PROJECT F-84F

Archive for the ‘F-84F Simpit’ Category

Last night Justin and I started a little spring cleaning project over at KAM. (It’s me in the pic) We’re looking to get KAM’s F-84F into presentable condition for potential future open cockpit days at KAM. While my F-84F has the first version of everything in the cockpit, the KAM F-84F seems to have been kept updated all the way to the last version. It’s interesting to see just what all is different between the two. The most apparent differences are the MIP configuration and the ejection seat. The side panels look the same. (although the KAM side panels are mostly stripped, so I’m merely guessing based on what is still there). We pulled the MIP to clean it up and get it out of the way for a clean up of the overall cockpit tub this coming Sunday. (btw, pigeons are evil little rats with wings that make museum aircraft a mess)

What has kept me buisy in the last year is the development and refinement of computer based simulation visuals. It’s been a long on-going process where I’ve collaborated with ImmersaView to help develop and promote their NTHUSIM product line to be accessible to hobby simpit builders, surround-screen gamers and home theater enthusiasts. Without their vision and insight, circular projection visuals simply would not exist for hobbyists in an affordable manner.

A big thanks also goes out to the staff at EVGA and the EVGA forum community for assistance and some price breaks to build the projection computer. It consists of an Intel i7 930, EVGA X58 4-Way E762, 6GB of G.Skill DDR3 2000, three OCZ 60GB Vertex SSD for system, two WD 1.5GB HD for data, LG Blu-Ray for movies, one Corsair PSU, two Thermaltake PSUs, three EVGA GTX470 for Tri-SLI and one EVGA GTX465 for PhysX/CUDA. Lastly, the projectors — three Optoma EX525ST. All of that makes for some serious gaming horse-power.

Here is a picture of my current prototype triple projector gaming screen. I’ve been using  this setup since October of last year. It uses standard COTS hardware and can be done in a cost effective manner. It just takes a nice bit of space and some patience to set up. This will eventually be adapted for the use for the F-84F simpit.

Since transporting the fuselage back from Texas in 2008, the trailer has for the most part been out in the open under shade trees in the back yard. After seeing what Summer heat can do to aircraft canopies out on an open tarmac at museums I’ve decided to give the trailer it’s own tent to get the fuselage better out of the elements. I’ll update the post in the next few days once I have the tent setup.

Here is an update on the slow progress of hunting for instruments. A few more new things, but it’s slow going. It’s a mixed bag of NOS and some old used parts. I take what I can find. I can’t be picky on the quality. It’s not like there is a website catalog for F-84F parts. *chuckle*

MJ2 Exh. Temp. Indicator

Found another gauge on ebay and purchased it. The MJ2 Exhaust Temperature Indicator.

(Purchased from ebay user varida)

Here is a current picture of the instruments I have so far. Three of the gauges are damaged. The Turn & Bank Indicator has broken glass where the ball is supposed to float. The Bearing Temp Indicator has it’s glass broken out and the gauge hand damaged. The Hyd Press Gauge also has the glass broken out and the gauge hand damaged. So far the bearing and hyd gauges have been impossible to find, so I’ll most likely have to repair those. This pic merely shows the gauges in current form. I’ve yet to clean up the panel or gauges yet.

If anyone has any parts I’m missing and would like to help please email me at contact@f-84f.org.

ID-91A/ARN-6 Radio Compass

Another day, another find on ebay. Today’s instrument purchase was an ID-91A/ARN-6 Radio Compass gauge.

(Purchased from ebay user abrahcomllc)

Type V-3 Compass

Just picked up another ebay item today, a Type V-3 Gyrosyn Compass. Ebay is turning out to be very helpful when it comes to repopulating the gauges in my instrument panel. I’m hoping to have all the gauges again for the panel in short order.

(Purchased from ebay user brujan7)

MIP Diagram

A diagram of the Main Instrument panel assembly for the F-84F. It shows names, spec numbers and parts numbers for the instruments, switches, name plates and lighting. There are several variations for the F-84F Main Instrument panel, but this is variation is used in my build.

(Diagram previously posted on WIX project thread)

Type A-2B Machmeter

Another ebay purchase I found this weekend for the build, a Type A-2B Machmeter. I’ve been looking for one of these for quite awhile, as the ones I’ve seen on ebay have been outside my price range.

Hopefully, I’ll have a “wish list” ready soon for those who wish to help me track down parts for the project.

(Purchased from ebay user p38fans)