Dragon's Lair Fans - Arcade Lifestyle

General Chat => Arcade Lifestyle => Topic started by: Giddygoon on July 28, 2010, 10:09:38 PM

Title: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Giddygoon on July 28, 2010, 10:09:38 PM
Hi All,

It’s been a while since I have posted on Arcade Life Style. But in the last three years I have been very busy moving from London to the quieter surroundings of the West Midlands. Now that I settled down its back to buying new cabs and restoring ones that I had waiting on the repair list..... This year I had the chance to get my hands on the Holy Grail, an Atari 1983 Star Wars cockpit....


(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02341.jpg)

Now I got it non-working, no monitor, no game boards, no yoke!!!! A real challenge ahead!

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02342.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02346.jpg)

As you can see, it had tons of dust and dirt on it ........ And rust too. So lets give it a good clean and see what needs repairing on the cabinet.

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02351.jpg)

The marquee had loads of glue on the glass but it came off in the end and turned out to be in great condition!!!

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02347.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02371.jpg)

After an hour or two she was a clean as it could be at this stage, time for a cup of tea!

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02380.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02383.jpg)

Now to the strip all the parts off the cab

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02435.jpg)

Bad news, a support that holds the yoke and the bezel has had it; looks as if someone did a quick fix, will have to get a reproduction cut!

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02438.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02439.jpg)

All parts off the cab!

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02440.jpg)

Also trying to reshape the cardboard monitor shroud too!!

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02441.jpg)

Since these pictures I have moved house and job, now back to work!!

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02456.jpg)

There are the usual scratches on the cab which need retouching, so I took a fragment that came off the cockpit to Home base for color matching.

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02705.jpg)

The blue was quit close but the black was no good! Time for some arts and crafts

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02706.jpg)

I'm quiet pleased with the results, the flash on my camera makes it look worse than it really is!!

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02708.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02710.jpg)

Now time for the old T-molding to go, I'll get all that replaced later.

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02714.jpg)

Now time to do the much-needed repairs on the damaged parts of the cab, wire brush on the bits of loose wood. Now apply the wood hardener.

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02721.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02718.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02719.jpg)

Now time to stand the cab on its nose, and start making repairs to the undercarriage....... Wood filler time...... Yeah!!!

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02725.jpg)

I love wood filling......... Not!

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02733.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02734.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02735.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02736.jpg)

(https://www.dragonslairfans.com/forforum2/giddy/DSC02737.jpg)


Coming next securing the undercarriage and sanding, repainting the cab


To be continued

Giddygoon




















































Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Superully on July 28, 2010, 10:18:13 PM
looks like a lot of work still ahead. what are you going to do about all those missing parts?
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Giddygoon on July 28, 2010, 10:20:57 PM
I have found some of them, still looking for others
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Muerto on July 28, 2010, 10:45:36 PM
wow! a huge undertaking!
May the force be with you!
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: ckong on July 28, 2010, 11:19:46 PM
Nice, another SW cockpit restoration topic  ;D I will follow this one closely.  About your art 'repair' work, are you planning to buy a complete new artset omce it is available, or will you stick with this? And how is the quality of wide T-molding, do you need ti replace it?
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Giddygoon on July 29, 2010, 12:08:29 AM
I'm gonna try and make best the art work that it comes with now but if new repro art becomes available then I will get some. The wide t molding on mine is in good condition, I also have a yoke on the way too
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Muerto on July 29, 2010, 05:42:24 AM
I know it´s a little late but when he has them, someone else might have them to??

LINK (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290453713505&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: ckong on July 29, 2010, 08:01:26 AM
I know it´s a little late but when he has them, someone else might have them to??

LINK (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290453713505&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)

I doubt whether this is top notch quality. I rather wait for a set from the original films, made by someone of whom we all know that he always deliver quality.
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Alpha1 on July 29, 2010, 01:24:52 PM
Nice to see another one of my old SW Cockpits being restored :D

I only have one left now, the first one I ever got, and that's my keeper!

Oliver
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Superully on July 29, 2010, 02:02:02 PM
how many have you had in total?
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: ckong on July 29, 2010, 03:27:07 PM
Giddy,

are you going to restore it to its original technical specs, thus with vector monitor, gameboard etc, or are you going to use some kind of mame in the cab (vecormame f.i) with a CRT?
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Alpha1 on July 29, 2010, 03:38:48 PM
how many have you had in total?

5 SW cockpits and 5 SW uprights I think. I still have 2 SW uprights, including one HUO one, and my original SW cockpit I bought from 12 years ago.

HUO SW upright:

(http://www.arcadeoll.com/pics/sw/sw1.jpg)

(http://www.arcadeoll.com/pics/sw/sw2.jpg)



Oliver
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: ckong on July 29, 2010, 04:18:51 PM
What means HUO?
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Alpha1 on July 29, 2010, 04:26:03 PM
Home Use Only - meaning it was bought privately and never operated in an arcade.

Oliver
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: DarthNuno on July 29, 2010, 07:32:23 PM
I got my beloved Star Wars cockpit from... Alpha1  ;)

Good job so far Giddygoon, your pictures reminds me almost the same steps I've done for my cockpit  8)
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: level42 on July 29, 2010, 08:45:56 PM
I know it´s a little late but when he has them, someone else might have them to??

