P51B Mustang Simpit

[chomp_rock]

WOW! That is freaking amazing! I was planning on building a spitfire SimPit but don't have the time :-/. I already have detailed plans drawn, maybe I'll build it next year.

[chuckcrc]

Hi Chomp Rock
I originally wanted to build a Spitfire Simpit because everyone always dreams of flying something like that.

[chomp_rock]

Actually my plans did not include a canopy (it was a projection screen design). I think I may do something more complicated like a C182S cockpit with radios and other controls (like lights and a starter switch) that are home-built. The guages would be of the "glass panel" design and would be visible through ports in the panel. The design will be easy if I choose to do a C182S since I know an owner of one and can easily obtain pictures and measurements of it's panel. I also plan on making it (the cockpit) a two seater and am speculating putting some motion in it like a shaker for when it starts up, touches down and shuts down and some other vibrators of some sort that make it vibrate a little throughout flight like the real thing (both would be easy to turn off in case they get annoying). But, If budget and time present themselves I may even make it a full motion sim!

[IndianaJones87]

HOLY FARGLESNOT! THAT IS BEAUTIFUL!

I may think about doing that preety soon!

[ckur]

Hi chuckcrc !

First, looks GREAT!  

The second picture from below brings Corsair cockpit into my mind, or is just my imagination?

In another post you said press the start button to start the engine. Is there a keybutton command in CFS2 for it, or do you use mouse?

ckur
Christian Kurkio

[chuckcrc]

Hi Ckur
thanks for your comments , I designed the pit to look like a P51B type cockpit, if that looks similar to an  Corsair  I wouldn't know as I haven't any books on that aircraft type.
The engine start process iIuse in the pit at the moment is a "momentary ON "lever switch that operates the "E" key command thru a relay and a bashed keyboard that I bought for $2.00 AUD from a salvage yard.
What I have planned is to construct a fully working Magneto switch modelled on the Mustang and then have a seperate start push button cover by a protective flip up cover as per the real thing. I plan to use a grey code rotary encoder (as per the trim control ccts - will post seperate topic on this one day!)
Now in CFS2 the "Set Magneto" command has nothing assigned to it. However the Magneto function will work the same as it does in CFS1. That is in CFS1 the key command for "set Mags" is "M". Once you select this the sim software allows you to increase the selection or decrease by using the "="(increase) or "-" decrease)and you have to push the "=" key four times to start the engine ie =(1) is mag1, =2 is mag2, =3 both mags ,=4start engine. In CFS2 the "M" key is for tactical map toggle so just assign an unused key and it should work. The same goes for cowl flaps etc I have assigned unused keys to make these work with my bashed keyboard. One observation I have made is that the sim uses the "=" and "-" sign for generic increase/decrease functions and it seems to be on a time period for how long these functions will remain active for the "M" magneto command function. It seems to time out after a period so it can be used for other functions ie Time compression , zoom in zoom out etc and if you want to set the mags again you have to hit the "M'key again.
I hope this explains it ok and I haven 't confused people with my ramblings.
Keep the questions coming I'm only to glad to help people if I can, these simpits are tricky devils!  
cheers
chuck

[ckur]

I was wondering, what are the dimensions (roughly) of your cockpit? Height, width etc. ( in metric please) Just to give more idea how big it is.

Chris

[chuckcrc]

Hi Ckur
the dimensions of the simpit are 1630mm long, 1440mm high and 740mm wide at the base. The width tapers to 650mm wide at the opening of the canopy. I had the chance to check these dimensions against a real P51D Mustang that is resident at my local light aircraft airport and the simpit is pretty close on the width etc to the real thing. You know for the cost of this simpit I could have gone for a 30mins fly in that Mustang ! It has dual controls and part of the deal is you get to fly the thing!! Don't know if the pilot would let you pull any "split S " turns thou!!
Maybe some day I get a chance to fly in it !!
Are you building a simpit ? What type etc ??
cheers
chuck

[ckur]

Are you building a simpit ? What type etc ??

Hi Chuck

Thanks for the info, the dimensions are quite near of what I have come up with in my project.

I am about to build a F4U cockpit hopefully some time this fall. I have made some sketches/ 3D model about what it will be like. When I get some more done I can post some pictures about it.


Happy landings!  ;D

Chris

[gordon_1]

Chuck,
The P-51B looks great. You and I are on the same flight path. I am building a P-51B sim similar to yours but with a Malcolm hood, but I have a ways to go. You did a great job.
Take care,
Gordon

[chuckcrc]

Hi Gordon
good to hear from another ww2 simpit builder. If there's any info you need for your pit , drop me a line. I will post some pics of the trim panel as soon as I can borrow a digitial camera, these might be of some help.
How are you going to form the Malcom hood ?
What type of control system/interface are you going to use ?
Keep us posted
cheers
chuck

[Professor_Fate]

Hey Guys,

Just ran across you post and was excited to see someone else building a WW2 pit (everyone seems to be building jets).  I am currently building a (somewhat generic) WW2 US Navy fighter pit.  I decided to do my own design since it was easier than trying to accurately copy a specific historic aircraft.  I will try to get some photos posted soon.

Fate

[JBaymore]

Professor Fate,

Hi and welcome to SimV.

Yes..... please get some pictures up here in a thread in the forum so folks can see stuff and learn from them.

Welcome to the "homebuild" Forum too.

best,

.................john

[chuckcrc]

Professor Fate
always good to hear from someone else who is building a ww2 pit as there aren't too many out there.
Feel free to ask any questions because thats what this forum is about , sharing of information and ideas.
Good luck with your project and I hope to see some pics soon.
cheers
chuck  

[Professor_Fate]

Thanks guys.  I am have managed to get some work done on the pit this weekend.  I took some photos but I am having trouble getting them down to under 100K.  Should have that worked out soon.  In the mean time, keep up the good work on the P-51!

Fate