Showroom simon069d - My 2/3dof IL2 build

Hello,
My name is Simon and I am a self employed joiner based in Somerset UK. I am (slowly - too much work on!) building a setup and am looking to add 2 or 3 dof motion when built.
This site looks like the place to be to get all my answers! I have already asked a couple of questions, thanks to those who helped. I wanted to know if IL2 1946 is supported by Simtools, it appears it is! Hurrah! I am on a budget (as are most) and with constant work, a house full of DIY projects and three sons etc, this is very much a 'toy', a bit of fun on the cheap but I know I'm going to get carried away!

Based on IL2 1946 because my old gaming laptop will not run any newer IL2 titles, not fussed as I love 1946 anyway!

Being a joiner, my build will be mainly in wood. The base box section is made in 18mm ply with iroko blocks / bracing beneath. All glued and screwed so no twist or flex - very strong! Seat was robbed from awrecked PT Crusier, all the interior will be kept grey / dk grey / black to match the seat and keep dark / generic.


I am still just putting the static build together. The base / seat mount / monitor stand are all carpet tile covered. Everything will be removeable from the base to transport, all will be very securely bolted into hidden iroko blocks so when fitted with motors for motion, all should be solid.


I will be using my modded Sidewinder FF joystick and have made an 'aircrafty' looking mount for this, set ergonomically in line / angled to the seat, feels right when operated. This whole unit easily removed by removing a large screw in handle / bolt below.




I have a Thrustmaster TWCS throttle which I will cut up and bin the base unit - too bulky, a box type replacement to house the electronics and rails will be made in the same style as the joystick mount. If you have a Juddery TWCS throttle, see my YouTube video - TWCS throttle judder, an easy fix to make this budget throttle run smoothly. I waffle on a bit in the video! Apologies, just keen at the prospect of the project!

I have fitted side rails along the edge of the base which will have heavy duty drawer runners attached. I intend to make a complete enclosed cockpit (ish) pod in front and rear half sections, these will slide and close over me to seal off the outside world! The inside of the pod will all be dark lined below the centre line, white above to reflect light and keep airy.


I will be using an LED smart bulb adjustable to the right blue for day flying and a dim red for night missions

Wind simulator with 200 CFM fans, Arduino controlled and homemade air straighteners will be fitted inside to give airspeed feedback and also bring fresh air into the pod.

TrackIR of course! Force feedback headphones and also transducers in the seat to give more feedback. ​

The idea is to complete the whole static stage one and then weigh the unit to calculate how best to get to stage two - motion! I am 17 stone, the unit will weigh somewhere between 50 - 100kg an I will need any motion setup to be fairly quiet / smooth as it will be living in the attic above bedrooms. I am thinking that linear actuators will be the way ahead? Wiper motors look a bit noisy. I intend to make the whole thing as immersive as possible so the motion side will not have to be too extreme, just enough to make the brain feel some movement and add to the experience. If anyone has any suggestions, I would be grateful for any ideas to mull over whilst in stage 1.

Looking forward to building and getting as much info from X Simulator website as I can!

More pics to follow as I continue building.......

Almost forgot! The monitor / gas arm mount are a bit in the way for any shop bought rudder pedal system so I intend to make my own to fit. I will take the twist output from the joystick for rudder and rewire that to the pedals for L/R rudder. The throttle output also from the joystick will also be used for toe brakes. If anyone has messed with something similar, I would appreciate your observations!

Thanks noorbeast, will take a look, lots to learn!
Ta.

Joinery work pretty full on at the moment but managed to get the wind sim bits put together. I am using two 200 cfm fans, some water / drainage pipe painted black and I made mdf back plates to hold all together. The straighteners are quite effective and direct airflow well. I need to test these first before deciding where to mount them for the best performance. All will be controlled by an Arduino setup. A few pics below show the wind generators.