old CS F-104 in FSX

[hschuit]

This time let me explain how you can put the different models to work in FSX.

Folder structure FS2004 vs FSX
In FS2004, each model/variation (F-104 or TF-104, clean or with tanks) is stored in one single folder (container) called \Aircraft\Legendary_F104. The TCE program does adjust configuration settings in the Aircraft.cfg file for you everytime you select a different variation in TCE.
Sounds clever but... TCE does not work in FSX (probably due to the fact that FSX stores the aircraft in a different folder (\SimObjects\Airplanes).
The way I solved this was to setup separate containers in FSX; each has it's own Aircraft.cfg file with the proper parameters for each model.

How to setup the new aircraft container folders
In this example we create a container folder for the single seat F-104 with 4 tanks. NOTE: You need a working FS2004 installation (!)

1) Launch TCE and select:
Single-seater
4 Tanks
Any livery you may want, e.g. Italian AF
Click "6. Save"

2) Go to the FSX \SimObjects\Airplanes folder and create the new container folder, I named mine Legendary_F104_T4, you can use any name you want.

3) Go to FS2004 folder \Aircraft\Legendary_F104 and copy the Aircraft.cfg file that was modified by TCE to the new folder you created in FSX.

4) Now, copy the proper FS2004 model folder to the FSX container: model.2

BTW: This is a list of available model folders:
model.0 clean
model.1 2 tanks
model.2 4 tanks
model.3 4 AIM9 / 2 Sparrows
model.4 bombs
model.5 TF clean
model.6 TF 2 tanks
model.7 TF 4 tanks
model.00 clean dynamic shine (**)
model.11 2 tanks dyn shine
model.22 4 tanks dyn shine
model.33 4 AIM9 / 2 Sparrows dyn shine
model.44 bombs dyn shine
model.55 TF clean dyn shine
model.66 TF 2 tanks dyn shine
model.77 TF 4 tanks dyn shine

(**) In FS2004, every model variation somes as a default and a dynamic shine version. I do not use the dynamic shine versions as I did not see any added value for them in FSX.

5) Now, copy the other needed folders/files from FS2004 to the FSX container so it contains the following:

model.2
panel
sound
texture.ita (or any other with the livery you selected)
Aircraft.cfg
cs_f104.air (*)

(*) In case of a two seater model use cs_tf104.air

6) Copy the following FS2004 Gauges (they are in the FS2004 \Gauges folder):

cs104sbd.cab
cs_f104.gau

You can put those in the FSX Gauges folder or directly into your FSX F-104 panel folder.

7) Then, from the FS2004 Effects folder you need: Any file like sc104_*.fx (believe there are 11 of them). Put those in the FSX Effects folder.
BTW: The burner looks a bit outdated, I like someone else on this forum replaced the afterburner and smoke effects with more state of the art versions from AlphaSim. You can replace the grey lines in your [lights] section with the new blue ones:

//light.10 = 4, 15.01, 0.00, 1.63, cs104_vclight (I blocked out the VC light as I think it is too bright, the gauges have nice lighting anyway)
//light.11 = 8, -9.00, -10.65, -1.20, cs104_contrail (You do not need these as FSX does wingtip vortices by default)
//light.12 = 8, -9.00, 10.65, -1.20, cs104_contrail
//light.13 = 9, -24.00, 0.00, 1.20, cs104_ab (the old CS afterburner effect)

light.11= 9, -17.80, 0.00, 0.30, fx_ALPHA_F104_exh
light.12= 9, -17.80, 0.00, 0.30, fx_ALPHA_F104_exh1
light.13= 9, -18.80, 0.00, 1.20, fx_Alpha_F104_AB


[smokesystem]
//smoke.0 = 0, -31, 0, cs104_smoke (original FS2004 entry blocked out, XYZ coordinates are wrong for FSX)
smoke.0=-34.00, 0.00, 0.00, fx_ALPHA_F104_smoke




8) You now may tweak the Aircraft.cfg file as you like, e.g:

Update the [fltsim.0] section to support the FSX Aircraft selection screen:

ui_manufacturer=Lockheed
ui_type=F-104 Starfighter
ui_typerole="Fighter bomber"
ui_variation=F-104G Italian AF 4 tanks
ui_createdby="Captain Sim"

Add a GPWS which only bitches you when your sinkrate on finals is unacceptably high (never try a Khe Sanh approach with an F-104).

