Simviation Forums

Hello chaps,
my first post here, good to see some other WW2 pits are being constructed. I'm in the process building a Spitfire MkV cockpit section, along with another guy. I am doing the fab work , the other guy is working on the pit interface system . i have a small website detailing the construction progress if anyones interested.
http://www.simhardware.org/

Good to be here chaps,
all the best
Dave

Dave that is INCREDIBLE work!!!
I'll be keeping an eye on your site for regular updates...

Ozzy

Hi Ozzy,    
            thanks for the kind words. It's been a steep learning curve on the sheet metalwork side of the project, but a great experience.

Thanks
Dave

Dave,

Totally amazing approach to the project!  Most of us tend to use easy to form wood to try to simulate all the metal parts.  It never looks quite "real", and the moving levers and such never feel quite real.  You stuff looks like you are fabricating the real aircraft from a kit  ;).

I am very impressed with your craftsmanship  :o .  Nice job.

Hey..... now that Ozzy has spotted you... he'll probably ask you to build a simpit for him too.  When you quote the price for him, please remember that you will have some extra major design headaches in dealing with his pit.

And I am not quite sure how you will figure out how to mount it all upside down on the ceiling  ;)  ;).


Seriously.... welcome to the "Homebuild Cockpits Forum" here on SimV.  I think a lot of people will be following your project.  In addition to updating your own website......... please pop some info and pictures here occasionally.

best,

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

Hello John,
              thanks for the welcome and the kind words. Ozzy has already been in contact  ;D. I'd be happy to post some photos,if that's ok.

All the best

Dave  

Dave. I just happened to spot this thread.  I've only had a quick look at your website & all I can say is WOW.........!

If you want my honest opinion you're wasting your time with simpits. I don't know what you do for a living but your skills would be very useful & much appreciated in the warbird restoration business, building & restoring real aircraft. This is outstanding work by anyone's standards.

Thanks for the positive feedback on the project, though my thanks must go to my wife, not many woman out there that would put up with 8 feet of spitfire cockpit in the spare room.
Believe me guys, there are people out there with far more skill than i'll ever have.
A few photos of parts for the project,

all the best

Dave

Dave,

Thanks for the new pictures of the pit here.  The more I see... the more astounded I get       .

Hagar is right..... you likely could turn your hobby into a profession.

Where did you learn metal fabrication?  You obviously have access to some good tools..... some of the heavier metal work looks like it came from a CNC machine.

best,

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

Hi John,

Dave
I've just been to your site and I'm blown way !!!
Your simpit is an outstanding piece of work, fantastic !!
The workmanship is INCREDIBLE, BRILLANT !!
A Spitfire simpit is always something I've dreamed about but the problems with forming the canopy etc was too difficult for me to overcome so I settled on something a bit easier.
Do you have full scale plans ?
I think you need to keep going , you know - add some wings a tail and a motor and fly that sucker !!
Seriously though ,that is absolutely outstanding work , please keep us updated and thanks very much for sharing your work with us.

All the best
chuckcrc

Hi Chuckcrc,
                   thanks for taking time to visit the site and for the comments.
After some long evenings spent looking for useful info for the project, i found a company that sells copies of the original factroy drawings. Better still, the company will e mail the requested drawing ( usually the same day, depending on the time of order) You can request hard copies, but these are slightly more expensive. Guess thats a rather long winded way of saying yes to your question regarding plans  ;).
The Canopy will certainly be a challenge, I'm going to use  1/4" thick MAKROLON (Polycarbonate) it has excellent bending qualities and can be hot or cold formed to very tight radii.
Thanks again for all the positive feedback and the interest shown
Dave

Dave,

A polycarb canopy!!

Hi John,

Some of the latest work on the project, gunsight/dimming screen mount and the front end of the Kigas primer pump.

Dave

That is amazing...my mum wouldn't let me do that....
The detail... I think you should give t to a resoration group as Hagar says...
*stres in wonderment*

A.