Dino's Cat is out!!

[BOOM]

Mr Dino Cattaneo has released his long awaited F-14D!!!!:ernae:HERE....
http://indiafoxtecho.blogspot.com/

Thank You very much Dino!!!:medals:

[VFR Reviews]

Woot!

Downloading now, looks beautiful!

[stovall]

Thanks Boom, downloading now. Much appreciated Dino, quality work. The Nimitz will receive her Tomcat air group very soon.

[waka172rg]

:gameon:wow downloaded and installed thank you so much Dino

[gajit]

Its excellent - well done Dino and thanks :applause:

[doublecool]

THANK YOU :applause::applause::applause:
BRILLIANT

[MCDesigns]

OUTSTANDING!!!! Thank you Dino for such a great gift!!! :ernae:

One of my fav aircraft, glad to have an FSX version and great performance at that.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8177/f141.jpg
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/6724/f142.jpg
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/6493/f143.jpg

[Roger]

First Class stuff:applause:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/rogera/F14-1.jpg

[ryanbatc]

AHHH! I can't wait to get home from business! I've missed so many good things, Javier's Nimitz, Piglet's Zlin (and yago's paints lol), Ultimate Traffic 2, and now this, it looks fantastic!!!

[Bone]

Thanks Dino!

[Navy Chief]

Absolutely GORGEOUS aircraft, through and through! She's a beaut.

Thank you Dino. Thank you so very much.

Navy Chief

[Railrunner130]

Incredible!! Many thanks Dino!!

:ernae:

[BOOM]

Anytime Baby!!!!! Love it Dino,Thank You!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/badaboom/fsx2009-06-2219-03-07-12.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/badaboom/fsx2009-06-2219-09-58-91.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/badaboom/fsx2009-06-2219-17-05-64.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/badaboom/fsx2009-06-2219-17-27-78.jpg

[EgoR64]

:ernae: Little piece of Heaven !! :ernae:

Great Job Dino and Many Thanks !!

Now where did I put that Carrier ??

:applause::icon29::applause::icon29:

[CG_1976]

Awsome Modeling job and detail. Finally the FSX navy has a Cat. Now im off to Cuba to play with Castro's Migs.

[BananaBob]

Thanks Dino for sharing your brilliant work with all bro. Now I need to finish that paint for this beauty! :medals::medals:

[hey_moe]

Dino has done it again...another outstanding job :ernae:

[VFR Reviews]

Really a great bird, just had a flight- but no afterburner! But for now I don't mind, I'm just enjoying the textures.

Expect a review within the month!

[wilycoyote4]

Thanks Dino for sharing your brilliant work with all bro. Now I need to finish that paint for this beauty! :medals::medals:
Yes, yes, hi-viz, perhaps? :running::ernae:
And it's not finished, lol, updates in due time as Dino and his crew find time and answers.

Just did a few flights and this release is ever so greatly improved over beta 2.

Thanks, Grazie, Dino and your crew of helpers.:medals::medals:

Go to it, you fellas, it's screenshot time. :guinness::icon29:

[Bone]

Thanks Dino for sharing your brilliant work with all bro. Now I need to finish that paint for this beauty! :medals::medals:



Yes, yes, hi-viz, perhaps? :running::ernae:
:guinness::icon29:


Paint?...Hi Viz?....VF-84 Jolly Rogers!!! The Cat's gotta have that one!

On a side note: Dino had said this would be a frame hog. I've plugged this model into my favorite FSrecordings, and had a five ship going with my frames locked at 33. They vasilated between 31 and 33...that's pretty good.

[yago9]

Got it..Didn,t try it yet but I,ll say thank you in advance.

[jdhaenens]

Thanks Dino, and welcome home!

[papab]

Dino-Absolutely brillant work-:applause::applause::applause:

[piperarcherpilot]

Just stunning Dino! :applause:

I love the subtle details like the reflections in the mirrors in the cockpit and the animation of the crew. And the framerates are awesome!

Here are some (more) unedited shots:

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt91/PiperArcherPilot/f142.jpg

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt91/PiperArcherPilot/f143.jpg

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt91/PiperArcherPilot/f144.jpg

Here are just a few little things I noticed right away. I say this only as constructive criticism. I dont mean in any way, shape, or form to diminish this beautiful work of art. :applause:

1) The outward 'tilt' of the vertical stabs is too great (I overlayed an actual tomcat image at the same angle). 2) Also, when viewed from above, there should be little if any inward cant to the vertical stabs. 3) Last thing, the ventral fins should come to a sharp edge, not be flat along the edges.

Just some observations! ;) Again, absolutely awesome work! Just amazing...

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt91/PiperArcherPilot/Untitled-2.jpg

[Bone]

I logged 1.7 hours on the Dino-Cat tonight. Formation, traps, unusual attitudes...what a wonderfull model! Thank God I found this place and the intelligent people who make it fly!

[EgoR64]

:ernae::ernae:

3420342134223423

[RobH]

Thank you very much Dino!!:ernae:

[yago9]

Yes,excellent model Thank you again!..Sry it took take that long for a first repaint..:jump:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v3.jpg

[MenendezDiego]

Ok Yago...time to upload :)

Looks great!

[wilycoyote4]

Yes,excellent model Thank you again!..Sry it took take that long for a first repaint..

Looks like VF-101 Grim Reapers. Well done.:guinness:

[BananaBob]

Yes,excellent model Thank you again!..Sry it took take that long for a first repaint..:jump:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14.jpg

Must be the low vis variety that I'm working on, whatever you're on, I need some, your like a hummingbird during time travel dude! :)

[crashaz]

That sonic boom you heard... was me running to the home computer to download this...BOOM!!:d

[Whitehawk]

First flight on the new 'cat logged 1.5! Brilliant job Dino, thankyou!

Looks great on the new Nimitz too :ernae:

[gera]

Gracias Dino, someone told me you had a great thing here!!!!! fabulous indeed!!!! will start my carrier duty ASAP!!!!!:ernae::ernae:

[piperarcherpilot]

One more...

http://i601.photobucket.com/albums/tt91/PiperArcherPilot/f145.jpg

[IanHenry]

Many thanks Dino. My only trouble is I can't download it, I think the server is to busy!. Oh well it looks like I'll have to wait a little longer.

Regards,
Ian

[Gdavis101]

Wow! And Thank You Dino is all I have to say..

I do have one question though, what is the trick to getting her down on a carrier? Namely the Nimitz? I turned off my crash detection and still couldn't get it to trap..

[b52bob]

WOW!!!!:ernae:

[fliger747]

A vast improvement over the previous bird and quite a precise flier.

Nice! T.

[JSpal]

Thanks Dino! It's a world-class freeware effort.

[piperarcherpilot]

Seems to be well adapted to carrier ops, too! Just did 6 night landings on the Nimitz. The AOA indexer works well. At the proper landing weights, airspeed seems a tiny bit slow (115-120 kias) to fly the meatball, but its just fine...!

Remember, thrust controls descent rate, and pitch controls airspeed when you're on the back side of the power curve!
All around...a real gem. :ernae:

[familton]

Thanks Dino. It even works pretty well with SP1 with some minor problems. I know I'm not getting the full benefit but I'm very happy with it. I have a good 2d and VC with it. Regards, Bob.

[Gdavis101]

Seems to be well adapted to carrier ops, too! Just did 6 night landings on the Nimitz. The AOA indexer works well. At the proper landing weights, airspeed seems a tiny bit slow (115-120 kias) to fly the meatball, but its just fine...!

Remember, thrust controls descent rate, and pitch controls airspeed when you're on the back side of the power curve!
All around...a real gem. :ernae:
Back to the cockpit I go! I didn't drop the speed that low so that must be my problem.

[BananaBob]

Haven't forgotten, got the tails done. :ernae:

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/7482/wipgr1.jpg

[MenendezDiego]

Gaw Damn Bob!

[wilycoyote4]

BB :medals::running::ernae: hi-viz and yago9's :medals: low-viz -----to download..............I hope :applause:

[Agung]

I wonder if I'll ever get around to download this beauty... drooling over the beautiful screenshots is taking up all of my time... I'd better get a grip on myself :running:

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! :icon29::icon29::icon29:

[Quixoticish]

Excellent news. Is there a paint kit anywhere to play with?

[waka172rg]

Bob that will be choice:ernae: did you change the foot print of the wheels to be bang on ground level?
I get my bird down to 90kts on landing:engel016: without tail scrape

[SirBenn21]

Excellent!



:applause::medals::medals::applause:

[swimeye]

Thank you for such an incredible work of art. This is just wonderful. I can not find the proper words. Thank you.

[deathfromafar]

1) The outward 'tilt' of the vertical stabs is too great (I overlayed an actual tomcat image at the same angle). 2) Also, when viewed from above, there should be little if any inward cant to the vertical stabs. 3) Last thing, the ventral fins should come to a sharp edge, not be flat along the edges.

There are a few known bugs and things with the model. I am sure once Dino gets a well deserved rest he will address the items he already mentioned as well as make some changes to the geometry problems such as you have noted similar to how he tackled the T-45 in it's various phases of updates.

Awesome model!

[MenendezDiego]

There are a few known bugs and things with the model. I am sure once Dino gets a well deserved rest he will address the items he already mentioned as well as make some changes to the geometry problems such as you have noted similar to how he tackled the T-45 in it's various phases of updates.

Awesome model!

I agree, he needs the rest. This thing is amazing, and I'm glad some of the best have started paints for her.

Speaking of bugs, has the nose and canopy shape been mentioned? It seems a little jagged. It is close, but not completely the F-14D look. Will this be addressed?

Thanks again Dino! Get some rest!

Regards, Diego

[Dino Cattaneo]

All,

thanks a lot for the appreciation. I'm glad you guys are having fun flying the Tomcat.

