Building a full-sized cockpit

[salaxi54]

Been working a little on the pedestal bezel:

The knobs are to be replaced by grey ones as soon as they arrive. Lots more to do there!
And, as i have neglected the seat a bit, i started working on the right side part:

I also found a pair of metalic rails dumped nearby, and thought i'd grab them and use them as launching rails for the ejection seat:

Here's a rough idea of where they'll be located:

They need some preparation of course. And finally, i've been applying epoxy on the pit floor, sanding, and sealing repeatedly..

Well, that's all for now..

 

[BLTCON0]

Ahh, there's some serious craftman's pr0n going on here.
Great job mate!

 

[salaxi54]

@BLTCON0: Thanks mate, glad you like it.

 

[salaxi54]

As allways, RL is in the way... Anyway, here's the latest progress.
Applied lots of epoxy to the pedestal bezel, and sanded a lot.

Then i did the first coat of paint, so here's how it looks:

Them pesky knobs i was waiting arrived, but they were not quite to my expectations, so i actually painted the black ones in grey.

Stay tuned fellas!

 

[djos]

WOW, your work never ceases to impress!!!

 

[AmiNeo]

Holy hell this is shaping up nicely!


Could you build me a Harrier jet next please?

 

[salaxi54]

Thanks once again for your comments fellas.
RL is in the way once again, so things are slowing down. Plus it's getting colder.
Anyway, here's the latest on the pedestal work:

I took a piece of plastic from a well-known source. lol

And shaped it accordingly.

Now, don't ask me what this USB port is actually doing there; i don't know!
All i know is that this pilot will be charging his MP3-player en route
My guess is perhaps a diagnostics module, or some sort of expansion for the CDU..

 

[salaxi54]

Had 3 coats of paint on the pit floor, and made some wooden seat-securing blocks.

Them screws are not tightened yet, so i can calibrate the seat's final position.. Stay tuned!

 

[salaxi54]

It's been getting colder these days, so my activity is slow.. :dry:
Anyway, i started working on the seat's ejection rails.

Marking the footprint of the rail.

Digging up for the rails to slide through the bottom.

Testing the rails path.

Temporarilly securing the rails to check fit.

Sanding and brushing the metal

Priming.

Rails painted and secured. If you notice the two holes at the rails end, these should help securing them even better using a wood rod bolted from the left to the right rail.

These would be the roller guards placed between the rail and the seat.

Last, this knob has been 'rounded' and painted.
That's all for now.

 

[salaxi54]

Today i worked on the rollers. So, i had an old seat collecting dust:

And them legs are actually cylindrical..

Hmmm, that should do it!

Yup, looks ok for the job.

Testing them seems to fit nice.

All in place.

Final result. Had time to do only the left side today..

 

[jimbob]

:wooha:Ejection rails? Exactly how realistic are you going for. Let's see, next week, installing the explosive charges for no mercy, ultra hardcore flightsim experience, right?

Great to see the continuing increase of awesome in this project.

Though you might find this interesting too-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/L-K-Avro-...otors_Aviation_Parts_Gear&hash=item1e736af683

 

[salaxi54]

Jimbob, thanks for your comments mate! If it ain't hard, i'll add as much realism as possible.. I didn't intend to install launching rails on the seat, but seeing this pair dumped at a nearby yard, i thought i heard them shouting: pick us up, pick us up!
Anyway, commenting on the link you posted, i'm pretty sure this will not be considered price-driving, but looking at the price tag you know why i decided to build most anything myself..
Today i started constructing the Data Recorder Box
Here's what it actually looks like:
http://www.viperpanels.com/?shopp_product=aces-ii-flight-data-recorder-removable-cover

Parts of the box.

And some partial assembly for now. Stay tuned!

 

[r0jaws]

That is incredible work sir, I love to pop in every now and then and see which new parts you are working on. It looks fantastic so far.

 

[salaxi54]

Thank you for your comments r0jaws, glad you like what you see!
Did a little more work on the data box today:

Applied lots of putty, and will have to wait for it to dry..

 

[salaxi54]

Today's work on the data box.

Lots of sanding and filing.

Lots o' paint..

And decals applied!

I even used rivets on the tag..

 

[Tomse]

so.. when are we going to play Gunship ?

ehh.. ejection seat in a helicopter.. xD


I said it before and doing it again.. awesome work my friend

 

[salaxi54]

@Tomse: Thanks mate, trying my best really.
Latest update; put the data recorder box temporarilly in place:

The box was secured by L-shaped aluminum pieces i cut:

Also i cut a rod out of thick 40mm MDF to secure the launching rails better to the 'floor'.

Screws will be bolted through the side holes of the rails, and vertically along the rod.

Last, i started shaping the Emergency Restraint handle for the seat.

Needs lots of work, but here's where it goes:

Stay tuned fellas!

 

[stephen202]

Wow getting every last detail. amazing work yet again

 

[salaxi54]

Thank you for your comments Stephen! I had a little free time today, so made small progress..

Plenty of detail to be added soon, and lots of epoxy!

 

[salaxi54]

Here's the latest on the restraint handle...

Putty and sanding...

Waiting on paint to dry.

Decal applied.

I'm sure TC will recognize this part!

Just a preview of how it will look.