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/images/notams/notams22/auth1113.jpgOn Friday 11th we were very proud to release our first Mosquitoflight control. This really is a magnificent piece of engineering andis the result of a collaboration between several community membersover more than 12 months. The primary designer was Harry Armstrongably supported by Dennis Wierzbicki who managed to set up a greatrelationship between AuthentiKit and AV Specs in New Zealand, a worldrenowned authority on the Mosquito. At the crucial stage of testingand documentation Saladin_Wolf (Discord name) stepped in to finallyhelp get this project over the line. A Twin Engine First For AuthentiKitYet again we have a project that is pushing the boundaries of theAuthentiKit modular flight control system. It's our first dual engineunit but compatibility with our hub system is of course assured. Withtwo inputs, the first goes to the H2 throttle input on the universalhub with no wiring changes needed and the second goes to the new H8engine two input. We've now actually achieved maximum capacity for theUniversal Hub Version One however in the near future we intend toincrease capacity for 20 more inputs. Coming NextHarry is actually already well progressed on more Mosquito controlsand you can look forward to the elevator trim wheel in the nearfuture followed by flaps, rudder bias and more. Source
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/images/notams/notams22/auth1012.jpgThe Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) has the responsibilitywithin the Royal Air Force of maintaining in airworthy condition someof the United Kingdom’s most precious aircraft. P7350 is one suchexample, described by Squadron Leader Andy Millikin in the 2018 filmSpitfire as “in my opinion the most precious flying machine on theplanet bar … the Apollo 11 command capsuleâ€. In the photo shown hereyou can see it alongside the BBMF’s latest cockpit, a Spitfire MkIX VRsimulator being tested by Cpl Rich “Boycey†Boyce. AuthentiKit is both proud and honoured to have supported the RAFover the past few months, working with Boycey and his team to createthis simulator using AuthentiKit controls. On one of my visits to RAFConingsby, home of the BBMF, I took along Steve Walton known to manyas VR Flight Sim Guy and you can see him here in the Spitfiresimulator. A Pilot Training Aide And Public DemonstratorThe aim of the simulator is twofold. Initially it was to offer thepublic a chance to experience flying a Spitfire at BBMF airshowshowever once it started to take shape in the BBMF hangar it soonattracted the attention of the pilots of the RAF display team. Thisled to a secondary role as a training aide both for Spitfirefamiliarisation for new Spitfire pilots and potentially for practicingairshow flyovers. This was a very exciting development as it created an additionalimperative to ensure that everything was in exactly the right placeand felt just right. Fortunately that has always been an importantaspect of AuthentiKit and so the main focus of effort was thenadapting the controls to fit the cockpit shell the BBMF engineers werestarting with. We also added a few touches like the instrument panelthat, whilst not of immense value in VR, added hugely to the sense ofclimbing inside a real Spitfire. BBMF Members' Day LaunchThe simulator was unveiled to the public at the BBMF Members’ Daywhere Spitfire experiences were offered free to attendees. Needless tosay it was extremely popular and a queue quickly formed keeping Boyceyand his team flat out through the day. We also set up an AuthentiKitdisplay alongside and I very much appreciated the help of Ian Colman(who created the AuthentiKit Tuning App) as well as YouTubeinfluencers, Mark Duff (SimHanger) and Steve Walton in setting thingsup and sharing the AuthentiKit story with visitors. Also thanks toAllan Hall (holding the camera!) who initially created SimKitSupplies,a business offering kits for self assembly of AuthentiKitcontrols. Source
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/images/notams/notams22/auth0711.jpgThis is a really big milestone for AuthentiKit. This amazing andhighly unique flight control was entirely created by AuthentiKitcommunity member Harry Armstrong using plugins and following thedesign standards of the AuthentiKit SDK. It is a fully functional replica gun sight used in the Spitfire aswell as the Mosquito Fighter Bomber as well as other WW2 RAFfighters. It allows precise setting of aircraft range and wingspan foraccurate targetting. Fully Functional Gunsight With Dual Hall SensorsThis flight control is not only an accurate replica of the Mk IIreflector sight but it uses high quality components including hallsensors to achieve smooth and precise control. In fact this aspect ofthe design was the easiest to incorporate as it uses a standard pluginfrom the AuthentiKit SDK. The