Spitfire FR version (WARNING- NOT an airliner *G* )

[DarrylH]

Thanks very much guys, appreciated.

Yes, I am busting to get it flyable now but real life has caught up a bit..so it could be a month or so now.

Pictures when I make any progress.

[shaneb]

Looks great Darryl !   

[DarrylH]

Thanks Shane!

[Boeing Skunk Works]

Really amazing. That's some great work Darryl.

[DarrylH]

Thanks Michael.

[jackpilot]

check your PM..
JP

[DarrylH]

Cheers Jack!
All,

A brief "update" well, actually a step backwards (thank you so much Andy!!!...MATE 

I now find I need to build yet another camera control. The Camera Selector Unit. Until now I had never seen one, couldn't find one  and was going wing it with a 3 position switch. OFF/Oblique/Vertical. But Andy to the rescue with a picture of the unit.



It seemed to have three switches and lights, and what I thought was a fuse box...details Andy confirmed for me soon after when he found the diagram:




Luckily I have three supercharger type switches spare, two lights (and just found a third) and stumbled upon a fuse box that is very close or identical, provided it is the size i think it is when it arrives. It is a Type G fuse box...I don't suppose anyone can say "yep, that was the type used in the Camera Selector"?? And into the bargain I picked up a shallow two way AM switch for the OFF toggle!


More work but all for the good I suppose. A genuine thank you Andy.


.

[DarrylH]

The Seat upholstered and the head pad done. He did a great job on both...the seat pad is a "private purchase" item, longer in the back than standard issue (as I am getting too old for hard seats fro 3-4 hours at a time.

[Boeing Skunk Works]

Looks very nice Darryl.

I have to ask, how comfortable is it to sit in the Spitfire cockpit?

[DarrylH]

BSW...simple answer..IT'S NOT!!!!

You sit very straight, the cockpit is wide enough in civvies but would close in rapidly with Irvin Jacket etc on.

I will be sitting on a "parachute" made out of a soft cushion and have the full back rest. BUT there are also plenty of sharp edges etc to "take bark off" as we say here..so I have leather flying gloves to protect my hands. Leg room is good. I also don't need to worry about banging my head...I think if I put a canopy on it would close in rapidly too.

It certainly doesn't have the roomy feel of an F16.



Darryl

[DarrylH]

OK, finally some photos of the Throttle (and you can see the new better green interior as well on the last two photos..the throttle pics washed out with the flash.).

1. Closed position, Prop Pitch full fine...as you would leave the aircraft.




2. Maximum weak mixture setting with the mixture lever (left) at its full travel. The throttle can be moved forward from here but will exceed the allowable boost if weak mixture is selected. When the throttle is closed from here it takes the mixture back with it to "rich" (fully back) position, so the engine can not be run at weak mixture and low power, which causes detonation if allowed to happen.



3. The warning horn switch (rear) and undercarriage indicator power switch(forward).



4. The label for the throttle...carved with an engraving dremel bit into the wood handle I made.



5. Full rated boost with the throttle at the forward stop...if moved a little left from here it can be pushed further forward to the takeoff setting (or to full boost if the boost override cutout is flipped. I've just noticed that this setting is NOT safe as the mixture is "weak"..it should be pulled back fully...Ill catch hell from the Mechanic for that!!




6. Top view..you can see the stop on the left for the mixture at half way...also the forward stop for Rated Boost and then the slip chanel of the gate to go sideways and a little further forward into  Take off Boost.





And a couple of the monitor tray now ready to be installed after the wiring is finished.

[shaneb]

Hey Darryl,

TQ looks awesome . . really like your project!   

[DarrylH]

Thanks Shane,


D

[Aerosim Solutions]

Now how long did it take me to machine up that beautiful PVC MkIX Spitfire throttle handle again? Oh yes, it was just under two hours I think. I bet it is a wonderful paperweight now! Oh sigh!!!

GP

[DarrylH]

**G*** Gwyn, no, not a paper weight...safely aside for attaching when I fly the RealAir Spitfire IX. The mixture is a "weak" or "Automatic" switch for that aircraft so the throttle still fits perfectly well with it.  I will use it for all aircraft other than the Mk II as the other thing it does is protects my hand from great gouges being taken out by the TR radio controller above the throttle!!! (ask me how I know!!!...note to self..ALWAYS wear 1941 pattern gauntlets to fly this thing)


D

[Aerosim Solutions]

Or you could throw it at the Messerschmitts when you're out of ammo!

[DarrylH]

Or you could throw it at the Messerschmitts when you're out of ammo!

The handle or the bloody TR controller


Oh, Radiator stuff on way!

[DarrylH]

Latest photos.















The office.


From rear starboard quarter


Panel



Pipe detailing, left hand side.



Landing Lamp Unit and Compass




Ready to go.


Chocks away



Easy turns.


Throwing her around





Pre landing checks


Turning final


Short final

[jackpilot]

Whaoooo!

And I thought "I " was crazy......Great, this is pure and fantastic Madness!

Congrats, best bird !!!!! (and amazing Pilot!!)

[DarrylH]

Thanks Jack,

Would you believe...some people have had the gall to call me "obsessive".

The helmet and mask are are regular feature, the sound being organised through them. The Irvin Jacket is not...mid winter here and it was still intolerably hot in that jacket!! The gloves are also fairly essential as there are quite a few sharp edges in there!

I am currently putting together a video which will show the lights working (a big thanks to the guys who helped me there) and the instruments working as well as the new 7" I've just put on as a rear view mirror.

cheers mate, thanks for the interest and for almost not calling me a nutter!! 

[jackpilot]

My 2¢, because I cant keep my brainwaves quiet.

Maybe you could build the complete birdcage above your head and  in front, including plexi windows and have one single short throw projector giving you some 4-5 square meters image...enough to get disoriented in a tail spin!!!

Something like this

[Aerosim Solutions]

Just wondering where the picture of me flying it is? Come on Darryl LOL!!!

[DarrylH]

Gwyn,

Wasn't that YOU with the Pony Tail?? Sorry, I'll dig a couple out and post them...just to prove you are not some myth that people tell their children at bedtime if they want them to grow up to be Jordies....


Jack,

I considered something along those lines but having stood on teh wing root and gazed through the Mk22's windscreen..seeing just HOW restricted forward view is, I opted for the "cramped" look of the three monitors with heavy frames. With the TiR I am not sure that you could improve it much? Still..one day maybe..

[RojanTrojan]

Holy moly! Stunning build. The attention to detail is incredible!

Well done.

Rhydian

[DarrylH]

Thanks mate!!

First rough video. A lot of room to grow with the new video software but this is my first attempt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVfeiBX7Aww

Concentrates on visuals and a few gauges rather than an overall view of the pit.