[simpits-tech] Ok lurkers, sing out!

[gareth at falls.plus.com]

Hi All,

Ok....I'll select de-lurk mode and introduce myself ;-)

I live in Aberdeen, have had an interest in flight sims ever since I first
saw a flight sim on a Sinclair ZX81 way back in the early 80's.

I am involved in the Air training Corps here in the UK and we are
currently building a flight sim using the cockpit of a PA-38, have a look
at www.flightsim38.co.uk for more details ;-)

Why a PA-38, well it's a two seater and perfect as a trainer.

Anyway back to answering the questions asked in the orginal post.

I feel there could be a small demand for the kits but you would have to
supply details about how to add instruments, mount the controls etc, show
some photos of a complete set up to get people interested.

An other option could be to supply plans to allow people to build their
own, plans are cheap to produce, easy to post and I'm sure more people
will order plans than order kits.

G










> I posted a link to an image a few days ago and got _zero_ reaction to it.
> This makes me wonder if anyone is really paying attention around here any
> more. :)
>
> Here's the deal - I'm thinking about building "generalized" short cockpit
> kits.  A short kit is a kit that supplies all the "complex" parts, and the
> builder supplies the rest.  In the kind of kits I'm talking about, I'd
> supply pre-cut ribs and a few misc. parts.  The builder would supply all
> the stringer material and the base plate.
>
> Here's what the prototype looks like so far:
> http://www.simpits.org/~geneb/proto_view1.jpg
> http://www.simpits.org/~geneb/proto_view2.jpg
> http://www.simpits.org/~geneb/proto_view3.jpg
>
> This is a possible example of a general single seat fighter cockpit.
>
> Note that the lower portion isn't complete - I mis-counted when laying
> parts out and I shorted myself four lower ribs.
>
> This particular example is four feet wide at the base and is six feet
> long.  Construction is with the exception of the pine canopy rails,
> entirely of 1/2" OSB.  It builds a surprisingly light and strong
> framework.  The skin for the prototype will be made from Luan door skins,
> but you could use anything from 1/8" hardboard to aluminum.  The skin
> dimensions would be provided for the builder to cut out of whatever
> material they choose.
>
> The cockpit would consist of pretty much what you see in the images, sans
> seat.  No side consoles or instrument panel would be provided.  The idea
> is to start a builder off with a shell that they can fill however they
> like.
>
> If there's actual interest in this type of thing, I'd be willing to sit
> down and design a range of these kits and manufacture them on an
> as-ordered basis.
>
> The line could consist of:
> Fighter, single place
> Fighter, two place, tandem seating
> Fighter/Bomber two place, side by side
> Helicopter, two place, side by side
> Helicopter, two place, tandem (along the lines of an Apache)
> General Aviation, single place
> General Aviation, two place, tandem seating
> General Aviation, two place, side by side
>
> I've looked into building scale cockpit kits and even as a short kit, I
> can't do it and make it affordable.  I've got an Me-109E4 just about
> completely designed that would cost so much to build, there may not even
> be a prototype. :(
>
> What price do you think would be fair for short kits like these?  Is there
> any interest left in the hobby for this kind of thing?
>
> Quit lurking and comment!  I posted a bit about this over at SimHQ to test
> the waters and out of the 127 readers of the thread, I got ONE comment.
>
> I really need to know if this is worth pursuing or not.
>
> Thanks all.
>
> g.
>
>
>
> -- Proud owner of F-15C 80-0007
> http://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
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