Show us your cockpit!

[kissTheSky]

2 hours ago, Mustang_Driver said:

Hello everyone

I have gone through this entire cockpit build topic and really enjoyed seeing everyone’s setup!

I was a frequent user of the original version of IL 2 and have just purchased the most recent version.

Here is my pit which I built from 2015-17.  Even though it’s a P-51D MIL pit I do have Air Manager gauges for the MIL & CIV P-51, T-6, P-40 and C-172.  By adding or removing a few control devices I can make the MIL pit work reasonably well for the planes I listed. It was initially built for FSX/P3D with plans for a future combat sim and now with IL2 installed I’ll start getting my controllers setup.

Ed

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the forums Ed. What an entrance!

 

I think I remember your build thread from another forum, but I can’t be sure. What a lovely build. ☺️

[cardboard_killer]

Dude, I think you won the internet today.

[ITAF_Airone1989]

Impressive

[Drum]

Mustang_Driver, indeed!

[Mustang_Driver]

Hello everyone

 

Thank you all for the great comments! 

 

Yes, the complete build is posted on the A2A forums and a few screen shots are on DCS and flightsim.com

 

When I retired in 2014 and we moved from Ohio to Florida this was planned as a 6 month project since I would have the time.  What I didn't realize was how much I had to learn about making the individual parts and getting them connected.  I did move the "completed" pit into the house in 2017 and ordered a new PC but as we all know, the pit is never done.

 

All but 3 panels are connected and work just like in the real P-51.  The exceptions are the gunsight, which I didn't model and 2 other panels which are not supported in the A2A P-51.  To do this I have a MSFFB stick, TPR pedals, TrackIR, a Buttkicker Gamer2, 3 Saitek panels (added or removed depending on which plane I'm flying) and 8 USB interface boards which if you are still reading adds up to 14 devices.  Also I have 6 screens running on 3 GPU's.  They are the main 46 in screen, a 27 inch LCD displaying the gauges behind the instrument panel, a 32 inch screen on the side for LittleNavmap and three 7 inch LCD's which show the 2 wing tanks on the floor and the O2 blinker and pressure gauge.

 

Since getting IL 2 I have learned that it only supports 8 devices.  Now the "fun" begins as I figure out what controls I need for IL 2 and how I can get them working with a limit of 8 devices.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Take care

Ed

 

Here's a look under the hood with everything connected to three 7 port powered USB hubs.

[Alexander9822]

A sim pit that amazing scares me for what it will cost... 

But it is amazing!

[kissTheSky]

1 hour ago, Mustang_Driver said:

 

Yes, the complete build is posted on the A2A forums and a few screen shots are on DCS and flightsim.com

That’s where I remember it from! 

[Super_Tonton]

 

I'm flying RC airplanes since 10 years and warbirds are a passion for me. Last year, I thought flight sim could be nice for the long winter months we have here. So I bought all the gear and dove into it! I spent a lot of time learning, testing, building etc but, I always had a good time doing it, that's the goal! Last black friday sale left me with a Reverb G2 HMD and wow, I'm am really hooked now! As you know, the pit is never done but, I really enjoying my flight time in VR. 

 

[Mustang_Driver]

Super_Tonton  Great pit and fantastic RC planes!

 

Alexander9822  Thank you!  Except for the stick, rudder pedals and Jetline PC I used the best airplane components I could find from Lowe's, Home Depot and Hobby Lobby.

 

Here are some pics of my "official Lowe's wing tank fuel gauge"  It started out as a shower drain that I shortened to sit on a 7" LCD.  In the last pic there is no needle on the gauge because the sim was not running when I took the pic.

 

Take care

Ed

 

[Airborne-1980]

What a beauty

[Mustang_Driver]

Thank you Airborne-1980!

