircraft homecockpit project

[Viper1970]

After our trip to India, around mid-May, I will start working on the project for a few weeks again.

Unfortunately, I still have a nose operation at the beginning of June, after which I am not allowed to do anything for 3 to 4 weeks, like painting or dusty work, like sanding the parts.

But after that it goes on again and I even get help from my wife, because she now also wants to participate in things that concern my hobby and help me to paint all the small parts, such as the buttons, switches, knobs, etc.

[Rick50]

 

I'm very glad for your relationship! Sometimes just being invited to be included goes a long way.

 

https://www.racedepartment.com/  has a lot of discussion  and content. Also you  could  check out Chris Hayes' Youtube channel for ideas and inspiration:

https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisHaye

He does have some serious hardware setups, and as nice as they are, it's not needed to have all that spendy to have a good time doing a race! But he has nice takes on what constitutes an enjoyable racing experience, and that it often doesn't need 1000hp and thousands of kilos of downforce, sometimes 150 hp in a featherweight spec frame can really get a driver going, when there's zero hardware advantage, it's all down to skills and strategy, outhinking your opponent!

I  love your choices of cars, clearly you aren't just a flight enthusiast but a true gearhead as well!  I don't ever hear anyone IRL mention the 288 GTO or Pantera, cars deserving of sooo much more attention IMO... but that's ok!  Grand Prix Legends... amazing what the mod community managed to create for it years later, the sense of speed, lack of grip, an incredible experience!

 

 

[Viper1970]

Yes, I'm a true gearhead!

I've collected so many simulations over the years that I'll probably never be able to really try them all. There's everything from flight sims and car racing/driving sims (including things like eg. ATS and ETS) to tank and fleet sims and even train sims.

I also have several space sims, such as Orbiter, Go For Launch: Mercury, or Reentry - An Orbital Simulator. The last two are highly recommended if you are interested in the early days of spaceflight up to the Apollo program.

I've really collected every PC simulation since the mid/late 80s. It's the same with me as others collect stamps. Are now so some, certainly over 1000 pieces or even far more. I would have to update my stock list. Much, like the titles which came out still as diskette or CD/DVD, store in DJ suitcases. In addition, I have several terrabytes of patches, upgrades or mods to those old simulations stored on hard drives.

So, yes, I'm a real tech and simulation fan since my youth. But I own almost no "normal" games, like jump & run, adventure or action shooter. That never appealed to me.

[Viper1970]

As far as real life goes, I was lucky enough to drive some great cars myself back in the 90s. Among them were quite a few Porsches, because my father had his own company and earned very well at that time, so that he bought a new Porsche almost every year. It started with a 924, then some 911s like the 911 SC, a Turbo, a 928 GT and finally a Carrera 2.

During my time in classic car restoration I was able to drive some very great cars like the already mentioned Alfa GTA Bertone, a Lancia Fulvia, even a Stratos also a 1984 Testarossa, and many others. But these were only very short trips to the TÜV, or test drives, which amounted to about a max. of 50 kilometers at best. Nevertheless it was a great experience.

I myself never had enough money to be able to afford something like that. Although my father earned very well with his company at that time, I was never greatly spoiled. My parents were always of the opinion that if you want something, you have to earn it yourself. But since I didn't earn that much as a mechanic, my cars were mostly old jalopies that could just get you from point A to point B.

Only a VW Beetle I have built up once, in which I really put every penny I could spare, purely. That was a 1200 Cal Look conversion with a Type-4 engine, front and rear disc brakes, 911 transmission, 44 Weber dual carburetor, and height adjustable front axle. A real beast and a real Porsche killer. Unfortunately, I had to sell the car for financial reasons quite shortly after completion. At that time, my heart really bled, because I have invested so much money in this project, which I had really saved from my mouth and also spent countless hours with the conversion, body works and welding. But that's just life.

This is also one of the reasons why I design and build most of my HOTAS and cockpit parts myself. I learned that if you have a dream, but not the money to just buy the things, you must have to have ideas and implement the things with your own means.

Edited April 16, 2023 by Viper1970

[Viper1970]

Car racing is fun for me, but the absolute priority is flight simulation. Therefore, it is not profitable for me (at least not yet) to invest a lot of money in good equipment for racing.

I have a Logitech G29 with H-Shifter, which will also be modified (visually then similar to the G923, with black shifter pedals and black buttons), a modified original pedal set with brake and clutch hanging, gas pedal standing and a Truebrake addon. In addition, there is a self-built sequential shifter, which can be used in alternation with the H-shift. The whole thing runs with Leo Bodnar adapters, so that both the shifter and the pedal are separate devices.