I am aware that the model is far from being perfect. Criticism is always welcome - and, for a much loved plane as the Tomcat is, I am expecting a lot of (even hard) criticism. But I have to confess I am pretty happy with the overall quality. I will try my best to improve it in future. Also, a Bravo model would be relatively easy to do... the main issue is that I lack the time to do all I would.

BTW it is somewhat funny how, even on such widely tested model, obvious issues and bug pop up after release... For example, one of the tail formation lights is missing...

Hope you can stand those (minor I hope) glitches and have some great time.

@Bananabob - I am looking forward to see that VF-101 bird done. It looks really good. The F-14D had not many flashy schemes as the older versions... and definitely that VF-101 was one of the best looking.

[tigisfat]

All,

thanks a lot for the appreciation. I'm glad you guys are having fun flying the Tomcat.

I am aware that the model is far from being perfect. Criticism is always welcome - and, for a much loved plane as the Tomcat is, I am expecting a lot of (even hard) criticism. But I have to confess I am pretty happy with the overall quality. I will try my best to improve it in future. Also, a Bravo model would be relatively easy to do... the main issue is that I lack the time to do all I would.

BTW it is somewhat funny how, even on such widely tested model, obvious issues and bug pop up after release... For example, one of the tail formation lights is missing...

Hope you can stand those (minor I hope) glitches and have some great time.

@Bananabob - I am looking forward to see that VF-101 bird done. It looks really good. The F-14D had not many flashy schemes as the older versions... and definitely that VF-101 was one of the best looking.

Dino, thank you very much. I know your'e not out to make money, but if you opened up a paypal donation button, I'd at least like to buy you lunch.

What happened to the sounds? I carried forward your old and perfect soundpack and deleted the .CFG aliasing the new one to the hornet. Was there something you didn't like about them? I thought they were great. What gives?

[tigisfat]

Dino, you're going to hate me.


The animation for the flight control surfaces is backwards. When the spoilers are up on a given wing, the stab movements fight it, not compliment it. It appears that the spoilers show the correct deflection for the right stick movements though.


Personally, I don't care if this never even gets fixed in an update because I don't fly from the outside. I just was wondering if anyone knew.

:monkies:

[Kowalski65]

Dunno if there is a problem withte downloads but when I tried to d/l http://rapidshare.com/files/247525808/F14DXA09.zip (http://rapidshare.com/files/247525808/F14DXA09.zip) all I got was a 15KB file! That must be some compression routine LOL
Am I doing it wrong as I really want this beauty!

[Seaking055]

Dino I think it's all be said but OUTSTANDING piece of work, great to have THE bird in FSX now.

[f-18hornet]

Thank you very much for nice plane.:applause::gameon:

[BananaBob]

Hey Thanks Dino, little more done last night.

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/2338/wipgr2.jpg

[dswo]

What happened to the sounds? I carried forward your old and perfect soundpack and deleted the .CFG aliasing the new one to the hornet. Was there something you didn't like about them? I thought they were great. What gives?

Meanwhile, here are some formerly-payware sounds by Aaron Swindle at FlightSim.com:

<center>FS2004 (ACOF) - FS2004 Sound </center> <center>FS2004/FSX Grumman F-14 Tomcat Sound Set
</center> <center> [ Download (http://www.flightsim.com/kdl.php?fid=108404) | View (http://www.flightsim.com/zview.php?cm=list&fid=108404) ] </center>
Name: f14snz.zip (http://www.flightsim.com/kdl.php?fid=108404) Size: 3,754,109 Date: 01-26-2007 Downloads: 3,444
http://www.flightsim.com/m/f14snz.gif FS2004/FSX Grumman F-14 Tomcat Sound Set. In fond remembrance of all who flew and maintained the F-14 Tomcat aircraft. This soundset was previously part of the TopGunII payware package. Now freeware for everyone to enjoy. By Aaron R. Swindle Skysong Soundworks.

[Alejandro Rojas L]

Really impressive model, what exquisite details , Dino you are an artist , and its a True FSX model ,..

Thanks you very much for such of great job :applause:

Alejandro

[BOOM]

Haven't forgotten, got the tails done. :ernae:

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/7482/wipgr1.jpg

Bob,What a beautiful paint job!!! this will be a fantastic skin for a great aircraft!!! look forword to release!!
many thanks!! Cheers!!:ernae:

[harrybasset]

I downloaded this Beauty with some trepidation as I don't have Acceleration but it seems to work for me in SP2, I have added temporary sounds and panel from an earlier F-14.

[Warrant]

Payware quality, thanks for sharing! :ernae::ernae::ernae:

[Navy Chief]

Haven't forgotten, got the tails done. :ernae:

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/7482/wipgr1.jpg

I was with VF-101 for training in 1973, when they still flew the Phantoms. They also, leastwise back then, also had a permanent det at NAS Key West.

NC

[dswo]

Tiny bug report: on the left-hand MFD, the second button on the right-hand side (ENG) does not work. The equivalent button does work on the right-hand MFD.

[Mr.Mugel]

That is one stunning bird! Thank you Dino, for giving it to us!

Have a little thing, too, maybe you know allready, but the generator switches work the wrong way...

[fliger747]

This one is a nice flier, with the Flight Path Vector on the HUD, one can make turns and maintain altitude within a couple of feet. Have to love crossing the ramp and advancing the throttle toward full burner just before impact, then catching the wire with a satsfying deceleration.

Setting thrust on approach might be a bit easier with a little more active sound set. In real jets one learns the right sounds and can tune the power very accuratly by ear.

Certainly the timing with the release of the Nimitz is fortutious!

Cheers: Tom

[deathfromafar]

The animation for the flight control surfaces is backwards. When the spoilers are up on a given wing, the stab movements fight it, not compliment it. It appears that the spoilers show the correct deflection for the right stick movements though.



Good catch tigisfat. The spoiler movement is correct but the stab movement for roll is completely backwards.

The other little detail regarding the spoilers, on this model they deploy mixed with the rear speed brake(they are mapped together). Full spoiler deployment in flight would not be connected to the speed brake actuation/deployment?

[wilycoyote4]

Tiny bug report: on the left-hand MFD, the second button on the right-hand side (ENG) does not work. The equivalent button does work on the right-hand MFD.

Yes, and this has been known since beta 1, if I recall correctly, basically, the readme has mention of issues. In simple explanation, issues are fixed as he, and his team of help, have both time and knowledge. The list of issues is needed and Dino welcomes a list obviously, but will do what he can when he can, in other words, it's not done yet, we're not there yet, lol. Strap yourselves into the ejection seat and you are a test pilot, lol. It's all good fun. :ernae::running::applause:The Tomcat is a big complicated high performance twin jet meant to catch a wire in just over 100 feet of deck space on a moving deck which isn't an easy project no matter how you look at it but as a development project it surely isn't easy !!

It is a blessing as it is and very improved over beta 2.:medals: Hoping this helps a little so keep noting issues. I have my little list and even have that tail formation light on it (right tail) but can take it off my little list now, thankfully.

From the readme---
*************
KNOWN ISSUES
*************
Visual model:
- Wing sweep behaviour is approximate. Paolo is working to improve this.
- Maneuver/auxiliary flap behaviour is incorrect. Paolo is looking also into this issue.
Virtual cockpit:
- Some MFD buttons are not working (Unknown - XML code seems correct, same MFD works if compiled alone)
- Several buttons/switches not working or incorrectly mapped (for some I did not have time, others are just mistakes - please highlight the most annoying ones)
- Autothrottle not working (XML code seems correct... I can't tell why it is not working)
- Incorrect reading of some gauges (I had no time to fix them so far)
- GEN RESET button is mapped as MASTER BATTERY (real tomcat relies on external electrical power before engine start).
Flight model:
- Latest flight model has incorrect stall conditions (working on this)
Miscellaneous:
- Manual and checklist are missing. I had no time to compile them so far.

P.S. Thanks for the sounds :guinness::icon29::icon29:
P.S.S Tig, good catch.

[wilycoyote4]

Good catch tigisfat. The spoiler movement is correct but the stab movement for roll is completely backwards.

The other little detail regarding the spoilers, on this model they deploy mixed with the rear speed brake(they are mapped together). Full spoiler deployment in flight would not be connected to the speed brake actuation/deployment?

Again, this has been mentioned before version 0.9 release, however, if I understand correctly, getting wing sweep solved was the need. Now, there are photos of real Tomcats trapping with both speed brake and spoilers open. It is my understanding, limited in knowledge as I am, that spoilers on the D were used independently by the pilot but can this be done in FSX and on a swing wing ----I must guess this is a coding nightmare, eh? In any event, it can't be easy.:isadizzy:

In the fulness of time there may be an improvement ----????

However, I have been trapping ----and boltering--- without using them. Trapping in version 0.9 is a geat improvement over the beta 2 flight model, in my humble bumble opinion.

cheers, allround :ernae:

[thunder100]

Hi

Just flew it vs the IRIS full FSX

CONGRATULATIONS:gameon:

VC-->Dino's is better
FDE-->Dino's is better apart the cat fly's too easy slow speed
Handling-->Dino much better-->especially wing managment
Outer Model-->same maybe Iris a notch up,but its hard to compare grey against a Jolly Rogers

Roland

[dswo]

My first trap on the Nimitz, followed by my first launch. What an awesome combination! Notice the "Cinematic front view" (part of the Tomcat model) for the launch screenshot. I didn't have FSRecorder running, so the first shot is the moment after the Moment of Glory.

[dswo]

I understand (from the Hornet) how to use the donut gauge, but what about the AOA indexer (that sits below it on the dashboard)?

[tigisfat]

I understand (from the Hornet) how to use the donut gauge, but what about the AOA indexer (that sits below it on the dashboard)?

On every aircraft I've ever flown with an AOA gauge, it stood to let you know how far you were walking the aircraft in in continous turns and hard pulls. I don't know how F-14 guys used it.

