MacGyver woz ere!

Seeing as how I'm now a Bachelor of Science, I've decided to make my first ever peripheral! (I have the soldering iron burn to prove it...)



In the words of everyone's favorite Australian convict, can you guess what it is yet?

Interesting. Is it an undercarriage light for a spitfire cockpit?

It's something that's a bit too modern for a Spitfire, Skip - and something that you won't find on a HOTAS, but which is a vitally important part of a cockpit.

Hmm, you're gonna have to give us a clue - whats the white thing with the keyring chain on it?  Is it a light?

Nm, I reckon I've got it.  Ejector seat handle? the white thing some sort of magnetic switch?

It's a pull chain switch.

Skip19 wrote:Ejector seat handle?

Skip wins! (Not that there was much competition.   )



Here's a real Martin-Baker Mk. 16 Typhoon one:

Just seen this thread, and I guessed ejector seat straight away   

How far does the handle move, I presume it doesn't come clear of the base?

Of course you knew, Speedy.   

Maximum extension is 1.7cm (that's 2/3rds of an Inch in Spitfire talk) which seems close enough.

Here's the interior of the handle:



The inner part stays within the walls of the outer case when it's at full extension (though if I pull it reall hard and wiggle it a bit I can force it out if I really want to.   

So pulling the handle pulls the chain, which activates the switch, which sends a signal to the circuit board, which activates a button, which sends a signal to the computer:



Which is mapped to the eject command of your chosen Sim, then it's 'off we go into the wild blue yonder' and Martin-Baker send you a free tie.  

The only issue with it is making sure it goes from off -> on when I pull it, rather than on -> off, but that's sorted by just making sure the button is in the off position before I start flying.

Always check your ejector switch position before taking off

Always check your ejector switch position before taking off

So important i posted it twice! (silly phone!)

Quite right, Skip - always (double) check during pre-flight.   

Here's a picture of it installed: