Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk Update...Read on.

[mal998]

Hi All!
I started updating the flight dyanmics for the Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk package. So far I have completed the 0-1 Clean model. I'm looking for a couple of guys who already own the aircraft and would like to take the new files for a test flight and report back. Full flight testing is not necessary. Just take her for a spin, do a couple of carrier landings and take-offs and let me know how she flies. These files will be used as a template for all the other aircraft version updates.

PM me if you own the package and are interested in testing these new files.

mal
Virtavia Flight Dynamics Guy

[spins_vmfa321]

Hi All!
I started updating the flight dyanmics for the Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk package. So far I have completed the 0-1 Clean model. I'm looking for a couple of guys who already own the aircraft and would like to take the new files for a test flight and report back. Full flight testing is not necessary. Just take her for a spin, do a couple of carrier landings and take-offs and let me know how she flies. These files will be used as a template for all the other aircraft version updates.

PM me if you own the package and are interested in testing these new files.

mal
Virtavia Flight Dynamics Guy

I'd love to help you out with this!

Jamal

[Flyboy208]

Me too ! Mike :wavey:

[flewpastu]

PM sent

Bill

[Ian Warren]

I ll give it a go , PM sent

[Corvette99]

I'm in if you're still looking ! :)

[expat]

Hey Mitch! Please shoot me a copy. If I can find the time I would be pleased to give you some feedback on this welcome update effort.

Thanks and regards,

[mal998]

Lee,
PM me your email.

[skyhawka4m]

PMed...no response.....bummer

[mal998]

no email sent

[ST0RM]

Mal,

I find the 1.2 version of the Clean A-4E flight model, the best of the lot. The skidding that the other models have, isnt as prevalent on the clean jet. I can work the pattern with ease and while still watching the airspeed bleed, it handles nice. Add any stores and the rudder is ineffective and the tail just doesnt feel there. It's purely on the roll axis which requires a lot of over banking and pulling to bring the nose around.

I hope you are successful. If you need another tester, let me know.

-Jeff

[skyhawka4m]

my biggest issue with the flight model as it was, had to do with landing. With full flaps the plane wanted to almost hover and you had to nose down to drive it into the ground to land.

[ST0RM]

Yes, flaps provide too much lift. If I do use them, its only the first notch.

Jeff

[mal998]

Flap issues may have to do with the setting you have for your controller or in the sim. I'll be away for a few days. Will look at this issue when I return. Remember, for every simmer there is a different set-up, so behavior on one sim is likely to be different from another. That's why we always try to take a general consensus from a group of reports. If several people report the same issue then you have a pretty good sense that something is amiss. If only one person out of hundreds report, then there's a fair chance the issue is with that one only. We'll get it squared away. The Skyhawk was agile but a very stable platform according to all pilot reports. A lot to shoot for in an aging sim that never was quite right...I'll be back Sunday....

Happy flying.
mal

[expat]

Mal,
Don't know what you did but v2.7 is bang on! It really flies like a different aircraft. Rock solid in the pitch access, yaw and and I now can do balanced turns without skidding - was deliberately doing shallow bank with strong rudder and no problem. No contrails at 120 knts and other assorted vices have all disappeared. Took her around KVRB (where coincidently, I discussed with a real A-4 pilot flying a real restored A-4C there that day, in detail her handling characteristics) and it behave well in the pattern. Ditto doing carrier ops and trapping on the Oriskany. She is now a joy to fly as well as to look at. I think others should do some more repaints now to celebrate. Well done Mal.
expat

http://s7.postimg.org/sv3608d4r/a4f.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
adult image hosting (http://postimage.org/)

[spatialpro]

Sounds great! When and where can we download?

Andy

[spins_vmfa321]

Kinda jealous... I'd really like to check this out!

Jamal

[flewpastu]

Ditto :sorrow::sorrow::sorrow:

Bill

[Duckie]

Ditto...ditto...

BTW got some new Virtavia A-4 skins in the oven, 1 finished and 3 are in process.

Hey expat, where might one find that skin? Is that the one by skyhawka4m?

Really looking forward to try out that new FDE.

Steve

[mal998]

OK, glad to hear from Expat that all is well on the first aircraft. Remember, the update I sent to a few folks was only for the 0-1 Clean aircraft.

I am just about finished updating the second aircraft, folder 2-3 Adversary.

