how do i ask? dont wanna impose- Akers Barnes MKI

[Monguse]

Here is a Sneak PreviewS~TX-MonguseWhite 1War Room General

[TX-Rahman]

Now that really rocks!Regards,TX-Rahman"WHITE 6"

[Monguse]

Ok Gents here it is.The zip file includes a PSD and a PaintShopPro isometric images. You can turn off and on the layers as required. The images as shown below but larger.I also updated the plan to include an optional piece.Here are some small images:The Updated Zip File:As an additional note. I was talking to Tdg-Thunderbolt as he has built an imperial dimension model and he said "... I highly recommend using the 1/2" "sandply" found at Home Depot or Lowes. It's furniture quality but perfectly smooth and flat which is important with some of the tongue-in-groove joints that are made"Let me know if I missed somethingEnjoyS~TX-MonguseWhite 1War Room General

[TX-CUDA]

....depending on the width of the material that you guys are going to use for the cockpit....I have some very good PVC slotted tubing that we use for protecting buried drops that might be just what you need to keep the edges from chipping etc....let me know what the thickness of the MDF/Plywood that you are using is....and then how may hundred feet of this stuff ya'll will need!TX-CudaMinister of Information

[TX-Rahman]

Guse,            Very nice man....I didn't remember seeing a keyboard platform...but just read that you added it...  I think it will actually get in the way of my joystick which is too large to use on the right side....I'll have to fix something up to have it a center stick.            One other thing I noticed and I'm sure can be quickly corrected in the drawings is the pipe...  The pipe is actually supposed to go under the seat...not behind it.  The reason for the three holes is you can adjust the height and angle of the seat by using one of the three holes...            Great work though man.....wish you lived nearby so I could bounce other ideas off of you for this... Regards,TX-Rahman"WHITE 6"

[TX-Rahman]

Check out this mod:  If you're into jet sims...http://www.geocities.com/avmania555/merlincockpit.htmRegards,TX-Rahman"WHITE 6"

[Monguse]

oops, looks like I need to fix the pipe....Rah you have two keyboard boards part "P" or "Q". "P" is of a joystick and throttle while "Q" is for keyboard, mouse, beer holder and Cuda brisket eating table.Also there's an optional part "G", its supposed to be interchangeable with either "I" or "H".As far as bouncing ideas PM me and I'll call you on my cellS~TX-MonguseWhite 1War Room General

[TX-EcoDragon]

Rah, That Cockpit belongs to Merlin, AKA:FZG_Immel, who flys with me and the VHVT. Pretty Cool, but for FB, and most sims, I would want a center mounted stick. . . as that is the more common configuration for piston aircraft until recently.  While I was at it I would love to add a stick extension so that the stick travel might be at least semi-realistic. . . instead of a platform you would simply have the stick below the seat or even on the floor (ideal) and some sort of mechanism to add force and stops to prevent damage. . .normally you should be able to move the stick about 15 inches from full left to full right aileron, and the same from full aft to full forward stick. There are some exceptions to this amount of travel, but not in the WWII vintage aircraft.I have a pic of just such a  setup somewhere. . . anyway, here is a neat peripheral that could have a more WWII looking face plate made for it, better yet, jsut buy some pots and make your own and save a few (thousand) bucks:http://www.flightsim.com/cgi/kds?jbp5D01M=main/review/acp.htmhttp://www.flightsim.com/cgi/kds/main/review/gftq6.htmhttp://www.goflightinc.com/S!TX-EcoDragonBlack 1TX-Squadron XO

[GAU-8]

GUSE!thx for the CAD, man!.. i dont have any CAD, but g-max... i had thought about doing it in that, but im sure is way more time consuming.sorry i havent had a lot of input, but by the time i get home, and cleaned up its about 3-4 A.M. :(i concur with rahman, i think ply is the way to go, apon hearing the sanded ply, or whatever...if done right, use carpet in the right places,  i got a cockpit/ cat scratching post! enuff fun to keep me and the kitties entertained for years to come. ....................no really!( HA - HA  - HAAAA.. i DONT..... think..... so!)but, space is limited in my 1 and 1/2 (loft above kitchen) story apt....i have a loft bed in the bedroom. thinkin of movin that out to the living room above computer table stacey uses to play SIMS 2 on.... taking off the the matress, and putting the pit up on the loft bed platform (20 ft celings, plenty of space!).. ill be the only guy  that has to climb to "jet fighter" height to get in DA PIT