[wilycoyote4]

My first trap on the Nimitz, followed by my first launch. What an awesome combination! Notice the "Cinematic front view" (part of the Tomcat model) for the launch screenshot. I didn't have FSRecorder running, so the first shot is the moment after the Moment of Glory.

Four aircraft views were added in this release to the previous three.

In addition to the MFD issues, it is known that HSI can be used on both but on the right MFD the button selector for ILS doesn't function. Therefore, use HSI on the left to select ILS on HSI, and on the right MFD, select engine. This has been known for both betas and gets a basic mention in the readme "Some MFD buttons are not working (Unknown - XML code seems correct, same MFD works if compiled alone)".

Hope this helps, cheers :ernae: BTW, David, nice trap, feels great, looks like the AIBoats bgl for San Diego with carrier not moving, it's a great bgl. :guinness::icon29: And the Tomcat traps so smoothly compared to the Acceleration default Hornet, IMVVVVHO.

[piperarcherpilot]

Again, this has been mentioned before version 0.9 release, however, if I understand correctly, getting wing sweep solved was the need. Now, there are photos of real Tomcats trapping with both speed brake and spoilers open. It is my understanding, limited in knowledge as I am, that spoilers on the D were used independently by the pilot but can this be done in FSX and on a swing wing ----I must guess this is a coding nightmare, eh? In any event, it can't be easy.I think this is the DLC, or direct lift control system. Basically, the spoilerons are used to augment the elevators for more responsive glideslope control. When the DLC system is active, it lifts the spoilers up about 1/3 of the way for the entire approach. If the pilot pushes forward on the stick, the elevator goes down as well as the spoilers lift up higher, dumping more lift. When the pilot pulls back on the stick, the elevator goes up and the spoilers retract. This enhances the sensitivity of the controls for the Tomcat. But, no, when the speedbrake is deployed, the spoilers should NOT go up. This would result in a severe pitch down moment in real life. You may see them linked together during approaches (DLC and speedbrake) but they're not linked directly.

The AOA indexer comes in many derivations, but its used for approach and landing (not turning flight). The indexer is different from the AOA indicator in that it has the three lights - two chevrons and a circle - and is basically set for an optimum approach AOA. When you're 'on speed,' (the amber center circle is lit up) this means the indicated airspeed will yield the optimum approach AOA, which is largely based on current aircraft weight. Higher the weight, obviously, the higher the required airspeed to reach this proper AOA and vise versa. IF the upper chevron (usually a green light) is lit up, this indicates indicates a slow airspeed (too high an AOA). If the lower chevron is lit (usually a red light) this means you're flying too high an airspeed (relating to too low an AOA).

I never noticed the flight controls being mapped backward...have to check that when I get back home...!

[MenendezDiego]

Hi
Outer Model-->same maybe Iris a notch up,but its hard to compare grey against a Jolly Rogers

Roland

Maybe a notch? Dino did great work, don't get me wrong, but Iris nailed the external model perfectly

[JT8D-9A]

Many thanks Dino! :medals::applause:
Robert, your repaint looks fantastic and i hope there will be more photoreal repaints :jump::ernae::gameon:

http://g.imagehost.org/0784/f14d.jpg

[wilycoyote4]

I think this is the DLC, or direct lift control system. Basically, the spoilerons are used to augment the elevators for more responsive glideslope control. when the DLC system is active, it lifts the spoilers up about 1/3 of the way for the entire approach. If the pilot pushes forward on the stick, the elevator goes down as well as the spoilers lift up higher, dumping more lift. When the pilot pulls back on the stick, the elevator goes up and the spoilers retract. This enhances the sensitivity of the controls for the Tomcat.

The AOA indexer comes in many derivations, but its used for approach and landing, not turning flight. The indexer is different from the AOA indicator - it has the three lights, two chevrons and a circle - is basically set for an optimum approach AOA. When you're 'on speed,' (the amber center circle is lit up) this means the indicated airspeed will yield the optimum approach AOA, which is largely based on current aircraft weight. Higher the weight, obviously, the higher the required airspeed to reach this proper AOA and vise versa. IF the upper chevron (usually a green light) is lit up, this indicates indicates a slow airspeed (too high an AOA). If the lower chevron is lit (usually a red light) this means you're flying too high an airspeed (relating to too low an AOA).

Thank You, well said by my opinion. I think I understand better.

[piperarcherpilot]

No problem wilycoyote4!

Also, on the slow speed handling:

Yes, Dino's model is far too responsive in pitch and roll, but the stall characteristics are pretty close. The giant pancake area between the two engines accounted for up to 40% of the lift produced at slow speeds (Newtonian lift - the action/reaction, not Bernoulli). At super slow speeds, the wings would stall and a stall would be indicated, obviously, but the plane wouldnt 'break' forward conventionally. It did have wing drop stall breaks from what I understand, though. As for pitch control, it would just get increasingly 'mushy' and the sink rate would increase. So although Dino's flight model is exaggerated, its closer to reality at slow speeds than some others. For carrier landings - at around 55,000 lbs weight (close to max carrier landing weight) and full flaps, the plane should fly around 125 kias to fly the proper glidepath to the deck. Dinos does it around 115-120...so its close. Not bad at all! :applause: However, once you slow below about 110 or so (at that weight), stall horn should go off (the only thing that causes a stall is exceeding the critical AOA - at any speed) and decent rate should increase dramatically till around 90-100 kias when the plane departs controlled flight. But, it wouldnt indicate much stall 'break'. The loss of controllablility at slow speeds is what accounted for Vmc issues. IF an engine flamed out (which they did due to compressor stalls in the "A" model frequently) during the approach at this slow speed, the asymmetric thrust from the other engine would exceed the rudder authority (actually, the original design for the F-14 was with only one vertical stab, not two! The Grumman engineers determined in wind tunnel tests that it needed two ;)) and the plane would depart controlled flight, usually resulting in a flat spin. So all in all, the dynamics arent that bad.

[peter12213]

wonder if an airfile swap for the iris model would be better probs not as i find this aircraft great as is!

[piperarcherpilot]

Kinda a cool video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsQIaDSBaP8

You see the speedbrake deployed on some of the landings because the spool up time of the TF30's engines (the A model F-14s) took a long time at low power settings, so they'd deploy the speedbrake (to require a higher thrust setting) so the engines were more responsive to better make little adjustments on the approach.

[dswo]

Looks like the AIBoats bgl for San Diego with carrier not moving, it's a great bgl.

I'm on the Nimitz, still in San Diego harbor, as placed by the .bgl in the Nimitz thread. The other carrier in the background is a default, and static.

[Killbilly]

Great little details! I seeing the HUD on the lens as well as on the reflector. Very C:mixedsmi::mixedsmi:L. Between this and the incredible Nimitz, I'm having more fun in FSX than ever before (and I'm usually a bush pilot).

[yago9]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v4.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v5.jpg

[doublecool]

Great little details! I seeing the HUD on the lens as well as on the reflector. Very C:mixedsmi::mixedsmi:L. Between this and the incredible Nimitz, I'm having more fun in FSX than ever before (and I'm usually a bush pilot).


Thats what ya call DOUBLEC:mixedsmi::mixedsmi:L

I like what ya did with that killbilly :applause:

[noddy]

Many thanks Dino and the gang, what a beauty :ernae:

Is anybody else getting bleed through on the engine, like this?
3533

[BOOM]

After this fantastic model I have a new appreciation for the Tomcat drivers as the forward view is somewhat cluttered campared to the Hornet.

[VCN-1]

There is an update available. Check Dino's site.

VCN-1

[noddy]

I am running .91

[MenendezDiego]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v4.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v5.jpg
**** man, great stuff!

[piperarcherpilot]

Many thanks Dino and the gang, what a beauty :ernae:

Is anybody else getting bleed through on the engine, like this?
3533

Yes, I am. I'm also getting a bleed through the wing pivot point when the wings are extended.

[italoc]

Bravo Dino
wonderful job (and free..!!!)
what d'you want more ?!?!
Italo

[Dino Cattaneo]

All,
thanks for your appreciation and comments.
I see (most) of you are enjoying

I am releasing a (second) hotfix right now which will address a couple of blatant mistakes, like the reversed taileron and the missing formation light. Version number will be 0.92

By the way it is kind of amazing how often the "reverse control" issue happens to several designers...which puts the designers in the position of aviation illiterates...shame on me as I had a PPL and an engineering degree :-(

Apart from that, well...there is no offence in saying the IRIS Tomcat is better. They are professionals (and by the way I think they make some nice models). To me it is not a problem...I did the Tomcat for the fun of doing it and honoring one of the most beautiful flying machines ever made - and it is not meant to compete with anything. Constructive (and even destructive) criticism is always welcome :-)

P.S. The MFD inop button issues are known and have been puzzling me from several weeks. The associated code seems correct, adn is 100% identical to the Goshawk. Still...they do not work. And it is not the "scale" issue... I hope it is not a major problem: functions not accessible from the center MFD should be accessible on the side one and vice versa.

[wilycoyote4]

Yes, I am. I'm also getting a bleed through the wing pivot point when the wings are extended.
Known since beta 1 but there were AB effects corrections to reduce it in beta 2 so I think it is being worked on and a change sometime ahead.

[Bone]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v4.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v5.jpg

Damn, that looks nice. Jolly Roger, anyone?

[wilycoyote4]

yago9,
is it available? maybe after version 0.92?

VF-31 Tomcatters ---check the paints, perhaps on the site
http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-squadron-vf031.htm

[vet123]

Awesome so nice thanks for all the hard work sir, yago killer paint job yeah. :ernae:

Rich

[vet123]

JT8D-9A killer screenshot wow :applause:

Rich

[piperarcherpilot]

Dino, how hard is it to adjust the slant and 'toe in' of the vertical stabs?

Just curious...

