Ep: 16 - Building the F/A-18 Side Consoles | Flight Simulator | Open Hornet

Watch as the @openhornet Side Consoles come to life!!
It today’s episode I show you all the mistakes that I made! So you don’t have to make them yourself. Everything from pilot hole size, order of assembly and some valuable tips and tricks to make your build process more enjoyable
👾 Open Hornet Discord
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📦 Open Hornet v 0.2.0 Build Package
github.com/jrsteensen/OpenHor...
0:00 - Intro
0:06 - Why is Aircraft Primer Green?
0:56 - Documentation Needed
2:02 - Creating Jigs to Drill Edge Holes
9:46 - Drilling Pilot Holes
15:18 - Installing Aft Bulk Head
24:34 - Right Angle Drill Adapter
25:39 - Installing Console Ribs
27:22 - Installing Rib Support Blocks
30:57 - Green Spray Paint ASMR
33:53 - Installing the Top Rail Assembly
38:41 - Installing the Canopy Sill and Sill Brackets
41:01 - Installing the Side Wall
Download the latest design files for our previous tutorials here!
cults3d.com/en/users/aHornets...
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[@Waz-2000]

Really enjoying these videos. Between you and The warthog Project, the Aussies are leading the way!

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate!! 🇦🇺🇦🇺 glad you’re enjoying them!

[@michaelmcconnell3777]

Thanks for your videos!! Your efforts to publish your build, your mistakes and your approach is not taken for granted. It is tremendously helpful and motivating at the same time. I look forward to Tuesdays and what you are tacking this week.

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate! I appreciate it 😃 it’s been a pleasure filming and documenting the process Because this episode was a week delayed, there will be an episode next week as well to get it back on schedule 😊

[@fjb5894]

Love your work!

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate 😊

[@baronvonrichthofen2021]

Fantastic progress! It makes the whole thing real, seeingthis come together. Of course, doing a viper pit from scratch myself, I have a harder time getting such a brilliant design in place (OH did a reallygood job!). But. It’s part of the journey. All good fun!

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate! I admire you doing it from scratch 🙌🏻 when I was designing the side console panels myself (prior to me knowing about OH), that alone was a massive task - so it’ll be super rewarding when you are finished! Keep it up and keep me updated on your progress 😊

[@jeremy-ey2ez]

Unbelievable work ....

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate! You’re too kind! 😊😊🙌🏻

[@rightrudderleftstick]

Here is an important question to ask anyone building a pit like this (especially with the green undercoat) Do you then to a weathering/wear pass to make it look more authentic, beaten up and dirty? Or do you keep it factory fresh looking? An important prerequisite would be the paint everything silver metallic, clear coat it several times, and then prime it green, so when you knock it back with steel wool the "metal" is revealed.

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey it’ll probably just let it weather naturally over time I’ll clear coat the green And let that be the final level of weathering when it wears to that stage All the non grey or black areas like the aviations bays will naturally weather and become dirty as I do the wiring So that’ll give it a reasonable appearance Plus, I don’t spray solid green… where the corners and cracks are I leave them a little darker and focus more on the centre area to give the avionics area a post shaded look

[@HeliShed]

Great job! What about those people who want to build a sim cockpit but not a AAA version like this via STL files etc. IE - basic dimensions and shapes? Thank you - doing a fantastic job Scott.

[@aHornetsNest]

thank you! ☺️ I think it’s a possibility 😃 I think when I have time and this is finished I would like to make a basic one that can be easily jig sawed and printed Especially for those who fly VR and don’t need the fidelity in the physical pit

[@HeliShed]

@@aHornetsNest now that would be super useful Scott. I want to build a pit of the basic shape of the F18 but just wouldn't have the time, money or TBH ratification of such an in-depth build - which is why it is a genuine privilege to watch your journey. However, do i want to build one of the basic dimensions? Absolutely!! Getting those dimensions though is nigh on impossible.

[@aHornetsNest]

It’s a pleasure to make the videos to document the journey :) I’ll keep this on the back burner simmering away Because I know I’ll need another project after this 😂

[@Delta2Oscar]

I've been using 2020 aluminum extrusion to create a crude frame that I am mounting my controls to. I'm flying VR so I just need their placement rather than the entire tub. The frame started from a cube box around my gaming chair, and then adding/removing extrusion as needed. I've mounted Tek Creations, WinWing, Thrustmaster, and 3D files from "Jself" and OH. Extrusion is extremely versatile. Hope this helps give you any ideas.

[@Datttsnake]

I think you could get away with a full setup for about 7000$

[@UndeadParrot]

Great guide, and really good timing with it. I'm currently waiting for my CNC to arrive and planning to start with the right console anyway. :D Though after the basic frame, I'll be doing some modifications to make it a bit more modular so I can change easily between games. My previous idea was to have a nice cockpit for everything (I still enjoy space sims for example) but current idea is to have nearly perfect cockpit for Hornet and nice cockpit for anything else.