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

Hi,

 

I was looking for some HOTAS setup for IL-2 but could not find anything that would fit my needs (I wanted extra axes for radiators etc.). And also, I am cheap. ? So I recently finished building my own throttle panel, quite happy with the result. Even though the building process was kinda PITA. Throttle and RPM axes are held by a common screw with adjustable friction. Radiator axes have a step at 50 %.
Based on awesome FreeJoy (kudos to WG_Mangers ?) and STM32F103 Blue Pill board (sold for $2 on EBay). All 3D printed parts, few bolts and a piece of PMMA.
7 analog axes

18 buttons

2 encoders (+1 virtual when pressed down) for trims

1 hat switch

 

Btw would you have a tip on how to prevent it from sliding on the table? I have come up with quick and dirty solution but would like something more elegant than a pair of rubber bands... ?

[Panzerlang]

30 minutes ago, =CUntS=Jenicek said:

Hi,

 

I was looking for some HOTAS setup for IL-2 but could not find anything that would fit my needs (I wanted extra axes for radiators etc.). And also, I am cheap. ? So I recently finished building my own throttle panel, quite happy with the result. Even though the building process was kinda PITA. Throttle and RPM axes are held by a common screw with adjustable friction. Radiator axes have a step at 50 %.
Based on awesome FreeJoy (kudos to WG_Mangers ?) and STM32F103 Blue Pill board (sold for $2 on EBay). All 3D printed parts, few bolts and a piece of PMMA.
7 analog axes

18 buttons

2 encoders (+1 virtual when pressed down) for trims

1 hat switch

 

Btw would you have a tip on how to prevent it from sliding on the table? I have come up with quick and dirty solution but would like something more elegant than a pair of rubber bands... ?

A picture of the underneath of it would be helpful.

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

6 minutes ago, Hetzer-JG51 said:

A picture of the underneath of it would be helpful.

 

It's just a flat surface of a PLA part, a bit roughened with a sandpaper. That didn't do the trick so I attached to it a few small rubber bands using a tape. That sort of works but it looks like shit. I know it's not visible but it still bothers me. ? Thanks for any advice.

[Panzerlang]

Just now, =CUntS=Jenicek said:

 

It's just a flat surface of a PLA part, a bit roughened with a sandpaper. That didn't do the trick so I attached to it a few small rubber bands using a tape. That sort of works but it looks like shit. I know it's not visible but it still bothers me. ? Thanks for any advice.

A tube of impact adhesive, cover the entire surface and let it dry/cure. It won't look pretty but it'll grip (and get you high).

If you can obtain a sheet of soft rubber you could glue that on with the impact adhesive (a neater and more permanent solution).

 

Given how handy you obviously are, build a tray with an inset and hooks to go over the forward and rear edges of the desk.

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

2 minutes ago, Hetzer-JG51 said:

A tube of impact adhesive, cover the entire surface and let it dry/cure. It won't look pretty but it'll grip (and get you high).

If you can obtain a sheet of soft rubber you could glue that on with the impact adhesive (a neater and more permanent solution).

 

 

Thank you, Hetzer. These are great tips! Looking forward to sniffing some of the good stuff. ?

[kissTheSky]

Get a box of “furniture floor protectors” from Home Depot, or rubber bumpers. but floor protectors are much thinner and also have sticky tape on one side. You should find them near/at door hardware aisle. 
 

Hopefully you’re not slamming on the controls and it’ll stay in place   

 

Nice work btw.  

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

17 minutes ago, kissTheSky said:

Get a box of “furniture floor protectors” from Home Depot, or rubber bumpers. but floor protectors are much thinner and also have sticky tape on one side. You should find them near/at door hardware aisle. 
 

Hopefully you’re not slamming on the controls and it’ll stay in place   

 

Nice work btw.  

 

Thanks a lot!

[SAG]

Do you mind sharing your friction mechanism?

 

6 hours ago, =CUntS=Jenicek said:

 

 

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

48 minutes ago, SAG said:

Do you mind sharing your friction mechanism?

 

 

 

Of course. Frankly, it's quite primitive. The levers are squeezed together by a shoulder bolt with a help of bushings and a few washers between the bushings and the housing.

