Spitfire Cockpit Build (for Tracker)

[Flt Lt Tony Hill]

With the lack of anything approaching a "real" flight model in any of the combat simulators, I decided to build a PRU Spitfire for FSX. The fact that I have a working period gunsight made me look at the "FR" versions.

The Spitfire was my first love and after having to pass up the oportunity to fly one, this is now as close as I will ever get, so I want to make
it as accurate as possible.

Several real parts several airworthy rebuilds and some good modern replicas later I actually started to think I could get there. I did start
out with a plan to use RealAir's Spitfire IX but changed to predominantly use the A2A Spitfire 1A (which will be "accu-simmed in the not too distant future.)
Unfortunately that has meant that the Spitfire cockpit will be somewhat generic as different marques will be flown. Given that the cockpit
didn't change all THAT much and that most extant Spitfires have a mixture of cockpit features and equipment anyway, I don't feel too bad
about it all.


KyGas primer and mounting kit




Spitfire IX and later model Oxy regulator.



Gunsight mounting



Morse key



Real Type 35 controller and scratch built model for cockpit




Flap Valve Lever


Radio Controller


Flight Illusion instruments, custom built..





Some Cockpit Placards



Throttle Quadrant, Undercarriage Lever and Primary Flight Controls being professionally built for me.










IFF Destruction Panel I built in 1mm aluminium





Main Cocopit Structure and cutouts









Instrument Panel wood mock up, now being hand built and cut by me in 2mm Aluminium




That is the progress so far, I am happy to keep the log updated if anyone is interested,









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Post Edited ( 06-29-09 12:32 )

[Tracker801]

Very nice Darryl, very nice.
It's clear you're going for details despite that it is a mock-up. It will have eaten a huge hole in the budget by the time it's done

[Joeflyer]

WOW, wish I had the patience to build something like this. Simply awesome! Keep us posted on the progress

[poden]

My hat's off to you Tony. What a great hobby, and a great project! All the best; and yes I'm sure we'd all like to see more updates!

[Flt Lt Tony Hill]

Thanks Marc, Joe and Paul.

It is a fun project but, yes Marc, the budget is currently running at a deficit equivallent to that of two small third world nations!

The F-16 ended up costing 3 times budget. This one is already 4 times the amount and still going......and no, I am not hopeless at
budgets,..just very good at "managing" the other half....



(edited 11.50 for spelling.....bad day!!)


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Post Edited ( 06-24-09 05:48 )

[Joeflyer]

Quadrupling a a deficit doesn't seem such a strange event these days, Darryl

[Tracker801]

Don't tell the wife I have a full 737 cockpit waiting for me in a hanger
Not even kidding...... have to convert it from actual 734 to FS 739 first though. Will start work on it when I become retired. And that is WAY
before on age and WAY before Joy is able to with FredEx

[Flt Lt Tony Hill]

Tracker801 wrote:
Don't tell the wife I have a full 737 cockpit waiting for me in a hanger
Not even kidding...... have to convert it from actual 734 to FS 739 first though. Will start work on it when I become retired. And that is WAY
before on age and WAY before Joy is able to with FredEx

Marc,

Best of luck with the cockpit, there is a ton of info out there when you get to start it.



Post Edited ( 06-29-09 12:33 )