Project MFD..............
 

I'm currently in the throws of building a 1:3.7 scale PC21, which is also the subject of a build thread here on this forum. As part of the original ideas behind this project consideration was put to trying to mimic the large MFD's present in the full size plane, there has been a post by on a project similar to this on a smaller jet where I got the idea from.
The cockpit layout in the PC21 comprises of three large MFD's surrounded by various other items, but being a large scale model the panels for the MFD location made it feasable to look at small LCD photo display units. Measuring the openings dictated a screen around 2.5 inches across so the hunt started for the best photo unit. I needed something that played a slide show of loaded pictures/images at a user adjustable speed, something that when turned on would launch into the slideshow without having to press a series of buttons to initiate the playback, and something that was not bulky as the space between screens was minimal. Eventually Cory who do not have a UK distribution option seemed the best match. Thanks to some friends (they know who they are) I now have 3 units with which to play:D

I acquired screen shots from Pilatus in Switzerland from the full size MFD units and have currently just done a basic Photoshop crop on some of the main images for a tester. I loaded the files on an SD card and ran the unit up. Pics posted below of initial images... (sorry about the quality)

I (we, cheers Rich in advance!) will need to remake the front cockpit panel to accomodate the screens, which I hope will part company with their bezels to make the internal electrical connections possible. Cheers to Ali for allowing this 'trial' as it could end up in a pile of unusable electronics[X(]

marcs

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two more..

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This it what the full size is about and where we are trying to get...

marcs

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Hey Marc s:

I had the same idea for the scale cokpit of my Skymaster F-16 1/8 and this was what I got:

http://shop.littlepcbsolutions.com/p...c?productId=19

Finally I didn´t get the displays but I am still very interested in this idea. So keep me updated.

I have the manual in .pdf.

If you are interested, I can E-mail it for you. Just let me know your E-mail

Regards

Guillermo

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Hi Marc:

Sorry for the mistake in the web address. I just copy and paste my computer file location address but i just edited my post with the right web address.

I sent you the manual by mail

Did you received the info?

Please keep me updated.

It is a very interesting cockpit scale detail

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Yep, got it thanks.
Will keep the thread updated for sure, even if it goes pear shaped!

marcs

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OK

I will be checking this thread to keep updated

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That's a very clever idea. It will be impressive! [8D]

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LOL - I can just image what would happen if Mr Presta got one of those displays in his RC jet ... the pilot would be seeing miniature adult movies. ;):D

Great idea BTW.

Gordon

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We are starting to design products using those OLEDs at my work. They look awesome in direct sunshine.

I think a pocket photo viewer with OLED would be 3 or 4 x the retail price you see now.

Good luck with the project

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Marc - that looks great - I don't know if it was my post you referred to, but my MFD's would be too small for your project. Keep up the good work!

Guillermo:
As you can see from this video I have 2 MFD-displays in my F-16, but it's a 1:6 model. These Coby displays are small, however, and with some modifying
of the cockpit you could probably fit them in there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfA1B1B1uiM

Tor

PS: Oleds would be great, with better luminance!!

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Tor, it was your thread, great idea in the first place - cheers.
Hopefully with three screens up together the luminance should be OK, certainly see them all day over here where the sun never shines!

marcs

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Marcs -
during our winter season, the sun doesn't even come up....[8D][8D]
Tor

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Hi Tor:

Cool video

Is this model flying? Can yo send me videos of the model with the cockpit already installed? Or is ti still a project?

Where did you get the videos to be projected on the screens?

I think I can have a third screen projecting the HUD in the glass in front the pilot.
What do you think?

In am also planning to install small fiber optics cables to illuminate some cockpit switches and buttons using LED'S

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Hi All,

I saw this and thought it was a really great idea. I found some cheap Coby 1.5-Inch Digital Photo Keychains on [link=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000R9BMVU/ref=ord_cart_shr?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER& v=glance]Amazon.com[/link] for less than US $10 each. I ordered 4 of them.
I figure I can remove them from the cases and add a switch or modify them to fit into a cockpit and have them so a flick of a switch and they're on.

