Douglas X-3 Stiletto FSX Native

[WarHorse47]

Does this still happen after removing Window08? No.

Have you restarted the sim since? Yes.

Did you check the log in the XMLTools installation folder? Yes. No change.

 

[wellis]

Just curious; is anyone flying this without issues who are using xmltools? and who are NOT using xmltools?

Flying in P3Dv4.3 with XMLTools specific to the sim with NO problems, here. Haven't tried it with FSXA but will shortly.

UPDATE: Just checked it out in FSXA using XMLTools2.0 and all is working as advertised. no problems.

 

[Milton Shupe]

Does this still happen after removing Window08? No.

Have you restarted the sim since? Yes.

Did you check the log in the XMLTools installation folder? Yes. No change.

To clarify then, you are running without xmltools with no issues?

If not sure if xmltools are active, if you hear a "bang" when the afterburner kicks in, it is active.

 

[Switchblade408]

I attempted to fly it with XML on, but it just froze my sim for 2 hours. Now trying to do it without XML

 

[Priller]

No problems in P3Dv4.3 with xml tools.

Well, maybe one problem: she's damn near impossible to fly right!! or should I say, way above my abilities to fly right...

Priller

 

[WarHorse47]

To clarify then, you are running without xmltools with no issues?

If not sure if xmltools are active, if you hear a "bang" when the afterburner kicks in, it is active.

Without xmltools - no issues, and yes I hear a "bang" when the afterburner kicks in.

 

[Milton Shupe]

I attempted to fly it with XML on, but it just froze my sim for 2 hours. Now trying to do it without XML

Thanks.

It would be helpful to know which sim, and if you installed v2.0 (FSX and P3D not v4) or v3.0 (P3Dv4) of the xmltools.

Did you remove [Window08] from the panel.cfg?

 

[WarHorse47]

Just a hunch, but I think I know what's happening.

Looking at my FSX.cfg file, it appears that XMLTools is loading when I load the sim.

I suspect that when the X-3 tries to load, it [Window08] is trying to load XMLTools a second time?

 

[Dev One]

Just a quick first flight - if one can call it that - seems quite underpowered, found it difficult to get more than 350 kias clean. Lost it though - have full sensitivity & crash resistance - when applying any rudder - seems very, very sensitive there.
Using FSX SP2 but not XMLtools. Not sure if I'm getting afterburner.
Superb modelling, external rivet & panel lines nicely subdued, & the virtual cockpit....I haven't sufficient words to commend it!
I will persevere tomorrow to fly it better - after the bruises have healed!
Keith

P.S. Sorry to hear Pam in Hospital, wishing her a speedy recovery.

 

[Switchblade408]

Sorry I didn't clarify. FSX Steam Edition.

 

[Switchblade408]

and I didn't remove that part from the cfg

 

[Seahawk72s]

Does this still happen after removing Window08? No.

Have you restarted the sim since? Yes.

Did you check the log in the XMLTools installation folder? Yes. No change.

I too have the same issue and needed to remove Window08.
With so much to learn in flying and instrumentation functionality, I am not feeling as though I am missing out.
Truly some nice work on the aircraft and panels, many thanks..

 

[MrZippy]

Almost greased my first landing. More practice tomorrow!

 

[Milton Shupe]

I ask everyone to remove [window08] from the panel.cfg.

Not sure why I left that in although it doesn't cause issues for me.

I will reload the file without it to prevent further issues.

 

[Milton Shupe]

Almost greased my first landing. More practice tomorrow!

Landings are a challenge. Use a long stable approach at no less than 225 kias, full flaps with/without speed brake (depends on descent rate). Touch down around 190, go very easy on flair and drop rate; that is .. grease it.

 

[Switchblade408]

https://youtu.be/AA7FfdsZb3Q

Here's a link to my first flight with this X-3 Stiletto, using FSX Steam Edition, after removing that Window08 from the cfg.

 

[Milton Shupe]

Just a quick first flight - if one can call it that - seems quite underpowered, found it difficult to get more than 350 kias clean. Lost it though - have full sensitivity & crash resistance - when applying any rudder - seems very, very sensitive there.
Using FSX SP2 but not XMLtools. Not sure if I'm getting afterburner.
Superb modelling, external rivet & panel lines nicely subdued, & the virtual cockpit....I haven't sufficient words to commend it!
I will persevere tomorrow to fly it better - after the bruises have healed!
Keith

P.S. Sorry to hear Pam in Hospital, wishing her a speedy recovery.

Keith, it was indeed under-powered as Westinghouse failed to deliver the planned engines. We set this up for the engines actually used; would only do between .93-.97 in level flight at FL300. They were able to break mach1 in a 8000' dive to test some things.
BTW, be weary of hi-speed stalls.

BTW, I climb at 4500fpm for the first 12000' at over 500kias Ground speed. Thereafter I reduce climb rate to maintain ground speed to FL220, then 2000fpm to FL300. Maintain afterburner all the way up per the manual.

We do not have the power curve yet the way we want it but Paul is working on it.

 

[Milton Shupe]

https://youtu.be/AA7FfdsZb3Q

Here's a link to my first flight with this X-3 Stiletto, using FSX Steam Edition, after removing that Window08 from the cfg.

Nice job on the video, and landing with no flaps. ;-)

BTW, for takeoff, use trim at +2 and flaps 3 to 250 kias and rotate gently
Flaps 2 to 300 kias
Flaps 1 to 350 kias

Afterburner is used all the way to FL300 or desired cruise altitude, per the manual.

Checklist has all this and more.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, you left the Inverter switch off. The right side lower instruments depend on that.

 

[rpetty]

Awesome job! I've been excited about this project for a while. I had a chance to fly the X-3 this afternoon after work and it was great...just what I expected. I loved the downard escape system modeled into the aircraft. Having read Mike Millers X-Planes and Scott Libis's Skystreak, Skyrocket & Stiletto - Douglas High-Speed X-Planes, I was expecting the aircraft to be underpowered and susceptible to inertia coupling.

I have FSX Acceleration and did not experience any problems loading or flying the aircraft.

I've only conducted two flights and both were successful. Its easier to land than Captain Sims F-104 (also with thin stub wings and roll coupling issues), once you've deployed both leading and trailing edge flaps. I used the speed break to control the steep descent angles and retracted it with plenty of energy to make the touchdown zone markers. Maintaining the runway center-line was a challenge due to visibility. Accelerated stalls were evident, especially while banking the aircraft or during excessive maneuvering.

Its definitely a challenging aircraft to fly! I can't wait to try the future updates to the aircraft. My future flights will try to address the coupling phenomena that the X-3 experienced and attempt the Mach 1.05 that Joe Walker flew in a dive.

Are there any plans to incorporate a ribbon-drogue chute or the performance of the original X-3 engine (J46) in future updates for a what-if design?

 

[Mike71]

Keith, it was indeed under-powered as Westinghouse failed to deliver the planned engines. We set this up for the engines actually used; would only do between .93-.97 in level flight at FL300. They were able to break mach1 in a 8000' dive to test some things.
QUOTE]

True - J-34 was no performer, but did serve as a baseline for 2nd generation turbojets. I flew the T-2A with one J-34. Very smoky, reasonably reliable, but rudimentary technology.

It served the Navy/Marines well in the F-2H Banshee and F-3D Skynight. AB versions for the F-7U Cutlass were a disaster, but that plane had many other problems as well.