Aircraft Factory F4U expansion pack released

[TheGrunt]

Just noticed when I popped in A2A simulations forums that F4U upgrade package is now released and downloadable.
http://a2asimulations.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=35354

Some direct quotes from the link above:


This is not an upgrade/update, nor is it a release affiliated with Aircraft Factory, or A2A Simulations. It is, however, made possible by their support, and permission.

This expansion includes;
New model materials
New historic racer liveries
New Flight Dynamics Model
New systems modelling


This expantion contains over 1GB of material. The compressed auto-installer is 147mb. It is, for the time being, being offered exclusively at FASA.

I will immediately download this when I get back to home from work. Looks fabulous! Thanks fsxar177 and all the other contributors including A2A Simulations and Aircraft Factory :applause:

Edit: Also noticed in flightsim.com that Scott Armstrong has released improved VC textures for the plane (f4u_vc_update.zip). Looks like we get bunch of new goodies ATM for Corsair and hopefully soon new repaints too :wiggle:

[papab]

Thanks for the HU...
Rick

[Killbilly]

Thanks for the HU! This pack will be a welcome addition.

[stovall]

Love my F-4U from Aircraft Factory. Soon as I get home this is a must for me as well as the VC textures. Thanks for the heads up.

[Deacon211]

Awesome! I can't wait to try her out.

Thanks guys.

Deacon

[WarHorse47]

Thanks for the great package. :medals:

I've already experienced a blown engine this morning. Always happens when I fly before reading the manual, LOL.

[FSX68]

These are GREAT!!!!

http://i41.tinypic.com/8x2a2r.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/e01ttk.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/nwc1so.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/296ma91.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/2nvgq6x.jpg

91648

[TheGrunt]

This is one fine addon and darker cockpit textures are also a lot livelier than originals with some shading! A lot more challenging to fly now that is for sure. Racer paints are top notch work too! There is now even more value with AF F4U and for a $12.99 model you really can't beat it.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9718107/Prepar3d/F4U_1.jpg

[Rudyjo]

I got both, the $12.99 corsair from A2A and the expansion pack.
This is one of the best values available.
A2A's Accu-feel works really well with this.
I highly recommend this package.

There are many repaints for the Aircraft Factory Corsair by Jan Kee Blom at Aussiex

[skyhawka4m]

those who have this aircraft may want to check out these new textures just posted over at Flightsim.com....big improvement......got love occlusion shadows


<center>FSX - FSX Panels</center><center>FSX Aircraft Factory F4U Corsair VC Textures
</center><center> [ Download (http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/fslib.php?do=copyright&fid=174709) | View (http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/fsview.php?do=list&fid=174709) ] </center>
Name: f4u_vc_update.zip (http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/fslib.php?do=copyright&fid=174709)
Size: 6,912,988 Date: 08-07-2013 Downloads: 198

http://www.flightsim.com/images/fscfiles/s/f4u_vc_update.gif
FSX Aircraft Factory F4U Corsair VC Textures. These textures will enhance the look of the virtual cockpit in the Aircraft Factory Corsair (payware package required). They are darkened with increased contrast and now include hand-painted ambient Occlusion shadows. Also, there is now a photo of your sweetheart taped to the panel to keep you company over those war-torn Pacific skies (can also be removed). Works with all models (F4U-1A, C, and D). By Scott Armstrong.

[TheGrunt]

Damn this is one nice expansion pack! I really like the FM and the challenge the mod brought to flying the F4U. You really need to be careful especially during landing that the important white smoke doesn't escape which the Pratt & Whitney seems dependent on or otherwise it quits :icon_lol: I also put new cocpit textures to racers and they are really good:applause:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9718107/Prepar3d/F4U_2.jpg

[delta_lima]

No interest in racer mods, personally - I believe there would be good traction for payware (new MDL) expansion pack to cover the later 4-blade prop versions such as the bubble-top Goodyear FG, and the later US, Latin American, and French models ('5, '7, AU-1, etc). I'd happily pay $15 for those ....

That said, I have installed the VC textures referenced by Skyhawk below - they are a massive improvement - so big thanks and kudos for those!! :medals:


DL



those who have this aircraft may want to check out these new textures just posted over at Flightsim.com....big improvement......got love occlusion shadows


<center>FSX - FSX Panels</center><center>FSX Aircraft Factory F4U Corsair VC Textures
</center><center> [ Download (http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/fslib.php?do=copyright&fid=174709) | View (http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/fsview.php?do=list&fid=174709) ] </center>
Name: f4u_vc_update.zip (http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/fslib.php?do=copyright&fid=174709)
Size: 6,912,988 Date: 08-07-2013 Downloads: 198

http://www.flightsim.com/images/fscfiles/s/f4u_vc_update.gif
FSX Aircraft Factory F4U Corsair VC Textures. These textures will enhance the look of the virtual cockpit in the Aircraft Factory Corsair (payware package required). They are darkened with increased contrast and now include hand-painted ambient Occlusion shadows. Also, there is now a photo of your sweetheart taped to the panel to keep you company over those war-torn Pacific skies (can also be removed). Works with all models (F4U-1A, C, and D). By Scott Armstrong.