MagHall 6803F is a very compact unitcomprising a sealed bearing, hall sensor, cube magnet and nitrilebonded cork friction disk with simple crimped wire attachment. Easy Self AssemblyThe gunsight is easy and quick to assemble from 3D printed partsavailable as free download fromdownload.authentikit.org.In addition to the two maghall units there are only ten other partswhich simply need screwing together with a phillips headscrewdriver. AuthentiKit Universal Hub CompatibleIf you have built any other AuthentiKit controls you will alreadyhave the Universal Hub and in order to use this gunsight you will needno additional USB cables or even circuitry. Just plug it into socketH8 of the hub. Source AuthentiKit Flight Simulation Controls - Summer Update 2022 Video
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AuthentiKit Flight Simulation Controls - Summer Update 2022 Video
Nels_Anderson posted an article in HN
/images/notams/notams22/auth0703.jpgAuthentiKit is a freeware community project. We create high qualityreplica flight controls for flight simulation based around 3Dprinting. All the designs are free to download and after printing youcan assemble the controls at your kitchen table with the simplest oftools - basically little more than a screwdriver. There is nosoldering, cutting, drilling or programming. The first controls werefor the Spitfire but now controls for a range of aircraft areavailable and in development by multiple development teams. This new video provides a look at the latest projects, includinga new Spitfire gun sight, Spitfire blind flying panel, MkIX rudderpedals, Spitfire radiator lever, plus a series of Mosquito projects. authentikit.org -
/images/notams/notams22/auth0416.jpgIt's finally finished after so many months of development. There'sa lot of functionality packed into this one flight control unit whichmeans it has no less than 5 input sockets in order to support. Fully articulated land gear lever with hydraulic damping for a great tactile feelElevator trim wheelRudder trim wheelAileron trim wheelFlaps lever with 6 separate detent positions: 0, 10, 20,30, 40 and 50 degrees of flaps.All with adjustable friction and a mounting system to put everything in just the right placeAs usual it is completely to scale with just minor modifications todimensions. The only real omission is in the air section as thehot/ram air levers are missing from this version 1. As it is to scale the most striking thing about this control is thesize – as you can see below it’s a chunky piece of kit! 1:1 Sync With Real World/Sim Trim Wheel RotationBy combining this flight control with the AuthentiKit tuning appyou can achieve perfect synchronisation between the movement of yourtrim wheel and the movement in sim. For more information about thetuning app seeauthentikit.org/tuning/ Highly Accurate Source CADApart from the air levers it is incredibly accurate, which is alldown to the meticulous CAD work of AuthentiKit community memberStiggles who painstakingly created the source CAD for this projectfrom original drawings. See our P-51D Mustang page for more information including downloadlinks –authentikit.org/p51d/
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/images/notams/notams22/auth0226.jpgVersion 3 of the Spitfire MkIX throttle was releasedtoday. Previous upgrades represented fairly small incrementalimprovements but this is a major upgrade incorporating the latesttechnologies going into AuthentiKit flight controls. Hydraulic damping - for a realistic feeling of resistance as power is appliedFull travel bomb release button - a new design with more resistance and more travelReinforced Airscrew Control lever - stronger and sturdierActive WEP detent - the point of engagement of War Emergency Power is now much more distinctive and requires a deliberate action to engageThis version is fully compatible with the rig system from the priorversion and in fact many components are unchanged, so if you’relooking to upgrade Version 2 to Version 3 it’s a fairly quick processand SimKitSupplies is selling a very low cost kit containing the extraparts – damper, ball spring detent, etc. Source AuthentiKit Spitfire Chassis Lever Released AuthentiKit Throttle Quadrant Introduces Hydraulic Damping
