<div><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Gene,<br>
<br>
For this lurker, when I saw the picture I "assumed" it was just a practice run you did before you took on a more complicated frame (say f-16).<br>
<br>
<br>
It is cool. I myself will be one of those who dream of having a pit, but with time flying by and the number of interests (software, alt power, hydroponics, electronics, auto repair (well not really a hobby a necessity)) </font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">& little room I have (third of 20 X 26 living room), I'm finding my pit to be more & more of a dream. But knowing there is someone out there that I can send some plans to so he/she can "print out" parts I may someday just send you a instrument panel to print out for me not even a whole frame.<br>
<br>
oh yeah, 2 full time girls, one part time physically here (full $ support, see dadsofmichigan.org)<br>
<br>
I currently get to work from home 2/3 days a week which helps me get things done around the house (1.5 min drive one way to work). Not too mention the savings in gas, especially now a days.<br>
</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br>
What your offering is great, I for one would love to have the same cash to have you print out stuff not just for a pit.<br>
</font></div>
<div> <br>
</div>
<div> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br>
8 )<br>
<br>
Mike<br>
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-----Original Message-----<br>
From: Gene Buckle <geneb@deltasoft.com><br>
To: simpits-tech@simpits.org<br>
Sent: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:14 am<br>
Subject: [simpits-tech] Ok lurkers, sing out!<br>
<br>
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<pre style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt>I posted a link to an image a few days ago and got _zero_ reaction to it. <br>
This makes me wonder if anyone is really paying attention around here any <br>
more. :)<br>
<br>
Here's the deal - I'm thinking about building "generalized" short cockpit <br>
kits. A short kit is a kit that supplies all the "complex" parts, and the <br>
builder supplies the rest. In the kind of kits I'm talking about, I'd <br>
supply pre-cut ribs and a few misc. parts. The builder would supply all <br>
the stringer material and the base plate.<br>
<br>
Here's what the prototype looks like so far:<br>
<a href="http://www.simpits.org/%7Egeneb/proto_view1.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.simpits.org/~geneb/proto_view1.jpg</a><br>
<a href="http://www.simpits.org/%7Egeneb/proto_view2.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.simpits.org/~geneb/proto_view2.jpg</a><br>
<a href="http://www.simpits.org/%7Egeneb/proto_view3.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.simpits.org/~geneb/proto_view3.jpg</a><br>
<br>
This is a possible example of a general single seat fighter cockpit.<br>
<br>
Note that the lower portion isn't complete - I mis-counted when laying <br>
parts out and I shorted myself four lower ribs.<br>
<br>
This particular example is four feet wide at the base and is six feet <br>
long. Construction is with the exception of the pine canopy rails, <br>
entirely of 1/2" OSB. It builds a surprisingly light and strong <br>
framework. The skin for the prototype will be made from Luan door skins, <br>
but you could use anything from 1/8" hardboard to aluminum. The skin <br>
dimensions would be provided for the builder to cut out of whatever <br>
material they choose.<br>
<br>
The cockpit would consist of pretty much what you see in the images, sans <br>
seat. No side consoles or instrument panel would be provided. The idea <br>
is to start a builder off with a shell that they can fill however they <br>
like.<br>
<br>
If there's actual interest in this type of thing, I'd be willing to sit <br>
down and design a range of these kits and manufacture them on an <br>
as-ordered basis.<br>
<br>
The line could consist of:<br>
Fighter, single place<br>
Fighter, two place, tandem seating<br>
Fighter/Bomber two place, side by side<br>
Helicopter, two place, side by side<br>
Helicopter, two place, tandem (along the lines of an Apache)<br>
General Aviation, single place<br>
General Aviation, two place, tandem seating<br>
General Aviation, two place, side by side<br>
<br>
I've looked into building scale cockpit kits and even as a short kit, I <br>
can't do it and make it affordable. I've got an Me-109E4 just about <br>
completely designed that would cost so much to build, there may not even <br>
be a prototype. :(<br>
<br>
What price do you think would be fair for short kits like these? Is there <br>
any interest left in the hobby for this kind of thing?<br>
<br>
Quit lurking and comment! I posted a bit about this over at SimHQ to test <br>
the waters and out of the 127 readers of the thread, I got ONE comment.<br>
<br>
I really need to know if this is worth pursuing or not.<br>
<br>
Thanks all.<br>
<br>
g.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
-- Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007<br>
<a href="http://www.f15sim.com" target="_blank">http://www.f15sim.com</a> - The only one of its kind.<br>
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Thanks!<br>
</tt></pre>
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