BTW, saying the IRIS bird is 'better'...hmm...better is subjective. More accurate model? Maybe. But personally, I think your Tomcat captures the 'feel' much better. The immersion level is higher in my opinion (which is just that, my opinion). :)

[MenendezDiego]

Dino, how hard is it to adjust the slant and 'toe in' of the vertical stabs?

Just curious...

BTW, saying the IRIS bird is 'better'...hmm...better is subjective. More accurate model? Maybe. But personally, I think your Tomcat captures the 'feel' much better. The immersion level is higher in my opinion (which is just that, my opinion). :)

I never meant to say it was better in all aspects.

I do prefer the Iris Pro Series HUD display, and I do prefer the external of the Iris, but Dinos flies amazingly, and surpases the Iris in those regards.

I'm not hating :)

[piperarcherpilot]

Oh, Diego, I didnt think you were...sorry if my post seemed that way. I was primarily responding to Dino's post.

[wilycoyote4]

ok, got version 0.92

[Lazerbrainz2k3]

Earlier, when I downloaded v0.91, I thought, "wow, Dino is really moving along to get an update out already." And now I check back and already I'm behind the times with v0.92!

Great job, Dino!

[fliger747]

The earlier jets such as the F-4 and F-14 (and others of the era) did have pretty heavy cockpit framing, though IRL it isn't nearly so bad as in FS since without Track IR or other ways or easily moving our eyepoint about, they can be a bit obscuring. Some deevlopers have in the past tried to depart from reality to thin the frames out a bit to better replicate in FS what we do see from a cockpit. A judgment call! These look pretty authentic as to real sizes.

An opinion was ventured earlier as to the pitch sensitivity etc. High speed aircraft are very pitch sensitive, possible one of the major issues that people have in transitioning to jets. This one I can fly a turn and remain within several feet of altitude, so I would guess that it isn't overly sensitive. The FPV may be a bit jumpy and needs a little dampening, the ones that I use are much more steady. Still a usefull device!

Cheers: T.

[vet123]

Freeware you must be kidding, hope you like it :wavey: Awesome job sir


http://www.screenshotworld.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=11949



Regards, Rich

[Quicksand]

Didn't do my homework.. thought SP2 was enough to run this Cat ( Thank you for sharing this labor of love, Dino...) I guess I'll have to track down a copy of Acceleration to make this dream come true fly in my sim.....

[Navy Chief]

In honor of Dino's wonderful Tomkitty, and Javier's equally great USS Nimitz - I am watching "The Final Countdown", with Kirk Douglas and Martin Sheen. Love the movie, and I can envision a flight sim video in the making, with this movie in mind.......

http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Navy/Grumman-F-14A-Tomcat/1360813/L/&tbl=&photo_nr=22&sok=&sort=&prev_id=1360814&next_id=1360812



NC

[Bone]

Yep, it's a great movie...goes reeaally well with some of these new toys!

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj299/theBone11/2009-6-23_18-27-51-340.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj299/theBone11/2009-6-23_18-14-12-188.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj299/theBone11/2009-6-23_19-26-13-994.jpg



http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj299/theBone11/2009-6-16_20-22-24-933.jpg

[Navy Chief]

Great screenshots, Bone!!!!

NC

[Bone]

Thanks. Had good equipment to work with.



http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj299/theBone11/2009-6-23_19-26-23-874.jpg

[BOOM]

I can't get enough of both Javier's Nimitz and Dino's Cat! What a great combo!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/badaboom/fsx2009-06-2322-14-17-74.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/badaboom/fsx2009-06-2322-13-48-11.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/badaboom/fsx2009-06-2321-48-41-77.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/badaboom/fsx2009-06-2321-52-52-38.jpg

[DennyA]

Dino,

Just a post to say "thanks!" What an awesome plane.

[MenendezDiego]

I'm getting blue balls waiting for Yago and Bobs repaints...FUUUUUUUUUDGE ME WANT NOW :)

[tigisfat]

wonder if an airfile swap for the iris model would be better probs not as i find this aircraft great as is!

oh, god no.:icon_lol::gameoff:

[deathfromafar]

Originally Posted by peter12213 http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/images/soh/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?p=199586#post199586)
wonder if an airfile swap for the iris model would be better probs not as i find this aircraft great as is!
oh, god no.:icon_lol::gameoff:

Try rolling back the Elevator & Aileron effectiveness abit in the config file to tone down the sensitivity a bit. This roll and pitch rates and sensitivity on this model are a bit too high as previously stated.
The Iris model's overall dynamics are good in this area demonstrating the feel of a jet the Tomcat's weight. This model feels the same once the rates are pulled back some. I wonder given the wide differences in Controllers that are out there if the significant degree of differences in drivers and sensitivity settings has a lot to do with some users having higher roll & pitch moments or not?

The big issue from my experience with the Iris model both the original FS9 model and the newer one (and others speaking the same concern) is that the FSX version seems overpowered and hard to find a good groove in the power setting for approach unlike the first FS9 version. The drag and thrust factors are easily re-tuned in this case to take the teeth out of the power a bit and dirty up the drag some.

[MenendezDiego]

I know what you mean 'deathfromafar' about the good groove for approach. If you've ever used a Thrustmaster Hotas, you know about the 'notches' 'clicks' in the throttle. I have found the approach to be in the middle of one of those notches/clicks.

lol pretty fun holding the throttle there, like balancing an elephant on a pin head

[Wombat_VC]

Totally awsome carrier, plane and screenshots!!! :applause:

[deathfromafar]

I know what you mean 'deathfromafar' about the good groove for approach. If you've ever used a Thrustmaster Hotas, you know about the 'notches' 'clicks' in the throttle. I have found the approach to be in the middle of one of those notches/clicks.

lol pretty fun holding the throttle there, like balancing an elephant on a pin head <----Yeap, perfect analogy! The sweet spot is elusive! I have used TM HOTAS in the past(the older models from the late 90's if memory serves me correctly) but the last few years I have used Saitek X45 & 52 models. They may have a more sterile feel to them but I force myself to translate/transpose my inputs as if I were flying a true weighted FCS. Of course the multitude of settings helps to fine tune everything.

Relating to my last post, I did a little fiddling with the Flight Tuning section of the config file in an effort to somewhat replicate the feel of my original Iris FS9 Tomcat. It's in the ballpark but then again, another user might get different results that what I did.

[flight_tuning]
cruise_lift_scalar = 1.6
parasite_drag_scalar = 1.2 //<-----Changed
induced_drag_scalar = 1.2 //<-----Changed
elevator_effectiveness = 2.2
aileron_effectiveness = 0.9 //<-----Changed
rudder_effectiveness = 1.0
pitch_stability = 1.2 //<-----Changed
roll_stability = 1.0
yaw_stability = 1.0
elevator_trim_effectiveness = 1.0
aileron_trim_effectiveness = 1.0
rudder_trim_effectiveness = 1.0

Also, I backed the static thrust back a bit to match data regarding "Dry" Thrust(Mil Power w/out Burner). Seems to be more on target now.

[TurbineEngineData]
fuel_flow_gain = 0.006 //Gain on fuel flow
inlet_area = 6.000 //Square Feet, engine nacelle inlet area
rated_N2_rpm = 16728 //RPM, second stage compressor rated value
static_thrust = 23100/28200 //Lbs, max rated static thrust at Sea Level <--Changed
afterburner_available = 5 //Afterburner stages available?
afterburner_throttle_threshold = 0.85 //Percent of throttle range where a/b begins
reverser_available = 0 //Thrust reverser available?
ThrustSpecificFuelConsumption = 0.81 //Thrust specific fuel consumption (Jets)
AfterBurnThrustSpecificFuelConsumption = 1.74 //TSFC with afterburn/reheat engaged

[Dino Cattaneo]

Thanks for you comments and suggestions.

Observation about the excessive inclination of the tails was found to be correct - will be fixed in 0.93 later on today.

Obsevations to inaccuracy of flight dynamics may be correct. I will check the proposed changes. Please understand that while I am a private pilot and mechanical engineer, I am surely not a flight dynamics expert nor I have ever flown a Tomcat. Feedback from an actual Tomcat driver was generally positive but I am sure that dynamics are far from being perfect. In detail:

Static thrust was artificially increased to allow the Tomcat reach Mach 1.80 which is given as maximum allowable speed in the Natops for the given configuration.

Induced drag was risen as the .air file Wave drage vs.Mach table was changed (and generally reduced) from the stock F-18. I did this to the purpose of balancing the various drag effect at high speeds.

As for the roll performance, as I said, I've never flown the tomcat for real... so I am pretty sure you guys are right.

Will consider the proposed changes and eventually include them in a future release.
Thanks a lot.

[Bone]

Try rolling back the Elevator & Aileron effectiveness abit in the config file to tone down the sensitivity a bit. This roll and pitch rates and sensitivity on this model are a bit too high as previously stated.

The CRJ-200 I used to fly is more pitch sensitive than this model. It also had a very high roll rate, believe it or not. When you put the two together, hand flying at cruise was like trying to balance on a pogo stick. Even when the autopilot was on during cruise flight, the nose would oscillate constantly left and right with a slight dip in the middle.

My point is, I don't really find the Dino-Cat flight dynamics to be outside the box of possibility. I'm pretty sure the real thing flew quite differently at each of the various increments of it's speed regime, wing sweep, and weight. I do have the Iris F-14 for FS9/FSXsp1, but who would really know which is the closest to reality. I'll bet there are real Tomcat pilots out there that are laughing at us right now.

I'm not disputing Deathfromafar or anyone else who finds an FDE too sensitive and wants to change it...not at all. I just think that many of the opinions on what is the "right" or "wrong" FD quality is very subjective. I've never flown a real jet fighter, and my opinion here is subjective, also.

[Rick_Piper]

Hi Deano

Superb model mate :ernae:

Off to fly a few traps on the also superb Enteprise release

Regards
Rick

[Killbilly]

First, thanks again Dino and team!

Second, I have a quick question, then I'm going back to practice my traps some more.

