Drakeshoot

World class responses, thanks guys. It isn’t the learning that’s the hard part, but rather figuring out what I need to learn. Knowing what I don’t know. This has all been enormously helpful.

Will do

Fantastic, thank you both. I’ve decided, based on your feedback to break down my bloated, mission-creep hell project into a number of smaller sub-projects. the first one will be just the weapon release controls for the F-4 and will be based on the Uno via DCS Bios (it’s in the post, might as well use it for something), the second will be a more “utility” box based on a Pro Micro (ordered) for it‘s USB simplicity and consist of course & heading pots, tacan rotaries and AFCS switches which will be useful across most modules. I’ll probably do the latter first as the simpler of the two. Thanks again, your comments have really helped solidify the vague, ephemeral concepts that were so exciting into a series of concrete steps.

Hi all, I’m planning on building my first button box, the Weapons Control Panel & extras for the upcoming F-4E. This means I need rotary encoders with push (weapons select, stores jettison etc), a couple of rotary potentiometers (bomb release interval and probably course & heading knobs), some on-on switches (master arm and CW Interlock), some on-on-on switches (nose-tail fusing switch) and a pair (on)-on-(on) switches for AFCS and Alt hold. I appreciate the last pair are magnetic in the real jet but sometimes they don’t engage in the F-14 due to me being out of parameters so I’d like a return to centre so I can repeatedly send “on” signals rather than having to manually cycle the switch to keep in sync with the cockpit. In order to achieve this, I’ve got a arduino and a bunch of switches, pots and rotaries in the post but I’ve already hit my skill limit. I don’t know how a circuit works, I can’t solder and I can’t code. I’m going to have to learn these things, which is fine, I’m looking forward to it, but I do need someone to idiot check me at this point. I'm pretty sure the Arduino UNOs I ordered (got a pair just in case one was DoA) won’t have enough pins to manage all of these inputs so I’m going to get a Mega. Can I bolt 2 UNOs together instead with a single USB out, or is that a level of complexity I don’t want to be messing with yet? I found Circuito.io with an auto wiring tool which is massively helpful in making me think about wiring up (don’t forget, I haven’t got a clue), it doesn’t have many switch options though, is there a similar tool with more input options? Am I approaching this in the right way? Is there anything I’m missing? Thanks for taking the time to read this, I’m very excited, but also utterly incompetent so any advice would be gratefully received.

Hi all, Having just upgraded to a full Virpil setup, it’s time to sell the T.16 kit that’s served me well for the last year or so. All in perfect order with the gimbal and throttle runners greased with Nyogel 212a. Also including 3d printed mounts for booting the components onto alu mounts, montertech etc. I home made mine for cheap by ordering precut sections and heartily recommend it https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255382826821?mkevt=1&mkcid=16&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0 Get in touch if you have any questions. Cheers!

Hi All, I’m having a lovely time with the Mossie (insert Lord Flasheart reference about machinegunning my number into her bedroom wall here) but am wondering how best to squeeze performance out of the bird in at her preferred altitude (1-30ft…). I’ve been running around at 2950rpm with +9lb boost and she tends to sit around the 270-280MPH mark which is fine but I’ve just seen a video of a guy screaming along at a lower RPM, 2700ish but at higher boost, 16-18lb and he had a solid 300-320 out of her. Is this sustainable? What settings are you guys using for the various phases of a strike? Also, cowl flaps, do they make a huge difference in speed and temp? Edumacate me!

Magnificent work chaps.

Do you have figures for a Merlin 25?

Interesting Bozon, I’ve read a number of books by fighter pilots from WW2 to Sharkey Ward, almost all of whom held the test branch’s conclusions in some degree of distain, if not their courage. Possibly a result of knowledge gained in battle, possibly faith/pride in their steed or most likely a blend of both.

Does anyone know if the RPs are the same as carried by the Typhoon? I recall another apocryphal story about a load of Tiffie RPs having the same effect as a 15” naval shell or something?

Superb breakdown Robi-wan, the ADFU evaluation appears to be for the Merlin 23 version though, I wonder if the addition of an extra 220bhp a side will make much of a difference. I also read somewhere that the T&E Mossie was found to be significantly underperforming vs type, though I’m not sure at what stage. All food for thought, keep it coming.

Not burst at all, it’s all grist for the mill. Know what it’s best altitude is given the single stage?

Hi All, I Pre-ordered as a Pavlovian response and am now working out what I’ve gotten myself in for. I understand (from wiki) the FB.VI we are getting is a post-June 1942 mark. Probably, and this is pure speculation, the rapidly modified version with Merlin 25’s and a top speed of 385mph. Wiki tells me that in January of 1945 FBVI’s went toe to toe with Fw190’s (no mark given) and killed 5 for 5 losses which is encouraging but hardly a complete AAR. Would I be right in saying that DCS’ Axis plane set is mostly late war, mid-‘44ish? if so, will the Mossie be viable in it’s FB role and, more importantly, how should it be fought? As an energy fighter, boom & zooming or a turn fighter with those lovely merlins dragging it round the corner, or do we leg-it and come back with a load of mates with sticks? I’ve read lots about the mossie’s early-war speed, how does that compare to our late-war souped up 190 & 109? I’ve heard an interesting urban myth about the Mossie and would love to hear from people more knowledgeable, that there was a significant gap (20-40kts) between takeoff speed and controllable single engine speed, so that the loss of an engine shortly after rotation would result in the surviving Merlin producing more torque than the controls had authority to counteract resulting in uncontrollable roll, likely inversion and almost certain death.

I’ll be needing that Norway map now...

That’s what I’m worried about. We haven’t seen hide nor hair for a while.