DC-3 Enhanced

[Bjoern]

What started with <a href="http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?100398-Fixes-for-the-default-DC-3" target="_blank">fixing a few things in the default DC-3</a> went totally out of control.<br>
<br>
You may say "But there's that other DC-3, which is about to be the best thing ever" to which I will reply with an eloquent shrug.<br>
Probably had something to do with Ernie Gann and his awfully inspring way of telling his aeronautical exploits.<br>
<br>
<br>
Features so far:<ul><li style="">Incorporates the fuselage models and variations from Jon Murchison's and James Eden's Awesum4Sum package, i.e. standard, Viewmaster, Freighter and LC-47</li>
<li style="">Due to the merge of the fuselages with the default wings, you'll have better texture mapping and wingflex</li>
<li style="">The cabin model from each variation is also accessible in the VC</li>
<li style="">Some parts of the default DC-3's VC have been remodeled and a lot of holes have been plugged</li>
<li style="">Optional single-piece windscreen, as found on a lot of postwar Daks</li>
<li style="">The VC panel is a single gauge poly now, which makes abominations like glass cockpits possible</li>
<li style="">Rain</li>
<li style="">Hydraulic system. Gear, flaps, autopilot, cowl flaps, wipers(!). Emergency hand pump operable.</li>
<li style="">Realistic cowl flap operation (close - off - trail - off - open)</li>
<li style="">Gear operation as in the real thing (latch lever and gear lever)</li>
<li style="">Flap operation as in the real thing (no detents)</li>
<li style="">Mixture levers with detents (idle cutoff - auto lean - auto rich - emergency rich) or freely operable (0 to 100)</li>
<li style="">Prop pitch handling like on the real thing, including realistic feathering</li>
<li style="">Startup procedure as on the real thing (Battery - boost pump - motor engine for a few blades - energize/mesh - set magnetos - open throttle - mixture to auto rich)</li>
<li style="">Cockpit sounds, including engine specific ones like the electrical starter whine and boost pumps</li>
<li style="">Independently controllable landing lights </li>
</ul><br>
And probably some more features which I've forgotten.<br>
<br>
<br>
Still need to pour some more work into the engines. Simulate hydraulic lock so that you'll actually have to count your blades, integrate RealEngine or write my own engine failure code and remember what else there was on the to-do list.<br>
<br>
Maybe I'll also add icing later on. And superchargers if these were used on the DC-3.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Wipers (working just as well as on the real thing):<br>
<br>
<img src="http://fsdeveloper.com/forum/attachments/dc3_wiper-png.26913/" alt="" border="0"><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Panorama windows:<br>
<br>
<img src="http://fsdeveloper.com/forum/attachments/dc3_pano-jpg.27833/" alt="" border="0"><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
The LC-47 demonstrating wingflex:<br>
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/eUVBLB7.png" alt="" border="0"><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
Before you ask:<br>
The system related stuff will not be transferable to the C-47 by end users because it requires specific XML code for some cockpit elements which can only be added by the developers.<br>
But I'm pretty sure that the team will cook up their own systems simulation anyway.<br>

[TuFun]

I admire your work on this and other projects you've done! :encouragement:

[Daube]

I love the kind of features you've added in these virtual cockpits ! Thanks a lot, Bjoern ! :ernaehrung004:

[qar02]

Hello;

As is said, a bird-in-the-hand is worth two or more on-the-drawing-board.

Will that USN High Viz texture be available in the downloads? I think that I saw

that or a very similar bird near the Oakland Air port, North of Detroit, about 15 years ago,

She was being refurbed....

v/r

qar02

[gray eagle]

Are "the features so far" you itemized a WIP or now available in the download link? I have to ask and separate pie in the sky with realville.
Pictures look great.



What started with fixing a few things in the default DC-3 (http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?100398-Fixes-for-the-default-DC-3) went totally out of control.



You may say "But there's that other DC-3, which is about to be the best thing ever" to which I will reply with an eloquent shrug.

Probably had something to do with Ernie Gann and his awfully inspring way of telling his aeronautical exploits.





