Author: spit40

AuthentiKit is proud to launch a new throttle quadrant for the P-40B Tomahawk making a total of three aircraft types now supported with throttle quadrant and trim wheel sets. Earlier in the year we introduced the combined elevator and rudder trim wheel set for the P-40B which sits alongside this control. This particular quadrant has something a little extra up its sleeve however which isn’t immediately obvious from the picture.

A smooth but firm resistance to movement is very important in the design of a throttle quadrant in order to give a natural realistic feeling. Particularly for a vintage or classic aircraft, the ideal is for the sim pilot to feel that they are engaging with a mechanical object and that a modest degree of effort is required. To date this has been achieved in AuthentiKit designs through the use of cork friction pads and felt friction plates. Not only are these prone to wear over time, but cork can squeak under strong pressure.

In the pursuit of flight control realism AuthentiKit has introduced a new technology to supplement the friction approach. Rotary dampers contain liquid silicon which is forced through channels as the damper is rotated. Depending on the specification the resistance can be tuned from a few grams to many kilograms. After testing a great many variants, AuthentiKit has now chosen a suitable damper design from Wixroyd in the UK which just hits the sweet spot of resistance and natural feeling throttle movement.

This damping technology is likely to make an appearance in many more AuthentiKit products. Not only is it very well suited to throttle quadrants, but the Spitfire chassis (gear) lever currently under development is being modified to accept the new damping system. You can see more about how the damper is incorporated into throttle designs in this new video.

Over the last few months I’ve made numerous incremental improvements to various AuthentiKit components. The changes have been to increase strength and longevity as well as to improve performance. An example is the MagHall 6803F unit that is used to read positional axis data. It was found that over time a little slack could develop where the lever fits to the MagHall unit causing an unsatisfying loose feel in use as well as impacting the accuracy of the positional data. In the render here you can see how the peg now has extra mesh points that make for a much more secure mating of the two parts.

Cosmetic improvements

Finally the Spitfire MkIX prop lever has the recessed lettering with AIRSCREW CONTROL that can be filled with white silicon. The lettering is also the correct way round unlike the version I made for the Spitfire Mk1A. The Mk1A also has this new corrected prop lever.

Improved Sourcing Information

As well as parts updates, there is now a new clearer Bill of Materials format with improved sourcing information. Every item used in an AuthentiKit product now has a unique part code and there is a sourcing page on this website with information about that code. An example is the microswitch used in the flaps levers. It has part code ATK206 and you can find out more about it at authentikit.org/ATK206/

Every single download refreshed

Some of the new parts have been shared on Discord already but in general the downloads have not yet been refreshed with these new parts as I wanted to test them over time. Today every single download has been refreshed either with a new Bill of Materials or new parts. Here is a list of changes and here is the download link.

• Spitfire MkIX Starter Kit A
  • There is a new bill of materials
• Spitfire MkIX Add on Kit B
  • New Bill of Materials
  • The following parts have been strengthened to reduce the chance of the jaws cracking if overtightened. Printing the jaws at 100% infill is still recommended.
    • Strengthened 27mm clutch grip – also now a 3MF file
    • Strengthened extension arm short – also now a 3MF file
    • Strengthened extension arm long – also now a 3MF file
    • Strengthened monitor pole clutch grip 35 – also now a 3MF file
    • Strengthened monitor pole clutch grip 48 – also now a 3MF file
  • Upgraded MagHall 6803F – Cap, Base and Peg are all improved
  • Upgraded Throttle lever – improved mating with MagHall peg
  • Upgraded Mixture lever – improved mating with MagHall peg
  • Upgraded Prop friction disc – improved mating with MagHall peg
  • Upgraded Prop lever – includes AIRSCREW CONTROL lettering
• Spitfire Flaps Lever
  • New Bill of Materials
• Spitfire Mk1A Quadrant and Trim Wheels Kit
  • New Bill of Materials
  • Upgraded MagHall 6803F – Cap, Base and Peg are all improved
  • Upgraded Throttle lever – improved mating with MagHall peg
  • Upgraded Mixture lever – improved mating with MagHall peg
  • Upgraded Prop friction disc – improved mating with MagHall peg
  • Upgraded Prop lever – includes AIRSCREW CONTROL lettering
• P-40B Tomahawk Elevator and Rudder Trim Wheels Kit
  • New Bill of Materials
• Universal Hub Starter Kit
  • New Bill of Materials
• Universal Hub Upgrade Kit
  • New Bill of Materials
• Rig Extension A
  • New Bill of Materials
  • The following parts have been strengthened to reduce the chance of the jaws cracking if overtightened. Printing the jaws at 100% infill is still recommended.
  • Strengthened 27mm clutch grip – also now a 3MF file
  • Strengthened extension arm short – also now a 3MF file
  • Strengthened extension arm long – also now a 3MF file
  • Strengthened monitor pole clutch grip 35 – also now a 3MF file
  • Added monitor pole clutch grip 48 for fat pole monitor stands
• Instrument Panel Mounting System
  • New Bill of Materials