[GPWS]
max_warning_height = 0
sink_rate_fpm = -9999
excessive_sink_rate_fpm = -9999
climbout_sink_rate_fpm = -9999
flap_and_gear_sink_rate_fpm= -1200

And anything else like some basic external camera's:

[CameraDefinition.0]
Title = "Tail"
Guid = {02D42E86-CDA6-4921-87E0-2E7A8C1356E5}
Description = Light the blue touch paper!
Origin = Center
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 1.0
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz = 3, 1, -22
InitialPbh =1, 0, 0
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
MomentumEffect=TRUE
ClipMode=Minimum


[CameraDefinition.1]
Title = "Nose On"
Guid = {54F54B8A-3EC2-2D4E-8D10-B8F9D0F16ACC}
Description = View nose on backwards
Origin = Center
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = FALSE
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = FALSE
Track = None
ShowAxis = FALSE
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 1.0
ShowWeather = Yes
InitialXyz =1, 1, 17
InitialPbh =1, 0, 180
XyzAdjust = TRUE
Category=Aircraft
MomentumEffect=TRUE
ClipMode=Minimum

And a VC cockpit "landing view":

[CameraDefinition.001]
Title = "VC Landing View"
Guid = {AFA06A0A-7341-4b1f-B486-CE3778336276}
Origin = Virtual Cockpit
MomentumEffect = Yes
SnapPbhAdjust = Swivel
SnapPbhReturn = False
PanPbhAdjust = Swivel
PanPbhReturn = False
Track = None
ShowAxis = YES
AllowZoom = TRUE
InitialZoom = 1.0
SmoothZoomTime = 0.1
ZoomPanScalar = 1.0
ShowWeather = Yes
XyzAdjust = TRUE
ShowLensFlare=FALSE
Category = Cockpit
PitchPanRate=20
HeadingPanRate=10
InitialXyz=0,-0.0243, 0.1573
InitialPbh=0, 0, 0

Reminds me of another thing I want to do: Create some extra VC cockpit camera's so I can quickly switch to the lower half of the panel and right / left consoles.

Regards, Henk

[hschuit]

Peter, I think this is due to a wrong pilot eyepoint in your Aircraft.cfg file.
Try this as a quick fix:

Open Aircraft.cfg file and check this section:

For the single seater it should be:

[Views]
eyepoint=14, 0, 2.25

And because CS only modelled a backseat VC panel on the TF-104, the eyepoint has to be in the backseat also:

[Views]
eyepoint=9.5, 0, 2.9

You may want to read my post in this topic on applying proper model parameters in FSX.



Hope this helps, Henk.

I added the alphasim sound just for that J79 howell lol, has anyone got the two seater VC working or is it just me that its not working for, the single one works fine??

[doublecool]

I've been tryin to load this but on the start up load sequence I get a pop up that says "Redis"? and locks up

If you click on it "Redis" it stops the lock up but also stops the loading program???

Any clues

Thanks in advance

[dhazelgrove]

I always wanted to give up smoking.....

[Railrunner130]

Interesting. I've never seen a 104 with dual exhausts.

[Quicksand]

It' a peculiarity of the 104. The exhaust smoke actually splits as it trails the aircraft.

[Lateral-G]

I added the alphasim sound just for that J79 howell lol, has anyone got the two seater VC working or is it just me that its not working for, the single one works fine??

I'm having the same problem as well.....

I can't seem to find a fix for it.