[GAU-8]

some notes.after looking at the link provided, i noticed the center console that drops betweenn the legs. having CH rudder pedals, it looks to me that you have to widen your legs, then bend them back in to have access to the pedals.. maybe the pic is deceiving, but i would proly find a way to slim that down some.becauase of my current set-up, i would feel akward with the stick between my knees. im proly going the "electric jet" route with the stick on right hand side.(not that it matters, just prefference.)i noticed that there is area behind the seat, maybe even under for SUBWOOFER?!, at least the back of seat offers plenty of room it looks :)for some reason i cant get any links to find with aker barnes cockpits..if i do, its all just forum stuff. no pics. so if you have a few more links bring em up

[GAU-8]

lastly, over at 310th forum, i had asked DIABLO, advise about building the ABC pit... here were some ideas he had/ or problems for us to think about.of course, most of it is just personal pref.quote"Gau..I'm trying to post over there now. In case i can't here are my ideas I would change.1. make it wider. I'm 5'6" 185 and it's a tight fit for me. I mean both my hips touch the sides. 2. The keyboard tray you might want to look at making not come out as far. I never use mine anyway. 3. make a bottom to place your rudder pedals on. Mine move away from me as I push on them. Hot glue down to a plywood bottom.4. If you want your stick between your legs devise a way to put a shelf to place your joystick on. I use a piece of threaded pipe attached to 2 base plates and screwed down onto teh bottom and and a plate for my joystick.5. Use a short section or rubber hose to pad teh handrest area with. The plywood is hard on teh hands getting in and out of teh pit. 6. Paint it soon. LOL not like me. Allow extra room for teh paint thickness in your slots. "

[TX-Rahman]

I totally agree with not using the "jet sim" kinda deal with the thing between your legs....would just get in the way.  I would also want to devise some type of platform or modification for the joystick to reside in the center.  As I mentioned before, mine is way too huge to put on the side shelf.  Will look at joystick mods/platforms once we have the pits built to see what makes sense.Personal Prefs:  Hmm...well I'm like 5'8 200lbs so I'm sure my hips will touch also but can only imagine the headache in widening the design...  I would hate to spend cash on wood & all to have it not go together right.  How much wider would it have to be?I like the handrail suggestion...Maybe we could use round padding that's split for use on bicycle handlebars....that's soft and already has a split down the middle.For the Rudders.... I agree that the rudders would probably creep but don't want to sacrifice the porability of the pit...  We could always design 2 additional slots with another piece of ply that would basicly be a stop for the rudders.  Look at the illustrations above....  Put another part "C" under parts "F" and "E" to keep the pedals from creeping.  We'll look at this more from a positioning standpoint after the pit is built...  Maybe we could have several notches for multiple positions for various sized folks (I have short legs )  We can take measurements once we have it built to get optimum positions and enlist Monguse into making the mods on the drawings....Teamwork!From the drawings...I know the seatback is at an angle.  I would like to somehow have a way to mount my surround speakers on either side of the headrest...  I have an idea on how we can take care of this....will bounce it off you guys later...Ok...done with my rant for now...Regards,TX-Rahman"WHITE 6"

[Monguse]

I fixed the chair and rod and produced these Xray renderings. Hopefully this will aid in designing additions prior to fabricating All images for Small and Large TableEnjoyS~TX-MonguseWhite 1War Room General

[GAU-8]

WOOT.. i found the secret to "online at work" pass-thru (but only can do at lunch)rahman, how do we look for this weekend? if its a "GO" do we need a truck?if thats the case, i have access to my moms, and ill pick up fridaynight/sat morning... other than rahman, and i sharin ideas during build up, are any of you available for "on call" status with assembly/refinement questions/ ideas? im sure we'll have em.the split foam bicycle idea is good, but maybe some of that PVC tubing CUDA has could come in handy :)ill be back around 2 am

[TX-Rahman]

We're still a go and as long as it's not raining we could go get some ply...  The guy at work hasn't plotted the drawings yet....still waiting.  Will remind him in the morning.  Sorry I haven't called yet...have been busy the past two nights here with typical stuff.  Do you work tomorrow night?  Just curious...if not I'll give ya a call. Just remember that I'm not a woodworking kinda guy....I'll be lucky if I have all my fingers when we're done...LOL  Regards,TX-Rahman"WHITE 6"