Many of you have closely followed the story of the Spitfire MkIX simulator which was built at RAF Coningsby with AuthentiKit flight controls for the purposes of emergency training and display familiarisation.
In fact many no doubt would dearly love to have the opportunity to try out this amazing piece of kit which was built and tested by the engineers of the RAF alongside volunteers from AuthentiKit. Although there were in fact some limited opportunities to do just that in the early days, the simulator has now become far too valuable and important to allow public access and is reserved for pilot training.
This week however the chance to experience an almost exact replica of the BBMF Spitfire simulator will become available to the general public. Over the last few months the volunteers at Thorpe Camp Visitor Centre, a mere 5 minute drive from RAF Coninsgby, have been building their own Spitfire simulator using the exact same AuthentiKit controls used by the BBMF and also the same cockpit shell provided by Creative Cockpits of Cumbria.
The aim is to have the simulator ready for public use in time for the Easter break so if you’re looking for a fun excursion for the famility or just for yourself this Easter, why not drop in at Thorpe Camp and visit their Virtual Reality Aviation Centre? As you can see from the photos below the level of attention to detail on the flight controls is remarkable. No less than you’d expect given the experience and passion of the volunteers involved, ranging from retired RAF navigators to an acting Wing Commander!
Spitfire Cockpit
Close up of the Mk1/Mk2 spade grip with single machine gun button
If you have already visited the Thorpe Camp simulator and been inspired about having your own set of Spitfire controls see our page You Can Build This.
AuthentiKit is delighted to announce that the latest version (beta at present) of MobiFlight now supports the AuthentiKit Universal Hub. We are very grateful to Sebastian, the developer of MobiFlight, for adding this functionality over the last few weeks.
The impetus for this development was the requirement for an app that would provide input processing to support our latest set of flight controls for the Comanche PA -24: the Gear, Magneto and Starter.
MobiFlight is a very powerful piece of software for use with flight simulation hardware and although AuthentiKit controls will most likely use only a small proportion of the functionality available, it serves two very important roles for the AuthentiKit community.
The ability to process inputs which are not natively well suited to simulator mapping, such as converting a single axis into a multi-stage throttle or in the case of the PA-24 Magneto, converting an incremental switch so that it correctly sets the magneto positions of : Off, Right, left and Both.
Sending control inputs directly to MSFS, allowing for more of a plug-and-play solution which prevents users needing to manually configure simulator mappings.
Although other software options are available in the market, we are very pleased to work with MobiFlight as they have a similar open ethos of harnessing the collective efforts of the community and freely sharing them for the benefit of all. We are looking forward to creating full aircraft configurations for all of the aircraft that AuthentiKit now support such as the PA-24 Comanche, Spitfire MkIX, Mustang P-51, Mosquito and many more.
These are very cheap but you typically can’t buy just a handful. The box above is for 200 screws. You may use around 20 screws total so at £2 for a box that makes them around 10p each
10p
Substitutions
Slightly longer is fine but any wider or slimmer could be problematic.
This is a poster of P7350, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Spitfire Mk2a. The only Spitfire still flying that saw action in the Battle of Britain. It was described by Sqn Ldr Andy Millikin in the 2018 film Spitfire as “in my opinion the most precious flying machine on the planet bar … the Apollo 11 command capsule”. This poster is signed by the BBMF OC for 2025, Mark Sugden as well as other pilots on the BBMF such as ex OC and Sqn Ldr Mark Discombe MBE and almost all the engineering team. Click to see a high resolution image.
This poster was given to AuthentiKit in thanks for the help we have provided in helping them build a Spitfire simulator for emergency training and display practice. This poster can be yours.
The Competition Rules
We are running a competition and the winner will receive this poster. It will be posted (unframed) anywhere in the world. The idea of the competition is to demonstrate how easy it is to assemble AuthentiKit controls and in short the winner is the one who can assemble the AuthentiKit Spitfire Trim Wheels most quickly.
To submit your entry you need to video yourself assembling this Spitfire trim wheel set and upload the video to YouTube, alerting AuthentiKit to your video by including @AuthentiKit in the description.
You must include a clearly visible stopwatch in the video (ideally a large display like a smartphone) and there must be no edits between the start of assembly and the end.
Although this competition will appeal mainly to members of the AuthentiKit community you do not need to be have existing experience – new members are always welcome. However, mainly in mind of existing AuthentiKit community members there are a few concessions to the assembly steps as follows:
If you already have an assembled trim wheel set, you can dismantle it and reassemble it. In fact anyone can assemble it once (or more) to familiarise themselves before doing the official submission
You can begin with the cork discs pre-stuck to the Roten bases – no need to rip off the old and reapply
You can begin with the wires pre-cut to length and pre-stripped
There is no need to do the white lettering infill
The Beginning: Apart from these concessions, at the point when assembly begins and the clock starts all the printed parts and hardware must be separate and unconnected.
The End: You may stop the clock when the trim wheels look like the picture above and all parts are assembled. You do not need to assemble the accompanying Universal Hub for this video and equally you do not need to demonstrate the trim wheels are functional, however if there are any very obvious wiring errors the submission will not be valid.