Features so far:

Incorporates the fuselage models and variations from Jon Murchison's and James Eden's Awesum4Sum package, i.e. standard, Viewmaster, Freighter and LC-47
Due to the merge of the fuselages with the default wings, you'll have better texture mapping and wingflex
The cabin model from each variation is also accessible in the VC
Some parts of the default DC-3's VC have been remodeled and a lot of holes have been plugged
Optional single-piece windscreen, as found on a lot of postwar Daks
The VC panel is a single gauge poly now, which makes abominations like glass cockpits possible
Rain
Hydraulic system. Gear, flaps, autopilot, cowl flaps, wipers(!). Emergency hand pump operable.
Realistic cowl flap operation (close - off - trail - off - open)
Gear operation as in the real thing (latch lever and gear lever)
Flap operation as in the real thing (no detents)
Mixture levers with detents (idle cutoff - auto lean - auto rich - emergency rich) or freely operable (0 to 100)
Prop pitch handling like on the real thing, including realistic feathering
Startup procedure as on the real thing (Battery - boost pump - motor engine for a few blades - energize/mesh - set magnetos - open throttle - mixture to auto rich)
Cockpit sounds, including engine specific ones like the electrical starter whine and boost pumps
Independently controllable landing lights



And probably some more features which I've forgotten.





Still need to pour some more work into the engines. Simulate hydraulic lock so that you'll actually have to count your blades, integrate RealEngine or write my own engine failure code and remember what else there was on the to-do list.



Maybe I'll also add icing later on. And superchargers if these were used on the DC-3.







Wipers (working just as well as on the real thing):



http://fsdeveloper.com/forum/attachments/dc3_wiper-png.26913/







Panorama windows:



http://fsdeveloper.com/forum/attachments/dc3_pano-jpg.27833/







The LC-47 demonstrating wingflex:

http://i.imgur.com/eUVBLB7.png









Before you ask:

The system related stuff will not be transferable to the C-47 by end users because it requires specific XML code for some cockpit elements which can only be added by the developers.

But I'm pretty sure that the team will cook up their own systems simulation anyway.

[Bjoern]

Does anyone know if Jon Murchison frequents any non-kiwi/aussie flightsim boards?

I've shot him an e-mail asking for permission to use the Awesum4Sum models in this project, but never got a reply.
James Eden's mail address didn't work at all.


Same for the FDE. Any stringent copyright claims made by Alex and Hans-Jörg?




I admire your work on this and other projects you've done! :encouragement:

Thanks, Ted!

By the way, we're incidentially using the same sound sample for the starter whine, ripped from the same source video. Just in case you're wondering later on.




Are "the features so far" you itemized a WIP or now available in the download link? I have to ask and separate pie in the sky with realville.
Pictures look great.

Yup, ths one's a WIP and basically its own project.





Will that USN High Viz texture be available in the downloads?


It's included in the Awesome4Some package, so you can already fly it:
www.flightsim.com/vbfs/fslib.php?do=search&fsec=0&fname=as4sumje.zip

[TuFun]

By the way, we're incidentially using the same sound sample for the starter whine, ripped from the same source video. Just in case you're wondering later on.

Youtube is good source. Even a payware DC3 sounds set uses the same sound sources I've used. I find it fascinating you selected a non-turbo prop aircraft!

I thought those big block truck sounding engines weren't your style. :biggrin-new: Anyways with your talent in programming, it's going to be another great addition! :adoration:

That rain effects and wipers looks awesome on the windscreen! :encouragement:

[gray eagle]

What I find strange is when examining the Aircraft.cfg 4some DC3 the ui manufactor= can be "Douglas" or "Awesome 4 Some"

Why the changes I know not. Wondering if both stock DC3 and the 4some flight characteristics are the same?

[Bjoern]

Youtube is good source. Even a payware DC3 sounds set uses the same sound sources I've used. I find it fascinating you selected a non-turbo prop aircraft!

I thought those big block truck sounding engines weren't your style. :biggrin-new: Anyways with your talent in programming, it's going to be another great addition! :adoration:


As I've said in post #1, it's all Ernie Gann's fault. Despite only ever flying piston powered, snail-paced rustbuckets, his writing style actually makes it interesting and even more exciting than Ed Rasimus' 100 missions over North Vietnam. (Both books were XMas presents from me to myself.)

But flying a DC-3 in FSX has one major caveat - it's utterly boring because it takes ages to get somewhere and the scenery is not nearly as detailed and interesting as described by Ernie. Therefor, I need to add some more excitement in the form of systems. We'll see how many people will forget to unlatch the gear before retracting it.


Don't worry though, I have not forgotten about jets. I still need to write the systems-related part for the manual of a huge upgrade to Tom's 727. It's not for the faint of heart though in every regard as the installation procedure alone is even more complex than the one for the HJG birds.


Regarding the wipers, the virtual ones perfectly replicate the uselessness of the real ones. All I need now is water dripping from the glareshield when flying in rain with the old windscreen. :mixed-smiley-010:




I tried installing this and my FSX doesn't show these aircraft in preview mode. I even made a backup of the stock DC3 and removed it from FSX then installed the 4Some package and same thing,
doesn't recognize the textures in that package. I put everything back like it was for now. I looked at the thumbnails for each of the new liveries so as to compare in the FSX preview and I did not
see them avail. I did notice that the 4Some DC3 doesn't have a panel nor a sound folder either. I tried to use the stock version of each and that did not change anything.
So,I am at a loss for now. Looking at the aircraft.cfg folder for the 4some package it uses the Douglas manf so, I assumed if they were to be found then I would call up all Douglas aircraft.