LINK (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290453713505&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)

I doubt whether this is top notch quality. I rather wait for a set from the original films, made by someone of whom we all know that he always deliver quality.
+1 Total waste of money, the guy already mentions the small decals to be FUZZY and on less quality material !!! And that for such an amount of money. Wait a bit until Rich finishes his repro's which are done from the ORIGINAL Atari films !!! Can't beat that....

Alpha: That story about your SW cockpit was priceless !

Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: ckong on July 29, 2010, 09:29:39 PM
Alpha: That story about your SW cockpit was priceless !

+1 You should post the story here, or better yet, write a book with all your stories about how you got your über (= rocking) arcade collection together. I would buy a copy.  :D
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Giddygoon on July 29, 2010, 11:40:18 PM
I'd buy a copy too!

Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: subzero1970 on July 30, 2010, 11:50:12 PM
hey giddy, any chance of some high rez shots of the internal artwork for dis? (for use with my models)
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Giddygoon on September 04, 2010, 11:58:27 PM
OK! Just a small update on the Star Wars resto, time to get messy.... Bring on the sanders...

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02774.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02771.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02770.jpg)

Then router the newly repaired areas...

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02777.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02783.jpg)

Looking good so far...

Now while I'm making an UN-holy mess of my game's room. I decided to experiment with an emulator called Another Arcade Emulator or AAE. I don't have any of the original hardware in my Star Wars cab so until these parts turn up this seems to be the way to go for now. Mame's not bad but look at these pictures.

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02446.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02447.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02445.jpg)

Impressive...!

These pictures were taken from my Hanty polo 25" arcade monitor..

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02451.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02450.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02449.jpg)

Pretty dame good if you ask me, you need to play around a bit with the settings but when you find the sweet spot for the vector glow settings, well check the next couple of pics...

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02452.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02453.jpg)

Well done to Tim who is the author of the emu. Keep up the good work!!!

Back to the cab...

I decided after much thought to use a roller rather than a spray can, after doing the same method with my Outrun cab. I thought the results were more controlled and had an even spread. So after adding primer to repaired areas. I use a mini paint roller and a tin of black satin gloss.

Here goes nothing...
I always worry about the shade of black won't match......

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02785.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02786.jpg)

Later.... the results!

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02788.jpg)

Drum roll please!!!

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02791.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02792.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02793.jpg)

Well, I was really pleased with the final result. The shade was as close as I could get and blended perfectly.

I’m particularly pleased with the reconstructed seat area; the corner was smashed to pieces when I got it. Now look, re-shaped with the wood filler and painted..

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02794.jpg)

BTW I’m new to photo bucket, I think the images are a little large; I'll work on that next time.

Next.....
Into the woodwork shop to cut a new access door and yoke cross beam..

To be continued....


Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: DarthNuno on September 09, 2010, 05:38:31 PM
So you tried AAE with Star Wars... WOow! It looks very cool  :-* I've only tried it long time ago with Asteroids and it was already very impressive at the time. What about the animation?  Fast, smooth and accurate? Which computer  (processor)/ graphic card used for your test ?
I'll setup a similar config for my cockpit, but I would like to know if it's possible to use UBS control with AAE first? I need that in order to make the game playable via the Dual Strike hack.
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( The Empire Strike Back )
Post by: Giddygoon on April 11, 2011, 10:10:26 PM
Back again,

The cab has been painted and strengthened. It’s now time to put brand new t--moulding on her.

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0518.jpg)

I also stripped down all the steel parts.

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0517.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0573.jpg)

Then primer and paint using Hammerite metal smooth black.

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0576.jpg)

And all the bolts and screws.

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0506.jpg)

After painting.....

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0512.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0515.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0600.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0601.jpg)

I also managed to track a down an original yoke from Quartercade in fair condition, it needed a Ram Controls re-build kit....

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0338.jpg)

All retainers are painted and the t-moulding is in place, its time to fit a monitor. I'm using a Hantarex Polo 25"... can't find a real vector monitor

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0521.jpg)

I also ordered new decals from This Old Game for the yoke and the panel...look at this before and after of the panel with no yoke.

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/DSC02343.jpg)

Now look.....!!!

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0606.jpg)

Wonderful!!!!

Yoke also looks nice...

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0604.jpg)

And the two together...

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0608.jpg)

Now to connect to an Apac for usb Pc connection...

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0644.jpg)

Getting close to the end now.

Just a back door to make, fix the marquee light and add an audio amplifier..

Back soon






































Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Giddygoon on April 14, 2011, 01:02:56 AM
Sorry for the delay in pics, photobucket had a site issue for two days...
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Giddygoon on May 29, 2011, 09:30:43 PM
The new CP and yoke back on the cab....

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0910.jpg)

All the parts are now fitted on the cab

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0950.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0803.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0951.jpg)

Now to hook up the marquee.... switch on!

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0829.jpg)

What a beauty!!!

Ok, lets play Star Wars

Now after all thoes plans to use AAE I ended up just using Mame and tweaking It the best I could to get it looking like a vector display.

