ceo1944
December 19th, 2015, 07:00
Calling all MiG-21 fans!
Lately I've fallen in love with the MiG-21Bis in DCS, but I love flying in the FSX universe because there's a whole world out there, and weather is much more realistic.
So I turned to Ivan Jurcaga's MiG-21MF for FSX. But flying it is so dramatically different from the DCS Mig-21 that it's a rough transition. I assume the DCS version is highly accurate, since it was designed by and approved by several real MiG-21 pilots. It feels pretty real to me. I've tried the various downloadable FDE fixes for the Jurcaga version and none of them get it right, assuming the DCS is "right". (Yes, the DCS is a 21Bis and this is a 21MF, but the two aren't all that dramatically different.)
So, I've been extensively overhauling the Jurcaga FSX MiG-21MF FDE to get it to fly the numbers roughly like the DCS Mig-21Bis. That's going well, and I'll be happy to share the results when they're ready for a Beta.
But now I want even more, of course. So I've picked up a freeware VC repaint improvement from Avsim.rus that makes the VC look even better, overhauled the warning lights to make them more accurate and useful, and started converting the cockpit to English. Also, I've implemented a CS Weapon interface that allows the working weapons switches in the VC to select and control the CS weapons. It even removes the weapon from the model when it's fired, for a very realistic look!
Ah, and there's the rub. The working weapons switches. Unfortunately, Ivan didn't implement the most important one, the rotary selection on the left upper cockpit area that selects which weapon you're firing. Also, the jettison buttons aren't implemented, and several other controls that would be nice to have.
I've worked around all this by using the switches that are working (good thing that the weapon arming circuit breakers on the right side work fine.)
Now, I want an RP-22 radar, and I want it bad. I'm eager to implement it, and I will as soon as the holidays are over.
But I can't figure out how to access the blank unused radar area in the VC. I don't know if it can be done in the current model. If not I'll implement the RP-22 as a pop-up.
However this all works out, I'll share the results as freeware here.
But, as you can tell, I could do a much more effective job if I had access to the source code for the model so I could get those frozen switches working. I hear Ivan is no longer working on this model. If he is interested and would consider it, I've love for him to either make those changes for an upgraded version, or share the code with me (under an NDA if he wants to protect his work) and I can do it. But that may not be realistic. So we work with what we have, regardless.
Here's how you can help:
There was a brief reference to an "official update" that was implemented, in this thread: http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?48997-Ivan-Jurcaga-Mig-21MF-soon!-%28now-released%29 - reply number #382 on page 16. In this update it's mentioned that a "standard fsx radar" is implemented. This is the key to accessing the radar area for an RP-22.
But of course, the link is broken, and I can't find this "official update" version anywhere now. Anyone know where it is, or might have downloaded it and tried it? If so, please message me. I like to have this version, it will unlock the secret to putting an RP-22 radar in the VC!
Look forward to an upgraded and much more accurate and authentic MiG-21MF experience in FSX, fairly soon.
Thanks!
Dutch
Lately I've fallen in love with the MiG-21Bis in DCS, but I love flying in the FSX universe because there's a whole world out there, and weather is much more realistic.
So I turned to Ivan Jurcaga's MiG-21MF for FSX. But flying it is so dramatically different from the DCS Mig-21 that it's a rough transition. I assume the DCS version is highly accurate, since it was designed by and approved by several real MiG-21 pilots. It feels pretty real to me. I've tried the various downloadable FDE fixes for the Jurcaga version and none of them get it right, assuming the DCS is "right". (Yes, the DCS is a 21Bis and this is a 21MF, but the two aren't all that dramatically different.)
So, I've been extensively overhauling the Jurcaga FSX MiG-21MF FDE to get it to fly the numbers roughly like the DCS Mig-21Bis. That's going well, and I'll be happy to share the results when they're ready for a Beta.
But now I want even more, of course. So I've picked up a freeware VC repaint improvement from Avsim.rus that makes the VC look even better, overhauled the warning lights to make them more accurate and useful, and started converting the cockpit to English. Also, I've implemented a CS Weapon interface that allows the working weapons switches in the VC to select and control the CS weapons. It even removes the weapon from the model when it's fired, for a very realistic look!
Ah, and there's the rub. The working weapons switches. Unfortunately, Ivan didn't implement the most important one, the rotary selection on the left upper cockpit area that selects which weapon you're firing. Also, the jettison buttons aren't implemented, and several other controls that would be nice to have.
I've worked around all this by using the switches that are working (good thing that the weapon arming circuit breakers on the right side work fine.)
Now, I want an RP-22 radar, and I want it bad. I'm eager to implement it, and I will as soon as the holidays are over.
But I can't figure out how to access the blank unused radar area in the VC. I don't know if it can be done in the current model. If not I'll implement the RP-22 as a pop-up.
However this all works out, I'll share the results as freeware here.
But, as you can tell, I could do a much more effective job if I had access to the source code for the model so I could get those frozen switches working. I hear Ivan is no longer working on this model. If he is interested and would consider it, I've love for him to either make those changes for an upgraded version, or share the code with me (under an NDA if he wants to protect his work) and I can do it. But that may not be realistic. So we work with what we have, regardless.
Here's how you can help:
There was a brief reference to an "official update" that was implemented, in this thread: http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?48997-Ivan-Jurcaga-Mig-21MF-soon!-%28now-released%29 - reply number #382 on page 16. In this update it's mentioned that a "standard fsx radar" is implemented. This is the key to accessing the radar area for an RP-22.
But of course, the link is broken, and I can't find this "official update" version anywhere now. Anyone know where it is, or might have downloaded it and tried it? If so, please message me. I like to have this version, it will unlock the secret to putting an RP-22 radar in the VC!
Look forward to an upgraded and much more accurate and authentic MiG-21MF experience in FSX, fairly soon.
Thanks!
Dutch