Sean's 737NG Project - UK

[Sean Nixon]

I'm starting a thread here, like many others, to document the progress of my sim, saying as I don't have a dedicated website.

Over the Christmas holiday I recieved my FDS shell and liner kit. After many attempts at constructing my own 'shell', I finally decided that if my sim was to progress as I envisaged, then I really had to consider the alternatives. A visit to RalphW's sim last November made my mind up for me. Ralph has the excellent FDS aluminium shell and interior liner kit, and I immediately knew that this was the way forward for me.

Here's a picture of the first build...

http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/uploads/3900/IMG_5415_Large_.jpg

more to come...

[fsaviator]

Sean,

did you forget the Pic?

[Sean Nixon]

Any better?

[fsaviator]

Yep. Go it now.

Thanks, and congrats. I'm envious.

[Matt Olieman]

Fantastic Sean. I look forward toward seeing your progress, this will be very interesting.

Thanks for sharing your adventure. :) :) :)

Matt Olieman

[BishBash]

Sean,
Havnt been around much lately,new job and long hours but more money for building;)
Woah, that looks superb,
Look forward to future updates.
regards
steve

[Joe Cygan]

Looks great!

Joe

[Nick1150]

That is excelent Sean !!!!!

Keep us posted ;)

Can you comment the construction process ? Was it easy to build ? I guess the quality is top right ?

[choffmann]

Congratulations Sean! That´s a fantastic x-mas gift for a cockpit builder. Looking forward to the liner pics. Just a hint, if I may: If you use your projectors for outside visuals, I would really recommend to paint the shell to avoid glare effects on your screen. I just have to go thru this, as I wanted to cover my shell with aluminium as well, and it turned out bad.

[Sean Nixon]

Thanks Guys.

Here's how the construction went. I'm sure you can all relate...

"Instructions? Pah! Who needs instructions"?

2½ hours later...

"Where's the bloody instructions"???

Another 2½ hours later...

"Where are the kids when you need them"?

As in most things, the first time you do something, it's a steep learning curve. I built the shell in a couple of evenings the first time I put it together. I've had it completely apart since then, and second time round it's a breeze, even on your own. It goes together in about 4 hours once you know how.

The quality is superb. There isn't one single nut and bolt that won't fit into its pre-drilled hole (and there are a lot of holes). The finished shell is rock solid.

Chris, I've did a quick test with the projectors, and provided none of the projected image 'clips' the shell before it reaches the screen, then there is no noticeable deteriation in image. If the image does clip the shell however, there are rogue reflections everywhere. I'd be interested in your experiences.

I reckon ultra-short (0.5:1) projectors (like yours) are a must when using any kind of shell, whatever the finish.

More pics to come.

Sean

[Sean Nixon]

Here's a picture with the 'top down', showing the overhead mounting frame in place. I don't have my overhead just yet, but judging from the holes in the sides of the overhead mounting frame, it looks like the enclosure behind your overhead panels bolts through the sides into the overhead frame. This makes it 'recessed' into the shell structure and allows it to be flush with the interior linings...

http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/uploads/3900/IMG_5411_Large_.jpg

[Sean Nixon]

I made a short video...

<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2MAnspegx1E" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>

[Matt Olieman]

WOW!!! What a treat. Ask and you shall receive, right?

Thanks Sean!!!! :) :) :)

Matt Olieman

[BlackWidow]

cool video. really give a great perspective on how it all fits together. Thanks

[Nick1150]

WOW very useful video !!!!

Thanks Sean :)

[JWS]

Nice video Sean. Amazing stuff from FDS, the shell grows by itself. :cool: Very impressive.

JWS

[Nick1150]

Hi Sean,

Can I ask a favor ?

Can you please tell me the width of the shell in the nose (forward) part ?

I have read in the FDS site the following, but the forward width is missing:

Dimensional Info as Follows:

•Width at the Aft End is 8 Feet (2.44 metres)
•Length Front to Back is 7 Feet (2.13 metres)
•Height at Aft End is 6 Feet (1.83 metres)


You see, I am thinking of contsructing a new cockpit base and I would like it to be ready for a possible FDS shell purchase in the future.

