Spitfire VR Cockpit

[T6flyer]

Brilliant, Martin, just brilliant. It's been very interesting to follow this project both here and on Facebook.

Forgive me if this has been covered: does the canopy close? Something as simple as pulling it shut while wrestling with the stick and the chassis lever on takeoff really appeals to my inner warbird pilot!

VR technology has progressed in leaps and bounds but one thing would kill it for me, and that's not being able to see my/the pilot's hand working the switches. I'm sure we'll get there one day but in the meantime I'll wait and watch.

The canopy does open and close, but we have kept it open, only to facilitate people getting in and out. Last thing we would want is for the budding pilot to close the canopy, place the VR Helmet on and then find its not for them, panic and then try to get out. It could be slid shut in case it rains, but we can't see that happening much in California.

And as to hands, we have a device called 'Leap Motion' which attaches to the front of the helmet and gives you a visual representation of your digits. Thus allowing you to click to your heart's content. With the models that we make, we hope to use this in the future, where the 'pilot' will physically flick a switch in the cockpit and see the same operation being done in the simulated cockpit under the helmet.

Hope that helps. With it gone now, it's back to the usual fare. Sorting out the undercarriage of a P-51D bound for NZ today. What fun!

Best wishes to all,

Martin

[DarenC1]

Very cool.

I had a go of a simulator at East Fortune last year. Not quite as sophisticated as this, mind, but it was fun if nothing else!

Somewhere there is a photo of me with the canopy closed, and me making fighter pilot faces....!

[Zac Yates]

Thanks Martin, much appreciated! I'm intrigued by Leap Motion, I had no idea anything existed to do what I said. Very clever.

With it gone now, it's back to the usual fare. Sorting out the undercarriage of a P-51D bound for NZ today. What fun!

As a New Zealander I am very intrigued and a little excited for that.