I can then also change the steering wheels and instead of the G29 use my Driving Force GT with the rest of the equipment, so pedals and shifter. This is also modified and has an additional console on top of the base with levers for turn signals, lights etc. to use it for simulations like City Car Driving, Beam Drive NG, Testdrive Unlimited 1/2 or even the ATS/ETS series.

Now I'm building a F1/GT style steering wheel out of an old Driving Force EX, which can then be used with this remaining equipment. For this I sawed out the steering wheel rim and left only the rubberized segments, then printed additional parts for the steering wheel plate and caps, where this can then be screwed to the steering wheel rim. The steering wheel can be disassembled after the conversion similar to the original state, should something need to be repaired.

This steering wheel gets an additional board to integrate more buttons and pots or rotary switches. The turning angle was increased from 180° to about 270° (stop milled off and 180°-poti replaced by a high quality 280°-poti), which is sufficient for Formula 1 cars.  

All the steering wheels I bought used for little money. Of course a Fanatec or Thrustmaster steering wheel with changeable rims is a better solution, but for me it will have to go like this for now.

The whole racing equipment can be used in my cockpit and the conversion from flight to driving simulation takes only a few minutes, because I built the steering wheel mount so that it can be simply folded up after removing the centerstick console.

 

 

Edited April 16, 2023 by Viper1970

[Rick50]

You could also introduce your partner to the most basic of flight. Not combat flight, just basic maneuvers like turns, climbing, descending, takeoff. Something simple like the Yak or Christienson. Or maybe a civilian flight. Or using one of the trainers in DCS that you might already have. Never know, she might enjoy simple flight.

Two other sims do sailplanes, which is still flight, but is a unique feel for people. When I briefly tried that in sim X, it was a surprise to me how much I enjoyed it, very different from the others!

The complexity of modern fighters, like Hornets or even trainers like the L-39, and the complexity of learning to "fight" in the air, might be a huge turnoff... but just letting people take the stick at altitude, in a slow gentle plane, and tutoring them on the basics is a nice easy entry to something they might like to experience once or twice, but also maybe lean into as a hobby .

 

Edited April 16, 2023 by Rick50

[Viper1970]

She doesn't like military stuff. So a civilian flight simulation could be the solution, maybe.

Let's see how excited she is about flying after our trip to India. She's never flown before. We're flying with an A350-900, I even have that one in a simulation.

Either the enthusiasm will be there afterwards, or completely not at all. It depends on how much she likes flying.

Edited April 17, 2023 by Viper1970

[Viper1970]

Just upgraded the HTPC. I replaced the Ryzen 2600X with the 2700X I had left over from the Command Unit (replaced there with the 3900XT) and also used the RTX 2060 graphics card from there since the Unit now has a 2070. I increased the memory from 16 to 32GB. Now you can also gamble properly on the HTPC.

It wasn't that easy, because it's a TFX case and I needed a TFX power supply with enough power for the RTX. I found one with 700W and so it was also possible to install the RTX 2060 there. Originally I wanted to use a 1660 TI which has a lower power consumption.

The TFX-Case is open at the top (no covering) and built into my self-built HiFi cabinet. The whole thing is closed with a bezel. Thus, I can also use graphics cards with normal height.

However, I had to make a separate bezel for the graphics card so that I can attach it to the slot cutout in the TFX case and also mill it out so that the HDMI cable to the TV can be plugged in.

Edited April 19, 2023 by Viper1970

[Viper1970]

Haha, the little HTPC is now running as hell!

All racing titles can be run totally smooth, even Beam NG which had some stuttering with old the hardware if you used high res mirrors.

I hope I can get DCS run as smooth with the triple view in my homepit , using a much more powerfull CPU and GPU here.

I had almost given up on being able to operate my Reverb G2 with the 3090 after reading the reports here in the forum. I'll probably save up for a 4090 now. Until I can afford it, it will probably not be enough after the next DCS updates, as always.

When I considered the VR 4 years ago, I was told that a 2080 (not even a TI variant) would be enough. I also watched some YT videos about it back then and everything ran smoothly, even over urban areas. Then all of a sudden it was too weak (and even the 2080TI). When the 3090 came along, it was said to be the benchmark for VR, so I sold my 2080 and got a 3090. Now it's also too weak and it only runs really smoothly with a 4090, the only question is how much longer!

