Another long layoff..for which there are good reasons. But I have now completed the conversion to Photo Recon at Mk V standard, adding Mk V controls, changing the seat to redish compressed paper etc, . Problems with the A2A Spit have meant that I have done almost zero flying for the last several months (long and uninteresting story). However a bit of tinkering to finish off has got done.
I am currently awaiting an "airswitch" which will be fitted to the back of the primer pump..so that when you pump, the air pressure will trigger a switch. This comes upon suggestion from Chris and after a long and NIGHTMARE run at various mechanisms to simulate both PRESSURE and PRIMER. Obviously a switch is needed to trigger the simulator "pump" but any switch arrangement would not create pressure in the primer, so that pumping fuel was not like a bike pump, with "resistance" but was like a door bolt slide with no friction. Any system I tried that gave pressure did not have sufficient clearance to trigger a switch. The problem is now solved on a technical level but still needs to be installed. The "best" try at a switch arrangement has been moved sideways to become a "break to make" switch for the Merlin's slow running cut out, when pulled.
Also awaiting the final work on the door mechanism (hopefully soon) so that I can build the door and finish the whole thing.
I also wanted to maintain the "constantly upgraded/converted" theme and so I have left the Landing Lamp control in place, along with the Reflector sight switch and labels....but the sight is gone (impossible to see the reticle against a bright screen anyhow) whilst retaining the gunsight bulbs. Also, I added a gun camera footage unit as yet another "left behind" item. This gives the feel that a quick bit of work turns her into a fighter recon.
Also now added are a fake seat adjustment handle (right of seat), Gwyn's marvellous Drop Tank Valve/Release unit, the heavey silver braided radio control (TR 1143) cable and after a lot of brain and handy work by Gwyn, a new laser engraved face from Chris and some swearing and reprogramming, I have finally managed to get the ASI to work on a multi turn basis to read the outside scale first and the inside scale second time around. This will take some getting used to as upon entering hard manouevres from a high speed, it is easy to forget WHICH scale is currently the right one to read...! Not a big drama but one extra bit of skill needed to fly her!
The lights are all now functioning...Undecarriage, Low Volts, Fuel Pressure Warning and the PRU control lights...2 on the Type 35 and 3 on the Camera Selector. (unfortunately most are too hard to see in the photo as the flash washed them out) The Type 35 has also moved forward to the more "traditional" upfront mounting.
Another real item has been received, this time a Magneto Switch pair.
Hoping Tony can still source me a brass Mk V engine limitations plate but in the meantime a laser engraved plastic black and white one is in place.
Anyhow, the pictures:
Two views of the whole thing. Camera Selector Box prominant low and left.
The view "in the door"
The view from the pilot's seat:
Left wall froward from the seat.
Low on the panel, the twin "deviation" cards (with slipper tank and without) and the compass which now has a whisky compass inset ... at some stage I may hack this up to build a better representation of a P8 but lots to do first.
The Type 35 in place:
Camera Selector
The Drop Tank Control (and a good idea of as close as I could get to the seat colour)
Right, right rear and seat
Left rear, Seat and Fuse Boxes
Fake Seat adjustment handle and right wall detail.
Finally, the dual scale ASI. (and the altimeter and new Gyro laser cut)
More sooner than last time..hopefully.