RFN F-8 Crusader is out!!

**sparouty** · March 10th, 2020, 11:08

Hi guys!
The RFN Team is really proud to announce you that our Crusader is out!!
After so many years, the project finally succeeds in releasing its 1st release with 2 Crusader's versions: F-8E(FN) and F-8J
I hope you'll enjoy to fly this beatiful beast as much as we loved to work on this project.

Enjoy!!

http://royalefrenchnavy.restauravia....ations.htm#Avi

Regards,
S.

***MrZippy*** · March 10th, 2020, 11:31

Downloading and getting ready to crash-test!

**Josh Patterson** · March 10th, 2020, 11:59

I see Sylvain's name is attached to it. If it's as good as the Etendard (which as been around a while and has aged very well) it will be quite a treat! Downloading now!

**delta_lima** · March 10th, 2020, 12:13

Originally Posted by Josh Patterson

I see Sylvain's name is attached to it. If it's as good as the Etendard (which as been around a while and has aged very well) it will be quite a treat! Downloading now!

It is. It's a whole new level of freeware awesomeness.

Read the manual, esp WRT trim settings, BLC, and autopilot.

You're going to love it!

dl

***gray eagle*** · March 10th, 2020, 13:02

Thanks to the RFN Team for this fantastic F8-E - The F8-E had wing hard points and as a result, could carry bombs under the wings.
Sierra Hotel!!!!

Not sure if I copy the whole RFN Gauges to my Gauges folder or where to place them all.

**sparouty** · March 10th, 2020, 13:13

Originally Posted by gray eagle

Thanks to the RFN Team for this fantastic F8-E - The F8-E had wing hard points and as a result, could carry bombs under the wings.
Sierra Hotel!!!!
...
Not sure if I copy the whole RFN Gauges to my Gauges folder or where to place them all.

Hi,
Regarding wing hard point, in this 1st release we focused on the fighter Crusader, the bombs truck version is something different that need more work/discussions... and so more time.
For the RFN Gauge, if you have other planes which use the RFN Gauge too so you should place the files into your Gauges folder.
Regards,
Sylvain

***Mike71*** · March 10th, 2020, 14:28

The suspension racks were optional - they could be removed. The Marines used the bomb capability quite a lot for close air support.

***gray eagle*** · March 10th, 2020, 14:45

Shift + I doesn't attach the plane to the carrier catapult. Don't see any bridles.

On carrier approach, the tail hook doesn't seem to snag any arresting wires.

**sparouty** · March 10th, 2020, 15:22

Originally Posted by gray eagle

Shift + I doesn't attach the plane to the carrier catapult. Don't see any bridles.

On carrier approach, the tail hook doesn't seem to snag any arresting wires.

Hi,
As there is no launch bar or equivalent to be animated, it is hard to know if you had really done Shift+T (which is mandatory for FS launch), so we add a small red dot which appears after ****+T, where the shuttle should be positionned and so, when you're ready for Shift+I.
Regards,
S.

**xpelekis** · March 10th, 2020, 22:34

"Shift + T" or "Shift + U" ? First impressions, great plane ! Thank you RFN.
Great Fighter for some Mig-17 dogfights over Vietnam...

**ZsoltB** · March 11th, 2020, 04:10

Great work!

Thank you!
Zsolt

***fsafranek*** · March 11th, 2020, 11:05

Originally Posted by xpelekis

"Shift + T" or "Shift + U" ? First impressions, great plane ! Thank you RFN.
Great Fighter for some Mig-17 dogfights over Vietnam...

He meant Shift+U as it says in the manual.

**xpelekis** · March 15th, 2020, 14:22

Originally Posted by xpelekis

"Shift + T" or "Shift + U" ? First impressions, great plane ! Thank you RFN.
Great Fighter for some Mig-17 dogfights over Vietnam...

I have flown and worked my ass over the weekend, with this bird and I'm still learning to fight with her...
She just refuses to turn hard. No way I can outurn the AI Migs, even at high speeds (450+, is the only chance
for an opportunity gunshot). With difficulty I can make her exceed 5 Gs.

Anyway, she's really challenging to fight with and also land on carrier. Ie, I like her.

