Relocation to Ireland
We will be relocating to Wexford, Ireland from South Africa in the middle of August. It will take a few months to get our new premises established but this should not affect any of online activities. We are looking forward to being more centrally located and will be able to offer more direct services to our European clients. We are also looking at the possibility of taking the prototype cockpit over to the UK for the airshow season next year. Otherwise, visit us in Wexford for a cuppa and to experience the magic of flight first hand.
21 Licenses – We have come of age!
We have reached quite a milestone having issued Build License No.21
We have also shipped 8 canopies and seven metal, spring and moulding kits to various parts in the world. For those interested, a few kits remain available but anyone interested will have to wait until they have been shipped and unpacked in Ireland. Note too that it may take a while before I am able to restock given our relocation.
G-Force Seat Progress
The next step in the development is coming along nicely. We have elected to utilise air wedges instead of flaps/paddles for the g-force seat in order to prevent any pinch points. The four slave wedges will be inserts in the seat upholstery. The air will be pumped from four master air wedges which will be neatly located in the wing cradle. The setup will use SimTools to control electric actuators which compress the master air wedges at the appropriate moment to simulate g-forces. In addition there will be a belt tensioner which tensions and slackens the seatbelt. The effect is created when, for instance, you go into a loop; the two bottom slave wedges inflate while the seatbelt slackens, providing the feeling that you are being pressed down into your seat. In contrast to a motion simulator which can only provide this sensation for the briefest of moments (and costs megabucks), the pressure is sustained throughout the loop. The activation of the airwedges) whether inflating or deflating) and the seatbelt tension, also provide sensations of sway, acceleration, deceleration and roll.
We are also working on the development of a proper leather cutting pattern for the seat upholstery which will capture the look of the original while providing G-Force functionality.
Flying Veterans give thumbs up!
I was privileged to have two very experienced aviator friends come over to try out simulator. One of them is an RAF veteran with a huge diversity of aircraft in his logbook. I was very fortunate to have done my training on the Stampe under his expert tutelage. Each flew a mission in the new DCS World Channel Map. In addition to some expletives there were gasps of wonder and much fun was had. I think the pictures tell the story…
Fitment of Wing Fillet undersides
It’s been a while but I finally got around to fitting the undersides of the wing fillets. The very elegant shape is now complete (other than some paint required).
My next post will hopefully be from the Emerald Isle.. Stay safe everyone!
Hi, just recently discovered your product and I’m totally impressed on what you’ve produced. My sons and I have decided to proceed with the simulator kit purchase. Reading through your past posts I was amazed to see you had visited Vintage Wings in Gatineau (outside of Ottawa) where I’m a volunteer guide and aircraft groomer (small world eh). Again, great design, can’t wait to start the build. – Mike (Canada)
Fantastic Mike! Sorry I missed you at Vintage Wings. I met some great people there. It will be fantastic having another builder in that area, Robert Tang is doing some wonderful work with a youth program to build and nurture interest and skills in aviation with the Canadian Air and Space Museum and which incorporates the HFS Spitfire. As with many other things this has stalled for the moment with Covid but that too will pass. I am so thrilled with our Spit being part of this program which I know is also supported by Vintage Wings. Look forward to having you aboard, thanks Mike!