Simpit A10C - Front Dash - Part 28: The project so far

Simpit A10C - Front Dash - Part 28: The Project so far

Welcome to Part 28 in a series of videos documenting and detailing the build of the front dash for my A10C simpit. This is for use with Digital Combat Simulator (DCS).

Part 28: To this point in the “Front Dash Project” - the frame has been built and 20 panels completed and installed into it. The next panels are the Attitude Director Indicator (ADI) and Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI), and these will require a period of research due to the (possible) scope of their replication.
During this research phase I plan to explore 3 main options to their possible replication
1. Monitor export utilising Helios
2. Conversion of a real ADI / HSI instrument
3. Self-build the ADI / HSI
After taking time into look each of the above I can then choose the option that on the balance of all things, seems the best fit for the project.
Given the time that will be needed to undertake the above it seemed like a good time to take a step back and look at “the project so far” in this video.
There are two parts in this video:
Part 1 - We will look at an overview of the project and revisit its original scope. We will then work our way through each of the panels completed so far and reflect on them.
Part 2 - 31min 46sec - Footage is shown of the simpit in general operation and interaction with various panels.


NOTE(s)
• This was my first attempt to record using a head mount for my camera. Excuse any unsteady footage or items being discussed which are slightly off screen
• The Landing Gear lever has a coil which when energised allows free movement of the handle. Whilst I have currently linked this to the status of the electrical system (i.e. battery power on/off), I may look to change this to Weight on Wheels in the future
• The green 7 segment displays (briefly shown for the left consoles data stream) are clearly visible to the eye, although the camera unfortunately does not pick these up well.
• The MFCD monitor exported views are not as bright in the simulator – however using the brightness control buttons on them (same as in the sim) allow the brightness to be increased / decreased, also contrast and other settings can be altered. This is shown in this video at 39min 29 sec.
• To ensure my voice was audible whilst narrating this video I turned down the volume of the simulator. Therefore, the mechanical sounds of the instruments I have built are far more notable (by contrast) than would be the case in normal flight. However, this does give an opportunity to hear the mechanical orchestra at play. The only instrument which is unduly noisy in the choir is the Vertical Velocity Indicator (VVI). The nature of this instrument in operation drives to needle to extremes and an X27 style stepper was used for this, which on reflection it would have been better to use a Nema (which would run more quietly and faster). I might make this change in the future.



The front dash build will be spread over a period of many months as I want to take time to get each panel to a certain minimum standard. Time will be needed to research, design, build, and test.


For further details of the front dash, panels within it, and / or my Simpit project, please visit the following newly formed website (intended to document the Simpit's build for both my reference and the community). The material on this website may run behind the content of this YouTube channel, but in time all will be documented.


http://www.mysimpit.co.uk


Thanks to:


The developer of DCS BIOS (FSF Ian) & the community supporting its continuance. Thank you for your development and support of this fantastic software


Dimebug - Producer of A10C Front Dash Stencil - Free plans


Phil (father in law) - Thank you for use of your CNC machine, the large amount of time we spent together cutting these panels. I very much appreciate the discussions around methods of construction, effective tool usage, and general best practice across a whole range of subjects (ranging from electronics and mechanics to CNC and wood working).



Claire (Wife) - Thank you for your patience in understanding my need to build this.



** For best viewing, stream at highest definition possible **