P-51D cockpit build

[Raceguy]

Hello everyone

I’ve got a bunch of pics posted here to catch up on what I have been doing in the shop.

Today I started working on the aluminum skin for the front of the pit. I need to get this figured out now because the USB boards will be installed “under the hood” in the flat area. The cutout is where the large LCD screen base will be placed once I build a secure support. The next aluminum piece to be made will be a curved section for the cowl to cover the USB boards. I’ll hold off doing the pit sides until all of the components and wiring is complete. That way I will have easy access for the initial install but each component will be removable from inside the pit for repairs should they be needed.

Thanks for looking
Ed








Left side



Trim console



Map case, flare gun bag and flare gun slot.



I’ve started making the panel labels but they are not installed at this time.

Radiator control panel.



Throttle face plate



Selector dimmer controls. I won’t have a gun sight but I liked the looks of the component and will find some use for the switches.



Engine control panel



Power panel



Power panel with circuit breaker reset open



Detrola box. Another component not used in FSX but I may use the switches for something.



IFF panel



Center switch box, fuel shut off, fuel tank selector and emergency hydraulic release

[Jacques]

Ed, that is just coming together so nicely! You will have to un-learn all the keystrokes and joystick button pushes and acquiant yourself with procedures in a verifiable, high-fidelity cockpit!! How cool is that? Stunning craftsmanship!

[maxonly]

Absolutely amazing! Any plans for the fuel quantity and hydraulic pressure gauges, ect. ?

[Lewis - A2A]

Cracking job, got to love a picture heavy update!

Hope your still enjoying the weather, its really started to turn great here in the UK now.

cheers,
Lewis

[Raceguy]

Hi guys

Thank you all for the encouraging words. They are really appreciated.

Lewis the weather has been unseasonably cool the last few weeks. It should be 85 but has been in the mid to upper 70's with low humidity. Been working in the yard a lot to beat the 90's later this week.

Jacques, I should have all of the flight controls working as in the sim. Hopefully when I raise the landing gear the garage door does not go up!

maxonly, the fuel gauges will be in a pop up window on the main screen or possibly on a small side monitor. Not sure yet. The hydraulic gauge may be in the same popup unless I can find a reeeeeeaaaallllly small monitor to fit the bracket and figure out how to make it work. A friend that is building a 747 pit is pushing me toward a small screen.

Today I almost finished the front aluminum. All that is left to do is build a support for the LCD monitor base that will be under the "hood" and cut a small hole in the aluminum for the support arm.

Take care
Ed

[DHenriques_]

Hi guys

Thank you all for the encouraging words. They are really appreciated.

Lewis the weather has been unseasonably cool the last few weeks. It should be 85 but has been in the mid to upper 70's with low humidity. Been working in the yard a lot to beat the 90's later this week.

Jacques, I should have all of the flight controls working as in the sim. Hopefully when I raise the landing gear the garage door does not go up!

maxonly, the fuel gauges will be in a pop up window on the main screen or possibly on a small side monitor. Not sure yet. The hydraulic gauge may be in the same popup unless I can find a reeeeeeaaaallllly small monitor to fit the bracket and figure out how to make it work. A friend that is building a 747 pit is pushing me toward a small screen.

Today I almost finished the front aluminum. All that is left to do is build a support for the LCD monitor base that will be under the "hood" and cut a small hole in the aluminum for the support arm.

Take care
Ed

I just don't know what to tell you. Your work on this is simply some of the finest fabrication from scratch I've ever seen. I'm actually beginning to believe this damn thing when finished will FLY !
Dudley Henriques

[Lewis - A2A]

For the guages you might want to check out third party stuff like TynMahn has here;
http://a2asimulations.com/forum/viewtop ... 20&t=53615

thanks,
Lewis

[Raceguy]

Dudley, thank you very much for your kind words.

Lewis, thank you for the instrument link.

Take care
Ed

[Piper_EEWL]

This is absolutely amazing (as I've said a couple of times before )! Great work.

Thanks for the update!

[Raceguy]

Hi guys

Thanks Piper.

Not much has been happening in the shop recently due to other projects assigned by the Crew Chief.

Today I did complete what I’m calling the “Environmental Panel”. It will be mounted between the ribs under the radio and IFF panels at floor lever. This does not exist in real planes but in my pit will control the following from left to right:

Small left front pusher fan hidden at lower left front of pit under the dash
Small right front pusher fan hidden at lower right front of pit under the dash
Large exhaust fan installed behind the seat
Electrical power for the 2 dash lights. The brightness will be controlled using a dimmer on each side of the pit
Hour meter. This will record total seat time in the pit. I will track individual liveries using the DAT files.
Green light will be lit when hour meter is activated.

Take care
Ed

[dvm]

Outstanding ! That's all I can say that has not already been said. Keep up the good work. I do have one question do you ever intend to relocate your pit as it doesn't appear that it will fit thru the door in the photo. My fathers first home built required a two piece wing so it would fit up the stair well from the basement. I know of guys who broke out a section of the foundation or wall so they could get their masterpiece out to the light of day.

[Raceguy]

Thanks dvm. I don't think the Crew Chief would appreciate a cut in the wall to get it in the house.

Also, great start on your throttle!

I will complete the pit in my shop then disassemble it for moving and reconstruction. I will raise the single garage door in my shop for a more direct path. The smallest opening is to my office and that is 29 inches. The pit measures 3 feet wide by 6 feet long and 4 feet high so no way will it go in assembled.

So, each side and the back are removable. The wires for each side have a M/F plug connection where the sides meet the front box. Then I will remove the rest of the components in this order. Windshield frame, MIP, and the front "box" will be unbolted from the base. Then move the base into my office and reassemble in reverse order and hope it still works!

Ed

[cbramkamp]

Outstanding project, looks amazing!

[Dominique]

Amazing is indeed the word, what skilled hands and a proper calbrated brain can do ! I wonder how do you intent to set up the display screen(s) ?

[dvm]

Where are the 36 inch doors when you need them ?