Deadman's A-10 C Cockpit Build

[7rooper]

well...Deadman. That's four people so far. What do you say?

[Deadman]

....I am not really sure what to say at this time.

[Deadman]

Well out of the 1000 or so views and the number of guys still flying the A-10C I would say 4 people is an insignificant number.

 

I have had a long conversation with one of my alpha builders. The plans are done for the left console center pedestal and glare shield. The only thing I need built is the Glare shield.

 

The machinist I know will not make a run of less than 15 sets of the pull handles and I am not purchasing 15 sets so there will not be any for sale.

 

I will submit the current plans tomorrow and get prices once i get the right console done i will all so get a quote on it.

 

do to the low interest this will be a one time run I have a busy summer ahead

Edited May 31, 2015 by Deadman
friken spelling from the dam phone

[Deadman]

Well I am basically done with the right console needs to be triple checked , and it will go to the cutter for a quote on Monday. So start saving your pennies or what ever this is going to be a one time run I would offer all of the back plates as well but I have not done several and well what good are they with out back light able plates for them.

[Deadman]

Why do I feel like I am talking to the cat wile sitting on the toilet?

[grmrepr0]

Why do I feel like I am talking to the cat wile sitting on the toilet?

 

I'm just patiently waiting here.

[DirtyFret]

Why do I feel like I am talking to the cat wile sitting on the toilet?

 

At least on my part because a lot of words I don't know are used in this thread e.g. actuator, CNC, engravers , sensors etc. :music_whistling:

 

If it is possible , I'd love to see some of your build and part pics collected for example on the first page/post. Now finding them among the 100 pages of this thread is quite hard.

 

As a new guy I am totally amazed with the attention, dedication and amount of time you guys/girls put in these pits build. :thumbup:

Edited June 2, 2015 by DirtyFret

[Deadman]

Did he just call me a girl? :megalol:

 

With my time being spent on making 3d model of the consoles , pedestals and other aluminum parts. I don't think I will be scrap booking soon

 

I would suggest an on line dictionary for the other problem.:smartass:

Edited June 2, 2015 by Deadman

[DirtyFret]

No I didn't. :lol:

 

The " ...man"suffix gave you away but in addition to you I was also referring to other people on this thread who also have put in incredible amounts of time and dedication to their own respective pit builds but alas have not given any hints on their gender status.

 

I'll quietly move back now to the softcore simming side of this Forum.:pilotfly:

Edited June 2, 2015 by DirtyFret

[Deadman]

Hey np you may want to hang out here in the hard core side Ian & Warhog are making huge advances with DCS Bios .I am about to release A-10C cockpit blue prints that needs only normal tools you may all read have for construction. The prints and instructions are being worked on by a member that has built a cockpit. I am currently working with a company in my local area that will cut and bend aluminum parts for the kits I will offer.u

[7rooper]

Great news that a new set of plans for a A-10C pit are in the works!

I'm, in the meantime, waiting for the glare shield and fire pull handles single run. Really looking forward to buy one

[Deadman]

Thanks for your interest in the plans and the glare shield I personally can't wait to get one made for my own project. Please see post 1029 line three the subject of fire pull handles has all ready been addressed. There will not be a run of Fire pull handles or mechanisms at this time do to the lack of interest. This is not an excuse just a statement of fact.

Edited June 8, 2015 by Deadman

[Retsilf]

Great news that a new set of plans for a A-10C pit are in the works!

I'm, in the meantime, waiting for the glare shield and fire pull handles single run. Really looking forward to buy one

Question from my side: what you mean by plans: drawings, 3d models.... if yes, do you intend to share them?

[Deadman]

Question from my side: what you mean by plans: drawings, 3d models.... if yes, do you intend to share them?

 

Are you asking me or 7rooper? I am not sure I understand your question.

 

I have mad a 3d model in a CAD program of the A-10 training cockpit I have purchased. The reason for making the model I changed many parts from aluminum to wood to make the pit affordable to make.

 

The drawing have been made the instructions for assembly are in the prof read or final editing stage. When the plans and instructions are ready they will be for sale.

 

The price is actually being set buy the alpha builders based on the criteria of is it an accurate plan, did it save time and money ? Based on posted from builders of other plans CNC cutting costs run approximately $600 USD !!! This is what you save right off the bat because you don't need to CNC cut any part of this plan. So now the big question is what will the price be I have no idea.

[Retsilf]

Ah...understood. Any estimation when these plans could be released and offered to other builders?

[Deadman]

I wish I could ,do to it being necessary to build a prototype of the pit from the plans along with the need to write a comprehensive set of build instructions.I have neither the need or room for one more pit. I recruited several other builder that want high fidelity A 10C cockpits to do the alpha build,write the instructions and price the set.

