A-20 Havoc FSX Native

[Milton Shupe]

Making progress on fuel gauges for the 8 tanks.

The gauges show capacity, % Full, available gallons in each tank, and Total Available Fuel in US Gallons.
The bottom gauge shows fuel consumption by engine in GPH.

I am not a gauge programmer but have been able to cobble together a working set.

Waiting for wellis' new gauge backgrounds to finalize them.

Then, I will attempt the more difficult task of getting fuel tank selectors to work properly.

 

[wellis]

Just put this one up...also on the FS9 side.

 

[blanston12]

Look great. One problem I have is that I have a high res monitor that has a resolution of 3840x2160, the pop-up 2D panels are very tiny.

Also, there are no CameraDefinition, the ones Seahawk72s posted work well as long as the bombardiers position is moved forward one unit.

 

[docjohnson]

Milton, here's an explanation of AI Cage and Uncage...

Caging (From Pilotfriend.com)

Many gyros include a manual caging device, used to erect the rotor to its normal operating position prior to flight or after tumbling, and a flag to indicate that the gyro must be uncaged before use. Turning the caging knob prevents rotation of the gimbals and locks the rotor spin axis in its vertical position. Because the rotor is spinning as long as vacuum power is supplied, normal maneuvering with the gyro caged wears the bearings unnecessarily. Therefore, the instrument should be left uncaged in flight unless the limits are to be exceeded.

In the caged position, the gyro is locked with the miniature aircraft showing level flight, regardless of aircraft attitude. When uncaged in flight, in any attitude other than level flight, the gyro will tend to remain in an unlevel plane of rotation with the erecting mechanism attempting to restore the rotor to a horizontal plane. Therefore, should it be necessary to uncage the gyro in flight, the actual aircraft attitude must be identical to the caged attitude (that is, straight and level), otherwise, the instrument will show false indications when first uncaged.

Link to whole article: http://www.pilotfriend.com/training/flight_training/fxd_wing/attitude.htm

The T-37 I'm working has an ADI that works pretty much the same way. Hope that helps.

V/R

Jim

Jim,

Just tested here in FS9 and FSXA; the AI adjusts fine. May be an issue with this gauge and P3Dv4; will look at it.

EDIT: I have verified (and re-verified) that the AI tooltip readout is correct for AoA against AFSD.

With reference to caging ... I never cage so not sure how to test that. Can you help with explanation?

 

[Milton Shupe]

Look great. One problem I have is that I have a high res monitor that has a resolution of 3840x2160, the pop-up 2D panels are very tiny.

Also, there are no CameraDefinition, the ones Seahawk72s posted work well as long as the bombardiers position is moved forward one unit.

I am no expert in panel things otherwise I would develop these panels so they might auto-adjust to monitor resolutions, if that is possible.

I do know you can add a parameter to allow the user to adjust the size in game.

Adding "sizeable=1" to each of your panel.cfg's Windowxx entries would allow you to re-size those popups.

Meanwhile, maybe someone can suggest a better approach to auto-re-size them for you.

 

[jeansy]

Thanks milton, you have done a great job, it works fine for me in v4

if there was to be anything that can detract it is the weathering its seems a little over done in the textures, but thats 1st world problems

 

[falcon409]

Thanks milton, you have done a great job, it works fine for me in v4
if there was to be any gripes the weathering seems a little over done in the textures, but that's 1st world problems

I have to agree with the weathering. . .too much. Otherwise a great job on all aircraft.

 

[Milton Shupe]

Thanks milton, you have done a great job, it works fine for me in v4

if there was to be anything that can detract it is the weathering its seems a little over done in the textures, but thats 1st world problems

Thanks Jeansy (edit: and Falcon). The paint kit does provide optional layers to pick and chose what weathering is desired. But, I agree, the weathering appearance gets a bit strong with every use.

Maybe for the final release we can back off on that a bit.

 

[gman5250]

Thank you Milton. Actually thank you is not nearly adequate to express my gratitude and respect for your contributions over the years.

I've been flying this airplane for a few days now, only in P3Dv4, so I can't comment on other applications. Overall the model is just tremendous. When I get a bit more seat time that will allow me to look under the seat cushions and lurking in the various recesses, I'll add any niggles I may find.

IMO

I noted the comments regarding polys aft of the cockpit and will offer this additional observation.

The model, as originally intended is optimized to accommodate the limitations of the original simulators. The need to count every vertex is a background factor that affects the overall model.
The decision to model accurately is undertaken with the understanding that certain aspects of the model are simply not going to "fit" into the box.

The solution for this issue is 64bit, which we have available for those wishing to push the design envelope further. That decision is entirely up to the individual developer.

At this stage of development, this airplane works beautifully in P3Dv4 with possibly one or two small details that are easily resolved by the developer. Until such time that the developer is able to make those adjustments, the airplane can still be fully appreciated and even enhanced by the end user if they so choose.

I cannot recommend highly enough taking the time to do the full "GMAX for Beginners" tutorial. It will give the individual, whom choses to do so, a sobering understanding of the process.
Learning aircraft modeling is a rewarding and, in my opinion, absolutely invaluable tool for every serious "wing nut".