-G-

[hschuit]

G. , did you already try what I suggested to Peter yesterday on this thread?

best regards, Henk

I'm having the same problem as well.....

I can't seem to find a fix for it.

-G-

[Lateral-G]

G. , did you already try what I suggested to Peter yesterday on this thread?

best regards, Henk

Just saw that now Henk.

One question....can both views exist in the single .cfg file or do you need to make a separate aircraft folder for a TF-104? (one that has specific textures, panel, sounds, cfg, etc. for the TF version)

-G-

[hschuit]

G, Any Aircraft.cfg file can only hold one pilot viewpoint, therefore you need separate aircraft folders for the single and the dual.

Besides the viewpoint, there are other Aircraft.cfg parameters which are different but that is for the purists... The TF-104 has:

- A bit more empty_weight and an additional station_load entry for the instructor.

- Less internal fuel capacity (Center1 tank)

- An additional exit (backseater canopy - number_of_exits=2)

- Different position of the dorsal beacon light
- Different position of the VC light (which I blocked out)


regards, Henk

Just saw that now Henk.

One question....can both views exist in the single .cfg file or do you need to make a separate aircraft folder for a TF-104? (one that has specific textures, panel, sounds, cfg, etc. for the TF version)

-G-

[Lateral-G]

G, Any Aircraft.cfg file can only hold one pilot viewpoint, therefore you need separate aircraft folders for the single and the dual.

Besides the viewpoint, there are other Aircraft.cfg parameters which are different but that is for the purists... The TF-104 has:

- A bit more empty_weight and an additional station_load entry for the instructor.

- Less internal fuel capacity (Center1 tank)

- An additional exit (backseater canopy - number_of_exits=2)

- Different position of the dorsal beacon light
- Different position of the VC light (which I blocked out)


regards, Henk

Thanks Henk,

I created a separate aircraft folder called "TF-104" and made rudimentary changes to the cgf file, added the specific folders (sound, panel, textures, etc.) and it works beautifully.

Can you post specifics on the VC light, dorsal beacon and weight changes needed for the trainer cfg file? It would be much appreciated.

And thanks for the other inputs/tips you have given. :ernae:
They have helped tremendously getting this great aircraft to work in FSX.

-G-

[Quicksand]

Thanks to all for all the info and instructions on getting the 104 working correctly in FSX. That's why SOH is such a special place.. I've got one problem left that may not be "fixable" without modifiying a gauge.. The exhaust smoke cuts in as the throttle is advanced, as it should, but it does not cut out as it should when the burner lights. Anyone else have this problem?

[hschuit]

You are welcome sir. I have the same issue with the smoke not stopping when the burner kicks in; I already had this problem in FS2004.

On my list of things to do is try an XML gauge I use on other portovers which only does smoke when N2 RPM >76% and AB=false. I am not sure this will work as I am afraid the embedded CS gauge smoke effect might interfere with /override the new one.

Another option may be to remove the [smokesystem] section and add an XML gauge which does smoke on a lights channel. It looks like lights ch. 7 (recognition lights) is still available. I will keep you posted.

BTW: I cannot open/close the TF-104 backseat canopy while it worked fine in FS2004 (by default it operates on keys Shift-E-2). I checked the [exits] section and this should be correct:

[exits]
number_of_exits = 2
exit_rate.0 = 0.4
exit_rate.1 = 0.4

Do you have this problem also?
Best regards, Henk

Thanks to all for all the info and instructions on getting the 104 working correctly in FSX. That's why SOH is such a special place.. I've got one problem left that may not be "fixable" without modifiying a gauge.. The exhaust smoke cuts in as the throttle is advanced, as it should, but it does not cut out as it should when the burner lights. Anyone else have this problem?

[Quicksand]

Thanks for your input, Henk. I have the same problem with the rear conopy on the two-seater.

[Lateral-G]

Same here with the aft cockpit canopy. It won't open.