There are over 20 separate aircraft with individual load-outs and weights, so that each model has to be modified and brought up to speed and then tested. This is a big project that will take some time. The goal is to get them all brought up to speed then release the update all at once through Virtavia's site.

[spins_vmfa321]

OK, glad to hear from Expat that all is well on the first aircraft. Remember, the update I sent to a few folks was only for the 0-1 Clean aircraft.

I am just about finished updating the second aircraft, folder 2-3 Adversary.

There are over 20 separate aircraft with individual load-outs and weights, so that each model has to be modified and brought up to speed and then tested. This is a big project that will take some time. The goal is to get them all brought up to speed then release the update all at once through Virtavia's site.

If only there was a way to Tacpack this jet. That would make the work with weights much easier.

Jamal

[delta_lima]

Ditto...ditto...

BTW got some new Virtavia A-4 skins in the oven, 1 finished and 3 are in process.

Hey expat, where might one find that skin? Is that the one by skyhawka4m?

Really looking forward to try out that new FDE.

Steve

That is such good news, Steve!!! Your AS/V F-4 paints get regular use, and so will anything you do with this Scooter! Any USMC paints in the hopper?

Sorry for the 'jack. Great news on the FDE - looking forward to it, Mal, ex, et al!! :ernaehrung004:

dl

[fsafranek]

Mitch.

Please send me what you have so far.

---
Frank
:ernaehrung004:

[mal998]

will do Frank.

[noddy]

Seems like the update is going to a winner.

[whiteside]

I would love to help. I own this add on aircraft but Have not flown the real jet. I have lots of RW jet experience and lots of fsx time.

[whiteside]

I do own the the FSX version though!

[ejoiner]

Ditto...ditto...

BTW got some new Virtavia A-4 skins in the oven, 1 finished and 3 are in process.

Hey expat, where might one find that skin? Is that the one by skyhawka4m?

Really looking forward to try out that new FDE.

Steve

Hi Steve, how are those new Scooter skins coming? Super looking forward to those! :jump:

[Duckie]

Hi Steve, how are those new Scooter skins coming? Super looking forward to those! :jump:

Hey, Eric. Running a little behind schedule. Was out of pocket for 3 days last week. And...I would have choose my first repaints for FSX to have among the more sophisticated folder structures! :dizzy: However...I just finished packaging 2 but I still have to test to make sure they load as advertised. Maybe by tomorrow evening I'll have 3 of them uploaded.

Haven't selected my next repaint. Any thoughts on a USN or USMC candidate for an E or F that doesn't have a slanted banner/stripe/ribbon over the fuselage? Stretching is extremely exaggerated on the top 1/3 of the fuselage which nixes any but the shallowest of slanted fuselage banners.

Also probably ought to start a new thread for further updates.. Apologies to mal998 for the hijack!

[delta_lima]

Hey, Eric. Running a little behind schedule. Was out of pocket for 3 days last week. And...I would have choose my first repaints for FSX to have among the more sophisticated folder structures! :dizzy: However...I just finished packaging 2 but I still have to test to make sure they load as advertised. Maybe by tomorrow evening I'll have 3 of them uploaded.

Haven't selected my next repaint. Any thoughts on a USN or USMC candidate for an E or F that doesn't have a slanted banner/stripe/ribbon over the fuselage? Stretching is extremely exaggerated on the top 1/3 of the fuselage which nixes any but the shallowest of slanted fuselage banners.

Also probably ought to start a new thread for further updates.. Apologies to mal998 for the hijack!


Would a VA-212 Rampant Raiders be one you'd enjoy? One of my fave USN schemes on A-4s ...

http://www.cloud9photography.us/Military-Aviation-10/Douglas-A-4-Skyhawk-Military/i-9WdJcDb/0/O/A-4USN%2000006%20A%20static%20US%20Navy%20Douglas%20 A-4F%20Skyhawk,%20154973,%20VA-212%20RAMPANT%20RAIDERS%20on%20USS%20Hancock%2019% 20April%201973,%20military%20airplane%20picture,%2 0by%20Hideki%20Nagakubo.jpg

Am more of a fan of the no-hump E, but the colours on this later '212 F model are (imho) just are a bit nicer than on the earlier cruise 212 E model schemes with the white rudder ...

Just food for thought. Your VMA-121 paint is already one I'm eagerly looking forward to.

Take care,

dl

[mal998]

"Apologies to mal998 for the hijack!"

Not to worry. It's great to see the Scooter getting some well-deserved attention. Gives me impetus to continue working on the FDE updates. Thanks!