The models show up as "Awesome 4 Some" in the aircraft selection menu and - with the exception of the aircraft.cfg - the content of the package does not overwrite anything.

[gray eagle]

I was looking for just that name in my preview and I guess if it were a snake....., But, like Ray Charles, I just don't see it.




The models show up as "Awesome 4 Some" in the aircraft selection menu and - with the exception of the aircraft.cfg - the content of the package does not overwrite anything.

[Naismith]

I admire your work on this and other projects you've done! :encouragement:

Seconded by me too. Thanks for your work Bjoern.

[Bjoern]

I was looking for just that name in my preview and I guess if it were a snake....., But, like Ray Charles, I just don't see it.

Sorry Butch, you're on your own then.

One possible clue that I can still provide is this one: http://fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/strange-behavior-in-fsx-se.437119/

[Stefano Zibell]

Don't worry though, I have not forgotten about jets. I still need to write the systems-related part for the manual of a huge upgrade to Tom's 727. It's not for the faint of heart though in every regard as the installation procedure alone is even more complex than the one for the HJG birds.

Hmm. Veeeeery interesting.

Here's the seal (http://www.sealspin.com/) of approval.

[CG_1976]

Hmm. Veeeeery interesting.

Here's the seal (http://www.sealspin.com/) of approval.

Umm Dinner

[Bjoern]

Here's the seal (http://www.sealspin.com/) of approval.

The seal of approval is approved.

[vortex]

Bjoern, will this be available from your site when completed or is it just a personal labour of love?

[Bjoern]

If it was personal, I wouldn't have a thread about it here. :wiggle:

[Bjoern]

YAFD (Yet Another F- Dak), jumping on the bandwagon, copycat, etc, etc...


I've last worked on the aircraft a few months ago, so there's no wear and tear for the engines and the soundset and flight dynamics haven't yet been borrowed from the C-47. It's very much usable though.
You should go to ground school first (a link to related docs is provided in the readme) as there's no virtual co-pilot for holding hands in this one.


Download:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6K_xiE2GqmMLWNmSElLeGRhclE/view?usp=sharing




P.S:
The VC in its panorama windshield configuration with some 1950s era gauges and the odd texture repaint might be a good fit for Manfred's C-117D if you can live with DC-3 wings and nacelles when looking backward. Hint, hint.


P.P.S:
A standard installation of RealEngine might work, although you should disable its mixture simulation.


P.P.P.S:
I'd be grateful for a PBA paint. There's not paintkit though, only metal textures.

[huub vink]

Thanks Björn. Sounds really interesting! :encouragement:

Cheers,
Huub

[Bjoern]

Bedankt, Huub.


Someone was working on a LFR/A-N radio scenery (at least he posted about it on FSDev), but I haven't heard from him in a while. Would love to have this operational in the DC-3.

Mental note: Try to implement a RDF system based on FSX' default ADF stations.

[wombat666]

Could you demonstrate an 'eloquent shrug' for us Bjoern?
:triumphant:

[Bjoern]

Sure, just buy me a plane ticket.

[Bjoern]

Uploaded an updated version.

Changes:
- Real world training documentation is now included since the web-based source does not exist anymore
- The fuel tank selectors and fuel indicator now support up to 4 tanks
- Removed the 2D panel (except for the radio and GPS) since it was still default and therefor pretty pointless with all the VC-based complexity
- Fixed the night lighting of the RPM indicator needles
- Added this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wMaWXh24J0


Download:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6K_xiE2GqmMLWNmSElLeGRhclE/view?usp=sharing

[Bjoern]

There's a small update fixing the tooltips for the fuel indicator. Redowload the aircraft from one of the links and replace the "panel" folder.

[DickB]

May be just me, but the download link doesn't appear to be working ?

[Bjoern]

Works for me (even when not logged into Drive). The clickspot is near the top right of the page.

[manfredc3]

Downloading without any problems.

[davido53]

Hard not to be inspired by Fate is the Hunter, a book I consider to be the greatest work in aviation reading. Probably read it 5 times myself.

[DickB]

Works for me (even when not logged into Drive). The clickspot is near the top right of the page.
I hadn't spotted that (I assumed the rotating symbol in the middle of the screen meant it was trying to load the page). Downloaded OK now.

Thanks !

[Bjoern]

Hard not to be inspired by Fate is the Hunter, a book I consider to be the greatest work in aviation reading. Probably read it 5 times myself.