How are you guys getting the refueling probe to extend in the air. For me, shift+e then 2 works perfectly on the ground (as does shift+e then 3 for the loadout); but in the air, both those commands only open the canopy (which is a little disturbing at 260 KIAS and 15,000 Ft.).

Is there a trick I'm missing, or is my setup a little screwed up?

[Bone]

First, thanks again Dino and team!

Second, I have a quick question, then I'm going back to practice my traps some more.

How are you guys getting the refueling probe to extend in the air. For me, shift+e then 2 works perfectly on the ground (as does shift+e then 3 for the loadout); but in the air, both those commands only open the canopy (which is a little disturbing at 260 KIAS and 15,000 Ft.).

Is there a trick I'm missing, or is my setup a little screwed up?

Click on the Refuel Probe switch, it's on the instrument panel just forward of the thrust levers.

[dswo]

Off to fly a few traps on the also superb Enteprise release

Where's the new Enterprise?

[expat]

OK, finally got some time to try out this bird.

Nice flyer, nice trapper, nice looker. Love it!

Thanks Dino!

[Rick_Piper]

Sorry Nimitz :monkies:

:icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol:

Rick

[fliger747]

I have about 13,000 hours driving various jets about the skies. The secret to flying these things with some precision is attitude flying. you pretty much can't fly them well by looking out the window unless you are also looking through a HUD.... I certainly do not find the T-cat as presented here lacking in stability or overly sensitive.

A swing wing plane represents a fair challenge as it varies in it's responses in no linerar ways with sweep/speed. Generally one will not reach this via adjustments of the scalars in the .cfg file, but with adjustment of the shape of the curves in the .air file hex tables to get a best fit situation.

I fly with all sorts of pilots, from guys who did test flying on the B2 to F-4, F-15 and about everything else and have a chance to observe their flying technique. Surprisingly the fighter guys tend to be very agressive on the controls, slamming the stick all over the cockpit when a little smooth movement would do. I don't know why this is, perhaps a result of emphasis on tactical manuvering or simple lack of experience as they aquire few hours in a career as opposed to civilians or the transport/tanker guys. An exception is the Navy fliers who can fly a very precise approach all the way to impact.... Some habits die hard.

Keep up the good work! T.

[piperarcherpilot]

Something rather crude to test the pitch control effectiveness at slow speeds (assuming the CG and everything is set correctly, and the jet is around 55,000 lbs) goes back to something I read once and it stuck in my head; on takeoff, with full elevator back pressure, the nose should lift at around 90 knots. This just demonstrates the control authority. Dino's jet's dynamics replicate this fairly close I think (at least compared to other models).

My feeling is the only thing that's exaggerated is around the roll axis. Does anyone know what max rate of roll is for the Tomcat? I did find this:

"The new DFCS [Digital Flight Control System] improves the flight characteristics including the maximum allowed rolling G forces. During flight tests, DFCS F-14D SD230 sustained extensive structural damage on the starboard engine weekly doors and aft fixed cowl due to the high rolling G! This was not a problem of the DFCS, but the NATOPS didn't restrict the flight envelope for such rolling Gs yet. As of January 2000, restrictions to rolling Gs is 4 g's up to 570 KCAS, 3 g's up to 700 KCAS and 1 g stick input above 700 KCAS/Mach 1.4. Additional restrictions are effective if various external stores are carried. Unless structural solution is found, the restrictions are necessary with regards to the F-14 fatigue life. "

http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-detail-dfcs.htm

So it looks like the F-14 has a very high rate of roll unless its limited by the DFCS. But, I think the dynamics are pretty close right now.

[dougal]

This is such a beautiful creation, but i cannot do it justice!

Any idea when the 'manual' will be out?

I ask as i'm a complete bumkum with fighter jets, and need all the help i can get.

I think i've completely misunderstood some of the gauges and instruments.

I do seem able to put it down on the deck okay, but I think it's mostly down to 'feel' and luck, rather than 'correctly' using the gadgits:wiggle:

Any/all advice and tips most eagerly welcome

[Tim_Horton]

Anyone want to take over this?

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/6025/200962413298109.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/9311/2009624132758265.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4908/2009624132819906.jpg



I started but don't think I will have time to finish, PM me if your interested in the psd file.

[Quicksand]

For those of you like running SP2 but not Acceleration, I have mixed news. I couldn't wait for the mailman to get here with my copy of Acceleration, so I took a chance and installed this awesome Kitty. Good news is there is no CTD, and the plane performs well. The bad news is there is no HUD or MFD's in the cockpit without Acceleration. At least I can fly her now.:jump::applause: She's beautiful in every respect, Dino, and a dream to fly. Thank you for this wonderful plane!:guinness::medals::icon29::applause:

[tigisfat]

"The new DFCS [Digital Flight Control System] improves the flight characteristics including the maximum allowed rolling G forces. During flight tests, DFCS F-14D SD230 sustained extensive structural damage on the starboard engine weekly doors and aft fixed cowl due to the high rolling G! This was not a problem of the DFCS, but the NATOPS didn't restrict the flight envelope for such rolling Gs yet. As of January 2000, restrictions to rolling Gs is 4 g's up to 570 KCAS, 3 g's up to 700 KCAS and 1 g stick input above 700 KCAS/Mach 1.4. Additional restrictions are effective if various external stores are carried. Unless structural solution is found, the restrictions are necessary with regards to the F-14 fatigue life. "

http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-detail-dfcs.htm

So it looks like the F-14 has a very high rate of roll unless its limited by the DFCS. But, I think the dynamics are pretty close right now.


You're reading that paragraph wrong. Rolling G's and roll rate are two drastically different things. 'G' forces are a measurement of vertical acceleration, not a rate of speed. It is almost exclusively used to describe a vertical acceleration. In fact, the engineering diagrams that help a maintainer determine tactical over g requirements are usually expressed in units of vertical acceleration so they're not confused with anything else.

Rolling g's usually refers to rolling while loaded, and loaded means that the aircraft is cooking along and pulling g's, not the aircraft's weight and balance. Rolling while loaded up exerts special kinds of stress on aircraft, and older fighters had limitations. Even when taking the stress into consideration, it's also important to remember that older fighters could actually depart controlled flight if you rolled hard while loaded up with g's, almost like a snap roll.

:guinness:

[deathfromafar]

I want to emphasize that my tunings in the config file don't relax the responsiveness of the roll and pitch axis and moments to the point they are not responsive. More in a way that makes the model "feel" like you're moving a lot of mass when you move the stick dynamically. That's pretty hard to do if you've never flown the real plane but I tried to match both data and video of the actually bird. Having talked to a few long time Tomcat Pilots, the real plane has a lot of responsiveness and significant limitations both in the flight dynamics and the structure. Under normal NATOPS non-wartime limits, you won't exceed 6.5 G's on the airframe to conserve on wear of high stress areas like the wing hinge pins which are notorius for developing cracks after undergoing high G loadings. In wartime, you do what you got to do in the fight. Under such conditions, 8 or 9 G's could be pulled. In reality, there is no limiter. You can pull until something bad happens either aerodynamically or structurally. The other thing is that with the wing swept all the way back, the G limit is 3 to 4 G's. If you push it too hard in that wing config, the plane will depart quickly.

Is up to the Pilot as usual to stay within the limits.

[piperarcherpilot]

tigisfat,

You're right. I didnt read that very carefully. :blind: (I guess that's a 'blind' icon though it looks like it has a black eye...) Oops. Thanks for catching it.

[JT8D-9A]

JT8D-9A killer screenshot wow :applause:

Rich
Thanks :ernae:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v4.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v5.jpg




http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/7482/wipgr1.jpg

Life is short :kilroy: :bump:

[Dino Cattaneo]

I've just released version 0.93 - see the links on my blog - which addresses (I hope) the geometic issues with the tails.

I am sorry for having updated so often (3 times in 48 hours). I know this generates confusion. Still, while the Tomcat has been tested by several persons for more than one month, some major mistakes found their way to the public release. No changes to the flight dynamics so far.

My apologies for the inconvenience. I hope the Tomcat, despite its defects, provides a fun ride.

[MenendezDiego]

No inconvenience. Sorry I didn't Beta Test so well. I've been spending my time home driving my brother around like I'm a taxi or something, and finding a place to live in the Fall

[Dino Cattaneo]

Hey, Diego... the defects are surely not your fault, nor of the other testers. It has been a very complex project - so it is perfectly normal that hobbyst developers, like me, are unable to catch all the defects. The problem is that quality requires time...and I don't have much :-)

The Tomcat will surely get better in future...and I have to confess that I am pretty happy with it as it is right now.

[Cazzie]

Been waiting for a chance to get it. Thanks Dino, will test after download. Getting the latest 0.93 update. :ernae::medals:

Caz

[piperarcherpilot]

Dino, no reason at all to apologize!

Its a great plane that keeps getting better. :applause:

[MenendezDiego]

Sorry to report this, but there is a big problem with the verticle stabalizers after the .93 version

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm206/MenendezDiego2008/tail.jpg

Both stabalizers are yet still too much at an angle, and something is funky with the right one

Maybe this photo will help,

http://collections.nasm.si.edu/media/full/A20040156000%20F-14%20restoration%20team.jpg

Diego

[deathfromafar]

Yes, I detected the same. Seems also that the right Stab is leaning a hair outward more than the left Stab(or my eyes are going to hell-lol). Dino, the model is usable as is, just take your time making the fixes. 99% of us are happy with what you did thus far and patient to wait on fixes.

[MenendezDiego]

Agreed, I love it.

I also noticed the right stabalizer being outward, I see it as alot though. Who knows

[deathfromafar]

In school, I was a crappy math student but I Aced Geometry! My ole Mk-1 Eyeball sees angles that many never notice. I have driven many people crazy with that tool/gift(or curse-lol)

[MenendezDiego]

I'm the same way.