[SAG]

3 minutes ago, =CUntS=Jenicek said:

 

Of course. Frankly, it's quite primitive. The levers are squeezed together by a shoulder bolt with a help of bushings and a few washers between the bushings and the housing.

 

Thanks! I've tried that in the past with a lot of "stiction" as a result. how did you overcome it? 

[=C=ntS=Jenicek]

4 minutes ago, SAG said:

Thanks! I've tried that in the past with a lot of "stiction" as a result. how did you overcome it? 

 

I used plain (dry) bearings, e.g. Hennlich GFM.

[Sokol1]

7 hours ago, =CUntS=Jenicek said:

 

Of course. Frankly, it's quite primitive. The levers are squeezed together by a shoulder bolt with a help of bushings and a few washers between the bushings and the housing.

 

 

The old Suncom SFS twin throttle use a similar mechanism, and work well.

A lever fitted in the nut allow adjust the friction.

 

https://i.postimg.cc/d0q5tb4V/SFS.jpg

[2nd_TAF/602Sqn_Puff]

Lots of new stuff since the last post I put up, new control column, new rudders,  new seat, new trim units, handmade throttle unit, new external tank fuel controls, new chassis control unit and added a P11 compass....getting there

Edited March 12, 2022 by 2nd_TAF/602Sqn_Puff

[ciderworm]

7 hours ago, 2nd_TAF/602Sqn_Puff said:

Lots of new stuff since the last post I put up, new control column, new rudders,  new seat, new trim units, handmade throttle unit, new external tank fuel controls, new chassis control unit and added a P11 compass....getting there

Great Spitfire setup. I have to ask. Is this built in a boat hull. The built-in cbd door shape (2nd to last photo) is doing my head in - it looks like the flare in a ships bow. Naval Architecture / ship design is my previous (working) life.

[2nd_TAF/602Sqn_Puff]

Lol…nope just my poor woodworking skills at boxing in the electrical meter and ECB board ?

[Algy-Lacey]

On 3/12/2022 at 8:40 AM, 2nd_TAF/602Sqn_Puff said:

Lots of new stuff since the last post I put up, new control column, new rudders,  new seat, new trim units, handmade throttle unit, new external tank fuel controls, new chassis control unit and added a P11 compass....getting there

 

Hey Puff,

I'm seriously impressed by your replica of a Spitfire cockpit, and being a Spitfire guy myself I want to get the basics right for my cockpit but without it needing to look nice as I fly IL-2 in VR.

 

So for me, the essentials are:

 

Saitek Throttle Quadrant mounted where the Spitfire throttle should be (spatially)

VKB Gunfighter III (if I can rationalise spending so much on 1 item) with extension. I would get the Authentikit Spitfire spade grip but I need more buttons on the stick

Saitek Rudder Pedals mounted where they should be

and lastly...

I want a seat that is the same height above the floor as the Spitfire seat.

 

So, please can you help me...

How high is the top of the seat cushion above your cockpit floor?

And how deep is the seat cushion, from yer bum to the edge of the seat?

 

If I can get these basics right then I'll be happy.

 

Happy Landings!

Algy-Lacey

 

[Panzerlang]

I'd like to say this is the final build and it's finished, but you know how that goes. ?

[2nd_TAF/602Sqn_Puff]

On 3/26/2022 at 10:20 PM, Algy-Lacey said:

 

Hey Puff,

I'm seriously impressed by your replica of a Spitfire cockpit, and being a Spitfire guy myself I want to get the basics right for my cockpit but without it needing to look nice as I fly IL-2 in VR.

 

So for me, the essentials are:

 

Saitek Throttle Quadrant mounted where the Spitfire throttle should be (spatially)

VKB Gunfighter III (if I can rationalise spending so much on 1 item) with extension. I would get the Authentikit Spitfire spade grip but I need more buttons on the stick

Saitek Rudder Pedals mounted where they should be

and lastly...