[TheGrunt]

No interest in racer mods, personally - I believe there would be good traction for payware (new MDL) expansion pack to cover the later 4-blade prop versions such as the bubble-top Goodyear FG, and the later US, Latin American, and French models ('5, '7, AU-1, etc). I'd happily pay $15 for those ....

That said, I have installed the VC textures referenced by Skyhawk below - they are a massive improvement - so big thanks and kudos for those!! :medals:


DL
This is no "racer mod" in the sense. It is normal Goodyear Corsair with some fine tuned FM. Best thing is that it adds engine overheating and damage and working cowl flaps, which default plane totally lacks. You've missed the whole point of the addon. It was made by the FSX racer team yes, but to get some more realism to the Corsair. Only the paints with the mod are racers, but otherwise it is the plain old Corsair. Do as you like, but you miss out a lot without installing the mod, but if you don't care about "flying by the book", then this mod probably hasn't that much to offer to you.

[delta_lima]

Well, put forth by FASA, my assumption was the engine performance enhancements were designed to replicate how racing-tuned Corsairs perform today, versus vintage/period-spec performance. So I assumed wrong - no big deal. And as I do fly "by the numbers", then the mod may indeed be worth pursuing.

My main point was to seed the idea that a significant window of commercial opportunity exists for A2A to capture additional business to add a couple of the later models - even if they ended up sharing the existing (and especially repainted) VC. If this mod has motivated new customers to buy this 4-year old product now, imagine the possibilities of expansion packs covering even a few new models beyond the WWII era F4U - including, a race model, as well as some of the later post-war versions.

DL

[TheGrunt]

Well, put forth by FASA, my assumption was the engine performance enhancements were designed to replicate how racing-tuned Corsairs perform today, versus vintage/period-spec performance. So I assumed wrong - no big deal. And as I do fly "by the numbers", then the mod may indeed be worth pursuing.

My main point was to seed the idea that a significant window of commercial opportunity exists for A2A to capture additional business to add a couple of the later models - even if they ended up sharing the existing (and especially repainted) VC. If this mod has motivated new customers to buy this 4-year old product now, imagine the possibilities of expansion packs covering even a few new models beyond the WWII era F4U - including, a race model, as well as some of the later post-war versions.

DL
I agree. Also, though unlikely, giving Accusim treatment and improving the base model here and there, Corsair would draw a lot new folks to this model. Basic AF F4U is really good especially for its age, truly a nice aircraft and for the price today, a steal. I'd also like to have more attention to AF He-219 Uhu, which as a model is IMO even better, though it probably doesn't draw that much attention as a more rare and german bird. But it is really good and with Accusim it would be magnificent:jump:

[trucker17]

those who have this aircraft may want to check out these new textures just posted over at Flightsim.com....big improvement......got love occlusion shadows


<center>FSX - FSX Panels</center><center>FSX Aircraft Factory F4U Corsair VC Textures
</center><center> [ Download (http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/fslib.php?do=copyright&fid=174709) | View (http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/fsview.php?do=list&fid=174709) ] </center>
Name: f4u_vc_update.zip (http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/fslib.php?do=copyright&fid=174709)
Size: 6,912,988 Date: 08-07-2013 Downloads: 198

http://www.flightsim.com/images/fscfiles/s/f4u_vc_update.gif
FSX Aircraft Factory F4U Corsair VC Textures. These textures will enhance the look of the virtual cockpit in the Aircraft Factory Corsair (payware package required). They are darkened with increased contrast and now include hand-painted ambient Occlusion shadows. Also, there is now a photo of your sweetheart taped to the panel to keep you company over those war-torn Pacific skies (can also be removed). Works with all models (F4U-1A, C, and D). By Scott Armstrong.


Thanks for the heads up.....

[Bomber_12th]

Just as an FYI, there are currently no Corsairs flying today that have been modified for racing, other than the historic F2G Super Corsair Race #57, which is no longer raced. The only Corsair that is currently a Reno participant is Doug Matthews' stock F4U-4 (and thus is not modified to go any faster or pushed any further than a stock F4U-4).

The root of the expansion pack is a multitude of improvements to the flight dynamics, so that the aircraft will actually perform and fly like a stock F4U-1/FG-1 Corsair - which is what the couple of true Cleveland FG-1 racers included with the expansion were. One of the main goals for the expansion was so that the aircraft would be more accurately competitive if raced (meaning that they would perform as an F4U-1/FG-1 would in comparison with other accurately performing WWII fighters), and that there would be some consequences if you didn't work the engine settings and cowl flaps correctly. If you're not so interested in racing with them (like me), it stilll makes any other type of flying more accurate to the experience of flying an F4U-1/FG-1 as well. For instance, the only real type of 'flying' I do these days in FSX is display-type flying, and with the more accurate handling and performance, display flying with the aircraft is far more accurate (and enjoyable as a result). Just as with the real aircraft, using climb settings for display flying, you stick the nose straight up and you can climb 'forever'.

