jrsteensen Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Started work on the design of my F/A-18D Cockpit. Going to build the two cockpits separately, but able to roll to a tandem configuration. My 5yo son has the same enthusiasm for aviation I do, and he will make an awesome WSO. I do plan on keeping an override switch in the front cockpit though. :-P First I'll do the front cockpit, and it is based off Hawkeye's wonderful Sketchup models. Working on the CP. Simplified it slightly to use three LCD displays versus discrete displays. Almost all parts will be .5 birch, .25 birch or 3D Printed ABS, with the exception of the panel faces, which will be 1/16" engravable acrylic. The seat and the center tub are going to be split into two pieces, so each portion of the pit can easily be maneuvered through a standard interior door easily. (Don't want to build the proverbial boat in the basement.) My first question, is how far is the face of the UFC from the face of the left and right eyebrow caution panels? Now for the screen grabs: OpenHornet F/A-18C 1:1 SimPit Website :: DCS Thread Link :: Discord :: Github :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flim Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Awesome, can't wait for the F-18!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BHawthorne Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 The design looks cool so far. You using Sketchup for the CAD? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrsteensen Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 Solidworks - I'm a mechanical designer/lead draftsman for an Army UAV for the day job. OpenHornet F/A-18C 1:1 SimPit Website :: DCS Thread Link :: Discord :: Github :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BHawthorne Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 (edited) Ah cool. I know a bit of Solidworks but that was back in 2007. I was mostly trained in CATIA V5. I was thinking on going back and taking a few courses to freshen up my skills a bit. I remember Solidworks being fun to use. Edited March 3, 2013 by BHawthorne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panthro Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 F-18 is on my list will watch this thread :) [sIGPIC]http://forums.eagle.ru/signaturepics/sigpic86362_2.gif[/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cali Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Looks like a good start. I plan on using my 24" or 26" monitor for my front panel, I don't feel like having multi screens right now. I will also use this when I fly BMS, so it has to be versatile. How are you getting the panels and MFD's? You making them yourself or buying them somewhere? i7-4820k @ 3.7, Windows 7 64-bit, 16GB 1866mhz EVGA GTX 970 2GB, 256GB SSD, 500GB WD, TM Warthog, TM Cougar MFD's, Saitek Combat Pedals, TrackIR 5, G15 keyboard, 55" 4K LED Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeLKMT Posted March 3, 2013 Share Posted March 3, 2013 Very nice! Can't wait to see rest of it :joystick: My first question, is how far is the face of the UFC from the face of the left and right eyebrow caution panels? See this manual: http://info.publicintelligence.net/F18-ABCD-000.pdf Everything you need is at the end ;) ■ L-39C/ZA Czech cockpit mod ■ My DCS skins ■ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrsteensen Posted March 3, 2013 Author Share Posted March 3, 2013 Looks like a good start. I plan on using my 24" or 26" monitor for my front panel, I don't feel like having multi screens right now. I will also use this when I fly BMS, so it has to be versatile. How are you getting the panels and MFD's? You making them yourself or buying them somewhere? Making them myself. I'll use a 3D Printed base and buttons, with a layer of 1/16th engravable acrylic for the legends. Very nice! Can't wait to see rest of it :joystick: See this manual: http://info.publicintelligence.net/F18-ABCD-000.pdf Everything you need is at the end ;) That is what I've been using, however it doesn't show a side view - the UFC projects farther forward than the rest of the MIP panels. OpenHornet F/A-18C 1:1 SimPit Website :: DCS Thread Link :: Discord :: Github :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanda01 Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 I believe Pretzel at SimHQ has (had?) access to an F-18 cockpit and has most of the actual dimensions. http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3351156/all/F_A_18_Hornet_Pit_builders_Hor Try sending him a pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agrasyuk Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 this is awesome. Looking forwards to more pictures of this build Anton. My pit build thread . Simple and cheap UFC project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrsteensen Posted March 8, 2013 Author Share Posted March 8, 2013 Been teaching myself Altium...should have learned it years ago. It's leaps and bounds better eCAD program than Eagle. It even lets me export my PCB model from SolidWorks, and use it as the base of the PCB with all the keep out areas, mounting holes, etc already defined. This is freaking cool. OpenHornet F/A-18C 1:1 SimPit Website :: DCS Thread Link :: Discord :: Github :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrsteensen Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 Look at these beauties. Canopy Jettison lever and Seat Arming lever from a Marine F/A-18C. Was going to do the exterior in a Navy paint scheme, but guess I have to paint her in Marine markings from the VMFA-235. Got these from a maintainer who worked on the bird and had them kicking around his shed. OpenHornet F/A-18C 1:1 SimPit Website :: DCS Thread