Production photos...

[geneb]

Here's a link to an image gallery I put together using pics I took while
building the prototype:

http://www.simpits.com/Production_Galleries/single_seat_fighter/index.html

tnx!

g.

[rprather]

Very cool! The structure can be very difficult to fabricate, so the rest should be relatively easy :-)

Robert
http://www.777simulator.com

[Trevor Hale]

Here's a link to an image gallery I put together using pics I took while
building the prototype:

http://www.simpits.com/Production_Galleries/single_seat_fighter/index.html

tnx!

g.

You know Gene,

You could repost those in out Photo Gallery.

[BHawthorne]

A bit OT, but I noticed a cockit or fuselage section of a real aircraft in the background. What type is it? :)

[geneb]

Robert: That's the idea. I'm trying to reduce all the hard parts as much as possible. :)

Trevor, I'll look into it.

Brad, the fuselage in the background is my F-15C. That project can be seen at http://www.f15sim.com.

BTW, here's video of the new gimbal mech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_bGJhQL6ZE

g.

[BHawthorne]

Ah, knew I recognised it. I didn't put 2 and 2 together though. Been following your F-15 build for a few years now. :)

[geneb]

So have I. Actually, it's been following ME. :) I hope to get it finished before the decade runs out. *laughs*


Here's a new gallery:
http://www.simpits.com/Production_Galleries/single_seat_fighter_p2/index.html

g.

[BHawthorne]

Your WW-II kit design might actually work good as a modern T-6A trainer layout too. Was just thinking on how the T-6A shares a lot in common with the old WW-II layouts.

[geneb]

Based on this:
http://www.t6driver.com/Pictures/t6panel.jpg

It wouldn't be too hard to build if I could get some basic measurements.

The cockpit I'm working on right now has just enough room for single row 5.75" side consoles. I _think_. I'd have to check my drawings to make sure. The sides could stay the same and a new top & instrument panel could be done. You guys are on your own for the avionics though. That's a lot of glass. *laughs*

g.

[BHawthorne]

Based on this:
http://www.t6driver.com/Pictures/t6panel.jpg

It wouldn't be too hard to build if I could get some basic measurements.

The cockpit I'm working on right now has just enough room for single row 5.75" side consoles. I _think_. I'd have to check my drawings to make sure. The sides could stay the same and a new top & instrument panel could be done. You guys are on your own for the avionics though. That's a lot of glass. *laughs*

g.

The side panels would be easy, as they're standard mil-spec DZUS panel dimentions. I could get it pretty close on the main instrument panel too, because they're using standard mounting specs for the instruments. About a year ago I pulled the vector art data out of that powerpoint and converted it over to DXF format. It's not on the money as far as specs, but it's a good starting point. I was planning to match up the specs on those panels to dial in better accuracy on the measurements, but got sidetracked on other projects awhile back. I had one of the guys at viperpits.org make a few test lasercut dzus backlight panels from the right side cockpit layout. I guess it would be a good project to start working on again. :)

My original goal was to see how well a 24" LCD would work to do most of that instrument panel. I've not looked into measurement details yet though. The T-6B might be more interesting a build with LCDs though. IMHO it would be cheaper to do 1 or 3 LCD(s) for all instruments on a T-6B than to try and deal with making steam gages for a T-6A. The only unknown after that would be to nail down measurements for the MB Mk-16L seat. The T-6B is a bit more appealing of a glass cockpit layout and even adds in a HUD.

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/9614/t6blitho07page2bx8.th.jpg (http://img234.imageshack.us/my.php?image=t6blitho07page2bx8.jpg)

[geneb]

Are the side consoles 5.75" or 4.75? I ask because I've seen both widths. (My F-15 has both sizes actually).

I did have a tandem cockpit on my list....
:)

g.

[BHawthorne]

Are the side consoles 5.75" or 4.75? I ask because I've seen both widths. (My F-15 has both sizes actually).

I did have a tandem cockpit on my list....
:)

g.

I designed the side panels with the assumption that they were based on the MS25212 milspec.

http://assist.daps.dla.mil/quicksearch/basic_profile.cfm?ident_number=40767

DZUS holes every .375"
Backmount Al plate .040"
Light Plate Thickness .230" +- .023" (I use .25" plexi)
Light Plate .047 +- .016" smaller length and width than backmont plate

You're right though, I've not taken a ruler to the panels though. Note to self. This summer take a keychain measuring tape with me to the McConnell AFB open house. I'd take a mic and caliper but the gatecheck at airshows would probably wonder what the heck those tools were lol. :)

Old links of mine of T-6 from FighterOps:
http://www.fighterops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6174
http://www.fighterops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6033

The backlit test panel that was lasercut:
http://img239.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p9240005fx1.jpg
http://img175.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dscf0784nm1.jpg

[fweinrebe]

At one time I was considering building a T6A because more information is available than on the PC-9M. Then I just couldn't fit all the instruments onto the panel using LCD screens. So it was back then to the PC-9M.

This T6B looks great however. It reminds me of the PC-21.

[BHawthorne]

At one time I was considering building a T6A because more information is available than on the PC-9M. Then I just couldn't fit all the instruments onto the panel using LCD screens. So it was back then to the PC-9M.

This T6B looks great however. It reminds me of the PC-21.

The T-6 assembly line is located a few miles away from where I live. I've pondered getting a job at Hawker-Beechcraft, but have only worked at a few machine shops around town that subcontract to them and other places in Wichita. Also pondered Spirit Aerosystems, they do the 787 and 737 here.