-G-

[hschuit]

Thanks Henk,
(...) Can you post specifics on the VC light, dorsal beacon and weight changes needed for the trainer cfg file? It would be much appreciated.
-G-

Here is my list of variation specific Aircraft.cfg parameters.

I keep all options in my Aircraft.cfg files; depending on the variation I want, redundant lines are commented out with the preceeding "//". So, the blue text are the active lines.
To keep this post readable, the list ONLY shows the variation specific parameters by section.

Further, it contains a few additions/corrections (red text) which are FSX specific and work fine for me.

The list only covers the clean, 2 tank and 4 tanks models. The active lines (blue text) produce the setup for the TF-104 4-tank model (model.7)

Abbreviations:
F = single seat F-104
TF= two seater TF-104

[fltsim.0]
//sim=cs_f104 // F
sim=cs_tf104 // TF

//model=0 // F clean
//model=1 // F 2 tanks
//model=2 // F 4 tanks
//model=3 // F 4xAIM-9 + 2x AIM-7
//model=4 // F bombs
//model=5 // TF clean
//model=6 // TF 2 tanks
model=7 // TF 4 tanks


[weight_and_balance]
//empty_weight =14300 // F clean
//empty_weight =14700 // F 2 tanks
//empty_weight =15100 // F 4 tanks
//empty_weight =14420 // TF clean
//empty_weight =14820 // TF 2 tanks
empty_weight =15220 // TF 4 tanks

station_load.1="180, 10, 0, -1, Instructor" // TF
//station_load.1="493, 16, 0, -1, Rounds of Ammo" // F


[GeneralEngineData]
fuel_flow_scalar =1.0 // was 0.780 in FS2004 - see next section


[TurbineEngineData]
// FSX addition, TSFC values for the J79-GE-11A engine
ThrustSpecificFuelConsumption = 0.850
AfterBurnThrustSpecificFuelConsumption = 1.965


[fuel]
//Center1 = 0, 0, 0, 867, 5 // F
Center1 = 0, 0, 0, 657, 5 // TF
LeftAux= -4, 6, -3.4, 209, 5 // wing tank (4 tank configuration)
RightAux= -4, -6, -3.4, 209, 5 // wing tank (4 tank configuration)
LeftTip= -6, 11, -1.4, 164, 5 // tip tank (2 tank configuration)
RightTip= -6, -11, -1.4, 164, 5 // tip tank (2 tank configuration)


[contact_points]
//point.6 =2, 1, -2, -2, 787, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 4, 0, 0 // clean/2 tanks
//point.7 =2, 1, 0, -2, 787, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 4, 0, 0 // clean/2 tanks
//point.8 =2, 1, 2, -2, 787, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 4, 0, 0 // clean/2 tanks
point.6 =2, 1, -6, -4, 787, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 4, 0, 0 // 4 tanks
point.7 =2, 1, 0, -4, 787, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 4, 0, 0 // 4 tanks
point.8 =2, 1, 6, -4, 787, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 4, 0, 0 // 4 tanks


[lights]
//--Dorsal beacon---------------------------------------
//light.0 = 2, 6.90, 0.00, 2.55, cs104_bc_w // F
light.0 = 2, 0.90, 0.00, 2.55, cs104_bc_w // TF

//--NAV lights on wingtip or on tiptank--------------------
//light.8 = 3, -9.00, -10.65, -1.20, cs104_nav_r // clean
//light.9 = 3, -9.00, 10.65, -1.20, cs104_nav_g // clean
light.8 = 3, -11.59, -11.68, -1.39, cs104_nav_r // 2/4 tanks
light.9 = 3, -11.59, 11.68, -1.39, cs104_nav_g // 2/4 tanks

//--Virtual Cocpkit light------------------------------------
//light.10 = 4, 15.01, 0.00, 1.63, cs104_vclight // F
light.10= 4, 10.50, 0.00, 1.70, cs104_vclight // TF

//--fs2004 wingtip vortex, blocked out - not needed here in FSX
//light.11 = 8, -9.00, -10.65, -1.20, cs104_contrail
//light.12 = 8, -9.00, 10.65, -1.20, cs104_contrail


[smokesystem]
smoke.0=-31.00, 0.00, 0.00, cs104_smoke // all models, fixes wrong FS2004 XYZ values


[exits]
//number_of_exits = 1 // canopy F
number_of_exits = 2 // front + back canopy TF
exit_rate.0 = 0.4 // front - all models
exit_rate.1 = 0.4 // back - TF only, unfortunately my back canopy does not open/close in FSX...