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/images/notams/notams22/auth0117.jpgAuthentiKit is delighted to announce the release of theSpitfire chassis (or landing gear) lever. It has been a long timecoming as a very functional version was being tested way back in May2021. This control is so much the better though for the time andrefinements that have happened since. Firstly the introduction of ournew hydraulic damping technology has taken the tactile experience to anew level and is of course so very appropriate considering that thewhole undercarriage is powered by hydraulics. Secondly, an almostdisproportionate amount of development time went into the creation ofan accurate hydraulic status indicator. A Journey ConcludesThe first Spitfire flight control, the spade grip flight stick, wasreleased on December 5th, 2020. In many ways this new chassis levercontrol is the final piece of the jigsaw as we now have acomprehensive set of the primary controls for a Spitfire pilot. Spade grip flight stick with working brake lever and dual cannon/machine gun buttonThrottle quadrant with bomb drop buttonElevator trim wheel which can be calibrated for precise synchronisation with your simRudder trim wheelFlaps leverChassis leverThis is not to say that we are at the end of the line for Spitfirecontrols. The Spitfire Mk1A for example has a radiator lever and theUniversal Hub has been designed with an input for this. For theSpitfire MkIX, which has no such lever, this input may get used for afuel selector or coil boost/start buttons. Also, once the UniversalHub is upgraded to version 2 then many other inputs becomepossible. The Plan For 2022The plan for 2022 is to mobilise the freeware developer communityby publishing a series of SDKs which will make it very simple to builda wide range of replica controls by reusing the components which havebeen developed so far for levers/switches etc. This should hugelyincrease the rate of development of AuthentiKit controls. Magnetos,radios, multi-position flaps levers, trims of all sorts and many manymore controls are coming your way soon and for a wide range ofaircraft. Source
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/images/notams/notams21/auth1115.jpgAuthentiKit is proud to launch a new throttle quadrant for theP-40B Tomahawk making a total of three aircraft types now supportedwith throttle quadrant and trim wheel sets. Earlier in the year weintroduced the combined elevator and rudder trim wheel set for theP-40B which sits alongside this control. This particular quadrant hassomething a little extra up its sleeve however which isn't immediatelyobvious from the picture. A smooth but firm resistance to movement is very important in thedesign of a throttle quadrant in order to give a natural realisticfeeling. Particularly for a vintage or classic aircraft, the ideal isfor the sim pilot to feel that they are engaging with a mechanicalobject and that a modest degree of effort is required. To date thishas been achieved in AuthentiKit designs through the use of corkfriction pads and felt friction plates. Not only are these prone towear over time, but cork can squeak under strong pressure. In the pursuit of flight control realism AuthentiKit has introduceda new technology to supplement the friction approach. Rotary damperscontain liquid silicon which is forced through channels as the damperis rotated. Depending on the specification the resistance can be tunedfrom a few grams to many kilograms. After testing a great manyvariants, AuthentiKit has now chosen a suitable damper design fromWixroyd in the UK which just hits the sweet spot of resistance andnatural feeling throttle movement. This damping technology is likely to make an appearance in manymore AuthentiKit products. Not only is it very well suited to throttlequadrants, but the Spitfire chassis (gear) lever currently underdevelopment is being modified to accept the new damping system. Youcan see more about how the damper is incorporated into throttledesigns in this new video. Source
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/images/notams/notams21/mosq1011.jpgAuthentiKit is delighted to announce significant progress on theirsuite of Mosquito FB VI flight controls. A working prototype of theelevator trim wheel has now been created and development is underwayon the flight stick and dual engine throttle quadrant. AuthentiKithopes to release the first control before the end of 2021 and havemost controls complete ready for the launch of the Mosquito for IL2'sBattle of Normandy campaign. AuthentiKit is a freeware project creating flight controls in kitform that you can either 3D print yourself or source via theircommunity 3D printing service at rates much cheaper than commercial 3Dprinting. Hardware parts are all low cost commodity components whichcan be self sourced or purchased as an all in one kit. The flightcontrols are simple to assemble requiring no soldering, workshop toolsor metalwork. AuthentiKit Mosquito Project AuthentiKit Spitfire Flaps Lever Released AuthentiKit Announces Mustang P-51D Flight Controls