[Craig Taylor]

+1 to a VA-212 paint, and many grateful thanks to everyone who has put time in on the A-4. Definitely one of my favorite birds. :applause:

[skyhawka4m]

a 212 like this?

12706


12705

[gradyhappyg]

I did a few as well. But as usual for me never got around to uploading them anywhere.

http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx95/gradyhappyg/2014-9-29_18-0-9-256.png (http://s745.photobucket.com/user/gradyhappyg/media/2014-9-29_18-0-9-256.png.html)
http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx95/gradyhappyg/2014-9-29_18-1-1-648.png (http://s745.photobucket.com/user/gradyhappyg/media/2014-9-29_18-1-1-648.png.html)
http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx95/gradyhappyg/2013-10-25_15-11-4-993.png (http://s745.photobucket.com/user/gradyhappyg/media/2013-10-25_15-11-4-993.png.html)
http://i745.photobucket.com/albums/xx95/gradyhappyg/2013-10-14_7-32-44-889.png (http://s745.photobucket.com/user/gradyhappyg/media/2013-10-14_7-32-44-889.png.html)

[delta_lima]

YES to all of the above!!!

Grady - I've seen what you did with the Milviz Sabre (or "Fury" :very_drunk:), so I'm stoked about seeing what your paintbrush did to the Scooter.... yum!

dl

[skyhawka4m]

12707

I'm digging the training command bird, here's a similar one.

[delta_lima]

My reference to Frank (safranek) earlier was in the context of a VT- paint he did. In case you missed it ... here, as well as a few other places ...

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/local_links.php?linkid=15151&catid=3

... still, the VT-25 paint looks different enough ... I'd be into it, if released!

dl

[ZsoltB]

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/zsoltfireman/2.jpg (http://s36.photobucket.com/user/zsoltfireman/media/2.jpg.html)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/zsoltfireman/1-1.jpg (http://s36.photobucket.com/user/zsoltfireman/media/1-1.jpg.html)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/zsoltfireman/3.jpg (http://s36.photobucket.com/user/zsoltfireman/media/3.jpg.html)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e13/zsoltfireman/4.jpg (http://s36.photobucket.com/user/zsoltfireman/media/4.jpg.html)

[Navy Chief]

So have the flight dynamics of the Virtavia A-4 been updated, and are they available for download? I see all sorts of posts about new paints, but no updates about a modded FD? Thanks, NC

[mal998]

The FDE updates are a WIP. So far I've only had time to work on the first three models. It's going to be a while before all 22 aircraft have been updated and tested. Your patience will be much appreciated.

mal

[Navy Chief]

The FDE updates are a WIP. So far I've only had time to work on the first three models. It's going to be a while before all 22 aircraft have been updated and tested. Your patience will be much appreciated.

mal

Thanks for the update, Mal:encouragement:

[big-mike]

Can someone please send me the updated FDE?
I`ve PM`d Mal,but got no answer.
Mike

[Navy Chief]

Can someone please send me the updated FDE?
I`ve PM`d Mal,but got no answer.
Mike

Mike, I don't beleive he is finished yet. He said it is a work in progress. NC

[big-mike]

Mike, I don't beleive he is finished yet. He said it is a work in progress. NC

I have read this and thought,that i could also get the updated FDE.

Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk Update...Read on. Hi All!
I started updating the flight dyanmics for the Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk package. So far I have completed the 0-1 Clean model. I'm looking for a couple of guys who already own the aircraft and would like to take the new files for a test flight and report back. Full flight testing is not necessary. Just take her for a spin, do a couple of carrier landings and take-offs and let me know how she flies. These files will be used as a template for all the other aircraft version updates.

PM me if you own the package and are interested in testing these new files.

[ejoiner]

I have read this and thought,that i could also get the updated FDE.

Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk Update...Read on.

Hi All!
I started updating the flight dyanmics for the Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk package. So far I have completed the 0-1 Clean model. I'm looking for a couple of guys who already own the aircraft and would like to take the new files for a test flight and report back. Full flight testing is not necessary. Just take her for a spin, do a couple of carrier landings and take-offs and let me know how she flies. These files will be used as a template for all the other aircraft version updates.

PM me if you own the package and are interested in testing these new files.


Im in! ejoiner2 AT gee mail dot com

[Navy Chief]

I will just patiently wait. Eventually Mal will finish. No problem. Looking forward to it! NC

[whiteside]

Hi, any progress?