After a cold grey overcast winter here in Ireland, spring has finally sprung! Being able to bask in the sunlight the last few days has inspired me to put paw to keyboard and provide a much overdue update. It’s not that the weather stopped activity of our intrepid builders though, there is plenty to share..

Pivka Museum Spitfire moves to UK!

The Pivka Museum Spitfire in Slovenia, so beautifully built by AFormX, has been bought by a buyer in the UK. This was made possible through some big new developments at Pivka. The AFormX team did a zero-time refurbishment of the simulator before shipping it to its new home in Yorkshire. Dave, the proud new owner, has started configuring a new computer to just DCS at this stage and when that is ready will do the binding of the controls and switches to the sim software.

Dave kindly agreed to share some photos of the simulator arriving in the UK with us.

New licences

Just December saw the addition of six new licensees to our community of builders, bringing the total licenses issued to 72! Welcome everyone!

East Kirby Lancaster build

In between building a HFS Spitfire Simulator, one of our licensees based in the Netherlands has the good fortune to be able to assist with the rebuilding of a Lancaster bomber in East Kirby. Cees kindly shared a few photos of the tail section of the build coming along. I understand that there is also a DH98 Mosquito and a B25 bomber at the same facility. Very envious!

Down under

News from Melbourne is that the build by Doug, (who is also building a full size flying Spitfire by the way, seen in the background of the photos :-)) is in final stages of setup. Doug has previously shared photos of his superb build, here he shows the frame installation for some serious wind generating capacity!

MSFS2024

The Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 released to great fanfare late last year. While it shows great promise, it was soon evident that much work remains to make it acceptably functional. Developers, such as our own FlyingIron Simulations, were left entirely in the dark as the software development requirements. I believe the SDK was only issued by Asobo in February and the team at FlyingIron Simulations is hard at work to produce a totally new update of the Spitfire MkIX. Alex recently posted on Discord:

Hey guys we are aware of the issues; despite what Asobo may have said 2020 aircraft are NOT  truly compatible with 2024. We didn’t actually have a say in our 2020 aircraft fleet being automatically brought into 24.

We will be bringing them into MSFS2024 one module at a time, starting with the Spitfire. There is alot of work to be done converting the aircraft to 2024, and we expect each update to take several months.

You are of course welcome to enjoy the aircraft in 2024 as they are but just be aware that they won’t be functioning as intended.

The good news is that the Spitfire will be receiving a massive upgrade as part of the transition, with an all new exterior model, overhauled systems programming, new variants, liveries,  EFB integration, improved ground handling & so much more!  

Thanks for your patience!

Looking forward to that! In the meantime I am very happily enjoying the HFS simulator in MSFS2020 and of course DCS..

And just love the Passthrough in the VR cockpit!

Happy to announce that the Builders Guide and files have been updated. Changes are as follows:

Revision 2.7 8 October 2024

1. Provided more detail on renaming requirement of Leo Bodnar cards
   a. Added guideline and files to a new Leo Bodnar directory under the Electronicsfolder.
   b. Updated wording in Control spreadsheet in Electronics directory (HFS Mk.IXSpitfire Control Rev10_6 Dist.xlsx).
   c. Updated wording in section 5.1.5 and 5.1.6
2. Added more detail to the VR section 5.4.1 and 5.4.2, including Passthrough settings.
3. Added replacement files to enable passthrough in the FlyingIron Simulations SpitfireMk.IX for MSFS2020/24 in the Electronics/FI Passthrough directory.

Revision 2.6 16 September 2024 (Published in book form only)

1. Further clarifying detail on setting up SimTools, DCS World and MSFS2020 in section 5.2.3.2
2. Rewrote VR and Mixed Reality section 5.4
3. Updated section 5.6 to provide guidance on software startup using the Quest 3 withVirtual Desktop.

HFS World First: Full cockpit VR Passthrough in MSFS202/2024

In something never done before (that I’ve seen anyway..), you are now able to view your real-world cockpit IN FULL , read maps, write notes etc. while outside the cockpit you see the virtual world. Not only that, you can (if you have created a safe space to do so!) also step out of the cockpit, and walk around the aircraft all the while being able to view the real cockpit interior. The instrument panel is remains virtual, so still no need to have the added complication of real working instruments.

