Hey there, fellow aviation enthusiasts! It’s been an incredible ride for us over the past few months, and we can’t wait to share the thrilling updates with you. Our tight-knit team of 3D developers has grown, welcoming the expertise of a fantastic texture artist.

Our new journey took an unexpected turn as we dove deep into reworking our 3D model. The challenges were real, but so was our determination to achieve a level of quality that would redefine the standards in our upcoming 2.0 version.

As we delved deeper into the intricacies of our work, a realization hit us – no matter how many images and videos we had, precision was the key. Without accurate measurements and data, creating a cockpit that meets the expectations of a professional-grade flight simulator seemed like an impossible feat.

During an evening chat, Heatblur Simulations came up, and a friend casually mentioned their use of 3D scanning. We began joking about applying the same concept to the L410. Soon, what started as playful banter evolved into serious consideration, leading us to make the decision to go ahead with 3D scanning.

Source: Heatblur Simulations

Our quest began with the search for an L-410 aircraft to scan. Being based in the UK posed its challenges: most planes were once in the UK been either returned to the original leasing company, to another country, or simply been disassembled - the journey seemed daunting. That is until we discovered that AEROPARK Aviation Museum near Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport (LHBP) – has an L-410 proudly displayed and may be accessible for scanning.

The next step involved finding a 3D scanner to rent. Our plan was to rent one and attempt to scan the cockpit ourselves—an initially seemingly uncomplicated task. That’s when we discovered Balazs at 3D Lab. After a quick consultation, it became clear that entrusting the 3D scanning to an expert was the way to go. Balazs not only agreed to scan the desired portions of the cockpit but also offered his expertise in post-processing.

All that remained was coordinating with AEROPARK Aviation Museum for permission to access the aircraft and spend a few hours scanning. After a series of emails and phone calls, the museum staff graciously granted us permission.

With the museum’s approval secured, we found ourselves at the airport, eagerly anticipating the results. Balazs Gyonyosi welcomed us at AEROPARK Aviation Museum, providing invaluable assistance throughout the process to ensure the best possible outcome. While Balazs from 3D Lab was busy scanning the cockpit, we captured hundreds of reference photos and videos to document every detail, including wear and tear resulting from day to day use. Additionally, we seized the opportunity to create a photogrammetry scan of the aircraft’s exterior — a valuable reference for the upcoming external redesign.

We learned so much about the aircraft’s history and the quirks of flying it – details that might seem trivial until you’re face-to-face with the real deal. From the snug cockpit and the peculiar entry point to the worn-out seats – every inch of it told a story. A fraying on the side of the cockpit’s rear wall, where pilots once embarked and disembarked seems like a small detail, but a quite important one.

Check out these awesome 3D renders that bring our project to life! They’re a glimpse into the cool details we’re going to be able to add to the new cockpit!

A massive shoutout to the whole staff of AEROPARK Aviation Museum for making the L-410 accessible and especially to Balazs Gyongyosi for his unwavering support, problem-solving skills, and flexibility throughout the 3D scanning process.

Special thanks to Balazs at 3D Lab for turning the scanning experience into a captivating journey of creating a 3D model. It was such a fun day. Thank you! :)

We can hardly contain our excitement as we gear up to unveil the updates we’ve crafted over the past few months. Stay tuned for the next chapter in our journey!