WORLD WAR II SIM PIT

I have always loved aircraft, and I have been using flight simulators since the second grade. I bought an Oculus Rift DK2 virtual reality headset in December of 2014 and had made modifications to my joystick and had made small switch boxes, but was unsatisfied with that level of immersion. I had done some research into homemade "simpits" that other people had made for flight simulators, but I didn't think that I could ever make one myself. However, one day I decided to build a chair for the flight simulator and realized that I could make an entire cockpit, so I set to work.

Seat

The Rudder Pedals

Throttle Mechanics

The Joystick

The Whole Project

Front Panel

First Person View

Objective:

To create a simpit for use with Oculus Rift and War Thunder that would offer a far more immersive experience.

Materials:

Wood, Switches, Arduino Mega, Old Joysticks, Drawer Sliders, Coat Hangers, Metal Pipe and Potentiometers.

How I Did It:

I started by constructing the framework using plywood and MDF  (multi-density fiberboard). First I made the seat, followed by the rest of the structure.  After the construction of the frame, I made rudder pedals with MDF, PVC pipe, and drawer slides. Then I painted it. Once the frame dried, I started adding various switches and potentiometers. I also constructed the throttle and propeller pitch with wood,  PVC pipe and coat hangar wire.

I purchased an old force feedback joystick and extended it's length with a metal pipe.

With the switches in place and dials in place I wired up all the electronics. Wiring some switches to the boards of old joysticks and some to an Arduino mega.

Skills Learned:

I improved my skills with jigsaws, routers,  table saws, miter saws, and planar saws as well soldering.