Thanks in advance,

Nick

[JWS]

Nick,

have a look here: http://www.markuspilot.com/ --> http://www.markuspilot.com/BOEING%20...ASUREMENTS.doc

Grtz

JWS

[Nick1150]

Nick,

have a look here: http://www.markuspilot.com/ --> http://www.markuspilot.com/BOEING%20...ASUREMENTS.doc

Grtz

JWSHi JWS,

Thanks for the markus site. In fact I know this site... I just need the outside width of the FDS shell in the forward part (nose). Not in general. I guest it is around +/- 1.55 mm, but since Sean has the shell, maybe he can give us a more precise measurement.

Thanks

Nick

[JWS]

Sorry, misunderstood.

JWS

[Sean Nixon]

Hi Nick

The width across the front is 1700mm.

Sean

[Anderson/SBSP]

Very nice video!!!

[Nick1150]

Hey Sean,

Did you install the interior trim ? If yes how difficult was that ?

Thanks

Nick

[Sean Nixon]

Hi Nick

Yes I have the trim fitted, it is really easy. It is supplied with several small brackets which helps attach the trim to the aluminium shell. FDS have thought shell/liner combo out really well.

I have used temporary nuts and bolts to keep the trim in place until I have all the major elements in place (the colour coordinated push-fit fasteners supplied look at bit awkward to remove easily).

I'm expecting my overhead to turn up next week, then I'll tighten the shell up (still only finger tight) but I want to be sure of wiring routes before the trim is fitted properly.

I'll post some pics soon.

[Sean Nixon]

An update showing the overhead in place and some of the liners...

http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/uploads/3900/IMG_0518_Custom_.JPG

http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/uploads/3900/IMG_0521_Custom_.JPG

[Clive]

Whats the chance of me photographing the roof panels on your sim Sean .... I could print the detail onto sticky back plastic and give my roof panels a more finished look!

[50sqnwop/ag]

blimey! very professional compared to my heath robinson affair, the kit parts Uk or other made? bet they cost mucho £££ did the overhead panel come as is or do you have to add every switch etc yourself?

[Sean Nixon]

It's a mixture of mainly CPFlight, Engravity and FlightDeckSolutions parts. I've invested a few pounds into the sim this last year, but it was the only way I was ever going to end up with a sim at home. I tried the homebuilt route and it just wasn't for me.

The overhead comes in kit form and the whole thing needs to be put together yourself, but that's not difficult. I still have the annunciators to install, then the whole thing needs wired.

Sean

[JWS]

This is looking great, Sean. Wish I had the space for this kind of work.

Keep us informed from time to time (love to drool;)).

JWS

[mpl330]

Whats the chance of me photographing the roof panels on your sim Sean .... I could print the detail onto sticky back plastic and give my roof panels a more finished look!

Hi Clive,

Drop me a PM with your email address, I may have something that will help...

Cheers
Mike

[mpl330]

Looking great Sean!

[Nick1150]

Hi,

your fans need pics !!!! :lol:

A quick question Sean.... I see your MIP is founded on the shell structure and not on the floor (2nd pic with the trims installed). My cockpitsonic MIP leans on the floor and it is 1500 mm wide. Will it fit in that FDS space or I may have to cut something from the structure to fit ?

Thanks

Nick

[Sean Nixon]

Hello Nick

You'll be fine with the 1500mm width at floor level and all the way up towards the glare shield. Where it gets tight is at the top rear point of the glarewing area, as that's where the nose cuts in sharply. Looking at some of your photo's, you may have to modify that area to make it fit.

Another option is to leave the top nose sections off the structure (2 peices, left and right hand side), a bit like opening the bonnet of a car. RalphW has done this to enable easy access to the rear of the MIP. Then your FTD should protrude out of the shell area, but you wont be able to tell unless you are standing outside of the sim, looking towards the front.

Sean

[Nick1150]

Thanks sean, really appreciate it :)