Thanks again Milton...

 

[dvj]

Hello Milton, as you have asked for some feedback, one observation is the sound set. I love everything about it except the one piece that sounds a bit like an old diesel locomotive on the exterior views. Maybe a bit more refinement here. The sound file is xrpm24. I think what I'll do is remove that file and see how it sounds.

cheers

- d

 

[Milton Shupe]

Milton, here's an explanation of AI Cage and Uncage...

Caging (From Pilotfriend.com)

Many gyros include a manual caging device, used to erect the rotor to its normal operating position prior to flight or after tumbling, and a flag to indicate that the gyro must be uncaged before use. Turning the caging knob prevents rotation of the gimbals and locks the rotor spin axis in its vertical position. Because the rotor is spinning as long as vacuum power is supplied, normal maneuvering with the gyro caged wears the bearings unnecessarily. Therefore, the instrument should be left uncaged in flight unless the limits are to be exceeded.

In the caged position, the gyro is locked with the miniature aircraft showing level flight, regardless of aircraft attitude. When uncaged in flight, in any attitude other than level flight, the gyro will tend to remain in an unlevel plane of rotation with the erecting mechanism attempting to restore the rotor to a horizontal plane. Therefore, should it be necessary to uncage the gyro in flight, the actual aircraft attitude must be identical to the caged attitude (that is, straight and level), otherwise, the instrument will show false indications when first uncaged.

Link to whole article: http://www.pilotfriend.com/training/flight_training/fxd_wing/attitude.htm

The T-37 I'm working has an ADI that works pretty much the same way. Hope that helps.

V/R

Jim

Jim, thank you for that refresher.

In researching the issue, I found I had left off the cage knob altogether in both the 2D and VC panels, and out of the panel folder.

Anyhow, easily resolved and will be corrected in the final release.

 

[Milton Shupe]

Hello Milton, as you have asked for some feedback, one observation is the sound set. I love everything about it except the one piece that sounds a bit like an old diesel locomotive on the exterior views. Maybe a bit more refinement here. The sound file is xrpm24. I think what I'll do is remove that file and see how it sounds.

cheers

- d

Can't speak to that Sir and not sure Nigel is around to look at it. I can say that the engine sounds are usually totally authentic to the type. If Nigel pops in, maybe he can address it.

 

[Milton Shupe]

Thank you Milton. Actually thank you is not nearly adequate to express my gratitude and respect for your contributions over the years.

I've been flying this airplane for a few days now, only in P3Dv4, so I can't comment on other applications. Overall the model is just tremendous. When I get a bit more seat time that will allow me to look under the seat cushions and lurking in the various recesses, I'll add any niggles I may find.

IMO

I noted the comments regarding polys aft of the cockpit and will offer this additional observation.

The model, as originally intended is optimized to accommodate the limitations of the original simulators. The need to count every vertex is a background factor that affects the overall model.
The decision to model accurately is undertaken with the understanding that certain aspects of the model are simply not going to "fit" into the box.

The solution for this issue is 64bit, which we have available for those wishing to push the design envelope further. That decision is entirely up to the individual developer.

At this stage of development, this airplane works beautifully in P3Dv4 with possibly one or two small details that are easily resolved by the developer. Until such time that the developer is able to make those adjustments, the airplane can still be fully appreciated and even enhanced by the end user if they so choose.

I cannot recommend highly enough taking the time to do the full "GMAX for Beginners" tutorial. It will give the individual, whom choses to do so, a sobering understanding of the process.
Learning aircraft modeling is a rewarding and, in my opinion, absolutely invaluable tool for every serious "wing nut".

Thanks again Milton...

Thank you Gordon. Yes, this particular aircraft pushed the poly limits for FS9 mainly due to all the extra ordinance and the crew figures at their stations. I had to strike a balance to allow for all these permutations. Although not an issue for the FSX model, I am still in the mode of FS9 and FSX shared development. And although shared, the models are very different between the sims and the load out feature not being available for FSX required a lot of redo, and thus, a lot of extra models to handle ordinance options. That left a lot of models to maintain and therefore more work and room for error.

I'll be happy to get this last project in the books and back to some mind numbing Shupe inventory FSX native conversions.

 

[wellis]

I have to agree with the weathering. . .too much. Otherwise a great job on all aircraft.

Thanks for the input guys. I will back off on the weathering for the final on the paints I have done for the package. As Milton has noted, the weathering is easily muted/removed in the paint kits so this will be easy.

 

[blanston12]

I am no expert in panel things otherwise I would develop these panels so they might auto-adjust to monitor resolutions, if that is possible.

I do know you can add a parameter to allow the user to adjust the size in game.

Adding "sizeable=1" to each of your panel.cfg's Windowxx entries would allow you to re-size those popups.

Meanwhile, maybe someone can suggest a better approach to auto-re-size them for you.

Hi Milton,

I worked out a fix for myself using the window_size and window_pos properties instead if the pixel_size property. I worked out a solution for myself that I can post back tonight if you like. One thing I forgot to mention is that the fuel 2D panel does not open for me.