I want a seat that is the same height above the floor as the Spitfire seat.

 

So, please can you help me...

How high is the top of the seat cushion above your cockpit floor?

And how deep is the seat cushion, from yer bum to the edge of the seat?

 

If I can get these basics right then I'll be happy.

 

Happy Landings!

Algy-Lacey

 

Just seen this , sorry for not getting back to you...I made the seat frame and its set the height from the floor at 450mm and the seat depth is 400mm. Hope this helps

 

[THERION]

On 3/27/2022 at 3:21 PM, Hetzer-JG51 said:

I'd like to say this is the final build and it's finished, but you know how that goes. ?

 

You exactly know, mate - it's never finished! Never...

 

[Algy-Lacey]

2 hours ago, 2nd_TAF/602Sqn_Puff said:

I made the seat frame and its set the height from the floor at 450mm and the seat depth is 400mm. Hope this helps

 

Thanks!

My existing chair for 'normal' joystick - Thrustmaster T.16000m - is very nearly those proportions. The top of the sheepskin that I sit on is 490mm above the floor and the distance from the backrest to the edge of the seat is 400mm. From the backrest to the middle of the joystick is 460mm.

 

 

 

So, when I get a stick with an extension I will aim for a chair that is less than 400mm deep to allow space for moving the stick fully aft. The stick will be 460mm - 500mm forward of the base of the backrest. Seems doable.

 

Algy-Lacey

Edited April 2, 2022 by Algy-Lacey

[Guest]

2 hours ago, THERION said:

You exactly know, mate - it's never finished! Never...

 

Indeed. I decided to do away with all the heath-robinson metal and half-boards and approx 1kg of nuts & bolts and put in a single floor panel. Next job is a better joystick base and plate around the pedals. ?

 

[Guest]

Like that.

There should be a name for this. ?

 

[Ojeda]

@Hetzer-JG51Hello.. Can you tell me how you have configured the knob and levers? are you using other software besides virpil to configure? Thank you..

 I like your setup.✌?

Edited April 5, 2022 by ojeda

[Guest]

1 hour ago, ojeda said:

@Hetzer-JG51Hello.. Can you tell me how you have configured the knob and levers? are you using other software besides virpil to configure? Thank you..

 I like your setup.✌?

The levers are regular axis. The knobs have to be set in the Virpil Configurator as "Encoder Buffer".

[Guest]

All change in the den again. I purchased an electronic desk frame (put my own top on it, 18mm ply) which gives a very nice 70cm lowest height, which allows me to use the cockpit's castor-wheels instead of bricks. I can now roll the frame forward for comfortable FPS and other uses. ?

 

[Youtch]

On 4/17/2022 at 4:41 PM, Hetzer-JG51 said:

All change in the den again. I purchased an electronic desk frame (put my own top on it, 18mm ply) which gives a very nice 70cm lowest height, which allows me to use the cockpit's castor-wheels instead of bricks. I can now roll the frame forward for comfortable FPS and other uses. ?

 

What is the cushion on a your lower back? Does it have any function?

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Youtch said:

What is the cushion on a your lower back? Does it have any function?

Just a lumbar support, prevents an aching lower back.

[Picchio]

@Hetzer-JG51Looks like the stick is a bit too far... ?

[J2_Steve]

On 4/24/2022 at 12:27 PM, Picchio said:

@Hetzer-JG51Looks like the stick is a bit too far... ?

I've had similar comments about my pit. But it is about the size of the user. I'm 6'2" and 130 kg with a long reach. My stick is about the same position. But is between my knees and full forward still doesn't extend my arm fully. A smaller guy would struggle in my set up.  I think most people have their pits set up so that it is comfortable to use.

 

As a side note I had the opportunity to sit in a Spitfire replica a few years ago.  There is no way I would ever have been a pilot back then.  my head  was rubbing against the canopy and knees squashed under my chin and that was without a parachute under me arse