Link :: Discord :: Github :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrsteensen Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 Just had the following dim questions. One possible solution would be to have the "extension" of the hud box extend perpendicular to the MIP, then just have the face of the three sub hud box panels canted parallel to the base of the CP. OpenHornet F/A-18C 1:1 SimPit Website :: DCS Thread Link :: Discord :: Github :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadman Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 nice find F-18 parts are very hard to find:thumbup: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/a-10c-warthog-supplies https://forum.dcs.world/topic/133818-deadmans-cockpit-base-plans/#comment-133824 CNCs and Laser engravers are great but they can't do squat with out a precise set of plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrsteensen Posted March 14, 2013 Author Share Posted March 14, 2013 nice find F-18 parts are very hard to find:thumbup: Tell me about it. I would absolutely kill for a F-18 Landing Gear panel. OpenHornet F/A-18C 1:1 SimPit Website :: DCS Thread Link :: Discord :: Github :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrospud Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 Nice effort! I realise there is a way to isolate the instruments in the configs (not sure exactly, but I can see the MFCDs and gauges on a mini LCD). Can this be done with the HUD, so to project from a horizontally mounted LCD to reflect of a HUD combiner? I mean, can the HUD display information be isolated to project onto combiner glass? Rectum non bustus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCook Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 jrsteensen Look here for F18 parts: http://www.thesimulatorstore.com/ you'll find a landing gear panel there - and more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadman Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 The only one i have seen in on the sim store and the only thing for sale is a copy but the price is about what i would expect no ware near the cost of an F-16 LGP Drat late again https://www.shapeways.com/shops/a-10c-warthog-supplies https://forum.dcs.world/topic/133818-deadmans-cockpit-base-plans/#comment-133824 CNCs and Laser engravers are great but they can't do squat with out a precise set of plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrsteensen Posted March 14, 2013 Author Share Posted March 14, 2013 Nice effort! I realise there is a way to isolate the instruments in the configs (not sure exactly, but I can see the MFCDs and gauges on a mini LCD). Can this be done with the HUD, so to project from a horizontally mounted LCD to reflect of a HUD combiner? I mean, can the HUD display information be isolated to project onto combiner glass? Yes. Planning on using an LCD with teleprompter glass. OpenHornet F/A-18C 1:1 SimPit Website :: DCS Thread Link :: Discord :: Github :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrsteensen Posted March 14, 2013 Author Share Posted March 14, 2013 Some absolutely amazing experience here. I'm impressed. I think I might have found a way to mount a 9" USB touchscreen directly in the DDI and MFCD, right behind the button bezel with the proper extension from the face of the MIP. The only downside is it will stick out the top corners of the DDI/MFCDs, but I think I found a way to at least make it unobtrusive. Is it mm for mm accurate to the real thing? No. Is it functional, with COTS displays and therefore a couple hundred dollars each instead of thousands? Yes. OpenHornet F/A-18C 1:1 SimPit Website :: DCS Thread Link :: Discord :: Github :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadman Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 I guess it all depends on how you hide it I have reworked the A-10 M.I.P to hold two TFTs for the MFCDS and they will be totally hidden once the glare shield is in place. I have tried to do the same for the RWR but it is just nit going to work so I will see if i can get a real one to work as Mike Powell did https://www.shapeways.com/shops/a-10c-warthog-supplies https://forum.dcs.world/topic/133818-deadmans-cockpit-base-plans/#comment-133824 CNCs and Laser engravers are great but they can't do squat with out a precise set of plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chain Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 In your drawings the standby instrument holes seem a bit too close to each other. You have to leave some room for the bezels. :) System: Windows 10 | i7-7700K @ 4.5 Ghz | 32GB of RAM | Nvidia GTX 1080, 3440x1440 | DELL Ultrawide U3415W | Samsung 960 Evo M.2 and 2 TB Seagate Barracuda | TM Warthog Hotas | SLAW F-16 Pedals | Oculus Rift CV1 and HTC Vive PRO VR + High fidelity F/A-18C simpit :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrsteensen Posted March 15, 2013 Author Share Posted March 15, 2013 In your drawings the standby instrument holes seem a bit too close to each other. You have to leave some room for the bezels. :) That is an artifact from when I was going to place a 12" LCD behind each side of the MIP. Now that I am going to 5X USB 9" monitors in the MIP, it will get shifted as necessary when I get to that point. OpenHornet F/A-18C 1:1 SimPit Website :: DCS Thread Link :: Discord :: Github :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrsteensen Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 No love on these dimensions? [ATTACH]78385[/ATTACH] OpenHornet F/A-18C 1:1 SimPit Website :: DCS Thread Link :: Discord :: Github :: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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