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/images/notams/notams21/auth0826.jpgThe flaps lever, compatible with either the Spitfire MkIX orSpitfire Mk1A is finally released today. For such a small flightcontrol this has taken a long time to get released and it isn’t forlack of effort. Several entirely new mechanisms and systems needed tobe developed and not just for the lever itself but also the mountingsystem and the universal hub. This flap lever uses one of the smallest bearings I’ve ever worked with and that brought its own set of engineering challenges. The inner diameter is just 2mm! It also uses some new switches which we haven’t worked with in this project before. It all comes together in a very compact new plugin component which has been named the mClick6700. It is expected to come in very handy on all kinds of controls. Flap leversGear leversFuel selectorsCowl flaps / radiator leversEtc.Instrument Panel Mounting SystemAnother major development which I've been prototyping for over ayear is the instrument panel mounting system. Something simple andeasily adjustable was needed that could be fitted to a desk veryquickly. The clamp system was the major hurdle as most things I tried(from microphone or camera desk clamps to masonry L-Bolts) were tooclumsy, expensive or had extra bits that got in the way. Finally Idiscovered a clamp used by jewellers when making fine cuts with a fretsaw. It led to the development of this clamp system, which supportsnot just the Spitfire flaps lever but all manner of radio/navequipment, starter/magneto buttons and much more. Universal Hub UpgradeThese flaps levers also prompted me to finalise the fullspecification of the Universal Hub Version One. Some planning aheadwas needed and you’ll see that the design accomodates a second engineinput which will support the Mosquito FB as well as landing gear andradiator flaps. It will also support a range of other aircraft,whether warbirds or GA. For those aircraft that don’t have weapons onthe flight stick and quadrant we will gain access to some unusedbuttons that can be remapped and used via the MISC1 and MISC2inputs. Possibilities are nav equipment or fuel selectors. Source
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/images/notams/notams21/auth0805/auth0805.jpgWe are very proud to announce our second major collaboration withAeroplane Heaven. Work has already started on a set of replica flightcontrols for the infamous warbird the Mustang P-51D. Aeroplane Heavenhave kindly shared CAD directly from the team developing their P-51Dfor Microsoft Flight Simulator and we will be working from theseresources to bring you perfectly matching flight controls for thismagnificent aeroplane. Freeware – For The Community By The CommunityThese are controls for the flight sim community by the flight simcommunity. Development is by a small team of simmers and as usual allflight controls are available on a freeware basis. The designs andinstructions will be freely available for you to 3D print and assembleyourself. The other option will be available to purchase via ourrecommended parts suppliersimkitsupplies.comwho can introduce you to trusted and quality checked 3rd partyprinters from within the flight sim community who can print parts foryou. Standard ConnectionsAll flight controls will be compatible with the AuthentiKitUniversal Hub and quick release system allowing rapid switchingbetween P-51D controls, Spitfire MkIX, Spitfire Mk1A and otherwarbirds and GA as they become supported. The controls which we intend to include in this set will includethe following as minimum. Flight stickThrottle QuadrantTrim WheelsFlapsLanding Gear /images/notams/notams21/auth0805/trim-wheel.jpgTarget release date is before the close of 2021 for the firstflight controls although it is not certain everything will be completeby year end. Good progress is already being made on the trim wheelsassembly as shown in the picture. Source
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/images/notams/notams21/auth0701.jpgThe Recommended Selling Price (RSP) scheme represents a huge stepforward for the great many people who do not have 3D printers and maywish to get their hands on some AuthentiKit. We have established a worldwide network of AuthentiKit communitymembers who have 3D printing capability and have agreed to printAuthentiKit parts for others to an agreed fixed price and qualitystandard. That quality standard includes a warranty. Everything you need in one box (almost!)If you love tinkering and building projects then this probablydoesn't interest you but for most people the ideal would be a singlebox with everything in it so you can just sit down and assemble yourthrottle quadrant, trim wheels, flight stick etc. Well we’ve gotpretty close. The process of getting hold of some AuthentiKit is nowas simple as this. Choose the kit you wantFollow the link through to SimKitSupplies.com where you can orderthe hardware kit, including the tools you will need, for directdelivery anywhere in the world. This is Box #1The price for the 3D parts kit is shown on the same page alongwith with a request form. Fill that out and you’ll be contacted by aquality checked printer in your local area who will confirm their P&Pterms and answer any questions before you place your order withthem. They will ship the 3D parts to you. This is Box #2The hardware kit also contains the tools you will need so once youhave both boxes, all you need is a kitchen table and a spare Sundayafternoon. If you’d be happy to assemble an Airfix kit you shouldenjoy these projects too! Source
