F-14B Cockpit Sim Pit - Peripherals

[Paul6JAFO]

Good day all,

After doing a LOT of research on the various options for stick, rudder, throttle, etc., I am looking to purchase the following setup in the next 2-3 months. I am planning on flying the F-14B the great majority of the time, but also diving into warbirds (P-47), and quite possibly the F-4 Phantom. For any experienced with the F-14B, would any of the following cause issues in terms of availability of hat switches/buttons to bind, rudder durability and control (F-14B uses a lot of rudder), and stick feel?

Seat: SimFab modular for DCS with the lower center-stick option

Stick: Virpil VPC VFX Grip with extension and Mongoose T-50 base

Throttle: WinWIng Orion18

Rudder: Thrustmaster TPR (also considered the WinWing Orion)

I am going to utilize this setup with VR (Quest 3), so not looking at getting any additional panels or MFDs at this time. Eventually I may use this setup for MSFS as well, but for now, DCS only. I have MSFS on XBox Series X, so I can play that from time to time with my kids using my cheap HOTAS gear.

I looked at the NLR Boeing Military seat; however, it seems having the flight stick extension requires a lot of modifications, and some say the seat isn't very comfortable. Seems like the SimFab is alright in terms of comfort, plus it allows to utilize the extension. I'd really like to add the extension to create more realism for how the F-14B stick is mounted, as well as most warbirds.

I'd love some feedback for this gear. Thank you in advance!

[Goose489]

Someone on here 3d printed a very realistic throttle quadrant but I was unable to find it.

Also, if you look at the real aircraft the stick kinda bends over the seat a little bit.

Edited February 20, 2024 by Goose489

[Nightdare]

Seems to be a solid setup

(Though I can't account for the Simfab stuff, only issue I see there, as with many "flight"seats bar NLR, is that a deep bucketseat doesn't comfortably allow ease of checking behind you in VR, simply some extra padding could help )

Would opt for the WW rudder sooner than the TPR, apart from the TM being rather bulky height wise, there's also a significant price difference, which difference you can put into something like a Blackhog or VKB GNX module for the F-14 right hand controls (a simple USB 10-key pad could also suffice)

The VFX is a really wonderful stick, don't expect it to handle the workload of modules like the F16 or Warthog though, but the F4 and warbirds should be fine

The WW F-18 grips gives you all controls for the F-14 plus a few more, some aren't in the exact locations (PLM, Wingsweep) but that really doesn't matter, slew can be set to buttons for VSL Hi/LO, PAL

the Orion base itself might be a little short on available switches for the left panel (it has no shift registers like Virpil), but can handle most in-flight operations