Hey Dino, did you do some work on the nose for the .93 version? It looks much better?

[MenendezDiego]

Since we are on the topic of lines and angles, anyone else notice the canopy could use some re-shaping? Seems too low, if that makes any sense.

(I'm not hating, remember, I'm just trying to give my feedback to hopefully make it closer to the real deal)

[piperarcherpilot]

Diego, I agree. Also, I noticed a tiny triangle of the refueling probe sticks through the fuselage. I noticed this after I cycled it, dont know if that has to do with the bug or not.

[piperarcherpilot]

I think the canopy shape may be tied into the nose shape. It appears as though the nose tapers too much too quickly. The real F-14's nose seems to retain much of its thickness until it gets to the nosecone where it rounds out to a point. Hard to explain...this pic shows the shape well though. If this is true, its such a minor geometry issue...its hard to tell...

http://www.richard-seaman.com/Aircraft/AirShows/Yuma2005/Statics/F14SideView.jpg

Also, I dont mean to drive Dino nuts with this stuff either - just pointing it out.

[wilycoyote4]

I'm the same way.




Hey Dino, did you do some work on the nose for the .93 version? It looks much better?

Quote from his blog---
Version hotfixes to 0.93:
- formation lights on right tail were missing
- taileron roll position was reversed.
- visual "hole" through the VC pedals
- reduced AIM-7 wing dimensions...
- tail geometry and animation sequence reworked

[Dino Cattaneo]

I will investigate that tonight. Unfortunately I will not have much time to work on the Tomcat in the upcoming months - so I have to fix all I can asap.

Dino

BTW angles were matched agains drawings - I prefer not to use photos as there may be some distortion. Still, seems the drawings were inaccurate.

[Seaking055]

I've just released version 0.93 - see the links on my blog - which addresses (I hope) the geometic issues with the tails.

I am sorry for having updated so often (3 times in 48 hours). I know this generates confusion. Still, while the Tomcat has been tested by several persons for more than one month, some major mistakes found their way to the public release. No changes to the flight dynamics so far.

My apologies for the inconvenience. I hope the Tomcat, despite its defects, provides a fun ride.


Dino IMHO you have nothing to apologize for, for someone like you who has taken so much of his spare time to produce such a fantastic piece of work my hat is off to you.
You have done an outstanding job on this big bird. I do hope your not to miffed with all the..........this isn't right that isn't right......this is off by a few degrees.
I found something small, was it worth posting.....no I don't think so. I'm just having a blast tearing all over the sky and trapping.

Thanks again...........just my few cents worth !

[Daube]

Hi Dino,

First of all, thank you, once again, for this beautifull bird that you have provided. Your efforts were greatly appreciated, as you can read right here.

Concerning the fixes, as said already above, take your time. The community is very pleased with this addon anyway.

[MCDesigns]

Hi Dino,

First of all, thank you, once again, for this beautifull bird that you have provided. Your efforts were greatly appreciated, as you can read right here.

Concerning the fixes, as said already above, take your time. The community is very pleased with this addon anyway.

Agreed! Dino, please don't feel any obligation or pressure, you have already gone above and beyond and I know most of us are very thankful!! :medals:

[deathfromafar]

Here's a couple of good reference links for the drawings and Vertical Stab Alignment.

http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-detail-dimensions.htm

http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-detail-dimensions-01.htm

http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-detail-cutaway.htm

http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-detail-fin.htm

http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-detail-vtp.htm

Regarding the question about Speed Brake and Spoiler interaction/deployment, this photo is interesting showing the center section of the Spoilers deployed with the Speed Brakes in flight.

http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-detail-speedbrake-02xl.jpg
(http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?t=18387&page=8)

[Dino Cattaneo]

Well, as I said, comments are always welcome! Does not matter to me if it is a small detail or a big mistake - it is really important to me to have feedback from other people because "the eye of the owner makes the horse fatter"...you can't really observe objectively the result of your efforts.

That being said, I did the Tomcat first and foremost for myself and for the fun of doing it...but while I am not a "rivet counter" (I should write an essay on the various subspecies of simmers) I really cannot stand some defects... I'm just finishing a further build. Then I am done with the Tomcat for the rest of this week.

[piperarcherpilot]

Regarding the question about Speed Brake and Spoiler interaction/deployment, this photo is interesting showing the center section of the Spoilers deployed with the Speed Brakes in flight.

Thats the DLC in action on landing! Cool pic! The mid wing spoilerons are the surfaces that you see actuating.

[piperarcherpilot]

Actually, heres a modified excerpt from a paper I wrote for an advanced aerodynamics class:

Wing Control Systems:

The control surfaces on the wings of the F-14 included spoilers, leading edge slats and trailing edge flaps. The slats and flaps would move only with the wings fully extended in the low speed configuration. The leading edge slats were controlled automatically as 'maneuvering slats' - in that they would extend under wing increased loading conditions during maneuvering flight (up to 7.5 degrees) to reduce airflow separation by energizing top-flow air. The inboard portions of the trailing edge flaps could also extend under this system to a maximum of 10 degrees, increasing effective camber. The spoilers, which ran nearly the full length of the wing, were composed of three inboard and two outboard units on each wing. The inboard units were also the same used for DLC (although initial testing with the F-14A was done with the outboard units). The spoilers were used for primary roll control for conditions where the wings were extended beyond 57 degrees. Below 57 degrees, the spoilers would lock in place in the retracted position to prevent possible rolling g load damage in high speed flight - and the all-moving horizontal stabilators would remain the only roll control devices.

DLC:

Because the aircraft was slow to respond to control inputs at final approach speeds, a Direct Lift Control (DLC) system was adapted (similar to the one the Lockheed L-1011 uses) which reduced control movement required by actuating the mid-wing spoilerons between 2 and 28 degrees (when the stick was pushed forward or the throttle was retarded at a controlled rate). This allowed the aircraft to vary its glide path without changing its flight attitude. Through this system (either automatic or varied manually via a wheel on the stick), carrier approaches received a variance in lift, without minimizing drag produced by the flaps. The DLC system allowed for a greatly reduced workload for the pilot on precision carrier approaches.

Kinda cool how the systems work together!

[Navy Chief]

I had the good fortune of getting one backseat ride in a Tomcat at Pax River in the early 70s. It was a ride to remember, to say the least. Unbelievable power.

NC

[Dino Cattaneo]

I am uploading version 0.94 right now... As I said I will not be able to work on the Tomcat for a little while.

Proof I did my homework...
http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/941/image3rwc.png


Apart from the tails, I made the fins look sharper (they are not correct yet - but this is kind of a quick-fix) and reduced the roll rate (and slightly also the elevator effectiveness for the sake of having "balanced" controls).

...and this is the 4th update in less than 48 hours.... what is the world record? Should not be far from this! One or two major mistakes in the 0.94 and I will give a call to Guinness guys.

[MenendezDiego]

Downloading now Dino, many thanks!

Seriously, go take some time off! You have done too much already!

Regards, Diego

[Cirrus N210MS]

wow nice this is goto be fun my first real flightsim was the topgun game for dos so i am goto having some fun with this plane! yahoo! :ernae:

[deathfromafar]

Dino, great job Sir! The Vertical Stabs look nearly perfect to me!

Salute to you!:medals::ernae::icon29::engel016:

[MenendezDiego]

Cockpit is amazing, watch in HD

5Ur01sR2-sU

Regards, Diego

[deathfromafar]

Great Trap Diego!

[fliger747]

It a pleasure to have such a capable and confident developer amongs us, one who is able to take advantage of many resources. Because it doesn't have to be perfect out of the chute, freeware is a much nicer environment to work in.

Thanks to Dino for the great plane and all the other that are continuing to contribute resources.

Cheers: T.

[stovall]

My humble cat launch from the Nimitz. Thanks Dino for the great addition. What a pair, the F-14 and the U.S.S. Nimitz.

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss169/tlstovall/Launch.jpg

[SirBenn21]

Hi

Just a small thing. I normally look over my shoulder (Track4Pro) while flying and now the afterburner is showing though the "skin" of the plane. Also saw this from the outside view from certain angles. Build 0.94

Thanks

Ben

[peter12213]

can we just download the latest update without missing anything that has been corrected in earlier updates or do I need them all?

[BananaBob]

It's not really done, more a WIP but it's now up for download, there is stair-stepping along the nose on the black and a line across the back that seems to be a seam showing white.

Download: http://forum.siminsider.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=347

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6075/grf141.jpg

[BOOM]

Beautiful Bob!!! Thanks very much!!!:medals:
Great trap Diego!!!

[MHAircraft]

Not sure if it's been mentioned before, but I am most impressed by the fine details, such as the HUD projector lens:

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/9518/200962422844296.png

[wilycoyote4]

It's not really done, more a WIP but it's now up for download, there is stair-stepping along the nose on the black and a line across the back that seems to be a seam showing white.
That's ok, BB, WIP is acceptable, and in proper spirit of the project.:guinness:

[Bjoern]

The bad news is there is no HUD or MFD's in the cockpit without Acceleration.

Well, you could still use a HUD and MFD from another plane (FSKBT F/A-18E?), but I guess you'll lose button fuctionality for the MFDs then.

[Quicksand]

I thought about monkeying around with it, Bjoern, but I figured I'd better just wait and install Acceleration.. BTW: Beautiful paint, Bob!:medals:

[stovall]

In the latest build .94 the formation lights at the tip of both vertical stablizers and tip of tail red and green lights stand away from the aircraft. This is the only thing noticed that is a problem. Great work again Dino.

[JT8D-9A]

Beautiful Bob!!! Thanks very much!!!:medals:
Great trap Diego!!!
Ditto!
And many thanks to Dino for his hard work! :medals:
For the A2A lights users:
light.3 = 5, -14.9, -0.2, -1.6, fx_shockwave_landing_light_narrow_no_flare

And i think i corrected the smoke, but i'm not really sure about the first 2 smoke entries (fx_F14_ControlledHeat). It seems to work always and i can't change the position, but i'm not really sure.