I am definitely going to keep an eye on this thread and if what I have in mind works I'll post pics as well.
Heck, if it doesn't then I have some cheap gifts!! :D

George

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Ive also been working on this idea as well for my project, though I was initially taking a different route. I ripped apart a few cellphones and experimented with the idea. This coby 151 is definitely a better and neater solution.

at 1/6th scale, f-16 cockpits are still very small, but what about the possibility of modeling a block 60 cockpit? its a UAE version of the f-16 and beats modifying the pit in a non scale way simply to except the electronics.

on the f-22, the MFDs are much larger. my plan is to animate the largest MFD and use transfers backed with electroilluminescent light panels for the remaining 5 screens.

anyway, here is a pic of a block 60 f-16 cockpit with larger MFDs.



I just looked at the video, Very nice!! and I see that you were able to fit 2 MFds in even an f-16 cock. is this without modification? if so, these cobys are small enough to work on most scale subjects. Great find!!!

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Good to see creative juices flowing;)
Thinking the same thing, one bright LED would provide enough illumination to feed a number of panel lights/switches.
The range covers most sizes so there is not much that with a little hacking would not fit most scenarios, I have a small 1.5 inch as well which is going to power the HUD.

marcs

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On the Coby unit, all you have to do is remove the case, solder a wire connected to a small switch to the points in the
picture - that's it! To fit it in a small cockpit like the F-16, you have to place it at an angle, meaning you have to manipulate
the pictures at the same angle and also make them the right size for the MFD openings. The Coby units are larger that the
opening. Make sure you have the USB-port point downwards, as you will need to charge the battery through it. I will be
fitting a small external battery to mine.

Yes, this model is indeed flying, I have more than 100 flights on it, it's my all time favourite!! :D
It also has a nice afterburner system, video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P39Q4uy4x_c

As for the HUD - this is what I did, one small, bright green LED..

Tor

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Excellent Ice!


Very very creative.


Marc s. At such a large scale, your results should be viewable from afghanistan!!!:) Looking forward to seeing it.

Along the same lines, Im considering doing photo etched plates with hud symbology to be used in a scenario such as How Ice pilot has done for his hud setup.
Purpose being to constrain the extra light and thereby allow only light emitting through the symbols to reflect on the glass.

My concern is that the effect may be too subtle to make it worthwhile, but I will try it to be sure. Any brainstorm thoughts fellas?

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Hi Tor:

Should I understand that the Hud in the F-16 1/6 has all the symbols printed in the plastic plate so the bright green LED will illuminate them?

My 1/8 scale HUD is flat. So how can I project the HUD symbols to the plastic plate?

Maybe like Belas ideas of doing photo etched plates?

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Yes, on my hud I simply scratched the symbols into the plastic HUD - when you illuminate
it with the green LED the markings will light up, and it looks pretty good!

Tor

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Cool.

I will do the same

Thanks for the idea!!!;););)

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In my experiments, Ive found it near impossible to get pure black on transparencies so light blows through in not only the symbology, but through th black to a lesser extent, decreasing the contrast and lessening the overall effect.
Im thinking that by doing photo etch panels, you kill 2 birds with one stone, first, you etch clean symbology as opposed to scratching marks to approximate symbology, and second, absolutely zero light will pass through metal except in those etched areas, thereby increasing contrast.

on closer examination, I think perhaps Ice is possibly going for a different objective maybe.
He is simulating the soft green glow. while the purpose of the P.E. plates will be to simulate projection.

When I etch my raptor sheet Ill do up a couple f-16 plates if you guys want to experiment with them.

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Bela -
that is quite right, I was going for the effect that you see on these two F-15's - just the
green glow, not really seeing what is on the HUD. I would love to have a few F-16 plates, though!

Thanks!
Tor

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Bela, don't fancy making one for the PC21 while your making them?

marcs

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Marc, Pm sent.

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Bela:

As my F-16 is 1/8 scale and I live ouyside the US, if you have success (I am sure you are going to) just post your method with pictures to do the same in my F-16. Of course if you want to do a 1/8 scale experiment, it will be welcome:D:D:D

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i'm definately interested in a how-to post... this just adds another "thing to do" to the list for the next project.

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Come on guys! dont let this thread die. Wheres the brainstorming? Im hoping to see everyone putting forth some of the most over the top feature wishes and then with our collective thought, making them doable...... and not so much making a "How to thread". I personally spark on other's creativity in a big way,and Im always fascinated with the possibility of advancing the ball up the field.

