To get the pitch axis of the yoke animated we need another servo. Just so happens that these UMX servos are SUPER tiny and one fit right under the seat support. a bit of balsa as a support and it is going nowhere.
Here is the bottom of the whole thing. It shows the pitch axis servo mount plate in the set support position as well as the final install of the roll axis torque rod. An additional hole was drilled for the pitch axis servo leads to come through.
The next couple of shots show the stick up close. This is hand-shaped balsa. Just to be a bit different, I made this for a left-handed pilot because why not?! The main stalk of the stick is polystyrene tubing, I use a small tea candle to generate heat. wave the plastic over the flame a bit where I want to bend and the plastic softens. A more complete image of that is up next.
Here is a REALLY close shot of the mount for the stick. One TINY screw holds the brass into the plastic rod and a dot of CA keeps it secure.
Last up is the big one. The yoke, or stick, is mounted to the torque rod using a steel pin. this is free-moving in holes drilled in the brass but is friction fit into the plastic yoke. I'll secure it with a dot of CA on the inside of the tube when it is ready to be permanent. The pitch axis control rod will mount to the side of the stick and has enough play to move side-side during roll movement. The pivot, of course, will allow the fore/aft movement. You can now also clearly see the bend in the plastic tube to create the right shape of the stick.
Once I get the stick fully mounted I can do some testing for servo movement and then paint it. Installation order is as follows: bottom/back plate assembly, rudder pedal assembly, side panels, instrument panel, seat. There are lots of details to add to this after paint. Some paint highlights as well as decals. Not out of the woods yet but it is really coming together.
Here is the bottom of the whole thing. It shows the pitch axis servo mount plate in the set support position as well as the final install of the roll axis torque rod. An additional hole was drilled for the pitch axis servo leads to come through.
The next couple of shots show the stick up close. This is hand-shaped balsa. Just to be a bit different, I made this for a left-handed pilot because why not?! The main stalk of the stick is polystyrene tubing, I use a small tea candle to generate heat. wave the plastic over the flame a bit where I want to bend and the plastic softens. A more complete image of that is up next.
Here is a REALLY close shot of the mount for the stick. One TINY screw holds the brass into the plastic rod and a dot of CA keeps it secure.
Last up is the big one. The yoke, or stick, is mounted to the torque rod using a steel pin. this is free-moving in holes drilled in the brass but is friction fit into the plastic yoke. I'll secure it with a dot of CA on the inside of the tube when it is ready to be permanent. The pitch axis control rod will mount to the side of the stick and has enough play to move side-side during roll movement. The pivot, of course, will allow the fore/aft movement. You can now also clearly see the bend in the plastic tube to create the right shape of the stick.
Once I get the stick fully mounted I can do some testing for servo movement and then paint it. Installation order is as follows: bottom/back plate assembly, rudder pedal assembly, side panels, instrument panel, seat. There are lots of details to add to this after paint. Some paint highlights as well as decals. Not out of the woods yet but it is really coming together.