A Lockheed "Rounder"

[Milton Shupe]

Oh yes ... nice looking bird there. Thanks for sharing.

There were several versions of cowlings for the early Wright and Pratt Whitney engines of different sizes.

What's a modeler to do

 

[Maty12]

I completely understand. But why are there that many versions anyway? Does an exhaust stack really affect performance that much?

 

[tgibson]

I have found that the AI landing approach is a "hard coded" part of FS, and does not use the full flight dynamics of the aircraft (unlike climb, cruise, and descent). The major determinant of approach speed is the empty_weight value, with the wing area, flaps, and other similar variables playing a smaller part. While the stall speeds do affect the takeoff, I haven't noticed them affect the landing much (but I don't remember testing that specifically). I'll look into this and let you know.

 

[tgibson]

Hi,

A very small nit in the latest AI package - the eng0w_t.bmp file in the texture.metal folder is in DXT3 format, while the eng1w_t.bmp is in DXT1. I think the former should also be in DXT1 format, since it does not use the alpha channel?

Hope this helps,

 

[Milton Shupe]

Hi,

A very small nit in the latest AI package - the eng0w_t.bmp file in the texture.metal folder is in DXT3 format, while the eng1w_t.bmp is in DXT1. I think the former should also be in DXT1 format, since it does not use the alpha channel?

Hope this helps,

The archive has been modified with this correction; thank you Sir

 

[Milton Shupe]

I completely understand. But why are there that many versions anyway? Does an exhaust stack really affect performance that much?

Different engines of different sizes and manufacturers had different exhaust manifold and header arrangements.

It was also discovered that the longer exhausts to the rear added some HP.

 

[Milton Shupe]

Lodestar C57 and C60A Beta Issues

The lights setup and cargo doors setup have been an issue to get resolved. I have redone the lights section to eliminate the modeled lights issues, and have them all working now as I planned with the gear lights as taxi lights, the nose warning light used as approach recognition, and the wing ice light working. I need to re-export the models but the aircraft.cfg lights section is ready to go.

The cargo doors work but I currently have them all set to the primary door opening: un/load passengers, un/load baggage was the thinking. Not sure if there is a need to change that.

The fuel gauges setup does not match the fuel tank configuration and I am working to change those gauges so the fuel tanks can be used as planned.

There need to be some improvements in VC switch labels and that will be done.
There are a few minor texture issues that will be addressed.

Please let me know what else you are seeing so we can get these changes in and get an updated version out.

 

[Milton Shupe]

... {Snipped ... }


Also, been testing this bird out if FSX and she is working great. She does fly very nose high (Around 30, maybe 40 degrees during level flight), which is rather odd, but I assume so does the real C-60. Handles very well, especially love the easy take offs.

Not sure if translation is failing us here Maty, but 30-40 degrees is a bit high for level flight.

At cruise speeds, the nose attitude should be +1 degree.

Economy Cruise speed should be roughly 204MPH (178 knots) at 4000'
Set Map to 30"
Set RPMs to 1800

 

[Blackbird686]

Please let me know what else you are seeing so we can get these changes in and get an updated version out.

Hi Milton,

I sent you an email. I spent about 1.5 hours in the C-60 and it sounds like you have most of the issues listed in your post above. Lemme know what you think.

BB686

 

[Milton Shupe]

Hi Milton,

I sent you an email. I spent about 1.5 hours in the C-60 and it sounds like you have most of the issues listed in your post above. Lemme know what you think.

BB686

Thank you Sir! Good stuff too.

You and WMD are in a minority ya know; out of 135 beta test downloads, so far, I have received 2 responses regarding helpful feedback.

I am certain more will be coming ..... otherwise I will discontinue open beta testing.

EDIT: Just FYI, I have removed the Beta from the library. There are plenty copies out there to find and report issues, and there are quite a few. I have all but two corrected at this point. I will await further feedback to finalize the corrections. The next release will be Gold.

