I work for Boeing here in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma where I do avionics work on the B-52. Before that I had over 35 years working on the software end of numerous flight simulators, mostly military. My first simulator was the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker and that is what I am actually getting started on building. I know it is not a 737 but there is a good bit of commonality in many important areas. The fuselage of the 737 is only 4 inches wider than the KC-135R and all the cockpit windows are the same so the basic shell of the 737 is close enough. The flight controls are fairly similar as well so that helps. Speaking of flight controls I just acquired a pair of reproduction control wheels (yokes) and I am looking for any information that might be available for the switches that are used in them, particularly the transmit switch for the ICS/radios. At the moment my best guess would be one of the trigger switches from OTTO Controls as they look about right to fit that spot but if anyone has had any luck with some other source please pass that along. In terms of other parts I have acquired, I have been keeping an eye on eBay for almost two years now acquiring suitable parts and materials as they showed up at the right price. At this time I think I have acquired enough parts and knowledge to start making some of the assorted control panels and convert some of the various instruments I have been able to find. I do have a 3 axis CNC router and 3D printer so I think it is time I get serious about learning them and make some parts. One last detail, I got really lucky with the most recent update to the aircraft when they replaced all of the engine instruments with a large MFD so that will save me a lot of trouble (and money) coming up with 23 of the 2" instruments.
top of page
2 Comments
raymondbeck16