We should add please don’t rush with sharp tools – it’s just a bit of fun; no prize is worth sliced fingers!
Example
Here’s an example from a previous competition we ran a few years ago when the trim wheels were separate. The challenge was to assemble a single elevator trim wheel, but of course this new competition is to assemble the two wheel kit as shown in the picture above. TLDR = 7m 02s
A Second Chance – The Creative Award
If that all sounds a bit too frantic for you there is a second chance to win because we actually have not one but two of these signed posters. For the creative award you still need to assemble the Spitfire trim wheels and the rules for uploading to YouTube are just the same but rather than being the fastest, the winner of this second poster will be the person who makes the most interesting and creative video. We’ll be looking at things like storytelling (especially any Spitfire or BBMF connections), humour, use of music or editing, and how well your video showcases the AuthentiKit trim wheels. The judges’ decision is final. Assembly time does not matter for the creative award – take as long as you like.
A Third Chance to Win
Although we only have two signed posters we also have a third unsigned poster of P7350 and simply for taking part in the competition you’ll be in the random draw for winning this. So, why not have a go. It’s highly unlikely there will be hundreds of people doing this so your odds of winning something are pretty good!
Timeframe and summary of the rules
All videos must be uploaded to YouTube on your own account with a title containing the words “AuthentiKit Spitfire Trim Wheels Challenge” and the description must contain the tag @AuthentiKit. Optionally you can add hashtags AuthentiKit #SpitfireTrimWheelChallenge #Spitfire #FlightSim
Videos must be set to Public so that we and others can easily view and share them
The description should also include the following two links to the download for the trim wheels and to AuthentiKit so that new people can find these
Videos must be posted to YouTube by 11:59 (UK time) on December 31st, 2025 – so if it all gets a bit hectic in the run up to Christmas you can have a crack at this between Christmas and the new year
If you’re trying to win fastest time a stopwatch must be clearly visible in the frame throughout and no video editing is allowed from the assembly start to assembly finish
As you saw in the example video there is no need to show your face, in fact it would impair the visibility of the build. Let’s just see your hands and the building process, certainly once the stopwatch starts
At the point the stopwatch is started all hardware and printed parts must be separate apart from the concessions listed above
If you don’t have a 3D printer, you can still take part by using a compatible kit such as those from SimKitSupplies
Only the trim wheel unit needs to be assembled. See above for how you should begin and when the assembly is deemed complete
If there is any dispute about rules the judges decision is final
Winners will be notified by a comment on their YouTube video by the AuthentiKit YouTube channel. Please check replies on your video in early January
By entering, you agree that AuthentiKit may share, embed, and feature your video and screenshots from it on our website, social media, and in compilation videos, with credit to your YouTube channel
Multiple entries are allowed – up to a maximum of 3 video submissions
This competition is organised by AuthentiKit and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
If you’re under 18, please make sure a parent or guardian is aware of your entry and handles any communication or shipping details if you win
Please take part and help spread the word about AuthentiKit. Everyone who enters will be listed on a ‘Roll of Honour’ on authentikit.org
Extra chance to win (announced Dec 6th) – first valid submission wins an unsigned print
This alternate rig mounting system is still in development. If you can get hold of the ATK001 system (with ATK002 add on arms) then that is preferable as these use a 30x30mm arm cross section which is stronger. Please note that both ATK003 and the recommended versions of ATK001 and ATK002 use vertical poles with the same 35mm diameter which means that you can mix and match a little. For example you may wish to use ATK003 for your sidewall controls and choose to later source a 30x30mm arm for the flight stick to give extra stability.
To use this system you need slightly different mounting brackets than are included as standard with control downloads. If you are keen to use this system in advance of release the current version has been shared in our Discord in the #standard-rig-discussion channel dated 16-Mar-2025. They will hopefully prove robust and will be officially released soon.
The big advantage of this configuration of monitor stand of course is that it comes with 2 arms allowing you to mount throttles, trims etc to the upper and your flight stick to the lower. Alternatively for P-51 fans you can mount the throttle to the upper, pedestal to the lower and source an additional arm (30×30 potentially) for your flight stick.
Extension Spring Length 63.5, Diameter 12.7, Wire diam 1.83, Max Len 93.14, Initial Tension 16.00N, Tension 3.78N/mm
Manufacturer: Various
Product ID: AP3520 (Flexospring version)
A 63.5mm long 12.7mm diameter extension spring used in the G2 Spitfire flight stick for the pitch spring. Please note that this item is only used in the G2 Spitfire stick. It is not a standard item and should not be used in other AuthentiKit controls. Discuss with Phil if you really want to use it.
Springs are probably the most difficult and expensive things to source. This is a stock spring available from many different manufacturers (see below on what aspects are critical) and although they are not expensive you’ll probably get hit hard for P&P and minimum order quantities. However, if you buy this spring x2 together with the roll spring from Flexospring you’ll meet the minimum order threshold and just have £6+vat p&p. Allocating that pro-rata makes a price per spring of.
£7.15
Substitutions
Although these are commodity items you may struggle to find an exact duplicate unless you buy from flexospring. If you want to vary any of these dimensions these are the consequences.