BTW, I tested this on P3Dv4

 

[Milton Shupe]

Hi Milton,

I worked out a fix for myself using the window_size and window_pos properties instead if the pixel_size property. I worked out a solution for myself that I can post back tonight if you like. One thing I forgot to mention is that the fuel 2D panel does not open for me.

BTW, I tested this on P3Dv4

Thanks.

There is no fuel panel, just a window place holder. I am working to finalize the fuel gauges window popup now. It will be in the final release.

 

[warchild]

I have to agree with the weathering. . .too much. Otherwise a great job on all aircraft.

Welll, at least in respect to the pacific based P-70s, I would have too disagree.. Now I like clean and purdy as much as anyone, but in the south pacific, you didnt get purdy, except for the girls. There was the sun, which at 120 dgrees in the shade, bleached anything you put into it, including that black the planes were painted in, and the army never did develop a successful formula for black paint that could be used on the night fighters, including the P-70. Cyclones would pop up that would pick up and whip around so much sand, that it literally sand blasted the aircraft, leaving them mostly bare metal.. The planes were almost regularly pulled into the shop for another paint job, just to keep them black, or mostly black because in the sunlight, the paint would fade to a grey within just a few weeks. Milton got the P-70 dead on for an old and beaten paint job during monsoon season. I've seen photographs of P-61s that were just like that because they had the same bad paint and dealt with the same weather. It was just part of the charm of the south pacific..

 

[wellis]

Welll, at least in respect to the pacific based P-70s, I would have too disagree.. Now I like clean and purdy as much as anyone, but in the south pacific, you didnt get purdy, except for the girls. There was the sun, which at 120 dgrees in the shade, bleached anything you put into it, including that black the planes were painted in, and the army never did develop a successful formula for black paint that could be used on the night fighters, including the P-70. Cyclones would pop up that would pick up and whip around so much sand, that it literally sand blasted the aircraft, leaving them mostly bare metal.. The planes were almost regularly pulled into the shop for another paint job, just to keep them black, or mostly black because in the sunlight, the paint would fade to a grey within just a few weeks. Milton got the P-70 dead on for an old and beaten paint job during monsoon season. I've seen photographs of P-61s that were just like that because they had the same bad paint and dealt with the same weather. It was just part of the charm of the south pacific..

Thanks for chiming in on this. The weathering on the P-70's is in fact based on photographs and paintings of black-painted night fighters in the Pacific. The deserts of North Africa were very hard on paint jobs as well, particularly with those operated by the USAAF as many were originally RAF contracts diverted to the AAF and paint jobs were hastily applied in-theater. Fading was especially severe in some cases. That said, I am sure I can come up with a compromise that will hopefully make most users happy.

 

[docjohnson]

No problem my friend, excellent work and is already a favorite in my hangar. As another has said,

"I cannot recommend highly enough taking the time to do the full "GMAX for Beginners" tutorial. It will give the individual, whom choses to do so, a sobering understanding of the process."

One of my fellow teammates is the modeler and all I'm doing is writing the C++ code for the systems, as he has shared what he's doing and the challenges to be overcome, well it made me a believer. Even if your not going to learn modeling just understanding how a SimObject gets built makes people appreciate the work it takes.

I started learning Blender, but when my time comes for my first model I'm probably going to use 3DS, but until I've got a few releases of just the gauge/systems programming on a couple of different aircraft - the flight manual, the maintenance manual, images of the aircraft and cockpit, my teammates advice (all of them), creating code to mirror the SimObject models systems behavior, and getting to release - design/development of code is my world...not enough bandwidth to learn to model while I'm building out my first cockpit gauges.

Outstanding work Milton and team!

I'm flying the P-70s and the G model tonight, I'll let you know if I find anything.

Jim, thank you for that refresher.

In researching the issue, I found I had left off the cage knob altogether in both the 2D and VC panels, and out of the panel folder.

Anyhow, easily resolved and will be corrected in the final release.

 

[roger-wilco-66]

Welll, at least in respect to the pacific based P-70s, I would have too disagree.. Now I like clean and purdy as much as anyone, but in the south pacific, you didnt get purdy, except for the girls. There was the sun, which at 120 dgrees in the shade, bleached anything you put into it, including that black the planes were painted in, and the army never did develop a successful formula for black paint that could be used on the night fighters, including the P-70. Cyclones would pop up that would pick up and whip around so much sand, that it literally sand blasted the aircraft, leaving them mostly bare metal.. The planes were almost regularly pulled into the shop for another paint job, just to keep them black, or mostly black because in the sunlight, the paint would fade to a grey within just a few weeks. Milton got the P-70 dead on for an old and beaten paint job during monsoon season. I've seen photographs of P-61s that were just like that because they had the same bad paint and dealt with the same weather. It was just part of the charm of the south pacific..

Excellent post, Pam. I've read many books that described the weathering problems, as well as technical issues in that climate. In the tropics they even had some exotic algae growing in gas tanks and bacteria eating away the electric insulation.

Hell, even my motor bike has black rubber or plastic parts fading away in sunlight exposure today.


Cheers,
Mark