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Page 4
Ultimate Homebrewed Cockpit - Pt. 4, The Face-lift Begins
by Gene BuckleMore Bondo, Toe Brakes, Ejection Seat
Here is the start of a new patch on the right side. I've removed the original (and badly mangled) patch and riveted a 1/8" section of MDF on the inside. This will be covered with body filler and sanded - you'll never know it was there - not even by touch. The holes drilled in the MDF will allow the filler to get a better hold on the material.
Here's a long view of the repairs in progress on the right side. This area is just about done and should be completed the week of 10/2.
This is a close-up shot of the toe-brake pushrod connecting points. These pushrods run all the way out the back of the F-15. They'll have to be shortened at some point in Bay #5. When I do that, I'll connect up a pair of pnumatic springs and a set of linear pots to allow fully functional toe brakes to be used in the simulator. Making tight corners is a LOT easier with toe brakes. :)
So what's next? Well, as soon as the last of the body work is completed, work will start on the inside of the cockpit. The first order of business will be getting the controls connected up and wired in. I'm starting there because it's a fairly simple setup and it'll allow me to do some planning as to where the main wiring harnesses will run. More clean up will have to be done in the cockpit itself. I've got most of the moss cleaned up, but some still remains.
Next on the list is the ejection seat. This will be a 1:1 scale replica with a real ACES II parachute container that I recently obtained from eBay. I imagine the seat height will have to be reduced a bit to account for the poor ceiling clearance that I've got right now. After the seat is built and installed, measurements will be taken and it'll be pulled again so we can work on the side console wiring. For right now I'm going to have to install a rewired Suncom SFS throttle because I've been unable to obtain a real throttle quadrant. Now you know that I'll be unable to resist "flight testing" the cockpit once this short list is done. I've got a very nice 800x600 LCD projector panel that I'm dying to try - could _you_ resist? :)
As always, I can be reached via email at [email protected], or via IRC on the Simpits IRC server: irc.deltasoft.com, channel #simpits.
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