[dvj]

Thanks for the heads up.....


yes, thanks, but the only difference I see is darker. If there is new shading, I don't see it. Not a complaint, just an observation.

[TheGrunt]

yes, thanks, but the only difference I see is darker. If there is new shading, I don't see it. Not a complaint, just an observation.
Then you must have too dark monitor settings or something, I suggest you calibrate it properly. There are now clearly static shades under the panel frames which give nicely depth to the cockpit features. It is not just recolored. Effect is subtle, but quite noticable. And good.

[fliger747]

This looks like a lot of fun. I haven't tried it out as yet, but original Milviz FD that I did for this required book trim settings for a successful takeoff. Amazingly for a carrier landing, with the high power settings of a straight deck approach, the trim settings ended up right where they started. To simplify operation and a concession to parts availability many F4U models still flying use the commercial CB16/17 as is still flying in the venerable DC6. Being a C series engine it actually has better takeoff power, if not the altitude capability. That this late 1930's engine design is still flying in commercial service over 70 years after it's inception is a qualification for the airmotive hall of fame.

Thanks guys! T

[Lionheart]

Beautiful work! Again!

:medals:

[Barfly]

Yes, well done by all! Thanks guys.

[gradyhappyg]

Yes I would like to add my thanks to all the previous thanks.
Thanks!

[fliger747]

Amazingly I never had the A2A version but always flew the original Milviz version before it was released to A2A. So in order to try this out, downloading the A2A version now.I might make one comment about supercharged engines and aircraft performance: as altitude increases the engines do not develop more power, actually less till each stage of the supercharging is switched, and the maximum available in high blower at altitude is actually quite a bit less than neutral blower at low altitude as the power required to run the blower at higher ratios is very substantial and is subtracted from the availble prop power. For example a 2000 HP R2800 at sl will only deliver about 1600 HP at altitude in High Blower due to the supercharger power useage, even though the RPM and MP might be the same. Aircraft generally have a higher true airspeed at altitude because of the thinner air and reduction in drag. Cheers: Tom

[fliger747]

The Bendix injection carbs used on the R2800 were almost always un in auto rich or auto lean. Auto Rich for takeoff and climb and Auto lean for cruise. The Navy philosophy was to KISS... Detonation instrumentation was available as were many other instrumentations, which were mostly useful to an experienced and trained Flight Engineer, not a busy single engine fighter pilot.

T

[fliger747]

After flying this about a bit, nice indeed. However the two entries in the .Air file that control CHT; Scalar and Cooling Factor might need a slight further tweaking. I realize that the FS series makes life difficult. For the DC2 we went round and round with this issue. FSX without workarounds depends way too much on RPM to generate a CHT value. A legacy of it's beginnings with a single engine fixed pitch prop aircraft. For climb the engine is a bit too easy to overheat and cools off too much in a higher speed cruise. If the engine was that easy to overheat in a climb the plane would have been useless as a combat aircraft.

Pretty close! Very small adjustments in these parameters should help with this very nice addon!

Regards: Tom

[fliger747]

This is a lot of fun to fly! I don't know if at this point anyone wants to do any further gauge work, but a useful addition would be the carb air temp. This was used as a reference for adjustment of the intercooler. Detonation in the R2800 was quite dependent on inlet temperature. In the ETO, turbocharged P-47's were often run as needs must at higher than permissible MP values without harm due to the low OAT at altitude, especially in winter! In the Pacific the higher tropopause and warmer temps aloft made this much more of an issue. Proper manipulation of the intercooler was important in good engine operation.

Cheers: T

[stansdds]

I don't recall the real F4U-1 series as having a carburetor air temperature gauge.

[Deacon211]

The old repaints work on the new model as well. Excellent job!

Deacon

[fliger747]

Any plane with a manually controllled inter cooler needs a carb inlet temp gauge. No othe way to know what you are doing. I am sure FSX does not support this so would have to be a gauge miester derived value. When I get home in another 10 days will research this some more.

T

[stansdds]

I checked the pilot's operating handbook for the F4U-1, -1A, -1D, and there is no carb air temperature gauge, just a warning light.

[fliger747]

Interesting, a workable system,if barely, though requiring the typical analogue era Kentucky Windage.

ill have to plow through my R2800 stuff when I finally get home, and see what I can find on the inter cooler design and operation. It wouldn't surprise me if one found a lot of deviation from the manual, certainly the planes I fly vary a lot in detail, for the 747-200 I still have a set of differences manuals a foot high. You wouldn't know this from the basic manual. The 747-400 and 747-8 manuals we have have a plethora of individual aircraft notes. Tis is only possible with ring binder manuals which can be up dated and individualized.

Thanks for looking, surprisingly my F4U stuff has escaped from my eyepad.

Cheers. T