FSX/P4D : KCFS Seabee Redux is out! Many fixes and improveme

[Kekelekou]

Hello!

I am pleased to announce that my update and improvement pack for the payware KCFS Seabee (available at Aerosoft and Simmarket for 20€) is now available at the FlightSim File Library and anytime now at AvSim.

https://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/fslib...ght&fid=208406

This package fixes and improves many glitches of the otherwise pleasing KCFS Seabee, including:
- corrected throttle, mixture and pitch levers' animation
- vintage radio set replaced by Jon Dyer's KY196A and KT70 with 3D models in the VC
GPS295 added in the VC; consistency of switches positions and actions
- flaps and landing gear actuations much more realistic now

Reminder : as stated in the README file, XMLTools (available at FSDeveloper) is required for proper landing gear animation and radio freq storage.

Bonus livery of OH-EGA is included (real life Finnish Seabee now at display at Lusto, the Finnish Forest Museum in PunkaHarju).

I don't own P3Dv4, but I have added instructions and files that SHOULD make the avionics click sounds play in this sim. No warranty about that though, feedback will be appreciated.


Thanks to Kevin from KCFS for allowing me to release modified MDL files, Jon Dyer for the avionics gauges, David W for the GSP295 model and JanKees for the livery template.

Hope you like it!

[Moses03]

The KCFS Seabee has been an FSX favorite for a long time.

Thanks!

[speedy70]

Fantastic improvement to a good model that needed some TLC.

It is now really brilliant and one of the most versatile there is.

Cheers and thanks Chris

[modelr]

And it works great in P3Dv4.5!

[YoYo]

And it works great in P3Dv4.5!

Good to know it ! Id like to see it in P3Dv4.5 also.
Did You install this XMLtools?

My problem is - I dont know where I have this SeeBee (and dont remember where I buyed it, ups!). I have to look more.

btw.
here how VC looked before (without this mod):





Id like to see also in VC F1 GNS 530 or 430 http://www.flight1.com/products.asp?product=f1gns (instead of radio for example) as 3D object (just wishes ).

[modelr]

YoYo, those shots are from P3Dv4.5 Hf2, (or whatever the latest version is.) XML Tools is installed, originally for one of the ai tools I have/use.

I originally purchased the Seabee from Flight1, but they no longer have it, and my file installer no longer works. I fortunately kept a backup of the original installation, which I copied and pasted into P3Dv4.5, then installed this update over, following the instructions. Screenshots are from 1st load up and checkout.

Sorry, I don't have the Flight1 GPS.

The original KCFS Seabee is available from P.C. Aviator now, listed under the Aerosoft Publishing, line

Sent from my SM-G935R4 using Tapatalk

[Kekelekou]

Hi!

Modelr, why are you talking about the KCFS Renegade? It's supposed to be about the Seabee!

And sorry Yoyo, I don't own Flight1's GNSs and I would like to move on to my other projects (mostly aerial firefighting related).

Anyway, I am glad you all like it. So enjoy now!

[modelr]

Hi!

Modelr, why are you talking about the KCFS Renegade? It's supposed to be about the Seabee!

And sorry Yoyo, I don't own Flight1's GNSs and I would like to move on to my other projects (mostly aerial firefighting related).

Anyway, I am glad you all like it. So enjoy now!

Hi Kekelekou, Posted from my phone, just woke up, no coffee yet!! I corrected my post as you were posting!



thanks for this update, it really helps bring this aircraft up to date.

[YoYo]

I originally purchased the Seabee from Flight1, but they no longer have it, and my file installer no longer works. I fortunately kept a backup of the original installation...

I found it on my backup disc !

I have file named KCFS_Seabee_v2.120729 is it the last version?

[YoYo]

Ok, installed and installed the Redux version (P3Dv4.5 ht2) too.
But I have in VC strange issue (like the model sees old parts still, they are very bright also)



And this (line in panel cfg was changed):

gauge00=BendixKingSeabee!KY196A_Seabee, 0,0,505,102gauge01=BendixKingSeabee!KT70_Seabee, 0, 103, 496,129
//gauge02=RC3_Seabee_sound!Sound, 2,2,2,2, .\SimObjects\Airplanes\KC Flight Shop Seabee\panel\SoundJD.ini //32bits
gauge02=RC3_Seabee_sound64!Sound, 2,2,2,2, .\SimObjects\Airplanes\KC Flight Shop Seabee\panel\SoundJD64.ini //64bits
gauge04=RC3_Pump!PumpLogic, 0,0,0,0

For sure file named "SoundJD64" is present in panel folder.

Btw.
I puted Seabee in Add-on folder and created this file:

<SimBase.Document Type="AddOnXml" version="4,0" id="add-on">
<AddOn.Name>KCFS Republic Seabee Redux</AddOn.Name>
<AddOn.Description>RC-3 SeaBee KCFS</AddOn.Description>
<AddOn.Component>
<Category>Effects</Category>
<Path>Effects</Path>
</AddOn.Component>
<AddOn.Component>
<Category>SimObjects</Category>
<Path>SimObjects\Airplanes</Path>
</AddOn.Component>
<AddOn.Component>
<Category>Sound</Category>
<Path>Sound</Path>
</AddOn.Component>
</SimBase.Document>

Any idea?

