Gunner's Pit

Post by **Gunner** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:52 pm

I felt that this deserved it's own thread independent of the "Desktop pilot's photo thread", the "desktop" description doesn't really fit this one

Wednesday, my ACES II kit finally arrived! The only complaint I could possibly come up with is the time it took to get here...a little over a month, but well worth the wait. The entire kit is cut on a CNC router, and all you have to do is glue and screw.

After only about 8 - 10 hours, (That's 4 - 8 hours for most, nobody is slower and more meticulous than me)here are a few pics of my progress:

I will post further photos as I complete the seat, for anyone interested in one of their own, the links are:

Pics of kit: http://www.pbase.com/tejay/updated_aces_ii_seat

Website: http://www.insidethecockpit.com/

Rhino · Post by **Rhino** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 7:31 pm

Does that come with upholstering or will you do that yourself?

Post by **Gunner** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 8:47 pm

Rhino wrote:Does that come with upholstering or will you do that yourself?

Gotta take care of your own pads, I found a real seat pad on ebay for $85, will probably have the back made for me. Everything else is included except glue and screws.

Ells · Post by **Ells** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:42 am

That's a lotta screws, good job so far.

Rhino · Post by **Rhino** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:26 am

Next order of business for Gunner is to build it inside a titanium "tub" so he has the comforts of an A-10 pilot. "Its a long way, to tipperary!...."

Talon · Post by **Talon** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 7:04 pm

Wow. That's some kit Gunner and looks like you're doing a pro assy, just make sure the pads are made of real good stuff due to the amount of time we all spend sitting in them.

Post by **Gunner** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 11:44 pm

Rgr that Talon,
The butt pad I got is the real thing mfg by Oregon Aero & it's pretty nice. I hope so, for what they charge!!!!

I found the website of their main distributor, they want $1,540 for the pad I picked up on ebay

http://www.coastalaircraftparts.com/F16.php

Burner · Post by **Burner** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 9:50 am

$1540 for some padded cloth... and we wonder why our taxes are so high

Post by **Gunner** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 10:07 am

Almost as much as a toilet seat

Actually, when I was doing my searches, I found a bunch of research on compressability in ejections and it looked like they spent $$$$ on R & D. I guess when you consider the relatively small market, they have to recover that somewhere. I just can't figure how I got mine new in the wrapper for $85

Post by **Lawndart** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 10:16 am

Bootleg!

Post by **Gunner** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:39 am

I was kinda wondering... he had Rolex watches for $54.99

...I did consider that, but can't imagine someone going to the effort to do a knock off of an obscure brand like Oregon Aero

Anyway, I'm not that concerned with compressability in an ejection - unless I put in that skylight I'm thinking about.

Post by **Gunner** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:29 pm

Week 4 update...
I AM SO SLOW! I overbuild everything I make(I made a subwoofer that weighs over 250 lbs). I know I went overboard with reinforcement, but my intent all along with this seat was to be able to strap myself in tight, and I'm no lightweight.

My thinking is that I can maybe reduce the PIO that comes from working the throttle in precision maneuvers...we'll see.

Anyway, I'm about ready to skin the back and seat pan, so I'm getting close! I wanted to show off the detail in the headrest, I spent a lot of time there.

Post by **Lawndart** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:43 pm

Very nice Gunner! You've been busy and it shows. Where (or how) are you planning on mounting the Kitty?

Post by **Gunner** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:04 pm

Pretty much just what Red Dog has done, minus the upper panel and glare shield...

http://www.viperpits.org/smf/index.php?topic=537.435

Post by **Lawndart** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:45 pm

Wow, that's an impressive pit!!!

Are you planning on using a ribbstick mod with that or other? How would you mount the FSSB if you inted to keep it? Also, what about elbow and forearm support (arm rests)?