Length 63.5mm – Slighty longer/shorter is OK +/- 5mm should be safe. 63.5mm is a standard though so select this (or imperial equivalent) first and then look at the other factors
Diameter 12.7mm – 12mm is OK but any more than 12.9mm is likely to be a problem.
Wire diameter 1.83mm – 1.7mm to 1.9 should work
Max length 93.14mm – Longer is fine, shorter is less fine as you’ll overstretch it
Tension 3.78Newtons per mm – Any less and the pitch action may feel weak.
Some beta testers in the US used this spring and have been happy with it:
Extension Spring Length 50.0, Diameter 12.0, Wire diam 1.5, Max Len 80.5, Initial Tension 9.78N, Tension 2.24N/mm
Manufacturer: Various
Product ID: MO6010 (Flexospring version)
A 50.0mm long 12mm diameter extension spring used in the G2 Spitfire flight stick for the roll spring. Please note that this item is only used in the G2 Spitfire stick. It is not a standard item and should not be used in other AuthentiKit controls. Discuss with Phil if you really want to use it.
Springs are probably the most difficult and expensive things to source. This is a stock spring available from many different manufacturers (see below on what aspects are critical) and although they are not expensive you’ll probably get hit hard for P&P and minimum order quantities. However, if you buy this spring together with the pitch springs from Flexospring you’ll meet the minimum order threshold and just have £6+vat p&p. Allocating that pro-rata makes a price per spring of.
£6.55
Substitutions
Although these are commodity items you may struggle to find an exact duplicate unless you buy from flexospring. If you want to vary any of these dimensions these are the consequences.
Length 50mm – Slighty longer/shorter is OK +/- 5mm should be safe. 50mm is a standard though so select this (or imperial equivalent) first and then look at the other factors
Diameter 12.0mm – I have used a spring with diameter 12.7mm which was fine though a little heavy on the roll.
Wire diameter 1.5mm – You could push to 1.6mm
Max length 80.5mm – Longer is fine, shorter is less fine as you’ll overstretch it
Tension 2.24Newtons per mm – Any less and the roll action may feel weak. I have used a spring that had 2.76N/mm and it was OK though a little heavy on roll.
Used in the Spitfire G2 flight stick as a belt. Please note that this item is only used in the G2 Spitfire stick. It is not a standard item and should not be used in other AuthentiKit controls. Discuss with Phil if you really want to use it.
Width – 9mm is critical or a fraction more if non metric. 3/8″ is OK
Nylon or polyester for strength
Non stretchy
Smooth finish without frilly bits. We don’t want abrasion causing pilling
And the most important thing which is thickness. Unfortunately it’s very rare to be given a reliable measure of thickness in advance of purchasing. We’re looking for 0.3 to 0.4mm
Any colour!
Supplier Links
The Shindo brand produces very good quality 9mm polyester ribbon that I’ve used successfully, however many other options will be suitable. Since doing all the R&D on this the Shindo supplier I used has discontinued the item I tested with. This one looks promising though.
You will always buy these in a pack rather than individually. Buying 10 is often virtually an identical price to buying 5. Unfortunately we don’t use these much in AuthentiKit designs and you probably won’t use more than 3 or 4 so a 5 pack is sufficient making the unit price around £0.40
£0.40
Substitutions
Pozidrive is an option if you can’t get phillips head.
As we approach the fourth anniversary of the release of our first Spitfire control I felt it was time to bring all the pieces together to showcase what is now possible using the AuthentiKit range of Spitfire controls. Having reached the capacity limit of our Universal Hub Version One we now have a definitive list of the controls which are officially supported by the single box solution.
Flight stick
Throttle
Elevator trim wheel
Rudder bias wheel
Flaps lever
Chassis/Gear lever
Magneto
Gunsight (or rudder pedals)
A Triumph of Community Collaboration
It is not only the range of Spitfire controls which has expanded over these four years. The AuthentiKit community who have built and tested these controls now numbers over 3,000, with several notable members who contributed greatly to the design of The AuthentiKit Spitfire. Two very gifted designers Harry Armstrong and Jari Kaskelin stand out for both their innovative approaches and their pursuit of authenticity. Ian Colman and Phil Shepherd contributed to the design of the above controls as well as giving countless hours of their own time to support the community. Ian in particular deserves a special mention for his development of the AuthentiKit Tuning App which allows us to achieve one-to-one synchronisation between physical controls and the real aircraft controls. There are too many others to mention by name who have supported the community by beta testing, creating documentation and helping to support new members with technical issues.
The Universal Hub Version One
For a great many Spitfire fans version one of the Universal Hub provides more than enough functionality for their flight simulation needs but don’t worry if you’re looking for more. We already have prototypes of the fuel selector, fuel cock, start/boost buttons and primer allowing a full mouse-free engine start and these will be released in 2025.
Celebrating The AuthentiKit Community and The AuthentiKit Spitfire
So, as ever much more more is planned for next year and the years to come. For now though, please enjoy our new video showcasing everything that we as a community have achieved with The AuthentiKit Spitfire over the last four years.