Allow me to elaborate, but if you are in a rush to see what this looks like, by all means check out our video here and feel free to come back and learn more 🙂

I have been playing with the Meta Quest 3 headset using the Passthrough functionality through Virtual Desktop. If it all sounds a little confusing, I don’t blame you but let me explain:

The Quest 3 VR headset has dual cameras that allow you to see the real world in full 3D high resolution colour while virtual windows, games etc. are overlain over this real world. This is the basis of Mixed Reality and Meta have really pulled it off very well with an exceptional headset at a very reasonable price.

The Quest 3 is standalone, i.e. it is fed information via WIFI and you download programs to it and these can then run independently. To get it to run PC games or simulators such as DCS World, MSFS2020 or XPlane you can either use a cable or better yet (to maintain independence from any wiring which must be the way to go), use a programme called Virtual Desktop. You load the streamer portion of that programme on your PC and the main programme runs on your Quest. It uses WIFI to connect and to get the right bandwidth you need at least a router with 5Gbps capability. Your PC must be connected to the router with an ethernet cable.

Virtual Desktop (VD)(thankfully not a disease!) provides the facility to set up passthrough. You elect an unusual colour which VD then interprets as having to replace it with the real world footage. In my case I elected mono-coloured in RGB 255,0,255 which gives a strong pink colour. VD provides the passthrough but unfortunately and seemingly unavoidably there is still a small outline of the area that remains in pink. Anyway, it’s not too intrusive but perhaps that will also be resolved going into the future.

So using a program such as OpenKneeboard or MR Passthrough, you can have a little window into the real world. I thought however, if one can colour the cockpit interior in pink then you can select what you wish to have a passthrough. This was my own first attempt:

The problem with this was that there are still too many shadows, thus preventing the passthrough to work properly. It did prove the theory though, so I turned to Alex Kassabian at FlyingIron Simulations for his help. He did a colour application in the base files of the model, and the result of that you can see in the video.

I still need to play around with the settings to reduce some of the pink remnants and optimise the experience overall, but Build License holders are free to contact me for the base files with instructions on how to use them should they wish to try it out.

Others paid a heavy price in blood for the democracy we enjoy today. Don’t squander it..

We shall remember them.

We published a video yesterday to demonstrate how technology is reshaping flight simulation.

Our own philosophy has been to couple an accurately modelled simulator cockpit with full working controls to the virtual world. Treating the simulator essentially as a large joystick allows the VR technology to develop separately, ensuring the cockpit will remain as relevant many years into the future as it is today.

In order to enhance immersion and the feeling of actually being there we have added force feedback, vibration and g-Force simulation to our design in simple, (relatively easily achieved by the homebuilder) modules. The one element that remained elusive at reasonable cost was being able to see your own body and hands in the cockpit while still being in the virtual world.

Limited passthough, being able to see a part of your real world integrated into the virtual world, offers that opportunity.

While the likes of Varjo have with their XR3 and now XR4 headsets offered passthrough for a while, this came at a huge cost ($4000+). Add to this some serious graphics processing power to be able to run the software at acceptable rates to enjoy the enhanced resolution available in these units and you are talking serious money.

Enter the Quest 3. Much lighter and more compact than the Varjo, you need no more than the 128Gb model selling for under $500. Add a proper headstrap with battery and in case you have not got one, a high speed router to handle the wireless PCVR setup. Coupled with Virtual Desktop to run the PCVR and a free passthrough utility from SpitIce (Thank you! Would happily pay for that!) we now have a very good passthrough experience available to us lesser mortals!

Check out our video here of it in action:

Graphics quality is great. You can see yourself and your surroundings in 3D. Bear in mind the video much degrades the visual quality, cuts the field of view severely, is only from one eye’s view and no longer in 3D, so can only offer a small glimpse of the actual experience.