This is a never ending story and I personally think that ED should now concentrate more on bug fixes and new content than on constantly tweaking the graphics! DCS already looks more than good enough (what looks really better? - ok the terrain in this civilian flight sim maybe, but DCS is very, very close to it) and doesn't need to be made even more beautiful at the expense of FPS. But that's just my personal opinion.

 

That's also the reason why I had already lost a bit of interest in the whole thing before my relationship problems.

I simply can't afford a new graphics card for around 2000€ every year and it's hard to build a homepit without a reasonable graphic card. After all, you also have to be able to see and test that everything you want to connect to it also works (eg. Triple View, VR glasses, additional monitor for the main panel, etc.).

That is hardly possible with an underpowered intermediate solution, to buy the expensive card only when the construction is complete. But the way things are now, with hardware requirements constantly increasing from update to update, you would have to buy a lot of expensive cards for the construction phase alone, which would then have to be replaced after about all 1-2 years. That's crazy!

Edited April 22, 2023 by Viper1970

[Viper1970]

Until I resume work on the Homepit after the holiday and the subsequent surgery, I'll be doing a bit of driving on the HTPC. It's great fun to actually play after all these years of constant tinkering

Even if it's only with the steering wheel on the coffee table. And because I also have motorboat and ship simulations, I'm quickly making a motorboat throttle out of an old Suncom throttle base that I still have lying around.

This can then be connected directly to the 9-pin Sub-D socket on the steering wheel instead of the pedals and thus uses the original axles of the accelerator and brake of the Driving Force Pro.

The Formula 1 wheel is also so a little further, but there's no need to rush, because it's supposed to go in the universal pit and can be used with the other steering wheels in exchange. I only work on it when I feel like it.

 

Edited April 27, 2023 by Viper1970

[Viper1970]

So the trip to India is over. Was a real experience! Especially the elephants!

Now I will dedicate myself again a little bit to the actual project, but unfortunately I don't have as much time for it as before, because some other things in RL will also need a big part of my time now.

The whole thing will be built piece by piece and when there is something new to see finished, I will post photos from time to time.

Some things I have to rework again, because I will probably move again and a lot of my project was not meant to be disassembled and dismantled quickly and easily. Actually, it was planned to stay longer in this apartment, but now we will very likely have to move again.

I now have to design the whole thing a bit more for demountable modules, which makes some things a bit more complicated, especially regarding electronic connections.

 

Edited May 16, 2023 by Viper1970

[Viper1970]

Just upgrading my HTPC to Windows 10, thanks to Steam!

As of the end of the year, you will no longer be able to use the client with Windows 7, which will exclude you from your entire game library.

The great thing is that a large part of my library are games that were also programmed for Windows XP. No problem really, since I also own retro PC's, but with the discontinuation of XP support of the client this was already a problem. I was able to run these games under a modded Windows 7 32Bit, but with Windows 10 this is now much more difficult, because the hardware requirements are even higher.

If they also discontinue support for Windows 10 in the next few years, most of my "retro games" on Steam will be nothing more than a nice collection of box covers. And Steam doesn't care about making the games they sold and still sell playable on modern systems. So you have to take care of it yourself!

At the moment I'm experimenting with ATLAS-OS, which is a stripped down, high performance version of Windows 10. It doesn't look bad, I'm curious if I can get it to run on my big retro PC, cause it's 64Bit. However, if the support for Windows 10 is also completely discontinued, is finally over, because then also the 32Bit support is completely gone, which leads to almost unsolvable problems on the retro PC's, even with modded versions of Windows.

Fortunately, I still have most of the older simulations on CD/DVD. But I had bought most of them again on Steam, because the installation was much more comfortable and all patches, addons and bugfixes were mostly already integrated in the setup. But with the approach Steam follows with their client, I might as well have burned the money right away.

Edited May 20, 2023 by Viper1970

[Viper1970]

Just doing the F-15E Grip

 

 

Edited June 22, 2023 by Viper1970

[Viper1970]

Just building an universal dual stage trigger which I can use for all my further B8 style grips. This should be a seperate part with the complete mechanics and the trigger button/microswitch inside, which than will be integrated in the grip.

 

 

[Viper1970]

And a little further

 

 

[Viper1970]

Have test printed the part and am not so happy with the feedback of the trigger levels. I'm going to revise it again.

