Building a full-sized cockpit

[salaxi54]

Thanks for your suggestions djos, there's a few 'but' in this case;
You see, there's so many variations to an F-16, and even more variations to its sub-components, that it's rather difficult to decide which ones to pick!
For example, here's a few of the HUD variety:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/JimKeane/F-16 Parts/F16CWideHUD_2526_resize.jpg

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/62/f16hud.jpg/

http://www.baesystems.com/cs/groups...act/BAES_058242~1~staticrendition/492x277.jpg

As about it supposed to be more of an upright position, well it actually is.
Fact is, the pictures i upped show the unit laying on its bottom, whereas you can not estimate the correct angle.
Actual position is rather like:

But that will become apparent once it's placed in its final position..
The brackets were copied from a schematic i got of the Block 30 MDU.
Vision will be fine, the glass has been tested with the magnifier lense, and has projected data satisfactory. A little further behind the HUD glass will be the normal LCD monitor displaying the outside view.

 

[djos]

Thanks for your suggestions djos, there's a few 'but' in this case;
You see, there's so many variations to an F-16, and even more variations to its sub-components, that it's rather difficult to decide which ones to pick!
But that will become apparent once it's placed in its final position..

True, I found the one I thought was most practical for your cockpit build and least likely to block the view of your screens.

The brackets were copied from a schematic i got of the Block 30 MDU.
Vision will be fine, the glass has been tested with the magnifier lense, and has projected data satisfactory. A little further behind the HUD glass will be the normal LCD monitor displaying the outside view.

Cool, cant wait to see the result.

 

[salaxi54]

Here's another update on a two coat coverage..

I've noticed a few (minor) details that need correcting, but generally speaking, that's how it'll look..

 

[salaxi54]

Today's work adds two pieces to the HUD. These two wooden parts are the ones that the projection glass will slide through..

Plenty of detail to be added on 'em.

 

[djos]

Hey Salaxi, before you get much further with the HUD section I strongly recommend you make a sight-line mockup. eg create your monitors in paper/cardboard and set it up so your view is as it would be in the completed cockpit.

As mentioned before I reckon that version of the F-16 HUD is going to really obscure your left to right scanning view of your monitors (and probably why in the real F-16 they moved to the far trimmer version below):

 

[johnim]

wow that looks great mate

 

[salaxi54]

Why thanks fellas! @djos: there's great flexibility on the OF simulator.
Which means, what the main monitor (front) shows is like a free-view camera, no cockpit or other instrumentation (not even the HUD), something like a bird-eye view actually. I much preffer that to having a bunch of things occupying at least half of the screen. This screenshot will show you what stuff will be avoided:
http://static.strategyinformer.com/r/screenshots/00018358.jpg
Now, imagine that picture solely with scenery, nothing else!
Enter, the cockpit! All instruments and controls will be placed physically just like in the real plane, and data will be projected on various monitors.
There's a few utilities (plug-ins) for the Falcon, such as MFD Extractor and FalconGauges that take advantage of multiple monitors to send instrument screens to them.

 

[djos]

Oh nice, that does look awesome!

 

[Ed.D]

General Dynamics will be offering you job soon

 

[salaxi54]

This just came in today!

10mm thickness, camera don't do it justice, cause it's wider on the flat side!

Here's one of the brackets where the glass will slide into:

Lots of sanding and putty will do the job on these parts, so not yet perfect...

This is how the glass will be positioned (roughly)

And here's the two brackets, one 'carved' the other not yet.

As always, stay tuned!

 

[johnim]

great mate what will be the full size of the cockpit when built

 

[salaxi54]

It will occupy the better part of 4 meters in length (will depend on some superstructure), and 1,20 mtr in width.

 

[salaxi54]

Here's another update with the glass in place, still a little trimming required though. But generally speaking, i hope you get the idea of where things go..

Later!

 

[GTEdward]

I'am impressed that looks very good.
How long is this project going on now?

 

[salaxi54]

Thanks, it's been going on since last November, but family and health problems have really put a brake to my pace.
Been talking to other pit-builders, some of which have taken up to 10 years to finish! But it all depends on various factors of course. Most of all financial, but i have a tendency to be on the 'cheap side'.
I mostly use scrap wood that's been laying around for a while, and don't really want to be precise in replicating the real cockpit.
When i discuss my hobbies with local (Greek) friends, i always tell them that i believe in the 3-X parameters.
X - Χώρος (Space)
Χ - Χρόνος (Time)
Χ - Χρήμα (Money)
Those, if aplenty, should be able to cover anything you put in mind..

 

[salaxi54]

Lots of sanding and putty time again!

I have decided to experiment with a different solution instead of wood putty this time. We call it 'plastic steel' here, and it actually is 2-part cement epoxy. While not actually made for this sort of use, i found it to suit my needs better. It covers wood's pores completely, and helps avoid dents and flakes of wood while sanding or filing.

 

[salaxi54]

And another update. The brackets and glass were assembled today.

Finally had the chance to put a set of stickers up.

 

[salaxi54]

Alrighty then, we've 40 degrees Celsius today, good for woodworks!
I don't suppose you can guess what this next picture is all about...

These are the two side panels of the ejection seat. And if you cannot estimate the size, total height on these sheets is 88 cm. I hope this seat will be my office chair sooner or later.. icard

 

[GTEdward]

Keep up the good work.
Thats ok that your not using "expensive"material.
It looks proffesional.
I'am looking forward to the end result.

 

[Skyrunner]

Lieutenant, I'll start dusting my anti-G suit.