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0700.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0702.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0706.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0715.jpg)

It's not perfect but i did start with just a shell.

Using Mame means I can play other games too...

The Trilogy

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0749.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0747.jpg)

Or even laser disc games like Firefox......"Boy is this a machine"

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0733.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0740.jpg)

Plus an assortment of arcade favs...

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0732.jpg)

Galaxy force 2...

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0741.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0745.jpg)

The mighty Stun Runner

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0759.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0762.jpg)

Sega's Thunder blade

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0767.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0776.jpg)

And the G-loc series...

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0757.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0754.jpg)

Space Harrier!!!!

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0783.jpg)

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0790.jpg)

The Jedi has returned.... and I'm very happy with it!!!

(http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz212/Giddygoon73/IMG_0949.jpg)
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: level42 on May 29, 2011, 10:45:16 PM
Congrats, tastefully done !
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Giddygoon on May 29, 2011, 11:21:54 PM
 Thanks Andre!!

I followed both yours and Bruno's restoration technics to bring her back to life...

All the original wiring is still inside, one day I may restore it back to the factory hardware but finding these parts is unlikely...

Another cab saved from being parted out.

May the force be with us
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Superully on May 30, 2011, 06:54:24 AM
well done, nice job on the cockpit. now go play that b****!
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Belike on May 30, 2011, 08:14:36 AM
Great job John, you have pretty collection of classics installed there. ;)
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on May 30, 2011, 08:15:41 AM
Thats one big advantage of maming it, play different games on it !

Looking great !
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: DarthNuno on May 30, 2011, 05:27:23 PM
Welcome back Giddygoon  :)

Great job on that one... the force is strong with you now  ;)
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Q*ris on May 30, 2011, 06:12:46 PM
Must be too easy to play all these games using the force. ;)
Really nice resto, love the final result!
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Giddygoon on February 29, 2012, 09:46:57 PM
Just back on this……



I thought I'd post a HD video, well iPhone video of my Starwars cockpit running with a special complied version of Mame 141, this version can found on Mameworld forums… It was created by RJ Roberts who wrote some diiff code for blurring / phosphorus brightening…. Its CPU heavy but the display is very bright and can be adjusted to taste. I think its very close…

I thought I'd share it with you.

I have included the easy/medium/hard waves to show the different  stages.


What do you think?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qbnrFduDS3s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

If you want to see a side by side comparison then click on the link below.

On the Left is mine and The right is the original vector monitor and hardware

http://youtubedoubler.com/3llR



Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on February 29, 2012, 09:53:21 PM
Nothing beats a real vector , but this looks pretty good if you ask me..

but then i am not an sw expert  :D
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Belike on February 29, 2012, 09:55:08 PM
The picture is perfect, but the effect of the tie-fighters sounds weird to me.
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Giddygoon on February 29, 2012, 10:04:59 PM
I think that the sound has distorted when I was recording on the iPhone, I know its not perfect picture but its better than Mame standard and I still haven't seen a 25" colour vector monitor turn up anyway. So this suits me, much brighter than normal mame
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: level42 on February 29, 2012, 11:19:26 PM
Not bad, not bad. Don't agree with Béla that it's perfect,  there are differences but it does look pretty close.

I think the brightening/defocus is either not picked up by the iphone or is still too low. HOWEVER I am comparing to my 25" Amplifone of which I still dont know if it is set up properly. when fire bolts start nearing on my machine they go out of focus. I am still not sure if this is meant to be. I -do- know that the concentric circles on the Deathstar explosion is supposed to defocus, but mine doesnt do that too much either.
I am still extremely happy with my picture though and so should you be, this looks a LOT better than standard MAME.

The POKEY sound sounds pretty good but the voice synth is indeed off. Remember that the screeching sound of the tie fighters is also produced by the voice synth.

Enjoy your game Giddy, it's totally enjoyable this way. One tip: don't fire in the trench scene until you are at the hole. This is "using the force" and gains a nice bonus....
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Giddygoon on March 01, 2012, 02:15:28 AM
(I will remember to use the force)

Again thanks to everyone for the comments
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: DarthNuno on March 10, 2012, 01:21:52 PM
Wow, it looks really great  :o :-*. Far better than my 'normal' mame configuration.
What processor power/graphic card do you suggest to use for an accurate emulation ?
Wanna have more details please  ::) ;) Thx.
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: jcp on March 10, 2012, 01:46:53 PM
for an accurate emulation
AAE : the best by far -> http://pages.suddenlink.net/aae/ :).
Title: Re: Star Wars Cockpit ( the saga begins )
Post by: Giddygoon on March 10, 2012, 04:23:33 PM
Quote
for an accurate emulation
AAE : the best by far -> http://pages.suddenlink.net/aae/ .


I used to agree too but it's not supported any more and you can't configure analog controllers, and Tim the author of AAE gave it to the Mame devs although I have never heard anything from the devs about the AAE code.. So RJRoberts diff code is getting there if a bit CPU hungry...

I hear that the HSL display mode in Mame will at some point in the future with have a vector mode...

Let's wait and see