Hello

[skyman00]

Thought I’d take a moment and introduce myself. My name is John. I live in Northern Colorado.

A little bit about myself…

I’m interested in almost anything that takes to the air; thus my moniker.
 
Back in the 90s I became a BAR (Born Again Rocketeer) and joined N. Colorado’s High Power Rocketry group, TRM, where we built and flew larger than average model rockets. Later I was elected prefect for the group.

Hello

 
After that I decided that I wanted to be under the parachute, instead of my rockets, so I got into Skydiving. I’ve been jumping for 14 years now (no, I do not fly a wingsuit).

Also, one of my favorite past times is paper modeling. One of my selected subjects happens to be aviation,
jets in particular. Here are a couple examples of my work:

Hello

Hello

I’m also a huge fan of movies and Home Theatre. I learned quite a bit about the subject and built my own HT in my basement. It is 7.1 SS, 8.5’ diag with front projection (apropos here, for sure AND, I know of an inexpensive, front projection screen option, with excellent image quality, flat or curved, for those interested, who are living in the western half of the US, even HI!; it’s a Home Depot item made by Closet Made for around $20).

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Image quality example:

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Well that’s about it for me. Now, onto why I’m here…
 
The reason I joined here is b/c I want to post about my younger brother’s pit and it’s build. He (Dan) has been a huge Fighter Sim pilot (F4 and X-P, recently) for years (I remember him flying the T-45 trainer in Kingsville while we were on a visit to our father’s place in S. Texas, years ago). He’s been dreaming of and working on (in his head) his own pit for just as long.
 
Just recently he began the work on it.

I know how therapeutic and fulfilling building something you’re passionate about is. I guess that’s the reason why we are never really “finished” with our projects. As the saying goes: “It’s the journey, not the destination”…

I’ve been impressed with it so much so that I was moved to join here and post about it as I know everyone here can appreciate his “journey”. It may not be a true “Viper” pit but I know you fine folks here will enjoy it just the same.

So, if someone could point me in the correct direction (I’m thinking, VP Progress Reports, correct?  If incorrect, apologies) to start that thread, I would greatly appreciate it and I’ll proceed forthwith.

Thanks for your time, -J

[salaxi54]

Welcome aboard skyman! I'm rather new around here, but i've to agree with you, it's the fun of the jurney.
Been a rocketeer myself for ages in the past, but not into High-power Rocketry. Was also a member of the NAR for quite a while.
http://www.aeromodelling.gr/ForumS/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1529.0;attach=14555;image
http://www.aeromodelling.gr/ForumS/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1529.0;attach=14556;image
(samples of a long-gone era lol )
Anyway, yes, Progress Reports seems to be the right place to start. I'm sure we're all eager to see what's 'cookin' there.

[Lemmi22]

Welcome at the dark side!

Your paperwork looks very nice!
I'd like to see more of that!!! 

[Rufus]

...heh...I've got a lot of hours in that T-45A sim down in Kingsville myself.  Welcome to the madness!

[Kukki]

Welcome mate.

Im very impressed by your paper model skills 

But be aware, this here hobby can also hook you deep in

[Taipan]

Welcome !
In reality, if you are going to take this on, i think you need to read every thread on this forum - at least once
There is a brief FAQ here - http://www.viperpits.org/smf/index.php?topic=5092.0

Flareless also did some great organising and made a really good index, but i can't locate that right now
t

[JJ]

Impressive paperwork !!  As you do the same with pitbuilding there will be a great new pit born !! 

[Rufus]

Welcome !
In reality, if you are going to take this on, i think you need to read every thread on this forum - at least once
There is a brief FAQ here - http://www.viperpits.org/smf/index.php?topic=5092.0

Flareless also did some great organising and made a really good index, but i can't locate that right now
t

I think this is the post Taipan is referring to -

http://viperpits.org/smf/index.php?topic=2149.0

Get ready to grow your Bookmarks file... !

[Taipan]

I think this is the post Taipan is referring to -

http://viperpits.org/smf/index.php?topic=2149.0

Get ready to grow your Bookmarks file... !

Yep - thanks ! ( but the switches are one of the many threads in the cross reference area. )

Skyman
The whole cross reference area needs a lot of reading...!

[skyman00]

Thanks for the compliments guys, much appreciated.

I hope I haven't mis-led anyone into a different idea/direction. If so, my apologies.

Let me restate: I'm not building a pit, my brother is. It's not a "Viper" pit, just his own design that works for him.

From a flight sim pilot and/or builder perspective, it's impressive enough to be shared, IMO.

Sorry if I've confused some, it was not my intention.

That said, I'll start the thread over in the Progress Reports.

Thanks again and sorry for any confusion. -J

[skyman00]

For you folks wanting some more of my "paperwork", here's Ojimak's T-45.

And for all of you Viper pilots (as if you guys don't have enough time on your hands), here's a pic and link to a pretty simple, free F-16 paper model from Mamecraft. There's a link to a stand on the same page. Enjoy, -J

http://genius.x0.com/pmdirectory/mamecraft/f16_35fw.html

[sagrzmnky]

Hi Skyman.
I have a few hours in the T-6 flight sim at Randolph AFB here in San Antonio. I would love to learn a little more about your theater screen setup. Your brothers pit looks awesome.

[skyman00]

Phillip,
The Screen material is called Do-able white vinyl panel. It's dimensions are 49" x 97". it's at HD under the Closet Made (Maid?) brand. It is a piece of 1/4" MDF that is coated on one side with white vinyl. it has a super fine texture to it that makes for a huge viewing cone. It has a gain of 1.13 and, as I said, is flexible enough to bend a slight curve into it. You will need a frame of sorts to keep and hold the curve if that's how you want to go. I think my brother intends to keep his screens (3) flat (his new basement pit space will be 8' x 12', apprx).

There's a whole thread on the stuff, from years ago, at AVSforums.com that Rhal and I started: http://www.avsforum.com/t/617173/the-official-untreated-do-able-only-thread

Here's the pertinent HD info: UPC(DP #) 718793630365, SKU(HD #) 174278, model # 63036. You need to make sure you get this exact board and not something next to it that looks similar. If it's thicker than 1/4", you've got the wrong thing and you'll will end up with some bad artifacts like hotspotting from your PJ.

Unfortunately there's a problem for you: It's not available in the TX HDs. You'd have to go to NM for the closest HD. Sorry man...

For some reason they just don't ship this stuff east of the Colorado border, which is strange, because they ship to Hawaii!

Sorry this isn't helpful for you, -J 

[skyman00]

Kurt,

I couldn't help noticing your avatar... I have to ask, do you really work in the RB pit?

[Kukki]

Kurt,

I couldn't help noticing your avatar... I have to ask, do you really work in the RB pit?

Yes of cause I do..............   I whis I did, but no, im just a big Vettel and Mark Webber fan, and love the F1.
But the Polo shirt looks great
That was from out trip to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2012.