[SMOKESYSTEM]
smoke.0=-55.1, -4.2, -0.7, fx_F14_ControlledHeat , // Eng2 heat, when throttle > 10%
smoke.1=-55.1, 5.1, -0.7, fx_F14_ControlledHeat , // Eng1 heat, when throttle > 10%
smoke.2=-55.1, -4.2, -0.7, fx_smoke_f6
smoke.3=-55.1, 5.1, -0.7 , fx_smoke_f6


http://g.imagehost.org/0809/1_57.jpg

[dougal]

It's not really done, more a WIP but it's now up for download, there is stair-stepping along the nose on the black and a line across the back that seems to be a seam showing white.

Download: http://forum.siminsider.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=347

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6075/grf141.jpg

I can't get this paint to show up Bob. It shows ok on the selection screen, but when FSX loads, i'm left with the default paint.

Any ideas please?

[cheezyflier]

i don't usually fly fighter jets, but this neat:applause:

[peter12213]

is this the only repaint available or has yago9 uploaded his yet anyone know?

[N332DW]

Repaint Texture Reverting ::

there are issues with the fallback texture calls in the texture.cfg ,, dunno why or if it's just me
This is true for me with any aircraft , especially the acceleration FA-18 which always wants to revert to a blue angels texture ...

- to get around it i copy all the textures from the TEXTURE folder and paste them into the VF101 folder
- !!! say NO to any prompted Overwrite

-then i edit the texture.cfg in VF101 removing the fallback call to the texture folder , and resequence the fallback entries

========
[fltsim]
fallback.1=..\..\..\..\Scenery\Global\texture
fallback.2=..\..\..\..\..\..\Scenery\Global\textur e
========

- works for me

Many thanks to Dino for this beautiful jet and to Bob for the repaint

[yago9]

..in progress



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v7.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v8.jpg

[Quicksand]

Awesome work, Yago!!!:isadizzy::guinness::medals::icon29::applau se:

[VCN-1]

Yago

That is incredible!!

VCN-1

[yago9]

one more..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v9.jpg

[Quicksand]

WOWEEEE!:isadizzy::applause::jump::gameon:

[MenendezDiego]

Yago, don't know what else to say except thank you!

Any idea when the low-viz VF-101 will be ready? Regards, Diego

[MenendezDiego]

And for anyone who doesn't know, Yago is one of the best:

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm206/MenendezDiego2008/F-16REX2-1.jpg

[Dino Cattaneo]

Hey, those repaints are looking really good!

One note to repainters... most of the 3d materials are encoded with alpha channel reflection effect.... I have not used it in the final build as it was not looking really good...still, it may be selectively applied if necessary...

BTW I am still updating the package but will not make a new release until the changes become significant. As for now, weapon models have been redone but there is no effect to the textures.

Please consider VF-2 Bounty Hunters, too: they had some very cool paintjobs on the F-14D

[DaveKDEN]

Dino,
First the T-45 and now the Cat. Both fully carrier capable and both remarkably stunning!!! MANY MANY THANKS FOR MANY MANY HOURS OF FUN!!!:medals::applause:

[Wingmate]

VF-102 Repaint
http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww38/Wingmate12/VF-1021.jpg
Will there a clean model in the future?

[familton]

What are the green slit type lights called on the nose and wingtips? Why are they green on both wingtips? What switch turns them on? I tried using a logo lights switch and a recog light switch along with all of the other switches on the panel. They go on/off with the L key for all lights.

Thanks Dino for a real beauty! Regards, Bob.

[peter12213]

just let me know where to get em boys there all class!! just replaced my default carriers so all is well considering AI carriers doesn't work for me..
http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2893/2009625205056328.png

Many thanks to Bananabob!!

The switch is on the right side of the panel, its one of the white rotating switches infact its labeled as wing lights i think. It doesn't look right on the tail yet though!!

Up is down..down is out!!
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/4773/200962521829671.png
Love her Dino 10/10 mate!! ( little too much power for a cat tho i'm not complaining!) I like it!! (WARNING OVER G!!!)

[Wingmate]

Try this thread it worked for me http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?t=18423

[Marlin]

I am once again amazed at the quality of work that we are seeing these days.

Good God I wish I could fly some of these birds.

Congrats Dino on a superb piece of artwork.

[wilycoyote4]

What are the green slit type lights called on the nose and wingtips? Why are they green on both wingtips? What switch turns them on? I tried using a logo lights switch and a recog light switch along with all of the other switches on the panel. They go on/off with the L key for all lights.

Hi Bob,
Formation lights, I think.

[yago9]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/xc.jpg

[BOOM]

"Ghostrider rides again!!!"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/badaboom/fsx2009-06-2520-08-51-99.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/badaboom/fsx2009-06-2520-06-09-81.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/badaboom/fsx2009-06-2520-29-28-36.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/badaboom/fsx2009-06-2520-26-30-67.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/badaboom/fsx2009-06-2520-25-49-38.jpg

Thank You Bananabob for this GREAT paint!!! and ofcourse Thank you Dino for a wonderful aircraft!!!

[familton]

Hi Bob,
Formation lights, I think.

Hi. Thanks. I did a Google search and found out that they are called "Slime Lights". I am running SP1 with another panel I made, and just added, a wing lights switch which turns them on/off. Best regards, Bob.

[peter12213]

we need the tail fixed tho its not bobs fault but it does look bad, still who cares Dino released it to us knowing it wasn't finished and I siloute him for it and for the hours and hours of enjoyment I've had.. I mean he must have boosted TopGun Movie sales up by a mile (I love Tom Cruise)! loool!!:medals::medals::medals: thanks to Dino and Bananabob for such a brilliant Aircraft!
Still Can't wait for Yago9's and Wingmate's repaints to tho, they all look amaising!
I wish we had some more models of her tho, still beggers can't be choosers lol.
Thanks alot guys, Pete!

[yago9]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v10a.jpg

[fliger747]

When do we get the "Iranian" paints......

Cheers: T.

[MenendezDiego]

They never got D's, so NEVERRRRRRRRRRR :)

[wilycoyote4]

Thanks BananaBob,

Flight off Newcastle UK with AI route carrier near dusk 20:15 GMT Newcastle. Tire smoke on fuselage, too, caught 4 wire, Grim Reapers hi-viz paint :running:

cheers all, :guinness::icon29::ernae:

[deathfromafar]

I read about the remaining Airframes were ordered shredded to prevent any parts from making their way out of the states and into Iranian hands. With all the ITAR violations that have been going on it is no surprise. Hate to hear the fate of these birds.

[MenendezDiego]

Awesome shots wilycoyote4

You've inspired me to take a few

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm206/MenendezDiego2008/1013.jpg
Awaken, and risen by the elevator, 163 shows her vicious fangs!

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm206/MenendezDiego2008/1012.jpg
She crawls ever so gently to Cat 2, JDAM's and all

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm206/MenendezDiego2008/1011.jpg
By this time, it is all too late for Almahdi. For these JDAM's, like the name implies, are "guided to the right path"


Many thanks Bob!

Regards, Diego

[noddy]

Has anybody sorted the smoke issue out?

[JamesChams]

Mr. Lucian "yago9",

Amazing work again!!! :medals: :USA-flag:
I look forward to their release. :wavey:


..in progress



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v7.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v8.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v10a.jpg

[MenendezDiego]

Don't forget his low viz VF-101 James! That might be the best one!

[yago9]

..


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v12.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v13.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v14.jpg

[dswo]

Anyone done Shockwave 3D lights yet?

[MenendezDiego]

Yago, not sure if you noticed, and I understand they are WIP's, but both VF-101 and VF-213 have the VF-31 drop tank with felix the cat, and VF-213 has VF-31 on the bottom fin (forgot the name of that part)

Regards, Diego

edit: Just looked up a few more and the VF-143 has the VF-31 drop tank as well

[MenendezDiego]

Also Dino, if you're still checking this thread, here is a great visual of the lines of the D for any future updates. Not picking on ya, but a little work on the nose and canopy lines would do a great deal!

https://www.aviationillustration.com/shop/images/F-14-New.11a.jpg

Notice it is a little more slim and long?

Regards, Diego

EDIT: Jesus Christ! Now that I look at this image, and the images above that Yago posted, you've nearly got it spot on! Very impressed!

[yago9]

Yago, not sure if you noticed, and I understand they are WIP's, but both VF-101 and VF-213 have the VF-31 drop tank with felix the cat, and VF-213 has VF-31 on the bottom fin (forgot the name of that part)

Regards, Diego

edit: Just looked up a few more and the VF-143 has the VF-31 drop tank as well


Everything will be fixed . No more rush releases. I wonder how good a texture can get if i work it for few months instead of couple hours ?!

[MenendezDiego]

I wasn't trying to down your work dude

Like I said, I know these are WIP, but just incase you weren't aware, I pointed those things out.

No negativity coming from my side

edit: also, I can't tell if you are being sarcastic with that last comment (really hard to tell on the internet you know?) so if you are, sorry for sounding defensive

[simkid22]

Now that the D is out I can do the VX-30 scheme with the Cerberus on the tail! Just need to get my computer back together *grumble*

[yago9]

I wasn't trying to down your work dude

Like I said, I know these are WIP, but just incase you weren't aware, I pointed those things out.

No negativity coming from my side

edit: also, I can't tell if you are being sarcastic with that last comment (really hard to tell on the internet you know?) so if you are, sorry for sounding defensive

??? What ? No "dude", you didnt say anything wrong.Why are you so jumpy about ? I just said I want to bring all my future textures to the best level possible.That means more time before release.You probably got too used with my fast upload style, thats way you are taking it as sarcasm.

[MenendezDiego]

Ok, I feel better now.