**Josh Patterson** · March 11th, 2020, 13:37

Originally Posted by gray eagle

Shift + I doesn't attach the plane to the carrier catapult. Don't see any bridles.

On carrier approach, the tail hook doesn't seem to snag any arresting wires.

Go into the bottom of the aircraft.cfg and remove the "//" from in front of the subjects under [launch assist] and [tailhook]. Mine were turned off with the slashes.

**sparouty** · March 11th, 2020, 14:26

Originally Posted by Josh Patterson

Go into the bottom of the aircraft.cfg and remove the "//" from in front of the subjects under [launch assist] and [tailhook]. Mine were turned off with the slashes.

Hi,
Don't remove the //because the launch bar is hard coded into the model and the one in comment nithe aircraft.cfg is not well positionned.
You have to strike Shift+U to lower the virtual Launch Bar. Even if there is no Launch bar in the Crusader, FS need it to be activated. Then you will see a little red dot at the exact place where the catapult shuttle have to be positionned.
In the screen shot below you can almost guess the red dot and see how the F-8 is positionned on the catapult : the shuttle behind the front wheel.

Regards,
S.

**PhantomP** · March 11th, 2020, 16:16

Thanks RFN team this bird flys like a dream,haven’t tried catting from a carrier yet,but tonight,I will.

**Josh Patterson** · March 11th, 2020, 18:24

Originally Posted by sparouty

Hi,
Don't remove the //because the launch bar is hard coded into the model and the one in comment nithe aircraft.cfg is not well positionned.
You have to strike Shift+U to lower the virtual Launch Bar. Even if there is no Launch bar in the Crusader, FS need it to be activated. Then you will see a little red dot at the exact place where the catapult shuttle have to be positionned.
In the screen shot below you can almost guess the red dot and see how the F-8 is positionned on the catapult : the shuttle behind the front wheel.

Regards,
S.

That might explain why mine bounces when I hook up to the catapult. I'll try turning them off again. What of the tailhook?

***Navy Chief*** · April 17th, 2020, 05:07

It is a BEAUTIFUL model in all respects! I am seeing, however, a strange "haze" on my windscreen. Am sure it is a graphics settings, but wanted to post the screenshot anyway.....NC

***Navy Chief*** · April 28th, 2020, 06:34

Am not getting any external lighting..... All switches on. NC

Oops, forgot to mention, I have it installed in P3DV5.

***MrZippy*** · March 11th, 2020, 04:52

Anyone forgot to turn on the anit-fog switch and seen the ghost appear on the windscreen?

RS · March 11th, 2020, 06:03

Thank you for this impressive freeware pearl...

...what a fine cockpit...

...and what a little witch

... three carrier approaches - but no trap.... Seems I need lot of training with her

Greetings RS

**InDeepSchit** · March 11th, 2020, 06:04

The F-8 has been one of my favorite aircraft since I was a child, so when I caught wind of this addon's development I had high expectations. So what are my thoughts after one short flight? As far as I'm concerned, this is the single greatest piece of freeware the flight sim community has ever conjured! The exterior is beautiful! The VC is beautiful! The flight dynamics are beautiful! And it's free! This is how you give payware a run for it's money. Tres bon! Tres bon!

The mirrors work! The friggin' mirrors work!

Also happy to report that Carrier Ops are an absolute joy! Haven't missed a trap yet!

**sparouty** · March 11th, 2020, 10:23

Hi guys,
Thank you for your nice comments! It seesm that Crusader have lovers around here! (lol)
We've just upload the paintkit, to let you play with the numerous and colorfull USN liveries!

Regards,
S.

**PhantomTweak** · March 11th, 2020, 10:33

The F-8 has been one of my favorite aircraft since I was a child, so when I caught wind of this addon's development I had high expectations. So what are my thoughts after one short flight? As far as I'm concerned, this is the single greatest piece of freeware the flight sim community has ever conjured! The exterior is beautiful! The VC is beautiful! The flight dynamics are beautiful! And it's free! This is how you give payware a run for it's money. Tres bon! Tres bon!

No, really. What are trying to say?
I mean, seriously, why are you being so vague about what you think of it?

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Pat☺