My modest project

I thought I would share the beginning of my modest cockpit project. seeing some of the extremely high quality work made me apprehensive of showing my project but I realized if im happy with it its all that matters.

Since im still flying on my desk I decided to start with an overhead i could attach to my desk while I work on the pit.
This is what I started with.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...thwest/002.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...thwest/004.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...thwest/006.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...thwest/008.jpg

Then I started on my MIP
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...thwest/003.jpg

Im slowly getting it together, im working on a modest budget mainly because I dont want to commit alot of money to this (plus the wife wouldnt be too happy)

My current setup
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...thwest/058.jpg
Right now I have LED's and a Phidgets LED64 on the way for the overhead which is using PROsim737 logic

Your "Modest" start looks great! I know how you feel though, as I do not feel like my work is ready to see the light of day yet. Congratulations, and enjoy the journey as much as the destination!

That looks great, I have done the same thing with my overhead.

..and I know exactly what you are saying, I feel the same too, really, when I stand back and lok atmy sim I think it looks awesome... but when I look at someone else s work mine always seems to look like nothing more than a slightly organized mess.

Nothing to be ashamed of there! I think that is a MAJOR issue right now in the flightsim hobby. All the companies are going for "PRO" quality and cost! Is it our fault as simmers ? Maaybe, maybe not. Not sure.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by capetonian

That looks great, I have done the same thing with my overhead.

..and I know exactly what you are saying, I feel the same too, really, when I stand back and lok atmy sim I think it looks awesome... but when I look at someone else s work mine always seems to look like nothing more than a slightly organized mess.

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Your sim inspired me to do that with the overhead. I thought about doing that originally and thought it would look cheesy. I saw your videos with the LED's and said to my self " wow that looks really good"

I see a handful of midrange panel makers but I figure if I make as much as possible myself I can focus more money on areas of the sim that shouldnt be scrimped on. Plus I have a shed and garagefull of building supplies and hardware so might as well make use of it..

I will say I am super impressed with the mechanical engineering skills of you guys. Seeing alot of the projects made me think I could do some of this..

I hear you on the disorganized mess. I rewired the Overhead three times thinking I could get the wiring a little neater.

After 3 months of work I dont feel like I got alot done. For sure my project dosent measure up to the accuracy of some projects here but its my sim and so far its what I want out of it.
This is what it looked like around mid may.
Not much still just a rough idea subject to alot of change.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...%20pit/075.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...0pit/001-1.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...0pit/003-1.jpg

Skip ahead to late June Early July
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...0pit/003-2.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...0pit/004-1.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...%20pit/006.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...%20pit/007.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...%20pit/008.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...%20pit/013.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...%20pit/016.jpg

And finally just a few minutes ago.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...0pit/006-1.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...0pit/007-1.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...0pit/008-1.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...%20pit/009.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...%20pit/010.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...%20pit/012.jpg

The 100 plus degree in my garage has put a slow down on construction. I used the down time in the hot weather to obtain 3 more PC's for clients and spent some time setting them up and testing and also for planning my next moves. I should take it on its maiden flight sometime on October. Main big projects is to purchase a proper 737 MCP so I can redo the glare wings. A new overhead and maybe a TQ from throttletek. Im still up in the air on display. Projectors are kinda out of my budget so Im deciding between A new ati video card with eyefinity to run 3 22 inch lcd's for front visuals , or running 2 dualhead2 gos with 4 22 inch lcd's.

Anyway hope you enjoyed looking.

I've been looking carefully at the pictures this project but seem to be unable to find the modest part of it.:)

Very nice indeed.

JWS

This looks excellent, why is it so many simbuilders are in denial of a great looking project. You've done an excellent job there, looking forward to how this will progress. :)

Keep us updated.

Thanks for the kind words. I think we can all agree that the level of skill and ability of alot of members here can be intimidating. I see alot of the hand built pieces and parts and it floors me sometimes. Then I realize that they too started with trial and error. Its been a fun journey though.

wow, your sim is amazing with what you've done in that timeframe
i started a few months ago and only got as far as the MIP before idling for the next few months...
good luck with it and keep us updated :)

Brian

This is what simbuilding is about!

You are doing a great job and dont think otherwise,
This is an excellent job, looking forward for the update,s


Wil.

Tad bit more progress.
Got the carpet put down and mostly trimmed out. Mounted the captain seat. I ordered two 15 inch monitors, one to go in the center for FMC and lower EICAS and the second one will be for the computer thats running Radar Contact and FDC Live Cockpit and FScommander.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...%20pit/038.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...0pit/037-1.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...0pit/034-1.jpg

And mounted two ATX PSU's that will provide power to the 12 volt cockpit lighting and power led annunciators.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...0pit/040-1.jpg

And of course the temporary computer lab. Three of the four maybe five PC's which will run this thing. The wife will be most glad to get this out of the house.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...%20pit/042.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...0pit/041-1.jpg

I have a fifth PC Im trying to get up and running for FO's PFD and ND

I have had the sim up and running since October. Had a bit of a building slowdown over the winter. Here is some progress so far.
Modified Saitek throttle loosely resembling Boeing throttle
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...0pit/001-3.jpg

MIP and Avionics shots.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Picture010.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Picture002.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Picture004.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Picture006.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Picture007.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Picture008.jpg
Autobrake panel and servo flap gauge are working

Hope the video works (poor quality)
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Picture016.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Picture013.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...Picture015.jpg