CommandT set out to build a physical control panel for one of the most distinctive parts of flying the MiG-29A in DCS World: the fire-control radar.
Unlike many Western fighters of the same era, the MiG-29A does not put most radar and sensor controls directly on the HOTAS. Many important controls sit on the left-hand side of the instrument panel, using a more traditional set of toggle switches, knobs, and selectors. For CommandT, that was exactly the appeal. Instead of operating the radar through mouse clicks in the virtual cockpit, he wanted to reach for physical controls in roughly the same way a real pilot would.
Using Switchology, he built a modular panel focused around the MiG-29’s radar workflow. Radar elevation, radar modes, scan zones, jammer controls, compensation, SNP / track-while-scan logic, co-op mode, weapon pylon selection, and related controls were arranged to visually and functionally mirror the aircraft as closely as possible within the modular format.
The result is not a strict museum replica. Some choices were made deliberately for flexibility. For example, a few three-position switches from the real cockpit were replaced with push buttons so the panel could remain useful for other aircraft and simulators as well. That trade-off keeps the build practical while still preserving the logic and feel of the MiG-29’s radar controls.
In use, the panel changes the way the aircraft is flown. Radar modes can be adjusted by feel. The pilot can see the control state directly on the panel. Switching between head-on and pursuit logic, adjusting scan behaviour, or managing supporting systems becomes a physical task instead of a cockpit mouse exercise.
For CommandT, that made the MiG-29 feel significantly more immersive. In his words, operating the radar in DCS World became “really immersive and satisfying”, especially because the physical layout makes it easy to cross-reference the controls against the virtual cockpit.
Why this build works
The MiG-29 rewards hands-on system management. Its radar can be demanding, especially when trying to maintain or reacquire locks against targets that are turning, beaming, or changing aspect. In CommandT’s mission video, the panel becomes part of the workload: switching radar modes, changing scan logic, using co-op mode, and managing weapon selection while flying the intercept profile.
That is where a physical panel makes sense. The goal is not just to have more buttons. The goal is to place the right controls together, in a layout that matches the aircraft’s logic.
CommandT’s build shows three strengths of the Switchology system:
- It can be arranged around a specific aircraft workflow.
- It can stay flexible enough for other aircraft and simulators.
- It gives frequently used cockpit controls a tactile, visible location outside the screen.
A MiG-29 panel, but still modular
The build uses a mix of toggle switches, buttons, rotary controls, encoders, and axis knobs. Some controls are placed to resemble the MiG-29 cockpit as closely as possible. Others are adapted for usability and future flexibility.
That is the core idea behind this user build: it is specific enough to make the MiG-29 feel more authentic, but not so specific that the hardware becomes useless outside one aircraft.
For sim pilots who mainly fly Cold War or early fourth-generation aircraft, this kind of layout can be especially effective. These aircraft often depend on physical switches and mode selectors rather than multifunction displays, making them a strong match for a modular switch panel.
Featured in CommandT’s videos
CommandT featured the panel in his MiG-29 radar control review and later used it in a realistic Cold War intercept mission in DCS World. In the mission, the panel is used during startup, navigation setup, radar operation, target intercepts, and return-to-base procedures.
CommandT received one Switchology panel for review and also purchased an additional panel for his own setup.
The most important takeaway is simple: the panel is not just decoration. It is actively used during the mission and becomes part of the aircraft workflow.
Build your own version
This build is a strong example of what Switchology is designed for: taking a specific cockpit workflow and turning it into a physical, modular control surface.
You can use CommandT’s MiG-29 radar panel as inspiration for your own aircraft-specific layout, or adapt the same idea for another aircraft entirely. Build around the controls you actually use, place them where your hand expects them, and leave room for future modules as your setup evolves.
Start off with CommandT's MiG-29 radar panel or start from blank