Lack of physical presence was perhaps the one element that still made some prefer a physical cockpit with dome projection. The disadvantage of that is that generally the visuals are a little washed out and in flat 2D. Its perfect for procedural training in an aircraft with limited outside visibility (front and side windows) and where the focus is on the cockpit environment, not external visuals. The requirement normally revolves around flying on instruments anyway, therefore seeing the outside becomes somewhat irrelevant and in fact undesirable.

In contrast our focus is on experiencing flight in historical fighter planes, where the visual senses are extremely important in creating a convincing and fully immersive environment. With passthrough, still in early stages of development but available now, a new level of immersion has arrived.

It was a fantastic occasion to be able to issue our Diamond Jubilee Spitfire Build License No.60 in February.

What is even more exciting is that it has gone to Malta, with it’s incredibly rich historic association with the Spitfire and its heroic defiance against the Axis onslaught.

The small island of Malta, a crucial stronghold in the Mediterranean during the Second World War, found an unlikely hero in the sleek and graceful form of the Supermarine Spitfire. As the Axis powers endeavoured to dominate the skies, the Spitfire emerged as a symbol of resilience and an instrument of salvation for the beleaguered Maltese people.

From the moment its Merlin engines roared into life, the Spitfire was not just a mere fighter aircraft; it was a beacon of hope. The exemplary performance of these fighters during the Siege of Malta between 1940 and 1943 is a saga of heroism and tenacity.

The pilots of these magnificent machines formed an unbreakable bond with the island nation. They were not just defenders; they were the heart and soul of the resistance. Every engagement served as testament to their unwavering commitment to protect Malta’s freedom against overwhelming odds.

Against a relentless barrage from the enemy, the Spitfire’s and their brave pilots managed to turn the tide. They displayed a steely determination that mirrored the steadfast spirit of the Maltese people, ensuring they never stood alone.

Today, the legacy of the Spitfire and its pilots is etched into the very fabric of Malta’s history. It is remembered as a shining example of courage and a herald of peace, a heroic chapter that showcases the indefatigable spirit of a nation under siege. Every rivet, every wing, and every propeller of the Spitfires that soared above the Mediterranean blue tells a story — a story of valor, determination, and a relentless will to survive.

Welcome to the Builders Group Malta!

Hi folks!

This week we released our latest design update for the HFS Mk.IX Simulator Cockpit to our Build License Holders. This update brings full Force Feedback, Wind Generation and G-Force to the MSFS2020 implementation. Almost all the controls are simulated in MSFS2020 too (as far as the simulation engine allows) through the Spad.Next programme.

Details for Rev.2-5 are as follows:

1.     Added Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 operability through SPAD.Next software

a.     Updated “HFS MK.IX Spitfire Control Rev10_5 Dist.xlsx” file in Electronics folder.

b.     Included SPAD.Next profile in Electronics folder. (HFS FlyingIron Spitfire MkIX.xml)

c.     Updated section 5.1.6 accordingly.

d.     Added section 5.1.3.2 Microsoft Flight Simulator

e.     Updated section 5.1.3.3 X-Plane

2.     Consolidated G-Force Seat and Force Feedback functionality through SimTools v.2.6 This means it is no longer necessary to run DCS Bios to achieve the Force Feedback for Ailerons and Rudders.

a.     Updated “HFS MK.IX Spitfire Control Rev10_5 Dist.xlsx” file in Electronics folder.

b.     Included new configuration files in Electronics/HFS FullForce folder

c.     Deleted Electronics/G-Force Seat and HFS_BD_Rev9c_AS_WS folders

d.     Updated description in section 5.1.1 Introduction

e.     Updated section 5.2.2.1 Connecting the fan to the Arduino

f.      Renamed section 5.2.3 to Force Feedback and G-Force Software Setup and major rewrite to use SimTools.

g.     Added section 5.6 Running the Software

3.     Pneumatic Assembly Base for G-Force seat missing files included:

a.     Added two missing STL files for the Pneumatic Assembly base in the STL Files/G-Force Seat folder:

                                      i.     04.04.01.01.01 Base.stl

                                    ii.     04.04.01.01.02 Base.stl

b.     Updated section 4.10.5.6 to include the missing two base files in the listing.

c.     Updated section 3.12 to include full listing of supplied STL files for self 3D printing.