It will never be a high quality trigger and my POV hats are also not high quality, but all in all should be at least as good as the feedback on the old Thrustmaster FLCS/F22Pro.

I liked their clearly defined pressure point on the hats, for example, much better than the squishy feel of the new POV's from the Hornet and Viper grip. This may not be realistic (never had an OTTO pov in my hands), but I just get along better with the old system and therefore prefer this feeling.

Only the lack of press function of some POV's was a problem with the old Coolie hats, thats why I use 5 direction switches instead of microswitches in my hats. It also makes the mechanics much smaller, so it's easier to integrate them at any position of a grip. If the press function isn't needed, I put a special 4way hat connector on it, which blocks the press.

At the end I want to have a modular system for the triggers (trigger it self should be changeable in shape, but the mechanics should be standard) and the POV's, which I can use for all my grips and throttles.

 

Edited July 1, 2023 by Viper1970

[Viper1970]

Ok, the new version is in the making .

Just printed the trigger. This is still FDM, but with a layer height of 0.08mm, which is the smallest "real" step the Ender 3 Pro is able to do.

Since the convertation of my Ender 3 Pro with my selfmade Direct-Drive, the dual Z-axis and some other tweaks, the print results are really fantastic.

For this part only one or two layers of primer are needed and it can be painted without the need of sanding. It looks much more rough on the photos as it is in reality. It's really close to an SLA print. And it feels heavy and valuable, it's also mostly massive.

But I will make all these parts like triggers, caps and buttons in SLA once the testing phase is done. The final handle will be a mix of SLA parts for just these details and FDM for the handle shells, which will also be printed in 0.08mm layer height.

 

 

 

Edited July 5, 2023 by Viper1970

[Viper1970]

The new version works a lot better and doesn't need the extra spring. It's also smaller now and feels a lot smoother as before.

Those two miniature distance washers I have also just printed on my Ender . No problem and they are really small!

 

[Viper1970]

So the trigger feels good, POV systems already made a few months ago, now I can continue to do the grip itself.

I also planed to redo all the sticks I have from TM, Suncom and Virpil (Viper, Hornet, VFX, Talon, Eagle, X-Fighter [B8]) as 3D printable grips once again.

I want to have printable backups for all my HOTAS systems, for the case that anything breaks. Especially those old grips are hard to get today and even if you can get them, they tend to get more and more ridiculous expensive. So I will make my own versions of them.

[Viper1970]

The new modular trigger-box integrated in the F-15E prototype stick. Both models are still massive and this is only a test for visualization purposes. I made a massive part out of my trigger box, which makes it easier to prepare the space needed in the model for the box. Screwings to mount it inside the grip will follow now.

As I said, I want to be able to use this box with different triggers in shape for all my 3D printed grips. I know this is not like the original, but it makes building new grips much easier and I can live with that if not everything is 100% like the original.

Even the grips from TM, Virpil or WinWing are not exactly like the original after all. I try to implement at least the layout and the functions as original as possible, there are no extra buttons that are not present on the original.

Only the thumbswitch will be a 4 direction switch with push function in my version. In the original it is only a 2 direction with push.

The only exception at the moment, which is really very different from the original, is my OH-58D Kiowa Cyclic, which will include the functions of both pilot and co-pilot. Since I want to be able to switch between both seats in single player, I also need the different functions of both seats in one handle, which will result in a slightly different button/hat layout.

 

 

Edited July 6, 2023 by Viper1970

[Viper1970]

Ok guys I am done with this. My partnership has unfortunately gone down the drain, I sold all my equipment to start my own life and I don't know if I ever want to do this hobby again. Are too many bad memories associated with it, unfortunately.

Take care and "Happy Flying"

Viper

[Rick50]

 

Sorry to hear this.

Best of luck to you.

[CrashMeTwice]

This is just sad!
May the road ahead be filled with success for you!

[MAXsenna]

Best of luck!

Sent from my MAR-LX1A using Tapatalk

[agrasyuk]

On 8/4/2023 at 3:51 PM, Viper1970 said:

Ok guys I am done with this. My partnership has unfortunately gone down the drain, I sold all my equipment to start my own life and I don't know if I ever want to do this hobby again. Are too many bad memories associated with it, unfortunately.

Oh man, this is sad to hear. I'm not sure what the deal was with that partnership, but it honestly seems like you ground yourself out with this project. I lost a few hobbies doing this, so now I'm trying to go slower.
Best of luck with whatever you are taking on next. I don't think you will be able to keep those levels of creativity at bay for long time