I just ordered 5 of the coby 151 to experiment with. thanx for that amazon.com link.

To ICE... when you removed the case of the unit, did it fit flush up against the rear of your f-16 panel?

To Guillermo...Just in case 8th scale on the f-16 is too small to pull off the full animation trick, have you looked into El panels? they have very even lighting and make even the crappiest transparency look really good. they are cheap and can be cut into the size you need.
they even can be programmed to simulate a moving/ flashing curser or a flashing standby screen.

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Bela, it won't die I can assure you. Currently a friend has had the 2.5" in pieces and is working on the connections to arrange independant battery power supply, once this is done he is also looking to add a small circuit to automatically power up on battery connection. The unit currently requires you to press a button on the side for a couple of seconds to boot it up, this will allow a one action start up.
Once we have the connections sorted the cockpit facial is going to be redesigned to accommodate the three screens and various other panels etc, then the 1.5" unit is going into the HUD set-up....... all will be posted!

marcs.

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Bela -
when I removed the case the screen is perhaps 1/10mm away from being flush - if neccessary, you can even use a
knife and trim away that, it's just a thin plastic frame that can easily be removed.

As for starting up the units, two thin cables and a tiny push (impulse) switch is all you need, this will both start the unit
and (on the next push) start the autoshow feature.

I have found that the batteries on the Coby units are weak, so I will replace them with one slightly larger battery to
power both units.

Tor

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COOL! you guys are back! Im thinking that since this lcd is so easily isolated, it makes sense to mount it remotely on the jet and take the rest of the unit and mount it in a box separate from the plane.
Maybe even make this box look like a servicing or diagnostic scale unit with a cable that connects to the jet. in reality it would simply allow you to mount your choice of battery in the box off the jet and power the lcd thru the "scale" power or servicing cable. the effect is seen only on ground anyway, no need to carry the weight of the battery and it may even provide more mounting options in a less bulky setup.

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I am certainly supplying all the 4 panels with a dedicated 2s lipo pack which will probably need regulating but need to check this through first, units seem to run from 3.5v (Tor can you confirm the voltage?)
The impulse switch is the only function other than swithing on power that needs to be done to run the screens, my electrical guru Rich is looking to add a small circuit to do this automatically when the power is turned on - that way one power switch fires up all units...

marcs

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Yes, I just removed the battery from a spare unit, it's a single 180mAh 3.7V Lipo cell..

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Bela, I jus ordered 3 Coby LCD's to try, but if not fit because they are too large for the 1/8, I have the U-Oled option that are smaller. Can yo give the web address of EI panels?

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Hey guys, watch this:

http://www.eagletreesystems.com/osd/osd-pro.htm

I think that with a small LCD screen with enough luminance under the HUD, reversing the image and with no video input, just information from the Eagle Tree OSD Pro projected on that LCD screen, we can get the real HUD info displayed in the HUD plastic.

What do you think?

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That would be very cool!!! Although some people say that you can't actually see these screens when
you are airborne, it's just knowing that they are there and working!! :D

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Acccording to Eagle Tree the purpose of these screens is that you can see them while airborne.

Eagle Tree, can you clarify please?

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To accomplish that, you have to have a wireless video camera in the plane and watch the
video on a screen on the ground. With the Eagle Tree unit connected you will then have
real-time info on the screen on the ground - on top of the actual video transmission from
the camera.
Even if you don't want to transmit a picture to the ground, you would have to have a tiny
camera (with a piece of black tape over the lens) or a video signal generator to generate
a video signal, then you would see the Eagle Tree information on any screen connected,
for instance the small LCD screen under the HUD. Now you would see only the info and no picture.

Tor

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Absolutely right.
As I have the Eagle Tree Telemetry already installed with GPS, I only need the tiny video camera and besides the tiny LCD screen under the HUD, and the screen on the ground, I am planning to get this:
http://www.getinthecockpit.com/bundle3.html
Now I can have a real HUD in my eyes and flight the jet as a pilot inside.
I think that the video signal generator to get only the Eagle Tree information projected in the HUD is a minor issue that any expert in electronics can handle.
Too much ideas for flying as the real Jet Ahh?
Life is too short to acomplish all of them...:):):)