4.     Cleared up inconsistency and clarified naming convention of the Seat Airshims used in the G-Force Seat:

a.     Added description and sketch showing the naming convention of the shims in section 4.10.5.4

b.     Added Pneumatic Tubing Layout diagram to section 4.10.5.8.2

c.     Corrected nomenclature on wiring diagram section 4.12.3.2

5.     Updated section 3.13.1 Bubble Hood Plexi to reflect the supplier details for individual Malcolm Hoods in the UK and Australia.

6.     Updated section 5.1.5 Calibration of the Axes to:

a.     reflect use of DIView as a better alternative to the Windows Joystick utility. 

b.     Also included a download link and added the DIView.exe to the Electronics folder for convenience.

Enjoy and a Merry Christmas to all!

I was privileged to be able to attend the Flying Legends Airshow this last weekend. It was the first time it was held at its new venue at Church Fenton near Leeds. The location lent itself to setting up a beautiful flight line, including 12 Spitfires of various types and 3 Hurricanes.

It was great to meet up with Steve and Terry of Simply Spitfire again. I look forward to seeing their Mk.II soon!

Despite challenging weather the rain stopped and clouds parted at critical moments of the Saturday afternoon display. This included a superb display by 8 Spitfires.

Here for your viewing pleasure and builders inspiration, a few of the pics I managed to take:

It took a bit of doing but we can finally announce that we have a fully functioning Spitfire Cockpit for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. And fully functioning means with:

• Pneumatically operated G-Force Seat
• Force feedback on Ailerons and Rudder
• Wind simulation

All these add tremendously to what is already an incredibly immersive experience.

Check out our video to learn more:

In what is quite a milestone for the development of our Spitfire Mk.IX, we have published the plans for our G-Force seat.

The effect achieved with the pneumatic bladders and belt tensioner is subtle but adds tremendously to the overall immersion. It provides a cost-effective means of incorporating G-Force simulation into the HFS offering by way of pneumatic cushions and seatbelt pressure on the pilot. The Pneumatics Driver design builds upon that of XXPELLE, who’s build he shared on the xsimulator.net community site. I am grateful to him and to the various community members who pitched in with comments and assistance when needed. As such I have also made my upgraded Pneumatics Driver design available on that site and here for use by the community.

Download it here:

Heritage Flight Simulation G-Force Seat Design

We elected to use a G-Force seat rather than motion simulation due to a number of factors:

1. A motion platform is unable to provide sustained g-force simulation, for instance when an aircraft is pulling constant g’s in a loop or steep turn. Instead it will provide an initial heave and then wash out gently when the actuator limits have been reached. This is not very convincing especially in combat aircraft.
2. In VR any discrepancy between perceived and real motion leads very rapidly to onset of motion sickness. Hence a motion platform is less than ideal with VR.
3. The cost of our G-Force seat is a fraction of the cost of a full motion simulator.

The full revision 2.4 changes are as follows:

Revision 2.4

1. Added G-Force Seat Design
   1. Added section 4.10.5 for the optional G-Force Seat design.
   2. Added section 4.12.3.2 for the G-Force Seat electronics connection.
   3. Added Section 5.2.4 for the G-Force Seat software installation.
   4. Added G-Force seat custom Arduino code.
   5. Added custom SimTools presets.
   6. Updated the HFS MK.IX Spitfire Control spreadsheet to Rev10_4 to update G-Force seat inclusion.
   7. Added 15 new GA and Assembly Drawings.
   8. Drawing Register Rev7 updated.
   9. Added 33 STL files for self-3d printing of required components.
2. Added HFD-100133 Seat Pattern Drawing v2
3. Updated section 5.4.2 on Hand Recognition and Mixed Reality.
4. Reduced pricing in 3.12 for HP Multijet Nylon printing shown.
5. Updated information on Bubble Hood Plexi sect.3.13.1
6. Updated information on Windscreen Top Plexi sect.3.13.3
7. Total of 37 new pages added to the manual, now spanning 565 pages of richly illustrated information.