 

[t.creed]

just lovely..!! happy to see the repaints by Rachael were included..!! the only item I noticed to look at ..the fuel pump switches..
don't "switch" .. as for exits.. thinking the C-60A should be able to open the entry door inflight..without the cargo hold doors also
opening ..inflight... thanks Milton..and the team !!


rgds
t creed

 

[Milton Shupe]

just lovely..!! happy to see the repaints by Rachael were included..!! the only item I noticed to look at ..the fuel pump switches..
don't "switch" .. as for exits.. thinking the C-60A should be able to open the entry door inflight..without the cargo hold doors also
opening ..inflight... thanks Milton..and the team !!


rgds
t creed

Thanks TC; good points.

I corrected the fuel pump switches; aircraft.cfg issue.
Maybe the cargo doors should be switched to ... cargo doors

As for opening the entry door in flight ... not possible but if for paratroops, not sure what they did or if that door worked differently. Anyone with insight to this?

 

[t.creed]

my thoughts were the paratroopers.. wonder if it was as simple as..door removed for "jumps" since not going to altitudes ..??
thanks sir..

rgds
t creed

 

[Milton Shupe]

my thoughts were the paratroopers.. wonder if it was as simple as..door removed for "jumps" since not going to altitudes ..??
thanks sir..

rgds
t creed

Not sure but it makes sense except in Winter jumps behind the lines. Brrrrrrrrrr.

Let me think about that, but hopefully someone has some insight as to how this worked.

 

[Milton Shupe]

For the Lodestar cockpit beta release, there are needs for better labeling of switches. This is what I have come up with and have requested these changes be made.

For anyone else dressing out the VC textures, these are the missing labels.

 

[Milton Shupe]

Lodestar next release: If anyone has some nice C-57 or C60A textures they would like included in the release package, give me a heads up and I will consider them.

Some have been posted in this thread that I thought were awesome.

Thanks

 

[srgalahad]

Thanks TC; good points.

I corrected the fuel pump switches; aircraft.cfg issue.
Maybe the cargo doors should be switched to ... cargo doors

As for opening the entry door in flight ... not possible but if for paratroops, not sure what they did or if that door worked differently. Anyone with insight to this?

I knew I'd seen it somewhere...
Milton, it is in the C-60 0003635_erection and maintenance instructions (.pdf) on page 189.

(4) Doors.
(a) The door for entering the airplane is quickly removable in flight and equipped with a lock which can be secured and opened from the outside. A lever releases the hinges. A removable cover plate replaces cabin door during parachute troop maneuvers.

Further along it says:
(5) EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT.
(a) Two emergency panels, (note: the window hatches) operated from the inside, are provided. The entrance door is quickly removable for egress in an emergency. A lever releases the hinges of the door in flight.(note: for use in emergency bailout) Also an easily removable cover plate for the door opening, removable from the inside, is supplied loose in each airplane. It is possible to remove and install the cover plate in flight when cabin door has been removed.

From this is appears the procedure is to remove the door prior to departure on a parachute flight and cover the opening with the cover plate. This is removed to jettison the screaming cargo and then replaced to keep the crew warm and inside until landing. I assume this would be some sort of rudimentary plug-type panel with dogs to secure it to the frame. I have not seen a picture of post-war civilian parachute Lockheeds but other types were modified with roll-up doors when flown as dedicated jump aircraft. This would, of course, all change if the aircraft was modified with a double entry/cargo door as most of those were a custom shape entry door. The only other alternative in this case is if the cargo-door mod had two "cargo" sections, the forward one surrounding and incorporating the std. oval entry door (similar to some variants of the C-47/DC-3)

Rob

 

[lemonadedrinker]

Hi,
This is a very small detail. The PV-2 from way back has really nice prop discs, but this latest beta has,for my computer(?) invisible discs. I am with FS9 and even though I swapped out the discs from the earlier aircraft, they still don't work in the same way .

Otherwise it's a beautiful model

Andy.

 

[Milton Shupe]

Hi,
This is a very small detail. The PV-2 from way back has really nice prop discs, but this latest beta has,for my computer(?) invisible discs. I am with FS9 and even though I swapped out the discs from the earlier aircraft, they still don't work in the same way .

Otherwise it's a beautiful model

Andy.

Everyone has different preferences I guess. Attached are 4 that you can try. These have been made available by different artists.

Just rename each one to try it.

 

[lemonadedrinker]

Hi,
Thank you Milton; I will give them a run later today and report back.
Andy.