[Views]
//eyepoint=14, 0, 2.25 // F
eyepoint=9.5, 0, 2.9 // TF


[GPWS]
// If you do not add bitching Betty yourself, FSX will do it for you with default values which I find rather annoying. In this case, only warning is given for excessive sink rate with flaps and gear down.
max_warning_height = -1
sink_rate_fpm = -9999
excessive_sink_rate_fpm = -9999
climbout_sink_rate_fpm = -9999
flap_and_gear_sink_rate_fpm= -1200


best regards, Henk

[Lateral-G]

Thank you much Henk! :ernae:

-G-

[peter12213]

many thanks this was giving me a bit of a headache lol!!

[hschuit]

FIX: Engine Smoke effect vs Afterburner
I think I solved the issue of the engine continuing to smoke when the afterburner is engaged. Please try it and let me know if it works for you.

1) Add my XML smoke gauge to your panel
This will enable the smoke effect via light 7 (recognition light) when the following conditions are met:
- Engine N2 RPM between 70% and 98%
- Throttle lever > 15%
- Altitude < 22000 Ft
- Daylight (when it is dark, the smoke effect would look like a mile long bright flame. The daylight switch was not needed before as the standard smokesystem does this already by default)

Click this link to the zipped gauge file here , then unzip and save file cs104smoke.cab into your panel folder.

2) Add the new gauge to the panel.cfg here:
[VCockpit01]
file=panel1.bmp
size_mm=1024,1024
pixel_size=1024,1024
texture=$panel1
background_color=0,0,0
visible=0

//gauge00=cs_f104!vc_panel, 0, 0,1024,672
gauge00=cs_f104!vc_panel, 0, 20,1024,650
gauge01=cs104smoke!Smoke, 10,10,20,20


3) Add a new light at the end of the Aircraft.cfg [lights] section:
light.xx= 7, -31.00, 0.00, 0.00, cs104_smoke
xx = next available number

4) Deactivate the Aircraft.cfg [smokesystem] section by commenting it out:
//[smokesystem]
//smoke.0=-31.00, 0.00, 0.00, cs104_smoke


Best regards, Henk

[dhazelgrove]

I'm having trouble with the fuel gauges.
The fuel contents are all set at 100%, but the gauges all show zero.
Anybody else have this?

Dave

[hschuit]

I'm having trouble with the fuel gauges.
The fuel contents are all set at 100%, but the gauges all show zero.
Anybody else have this?

Dave

Dave, mine are not working either. The left one shows zero, the right one always shows max Lbs. I tried a fuel gauge from another aircraft and that one responded well so adding alternative fuel gauges is an option.
Best is to take XML gauges because you probably need to adjust the gallons values to match the F-104's fuel capacity.

regards, Henk.

[dhazelgrove]

Thanks for that. Good to know I'm not alone.
The smoke modification works a treat, by the way.

Dave

[dhazelgrove]

Well, it did say "check before flight" - or something like that!!

[merida72]

I also did the conversion I follow your advice

I found two problems

first
the airplane tends to roll

second
the textures canopy are black at night (I guess invert the alpha channel also here)

[JamesChams]

Mr. "Quicksand,"

Try changing the...

[smokesystem]
smoke.0 = 0, -31, 0, cs104_smoke

to this...

[smokesystem]
smoke.0 = 0, 0, 0, cs104_smoke

and see if that helps.
Good Luck!