 

I have a local company that professionally cuts aluminum with a laser and folds of with a CNC machine to build the left right and console and center pedestal resulting in kits that all of the folds and rivet holes are made removing 90% of the man hour cost to make the kit. We hope this will result in a kit for left and right side consoles as well as the center pedestal costing less that the aluminum alone in Europe. These parts will be available shortly after the release of the plans.

Edited June 11, 2015 by Deadman
clarity

[Deadman]

Talking with a member last night that had a few questions on painting the cockpit. Here are a few points that were covered that may be helpful to others.

Reference

M I L - C - 8779E page 13 Color Scheme No 5 Neutral /Black

Control Panels Instrument Bezels FS 37038 flat black/ RAL 000 25 00 or

RAL 790-3 or

RAL 7021

 

http://www.e-paint.co.uk/Colour_alternatives.asp?cRange=Federal%20Standard%20595&cRef=37038&metallic2=False&cDescription=International%20black%20/%20Navy%20black

 

 

Instrument panel Fs 36231 Medium Gray/ RAL 7046 Telegrey 2

Instrument knobs Fs 36231

 

http://www.e-paint.co.uk/Colour_alternatives.asp?cRange=RAL%20Classic&cRef=RAL%207046&metallic2=False&cDescription=Telegrey%202

 

Now these are the reference colors my pit happens to be painted a touch darker than the fs36231

And I normally use Krylon 4290 Camouflage Spray Paint Black Non-Reflective 12 oz to repaint the flat black and it looks and holds up great.

 

For the gray I recommend you find a color of gray that matches close to the 36231 in a spray can there are different shades of primer and gray paint available. Spray a sheet of aluminum that you will use in the cockpit then get it color matched even then if you use wood and aluminum in your pit you will have slight differences in the way the paint looks do to the different material but it is not bad.

 

This will be much cheaper than using Fs36231 or trying to find a touch up can of it or ordering the real mil spec paint

 

Now if you just have to have Fs 36231 on your pit you can always get a gallon of latex mixed at your hardware store then prime your aluminum with an acid base primer and then paint it with an air brush with model paint.( can you say expensive) I have not found a can of it to spray aluminum parts with. But then again I have not spent any real time looking.

Edited June 17, 2015 by Deadman
Added a color

[7rooper]

Well.. I really welcome a new set of plans for the Warthog and praise you for that.

My cockpit is based on Dimebug's and would like to know how accurate these are. Any idea?

[Deadman]

Looking at his plans I have not found an over all dimensions lay out.

I don't really have time to sort through all of his stuff so i really don't know how accurate the plans are

Dimebug did great work for not having any reference material. I have a great deal of respect for his work.

the pit is meant to be cheep and quick to build and as he states in his first post not a 100 % accurate

Edited June 15, 2015 by Deadman

[Deadman]

Guys I am looking for a source of 10-32 x 3/4" Phillips Drive Fillister Head black oxide Finish Steel Machine Screw any one know of a vendor?

[Mike Powell]

Guys I am looking for a source of 10-32 x 3/4" Phillips Drive Fillister Head black oxide Finish Steel Machine Screw any one know of a vendor?

 

Nothing quite so frustrating as needing an easily available, inexpensive item that comes with a minimum order quantity of 5,000. You have my sympathies. If you find a supplier of smaller quantities, please let us know.

[agrasyuk]

McMaster Carr perhaps and a rattle can of paint?

9.06$ (+snh) per pack of 50. Item 91737A210

Edited June 18, 2015 by agrasyuk

[Warhog]

I spent 30 mins checking with my usual suppliers, KBC, Fastenal, and a couple others here in Canada and nobody carries them in black oxide.

 

I suspect it would be a custom minimum order as Mike was saying except they will probably want a minimum order or 100,000 give or take a hundred.:P

 

I know this is sacrilege, but I started painting my zinc plated Philips screws for some of my panels. Whats worse...I didn't even prime them first.:lol:

 

I think you had to be there....:music_whistling:

[Deadman]

That is about what I found I really just did not want to get the zinc soak them in the works gel (Hydrochloric Acid Solution.) removes every thing in 30 minutes mixed one to one with water dry and repaint them. So we will see if I can fine them with the correct head size i will let you know.

Edited June 20, 2015 by Deadman

[Deadman]

Well I found one more problem with the Fillister head screws the commercially available ones are .313 dia and the ones needed for the engine cluster plate to work with real components need to be .246 ish.

Please don't get me wrong for you guys that will build your own MIP ( Main Instrument Panel) you can work around this.