Yep. I thought that Len Morgan's "Reflections of a Pilot" would be equally great, but there's just too much non-anecdotal stuff in there and too little 727 talk, so I was left rather disappointed.
Bob Hoover's tales come close to Ernie's work in quality, despite trading poetry for facts and wealth of experience.

[Bjoern]

Since the question came up yet again:
CTRL+E is in no way supported and won't be. You absolutely have to start this thing by the (included, real) book!

1) Battery
2) Fuel pump, wait for pressure
3) Magnetos
4) Props full forward
5) Throttle 1/2" (or 1") open (>10%)
6) Mixture to "Cutoff"
7) Engage starter
8) Count at least six blades
9) Energize
10) Mixture to "Auto Rich"


And read the included (real) manuals for the other systems!

[gray eagle]

The throttles would jiggle for me and would not stay full forward. The F4 key would help accelerate but when released, the engines would power down.
I gave up and uninstalled it. Oh well.........

[Bjoern]

I actually wanted to work on something else this evening, but nooooo...


- Starter and fuel pump sounds split up and edited for each engine
- Starters and fuel pumps now require electricity to operate
- Fuel pump switches now animate regardless of main bus current
- Yoke visibility may be toggled
- Engine autostart, defying the purpose of modeling the startup sequence in the first place. I really hate myelf now.
- Fixed lightbulb in voltmeter
- Beacon light effect now added to the model file at the proper location
- Nav lights now require electricity instead of dark matter to work
- Instrument lights will now turn off when flood lights are on to work around nightmap handling on 2D gauges
- Expanded the readme with information about supported EventID/key combinations and visibilities of some visual gadgets


Download:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6K_xiE2GqmMLWNmSElLeGRhclE/view?usp=sharing

[Postbaer61]

Hi Bjoern,

i've tested your latest version, but sadly it doesn't work for me anymore. http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/images/icons/icon9.png
The fuelpump and starter switch, doesen't work correct with batterie or gpu on.
No cold and dark engine start is possible, only Engine autostart Ctrl + E, but that
is an spoilsport.
I've installed it twice to be sure,with the same result.
Start procedure after checklist.
Unfortunately, i have deleted the working version. :banghead:

Cheers
Bluebear

[Bjoern]

Nothing works because my dumb ass forgot to include the updated model files. You can redownload the entire package now (same download link).

[Postbaer61]

Hi Bjoern,

perfect, all works as it should.

Thank you :encouragement:

Don't hit me,no big thing ,but a little thing i noticed,

the passenger door polys are not smoothed.

http://fsfiles.org/flightsimshotsv2/images/2017/02/26/ScreenShot02-25-17at10.41PM.jpg


:ernaehrung004:
Bluebear

[dvj]

Since the question came up yet again:
CTRL+E is in no way supported and won't be. You absolutely have to start this thing by the (included, real) book!

1) Battery
2) Fuel pump, wait for pressure
3) Magnetos
4) Props full forward
5) Throttle 1/2" (or 1") open (>10%)
6) Mixture to "Cutoff"
7) Engage starter
8) Count at least six blades
9) Energize
10) Mixture to "Auto Rich"


And read the included (real) manuals for the other systems!

But mine will start with CRTL+E - very strange.

[Bjoern]

Don't hit me,no big thing ,but a little thing i noticed,

the passenger door polys are not smoothed.

Hardly noticable on my setup, but I think the entire upper fuselage is affected. 3ds Max shows proper smoothing groups though. Weird.




But mine will start with CRTL+E - very strange.

That's because I implemented it for the last update. Still hating myself for it though.

[Bjoern]

Found the culprit. It was some unwelded vertices on the doors.

Redownload and replace the model files.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6K_xiE2GqmMLWNmSElLeGRhclE/view?usp=sharing

[simondix]

With the new amendments I can start the engines both ways OK now. However I cannot use the flaps as I use a CH Yoke and they will not work with it.

[Bjoern]

Perhaps a bit of black FSUIPC magic might solve your problem, but I can't help you with that.

[simondix]

Yes I tried to do that and thought FSUIPC was the problem. I will eradicate the entry and set it up as a separate aircraft and see if I can get round it that way. Thanks for the reply.

[Bjoern]

For what it's worth, the key assignment logic uses the default "increment/decrement flaps" events (F8, F7 keys respectively), but keep in mind that the DC-3 does not have detents in its flap system. The keys just work as the lever in the real thing does, basically toggling the appropriate valve to raise/lower the flaps.

[simondix]

Thanks for that. To be quite honest I tried to sort it out and have given up. Thanks for replying though.

[Bjoern]

Well, you still have the regular flap keys after all.