Take all the time you need, by all means! I'm amazed at what you have done so far within the past few days. More time will only equal better quality :)

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Regards, Diego

[jymp]

First things first, thanks to Dino for the hard work put into this bird, and to the repainters who will surely provide us with probably all F-14D squadrons ever. Now, would someone please send Dino an acurate authentic sound file for the Tomcat, it needs authentic GEF110 sounds pretty bad.

[Dino Cattaneo]

Guys,
as usual, thanks a lot for your appreciation and interest!

Afterburner:
- A/B has been done in this (unorthodox) way as apparently the Acceleration SDK trigger are not working. Some users are experiencing visual bleed of the flame through the fuselage: it does not happen on my system, but it appears that it is affected by video card setting. On Nvidia cards, "quality" (instead of performance) setting should mitigate the issue.
Will see if there is a better method to do it...

Sound:
One of the reasons why I did not include Aaron Swindle's sound set is that I could not contact him. Probably I have an outdated contact. The other reason is that, on my systems, those sound are very "screechy" - it is likely to be a problem of my motherboard (P6T Deluxe) which seems not like too much my 5.1 DTS environment via SPDIF... In doubt, I left it out.
Sound designers (which seem an endangered species in FSX ) if you have something to offer to this project please contact me....proper sounds are much needed.

Nose and canopy (for Diego Menendez):
Nose and canopy shape has been a long debate with some early testers, whose input was that initial design (like 4 months ago) was too pointy and long... I've first changed it making it a little more stubby, and then changed it back to "long and pointy" (this is like 3 months ago). I remeber matching it closely to a drawing similar to the one you attached (probably by the same author).
Can't say the same thing for the canopy, which was designed according to blueprints, of course, but has not been re-matched after nose modifications.
Honestly, I do not feel the current design to be broken but, as soon as I will have the time, I promise I'll double check the nose/canopy area againts various Tomcat profiles including yours.
In case some notable discrepancy is found it will be fixed, but may take time as that area of the model is complex and done by dozens of parts....

[Navy Chief]

I am confused (happens a lot to me lately), but are repaints already available for Dino's Tomkitty? So many people are posting, thanking the folks doing the repaints. Or are they all beta testers?

Thanks.

NC

[Mr.Mugel]

I use the Christoffer Peterson sounds, also aviable from flightsim.com (search for "Tomcat" in the FS2004 sounds category, you´ll see both), pretty good in my opinion, haven´t tried the Swindle sounds yet...

[Sideshow]

Wow I go out of town for a few days just to come back and find this aircraft! Its absolutely amazing, thank you so much Dino :ernae:


Guys,
as usual, thanks a lot for your appreciation and interest!

Afterburner:
- A/B has been done in this (unorthodox) way as apparently the Acceleration SDK trigger are not working. Some users are experiencing visual bleed of the flame through the fuselage: it does not happen on my system, but it appears that it is affected by video card setting. On Nvidia cards, "quality" (instead of performance) setting should mitigate the issue.
Will see if there is a better method to do it...



I have noticed the afterburner effect sticking through some of my other aircraft too so it is not only your Tomcat.

In my case it is linked to the "WideViewAspect" setting in my fsx.cfg
When I set it to true I get the bleed through. If I set it to false everything is fine. Since I use a widescreen monitor I leave it set at true and just put up with the bleed through. I would love to know what causes it since it only affects some aircraft.

[familton]

Has anybody sorted the smoke issue out?

[SMOKESYSTEM]
// Should be long, lat, vert
smoke.0= -25.00, 4.4, 0.0, fx_F14_ControlledHeat , // Eng2 heat, when throttle > 10% //was 0.0, -25.00, 4.4,
smoke.1= -25.00, -4.4, 0.0, fx_F14_ControlledHeat , // Eng1 heat, when throttle > 10% //was 0.0, -25.00, -4.4,
smoke.2= -22.00, 4.4, 0.0, fx_smoke_f6 //was 0.0, -22.00, 4.4,
smoke.3= -22.00, -4.4, 0.0, fx_smoke_f6 //was 0.0, -22.00, -4.4,

The orders were reversed. Use the above. Regards, Bob.

[familton]

Using SP1 the bleed through is only visible on the left hand sides of both engines. When the A/B is on the bleed through goes away. It's only there when no A/B is selected. It appears that it is to the left of the engines rather than from inside of the engines. Regards, Bob.

[stovall]

Dino, I am still seeing the formation lights standing away from the tip of the vertical stablizer. The lights appear to be in mid air. Am I the only one experiencing this? This could have occured with one the the mdl adjustments from .93 to .94.

[wilycoyote4]

Dino, I am still seeing the formation lights standing away from the tip of the vertical stablizer. The lights appear to be in mid air. Am I the only one experiencing this? This could have occured with one the the mdl adjustments from .93 to .94.
You're not the only one, Dino is aware. cheers:ernae:

[stovall]

Thanks wilycoyote4, still a small thing for such a wonderful aircraft. I need to get busy painting this baby, some really nice paint scheme are already showing up from the experts. Thanks to everyone.

[Dino Cattaneo]

@ Diego Menendez

Diego,
I've compared the my current model profile to the image you sent - and there are some differences.
Please note however that various Tomcat profiles from various source are slightly different one from each other.

That being said, the model profile looks slightly shorter (about 0.05m) and slightly "nose up".

Now, I modified the profile to match almost 100% to the one you posted in this thread (basically trusting you that this profile is more accurate than others). Proof I've done my homework below - BTW this screws up several parts and animations... but quality comes at a price.

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/9148/fordiego.png

I hope the Tomcat looks more authentic.

@ all

As for the floating lights, I've redone the lights and the problem is gone.

AIM7 and AIM9 models have been redone (see pic) and now they match the spec dims much more accurately (I'd say 100% but there is always an approximation...)

@ repainters
No effect on UWV mapping, but nose changes may have introduced a minor distortion in the nose area.... I've tested Bananabob VF-101 and, apparently, there is no noticeable impact.

[yago9]

Dino, there is a (engine?) light coming out thru the fuselage.I,ve noticed it on the right side only ,so I don,t think it can,t be a graphic card issue,.. not on one side only..

[wilycoyote4]

Dino, there is a (engine?) light coming out thru the fuselage.I,ve noticed it on the right side only ,so I don,t think it can,t be a graphic card issue,.. not on one side only..
Hi yago9,
Issue known since beta 1. I sure would like to get my paws on that Tomcatter paint, cheers :medals::ernae::running::USA-flag::guinness::icon29:

[MenendezDiego]

Dino, thank you so much for looking into this! It already looks better!

I can't believe you looked into it so fast lol, I thought we gave you permission to rest ;)

Anyways, you're great!

Regards, Diego

[Navy Chief]

I truly must losing my eyesight. Or maybe it's just that I do not see the imperfections...... But I was quite satisfied with Dino's initial Tomcat release!! If he never fixes anything else, I am extremely satisfied!

Thank you Dino.

NC

[stovall]

Thanks Dino, looks like all that is left is for us to get our hands on some of the great repaints that are upcoming. Your efforts are much appreciated.

[JT8D-9A]

Thanks!
http://g.imagehost.org/0583/1_66.jpg


EDIT:
@Bob
your intakes are smoking.

[yago9]

This one is ready for download in case you didn,t know..It,s still under work that,s way I named it "version1".

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v16.jpg

[Navy Chief]

Your welcome,not sure i understand the intake part what whatever you say.. This one is ready for download in case you didn,t know..It,s still under work that,s way I named it "version1".


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v601/yago9/F14v15.jpg

That looks so real. Only things missing is the noise and heat.

NC

[f-18hornet]

Does anyone have shockwave 3D lights for it yet please?:jump:

[JT8D-9A]

Your welcome,not sure i understand the intake part , but what whatever you say.. This one is ready for download in case you didn,t know..It,s still under work that,s way I named it "version1".
The intake part was meant to Bob (familton).
Your repaint looks perfect. I love all the details, but i will happily download any newer version, if you feel the need to update something. It's amazing how fast you make those very real looking repaints.

[Tim_Horton]

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7453/2009626185654156.jpg


Just noticed this Light bug at the top of the tail on the latest update.

[piperarcherpilot]

Tim, the light bug was addressed by Dino in the middle of the previous page.

[Tim_Horton]

I -C..... no worries then!

[piperarcherpilot]

If this is any indication, his payware F-35 is going to have the best customer support in the business...!

[familton]

[QUOTE=JT8D-9A;201670]The intake part was meant to Bob (familton).

What does this mean? I don't understand. Regards, Bob.

[peter12213]

I can't wait for the next fix for the lights, and those other repaints they all look amaising! :applause:
I just wish it had a better afterburner effect as mine looks bad!

[doublecool]

Does the engine exhaust smoke come on with the throttle or with the "i" key

[wilycoyote4]

I can't wait for the next fix for the lights, and those other repaints they all look amaising! :applause:
I just wish it had a better afterburner effect as mine looks bad!
The AB is another issue and known before beta 1 so in the future there may be a release of the Tomcat with an improvement. The Tomcat isn't finished as has been stated many times.

Perhaps someone can help Dino with a better AB or use another freeware AB effect.

cheers:ernae:

[deathfromafar]

Perhaps someone can help Dino with a better AB or use another freeware AB effect.

A couple of folks are looking into that. The question is, does the AB effect "extend & retract" as a texture and/or part of the model in reaction to throttle movements? Looking at the bleed through of the effect, I wonder of the effect/texture when our of AB is retracted into a narrower section behind the nozzle and thus bleeds through at times? I remember the old Captain Sim Mig-21UM having a modeled in AB effect/texture that didn't look so good. A gentleman( I can't recalled who he was) created a transparent texture to render the modeled in effect invisible ans then he added his own AB effect and texture. It turned out looking great and transformed the Mig-21 into a much nicer model.

Maybe those who had some experience with the Aerosoft F-16 and Acceleration F/A-18 AB's could help with the burner effect on this model.