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/images/notams/notams21/heav0527.jpgA new video and exciting news on the Spitfire Mk1A. Recently, we were contacted by IntoTheBlue video productions with arequest to make a preview video of the Spitfire Mk1A. Naturally, we agreed and we have here, a link to the video. Now,this is not a review as the video was made earlier in the developmentwith more features and changes to come. However, what it is is adelightful romp through the Lake District in England and we especiallyliked the airfield beat-up at the end and of course, the very best ofElgar to accompany the pictures. The exciting news is about our collaboration with Authentikit whohave designed a set of unique simulator controls especially for theMk1A Spitfire. These kits are amazingly well-designed and are a verycost-effective way of getting a bespoke set of replica Spitfire flightcontrols for a very small outlay. The video shows you how to go aboutgetting a kit, how to assemble the components and next steps. The Authentikit controls are well-worth checking out. Source MSFS Spitfire From Aeroplane Heaven On Final Aeroplane Heaven Describes Issues With MSFS 2020 Development AuthentiKit Spitfire MkIX Throttle Quadrant Released
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/images/notams/notams21/bigr0422.jpgIn what we think might be an industry first: our P-40B Tomahawk comeswith free STL files for a set of flight controls which are an exact replicaof the controls in the aircraft. Using these files you can 3D print workingreplica flight controls compatible with Microsoft Flight Simulator andother popular flight sims. The developer of the files, AuthentiKit, used source filesprovided by us, Big Radials, to ensure they are a perfect matchto our version of the Tomahawk. Inside the download you'll find a PDFand an example STL to preview the final build. About The Big Radials P-40B TomahawkThe P-40 was one of the critical aircraft during the early years ofWorld War II. Developed in America and used by Russian, Australian,English and American pilots in all of the theatres of war. FeaturesFull native flight model, 3D assets, sounds, textures, everything.Designed for casual and "Serious" simmers alike. Jump in and#FlyTheDamn plane or take the time to #ReadTheDamnManual and use theGear and Flaps LIKE A BOSS!Five historic 4K liveriesOne special tribute livery #BecauseYoureWorthItbigradials.com
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/images/notams/notams21/auth0309.jpgThe throttle quadrant project was finally concluded on 5th March2021, 85 years to the day since Supermarine Spitfire prototype K5054first took to the skies. Unfortunately I could not quite complete theYouTube video post-processing and upload until the 6th March but Ifeel duty was still done. This throttle quadrant is the third product in the AuthentiKitrange of freeware hardware flight controls and comes on the heels ofthe elevator trim wheel and spade grip flight stick. So now we areusing 3 of the 10 inputs to the AuthentiKit Universal Hub. Landinggear will be next. Here are the key features of the throttlequadrant. Super sensitive, frictionless and precise hall sensors on throttle lever, mixture and airscrewAuthentic scale replicaBomb release buttonComes paired with a fully working scale replica of the elevator trim wheelSelf build kit – Allow about an hour for assemblyQuick release plate and socket. Instantly swap this throttle for a P51, P40B, Fokker P41D or whatever you fancy flying next (these quadrants are on the roadmap for 2021)3D print the parts or ask someone on our Discord forum for helpSee download page for all hardware components, assembly instructions and printing adviceKit available from our friends www.simkitsupplies.comStep by step assembly guide on YouTubeSource AuthentiKit Releases Spitfire MkIX Flight Stick
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/images/notams/notams21/auth0209/authentikit.jpgAuthentiKit Releases Spitfire MkIX Flight Stick in time for MSFS Spitfire LaunchAuthentiKit is a new freeware community project but it is notsoftware freeware. It is hardware freeware. There are many freewaredevelopers with great design and Blender skills and the goal of theAuthentiKit project is to empower these people with simple flightcontrol plugins. These will enablie developers to create authenticreplica freeware flight controls for all the interesting and funaircraft we love to fly and are not typically catered for bymainstream manufacturers. Particularly in VR it is fantastic to reachout and grab hold of a flight control that feels exactly like it looksin the headset. How do we achieve this? Part 1 is 3D Printing. 