[@aHornetsNest]

Thanks mate!! I appreciate it 😊😊 your current pit is incredible. A vid of it came up as a recommend vid, and I had the same thought after seeing yours I’ll have my high fidelity Hornet pit - and then a simpit for everything else 😃😃

[@UndeadParrot]

@@aHornetsNest Thanks! Actually just got delivery of my CNC so hopefully I'll have it up and running next week and can start sourcing the MDF and working with the new setup.

[@aHornetsNest]

@@UndeadParrot brilliant! Which CNC did you go for?

[@UndeadParrot]

@@aHornetsNest Since I live inside EU, I was recommended to check out Ratrig and ended up getting their Stronghold One.

[@aHornetsNest]

Nice one!

[@owensparks5013]

If you make the printed jig to accept a drill bush (purchased hardened steel part) then you could go straight to 3mm. Especially if using drill bits designed for wood.

[@aHornetsNest]

Oh wow! I didn’t even know those things existed!

[@mehmetozel4780]

Süper duper şaaane 🤘

[@aHornetsNest]

Thank you!! 🫡😃😃

[@edsondias1176]

otimo serviço parabéns

[@aHornetsNest]

Thank you!

[@jacobblumberg6299]

Hi Sir, I am confused xD. This whole project is so overwhelming! Was all this wood pre cut when you ordered? I'm confused on essentially how to order the correct items as most part numbers take you to multiple different items! But that will be for a different day. The instructions suggest to order everything, I think I'll go one portion at a time as my mind will be able to focus better more smaller tasks rather than feeling like I'm chipping away making a train tunnel with a pick axe! First things first would be having something to sit in though, so I would love to know how you got these structures shaped, and if that would apply to other components getting their iconic looks? Thank you for documenting this, I think its gonna be the archive I need to take the step and make my own :)

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey there! So all the wood is CNC cut and drilled. With the remaining 3D printed or Laser Cut. Episode 14 goes through how to get all the files required for the OH build. In those files it will tell you all the parts you need. Easy assembly/sub assembly has a parts list so you can build at your own pace - you don’t need to buy everything at once I hope this helps and makes sense, if you have any questions always feel free to ask 🫡

[@jacobblumberg6299]

@@aHornetsNest Hello Mr. Nest, thank you for the wisdom and encouragement :) Each time I look over things I get a better understanding of how all these materials will eventually become one, some of the formatting is confusing but this is why I should take my pace and try not to get bogged down in the many learning opportunities to come, so I can from mistakes and other blunders. I am looking forward to the continuation of this series, as a visual learner it really helps to be able to see hands on how it all physically is handled. I truly have never done a DIY, and this is quite the project haha. Currently the only question I have is if you'd recommend purchasing the machinery required for printing & shaping these various materials from the files, or perhaps finding some public resources for some components. The CNC machine, printers, and engraver is quite the starting point xD

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey mate! Thanks heaps I outsourced my CNC cutting, but I print and laser cut my own parts I use the Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro FDM printer - and the Elegoo Saturn 2 for my resin printing and a 50W CO2 laser An upgraded K40 should also do the job if you are tight on space

[@yoiiiaaa]

If you were to do it again, would you use 18 or 19mm MDF? I have access to both and are unsure what to pick.

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey mate! Thanks for the comment and great question 🫡 if I had to do it again and I had access to 3/4” (19.05mm) material I would use the 19mm The 18mm is fine… but there are moments where you see the 1mm gaps, such as when you use 1.5” screws per the build plan, but your two pieces of material equal just shy (by 2mm) so the tip of the screw sticks out - but other than that it all still works :)

[@Nick-xe2hu]

I'm about to paint my OH structures. Going to go your route with spraying verses roll on. How much paint roughly should I order? Gallon? Quart? Thanks

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey! Priming all the structure with light misty coats was 2L Green was 4L - it’s a wall paint so not as dense coverage as primer

[@Nick-xe2hu]

@@aHornetsNest Awesome. Thanks

[@aHornetsNest]

😊 enjoy!

[@nickst2797]

Hello and thanks for the videos! I want to ask a question. Even though I am more in terested in F16, i guess it applies to the F/A-18 as well. Is there documentation somewhere of how to build your own panels? I am talking the whole thing though. 3d models for 3d printing, hardware, software for integration with DCS-Bios.. Is there a way to do it, or I only have to buy panels? Thanks!

[@HeliShed]

Scott shows you all of this here and more - via context. The rest you can replicate fairly simply.

[@aHornetsNest]

Hey mate! Thanks for the comment 😊😊 episode 1 and 2 go into the basics of panel design and my process of layering acrylic for backlighting etc. Ep 7&12 are you guides into DCS Bios which should get you going in a fairly decent direction 😃 and their are a couple in their about the theory and application of electronic components … saying that though there are still a heap more episodes to come - so if you want something specific let me know 😊😊 Thanks again for being part of the channel

[@aHornetsNest]

🫡🫡

[@fjb5894]

Can’t see what you’re doing with the camera so far away.

[@aHornetsNest]

There’s not much interesting to see regarding screws, nuts and bolts But not worry! when there is something interesting in up coming episodes I’ll be sure to zoom in