Bomber_12th
November 25th, 2010, 18:28
In spotlighting the F-6D Mustang "Lil' Margaret", I figured I would skip writing out a long background on the aircraft, as I did for previous variants, since there doesn't seem to be much interest in it. Instead, through several more screenshots, I figured I would highlight many of the details of the model.
In this first view, one can see the defining feature of what made an F-6D what it was, the camera ports. As configured within the "Lil' Margaret" restoration, a K-24 camera is installed in the bottom left-facing camera port. At any one given time, only one camera can be installed in the aircraft, as there is not enough room for the K-24 and one of the larger types, installed at the same time, and it would also off-set the center of gravity too far. Per operations, either the K-24 could be fitted, or the larger K-17 or K-22. Either of the larger cameras could be mounted facing out of the top left-facing port. While not featured in the restoration, most original F-6D's were fitted also with a downward facing camera port, in which any of the three camera choices could be mounted. Providing room for the cameras, the control-surface lines had to be routed differently, and some of them can be seen through the upper left-facing camera port. The red placard underneath the fuel cap, as well as being mounted to the camera access door on the other side of the aircraft, provided information on how much fuel could be put into the fuselage fuel tank based on which cameras were installed. Even with no cameras installed, the mounting brackets created enough weight, that only a limited supply of fuel could be put into the fuselage fuel tank for safe operation, otherwise the center of gravity could be shifted too far aft.
Information presented on the placard:
Without any cameras - only 60 gallons were to be filled in the fus. tank
When both a camera and the MX-241 are installed - no fuel was to be placed in the fus. tank
When any camera is installed - only 30 gallons were to be filled in the fus. tank
When the MX-241 is installed, but no camera - only 40 gallons were to be filled in the fus. tank
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image1-9.jpg
From this mostly top-down angle, you can more clearly make out the radio/battery/fuel tank installation in the back of the cockpit (this is the first time in flightsim, that this area has been recreated both accurately and authentically). On the left wing, the camera-sighting markings are applied exactly to how the original service manual specifies, by positioning and dimensions. Just as specified, each cross includes the angle, stenciled next to it. These marks correspond with accurate cross-hairs painted on the canopy (also applied both outside and in).
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image2-10.jpg
In this right-side view, one can see the camera access door, just behind the fuselage star & bars, accurately recreated as on the F-6D. The drop tank plumbing is completely accurate - featuring a feed line and a pressure line.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image3-9.jpg
In this head-on shot, the accurate tail-warning radar antenna array can be seen, on the vertical fin. Beneath the wings, a six-set of zero rail rocket launcher stubs are installed. Both the front and rear rocket stubs are fully accurate, and were modeled using original engineering drawings. They each feature original solenoids, clamps, plug-ins, wire knifes, and more. The squadron markings around the top of the nose, are exact to the paintwork on the restoration.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image4-9.jpg
In this exterior view, the camera access door can be seen more clearly. Beneath the aircraft, the plumbing of the overflow drain pipes have been modeled to match this exact aircraft. The drain pipes, extending out from the aircraft, allow the aircraft to stay cleaner much longer.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image5-8.jpg
And a final view, as posted before, showing the bottom of the wing, and the completely accurate rocket launcher stubs and drop tanks to advantage. All underwing stencils are accounted for, many of which have never been applied to a flightsim Mustang before.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/lilmargaretrocketports.jpg
In this first view, one can see the defining feature of what made an F-6D what it was, the camera ports. As configured within the "Lil' Margaret" restoration, a K-24 camera is installed in the bottom left-facing camera port. At any one given time, only one camera can be installed in the aircraft, as there is not enough room for the K-24 and one of the larger types, installed at the same time, and it would also off-set the center of gravity too far. Per operations, either the K-24 could be fitted, or the larger K-17 or K-22. Either of the larger cameras could be mounted facing out of the top left-facing port. While not featured in the restoration, most original F-6D's were fitted also with a downward facing camera port, in which any of the three camera choices could be mounted. Providing room for the cameras, the control-surface lines had to be routed differently, and some of them can be seen through the upper left-facing camera port. The red placard underneath the fuel cap, as well as being mounted to the camera access door on the other side of the aircraft, provided information on how much fuel could be put into the fuselage fuel tank based on which cameras were installed. Even with no cameras installed, the mounting brackets created enough weight, that only a limited supply of fuel could be put into the fuselage fuel tank for safe operation, otherwise the center of gravity could be shifted too far aft.
Information presented on the placard:
Without any cameras - only 60 gallons were to be filled in the fus. tank
When both a camera and the MX-241 are installed - no fuel was to be placed in the fus. tank
When any camera is installed - only 30 gallons were to be filled in the fus. tank
When the MX-241 is installed, but no camera - only 40 gallons were to be filled in the fus. tank
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image1-9.jpg
From this mostly top-down angle, you can more clearly make out the radio/battery/fuel tank installation in the back of the cockpit (this is the first time in flightsim, that this area has been recreated both accurately and authentically). On the left wing, the camera-sighting markings are applied exactly to how the original service manual specifies, by positioning and dimensions. Just as specified, each cross includes the angle, stenciled next to it. These marks correspond with accurate cross-hairs painted on the canopy (also applied both outside and in).
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image2-10.jpg
In this right-side view, one can see the camera access door, just behind the fuselage star & bars, accurately recreated as on the F-6D. The drop tank plumbing is completely accurate - featuring a feed line and a pressure line.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image3-9.jpg
In this head-on shot, the accurate tail-warning radar antenna array can be seen, on the vertical fin. Beneath the wings, a six-set of zero rail rocket launcher stubs are installed. Both the front and rear rocket stubs are fully accurate, and were modeled using original engineering drawings. They each feature original solenoids, clamps, plug-ins, wire knifes, and more. The squadron markings around the top of the nose, are exact to the paintwork on the restoration.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image4-9.jpg
In this exterior view, the camera access door can be seen more clearly. Beneath the aircraft, the plumbing of the overflow drain pipes have been modeled to match this exact aircraft. The drain pipes, extending out from the aircraft, allow the aircraft to stay cleaner much longer.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/Image5-8.jpg
And a final view, as posted before, showing the bottom of the wing, and the completely accurate rocket launcher stubs and drop tanks to advantage. All underwing stencils are accounted for, many of which have never been applied to a flightsim Mustang before.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/lilmargaretrocketports.jpg