3D printers are now cheap and many flightsimmers have them. They cost about the price of a reasonable HOTASthese days and are increasingly easy to use. A 3D printer is yourpersonal aircraft factory. Part 2 is that AuthentiKit has spent the last two years developinga very simple system that handles all the difficult technical aspectsof flight controls so that designers don’t need to worry aboutthem. All these will be shared freely. Designers will just need tomake the right shape of knobs, levers or wheels and pre-definedcomponent plug-ins can be imported to turn these into fully workingthrottle quadrants, trim wheels, flap levers etc. End users canassemble by simply following a standard colour coding for wires andpush fit everything together without a soldering iron or anyspecialist tools. Launching with Spitfire MkIXTo kick start this new approach to flight controls, AuthentiKit haslaunched a spade grip flight stick which is an accurate replica of aSpitfire MkIX. The flight stick launch has been timed to coincide withthe imminent launch of the Spitfire MkIX for Microsoft FlightSimulator and AuthentiKit is grateful to Alex Kassabian at Flying IronSimulations who developed the aircraft and gave tremendous technicalsupport to this project over the last two years. Following the flightstick shortly will be a throttle quadrant, elevator trim wheel,landing gear and flap lever. Coming soon will be a series of videosshowing developers how to use the plugin components in their ownflight controls. Community Engagement and Community Printing ServiceThere is now a substantial community of flight simmers who havealready built the flight stick and many more who are underway. [seepictures]. An enthusiastic Discord community of almost 200 people arenot only building these controls but some offer to 3D print parts forpeople who do not (yet) have printers. Seehttps://authentikit.org/community-powered/ Features Of The Flight StickThe flight stick can be printed in a range of materials from simplebut strong PLA to carbon fibre reinforced filaments that would copewith anything you could throw at it! It has the followingfeatures. A huge +/-40 degrees of pitch and +/-30 degrees of roll to replicate the wide range of movement in a real spitfireSuper sensitive hall sensors for very precise controlStrong but cheap sealed bearings (designed for washing machines!) ensure smooth but reliable long term useWorking brake lever on the spade grip to help with the Spitfire’s famously difficult ground handlingDual fire buttons for machine gun or cannon or middle depress for both at once - these can of course be mapped for other “non combat†purposesInstant plug and play compatibility for MSFS, P3D or any windows based simQuick release plate and quick release socket based on cheap network cables allows the Spitfire stick to be easily unplugged and swapped for a GA flight stickComes with a universal control hub that takes inputs for 10 different flight controls at once - the developer has tested this with a Robin DR400 configuration using a flight stick, throttle knob, mixture knob, trim wheel, start button, flap lever, VOR tuner, heading indicator and OBSComes with a mounting system that fits to a standard VESA bracket on a monitor stand. Mount the monitor stand upside down to your desk and it will position the flight stick exactly where you need it. Strong, low cost and a 30 second task to fit and remove.Reviews and YouTubeThe developer has prepared a series of detailed assembly videosshowing how to assemble the flight stick - without any specialisttools. Seeyoutube.com/authentikit The flight stick has been reviewed very favourably by YouTubers VR Flight Sim Guy and Grim Reapers. See:https://authentikit.org/reviews/ Simple Kits AvailableAll the hardware is available cheaply off Amazon and eBay but forthose who would simply like a kit of everything a supplierSimKitSupplies is selling an all in one kit cheaper than most peoplecan buy the parts individually. This does not include the 3D printedparts but they are considering it and the community printing serviceon Discord is available to help in the meantime. Timing: The flight stick is available now Contact: Phil Hulme,phil@authentikit.org Web:www.authentikit.org Photos /images/notams/notams21/auth0209/1-parts.jpg 1.Close of parts before assembly /images/notams/notams21/auth0209/2-threading.jpg 2.Threading fire button wires through the spade grip /images/notams/notams21/auth0209/3-closeup.jpg 3.Close up of wires attached to brake lever hall sensor showing push fit into channels with crimps /images/notams/notams21/auth0209/4-finished.jpg 4.Finished assembly /images/notams/notams21/auth0209/5-printing.jpg 5.Parts starting to print on a 3d printer /images/notams/notams21/auth0209/6-example.jpg 6.Example of a community build with custom period style grip
