Warthog Extension
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Having recently aquired the brilliant Warthog, I was a little dismayed to find how fierce the return to centre was. This was coming from an X55 with a weak (Red) spring. Consequently I found that all my fine motor skills developed over 100s of Sim hours were pretty useless, so I had a look around for a mod to help.
Eventually, I plumped for the 7.5 cm Black extension from Sahaj and as a backup also ordered his weaker green spring replacement. The gear, including a spare o ring and stick/throttle covers came to 119 Euros or £110 pounds. (Pretty steep I know but hey ho!)
The gear took approx 7 days to arrive in the UK from Poland, basically but well packaged. The extension is very well made with all threads very professionally finished and with a bespoke connector included. It was very easy to fit, however unlike other similar extensions the connecting cable is only just the correct size and was a little awkward to fit securely. I solved the issue easily with an inch length of polystyrene pipe cladding, placed in the extension neck, which presented the connector centrally, so it easily married up with the stick.
Everything worked as usual with no need to recalibrate. I love this stick even more now.The stick is much smoother and still with a reasonable return to centre. This was a relatively new stick with no sticktion issues btw. I use it from a central position between my knees and due to its increased height it would be difficult to use as a normal desktop js. One advantage I have found is that I can now easily offset the stick 10-15 degrees to the left which makes it more comfortable in the central position.
I have yet to try the green spring mod but will report in when I do so.
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“Update”
I have now tried and am still using the Green spring mod. The spring was very easy to replace and I just followed the video on the Sahaj website. I had no need to recalibrate btw.
Firstly, I tried the new spring without the 7.5 cm extension. This worked very well. The stick felt much lighter than stock, with a reasonable return to centre. It felt very much as it did with the extension attached but without the added height penalty.
Secondly, I tried the Green spring and the Extension together (Not recommended by Sahaj btw) and I loved the feel! Very light and responsive and still with an adequate return to centre. It felt somewhat similar to my old X55 in some respects. I had a short lived tendency to over control as I got used to it, but soon learned to compensate. I find it to be very precise and accurate around that awkward centre area and will be sticking with it.
To trial the mods, I used the BMS 4.34 AAR TE on full realism setting and can report that I can successfully and consistently tank, using all 3 configurations in both Straight and Level and in the Turn. (Heavy and Light weight).
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Hi Dram!
I’m learning to fly, and of course the tanker training mission caused me to call my therapist because I was read to commit suicide!
So does that extension and spring give you more accuracy?
Have you considered getting the force mod? That is what I am planning on saving up for to be more precise and to help prevent suicide attempts after tanker training missions.
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Hi Scotters,
Yes, I believe it does in my case, as I much prefer a lighter stick. I find the centre area of the stock stick far too stiff which prevents the fine control that you need for the type of formation flying required to tank.
Hang in there with the AAR training. As stated in other posts, it will suddenly click and almost become second nature. After many years of not bothering with AAR due to the fact I generally stick to KTO which doesn’t really need it, I’m now hooked. At first it seemed impossible, but you get there in the end! Sight picture and throttle anticipation are key I think. I generally spend at least half an hour most days practising, using the heavy mission. Its still tough and a real challenge, but very rewarding and satisfying to get right.
In regards to the force mod, I have been following the thread with a lot of interest and will probably consider it at some future time.
Regards
Dram.