[modelr]

Ok, installed and installed the Redux version (P3Dv4.5 ht2) too.
But I have in VC strange issue (like the model sees old parts still, they are very bright also)



And this (line in panel cfg was changed):





For sure file named "SoundJD64" is present in panel folder.

Btw.
I puted Seabee in Add-on folder and created this file:



Any idea?

I had not really explored the panel, as I was more interested in just a quick "kick the tires & fly" flight, but looking closer at mine, it shows the same as yours. Hmmm.



My folder is in the "Simobjects/airplanes" folder, which
I have junction linked from a separate SSD.

[modelr]

I just reloaded the Seabee, and zoomed in on the radios. These are the new ones. Bendix King KY196A and KT70

[Kekelekou]

Well, the light grey cover and the two medium grey knobs below the radios are normal (they are requires to hide the old radio).
They look OKish in FSX, but seem to look worse in P4D.
I’ll try and improve how they look like in the next few days.
Sorry about that.

Besides, Don, have you experienced the same issue with sound gauge?

[YoYo]

@Thx Kekelekou,
Is it possible to remove all this parts from old radio and do background flat and new radio only?

About this warning sound gauge, I have it when I take Seabee only.

[modelr]

Well, the light grey cover and the two medium grey knobs below the radios are normal (they are requires to hide the old radio).

They look OKish in FSX, but seem to look worse in P4D.

I’ll try and improve how they look like in the next few days.

Sorry about that.



Besides, Don, have you experienced the same issue with sound gauge?

I personally don't have any problems with them, and to my eyes they look better in the sim than in the screenshots. They are "clearer" in the sim.

As for the sound gauge, i don't know what it controls, so not sure what sounds are missing. I tried most, not all, of the switches, and heard faint clicks. Hand pump makes obvious sounds, as do all the doors and handles.

One thing I have problem with is the hand pump. Keeping rhe mouse pointer on it to operate while looking out wind screen is not possible, making operating the flaps and gear during climb out or approach a very rough ride. Needs to be some way to start the operation, and finish it while taking view away.

Overall, I really like what you've done. I need to load the many additional textures I downloaded many years ago when I first bought the original version.

Since Flight1.com no longer supports my original purchase, I may have to repurchase it from PCAVIATOR.com. They have it for $25, and they are having their 10% off everything sale this weekend, so...

Sent from my SM-G935R4 using Tapatalk

[Kekelekou]

@Yoyo : unfortunately no, I can’t delete the raised volumes because the whole panel is one single 3D mesh.

@Don : if the hand pump sound play, the gauge works fine.
Would using the G keystroke the same way as a pump stroke suit you?

I have just tested a darker texture for the radio background. It definitely looks better, thx for the feedback.
And by the way, I was told that I had reversed the Up and Down positions for the Gear and Flaps levers. Another glitch to fix!

An update will follow in the next few days. Stay tuned.

[YoYo]

@Kekelekou, ok, thanks!

[modelr]

Quote @Don : if the hand pump sound play, the gauge works fine.
Would using the G keystroke the same way as a pump stroke suit you?


Yes, that would work, requiring that the handle/lever be in it's proper place/position first, done manually, then using either the manual pump, or the G key (or linked button on controller) the same number of clicks/pushes as pump requires.
I found that the flaps do work this way, but not the gear.

Otherwise, this is a very fun plane to fly.


Another observation: When selecting the aircraft in the menu, it shows the passenger (female) but she is not present in the sim. Her textures are in the texture folder. How do we make her visible? I find nothing in the instructions.

[llanning08]

Don,
Check SeaBee Owner's Manual page 2. Adjusting the seats slightly forward removes either pilot or passenger. See click spot 1 (left and right).

[modelr]

Don,
Check SeaBee Owner's Manual page 2. Adjusting the seats slightly forward removes either pilot or passenger. See click spot 1 (left and right).

Thank you, I'll check that when I get home. I totally missed that during a very quick glance through. Spent more time with just the install instructions. My bad.

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[Kekelekou]

Edit : I wanted to use the "passenger seat moved forward a bit" to hide the passenger model, but it seems that I just deleted the whole passenger mesh altogether.
So the right seat will remain empty, sorry.

But please find these two screenshots of the updated radio background material as a token of my heartfelt apologies :





Hope you like it!

The G keystroke substitute for hand pumping is tested and validated (and I took the opportunity to cancel the F5-F6-F7-F8 keys too).

[YoYo]

Looks better a lot!

[Kekelekou]

Yoyo, modelr,

Would you mind installing the few files from the link hereunder and give me your feedback about :
- the new style of the radio background material
- the new keystrokes (G acts the same as a click on the hand pump, no more flap actuations through the F5 to F8 keys) - XMLTools required

I have no means to test the results in P3Dv4.

Thank you.

If you are satisfied with it, I repack the whole mod in a Seabee Redux v2 zip and publish it at AvSim and FlightSim again.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rhzp7zm2ciquwtt/KCFS%20Seabee%20Redux%20v2%20BETA.zip?dl=0

[modelr]

Screenshots of latest update: Radio panel in P3Dv4.5


I like it, matches much better.

Gear operation is also better. Can be done by operating pump, as before, or by using "G" key, after putting direction control in proper position.

Flaps also work manually, or by using joystick buttons. I like.


Edit: screenshots taken with "Snap Shot" screenshot program. No special settings. Taken from pilot's perspective, no floating special camera. They actually look much better on my screen than in these post shots.

[YoYo]

Ok, I’ll check tomorrow.