Thanks guys!!!
I hope to get to know the various names above and "talk" personally. Forgive me if I don't address your individual comments initially...I DO appreciate all replies though.
I am really looking forward to getting started properly. I collected bits for the F-16 over 18 months without being able to do much, so the Spitty should be good with a much shorter lead time. Main problem at the moment is that Flight illusions (the guys doing the gauges, which will almost all be functional) are very slow. The quality of their gear looks worth it though.
The spade grip is a flightworthy copy made by a guy out here, so it deserves a good set of controls built arounds it.
These are well on the way to being done. My mate at Aerosim has all the ability with welders, mechanical theory etc that I don't have. So when I decided to make the thing pretty much scale, I also decided not to do the mechanical work. The control column will operate elevators from the its full length and ailerons from the base of the spade, as per the real aircraft. The Trim for rudders will be mechanical and actually move the pedals, the elevator trim will be electronic. The controls will be "unharmonised" with the elevators very light and the ailerons heavier to represent operations at 250-300mph..the types of cruising speeds I will opeerate the sim at most of the time. Whilst I have never flown a Spitfire, I have limited experience flying high performance aircraft (Nanchang, Extra). The nanchang is very light in pitch, heavier in roll. So I have some idea of how it "should" feel. The guy building the controls has also flown a nanchang. The ultimate would be to find an old Spitfire pilot and get it really tested. The Extra is of no use to the project really (400deg per second roll rate!!) but is FUN!!!
I could have bodgied something up on the controls but this way I can concentrate on what I am reasonably good at : detail and generally making silk purses out of sows ears.
Access to a laser cutter means I can make all the non functioning stuff look "pretty" (eg the Remote Contactor, Triple brake gauge, Cockpit Placards) and things like the de icing pump etc can be made to look close with plumbing fittings etc.
I am quite excited about the whole project!
The latest acquisition:
Oh, and I haven't forgotten my promise of more up to date F-16 pics, just got a lot of crap piled around it at the moment and it is all pulled apart doing the last of the wiring. Pics soon.
I am surprised and flattered by all the interest in my work..THANK YOU!!
Darryl