Anyone ventured over to Rob's Aerofiles lately??? He's working on a Douglas F5D-1 Skylancer. Looks as if he's going to give us numerous models and load outs. Some latest screens of the Skylancer!!
Anyone ventured over to Rob's Aerofiles lately??? He's working on a Douglas F5D-1 Skylancer. Looks as if he's going to give us numerous models and load outs. Some latest screens of the Skylancer!!
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I have wanted one of these for a long time. This is so cool! Thanks for the heads up.
Have been following this wip for awhile now, looks superb!
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One of three "dream of a lifetime" models I thought I'd never see in FSX. Words fail to convey my delight.
Rob, I have a good number of books and tech drawings for this type. Let me know if you need anything that could help.
DL
I have really loved this aircraft since watching it being tested at Moffit field. I never thought we would see this. Thanks Rob.
before you know it there might be a F8U-3 Crusader!
Bet that one's going to get a lot "What if...?" paints.
I always thought the "Fords" (F4D's) were cool looking aircraft, although I only saw them occasionally at NAS Glenview when I was a kid. Looking forward to seeing Rob's F5D in fleet squadron paint jobs.
I have that book (great little book), and in addition, (what I think is the best book ever on the F4D and F5D) - Mark Frankel's "Killer Rays". Over 200 pages of amazing technical and pilot account material. Every paint scheme of every unit that flew the two types, and many more fantastic references. If either you or any serious repainter wishes to borrow it, I'll make it available. PM me for details.
My one observation (which unfortunately, travelling and not having access to my aforementioned book, I cannot confirm) is the VC view presents the side windscreen pillars raked rather sharply up/vertically. I believe they'd form a less tall triangle on either side of the centre support. As seen here:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]http://www.aer.ita.br/~bmattos/mundo/images_mai07/douglas_skylancer_cockpit.jpg[/ATTACH]
Again, it could simply be the eyepoint position, or my mistaken perspective - all possible. Certainly not wanting to criticize - just observations for potential consideration.
Again, thrilled to bits.
dl
The VC view at the top is an early build taken in FSX wideview giving a distorted prospective.
The model has undergone quite a few changes since then and will no doubt change even more.
If its perfection your after better pay the 50 bucks and go to MILVIS, their models are almost faultless!
RobR
Thanks for the update Rob,
Your dedication to "non-vanilla" models, be it RAF/RN FAA, or other Cold War aircraft is what makes your work unique, highly valued, and easily the equal in terms of enjoyability of the large-scale commercial releases. The sad reality is more than likely, those devs would never take on something as interesting, if a bit obscure, as this F5D.
So am eagerly looking forward to this - and again, if you need that book, just say the word.
Regards,
dl
Happy days, thanks for pointing this one out.
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Just keeping this thread alive .... New WIP shots on Rob's home page....
http://www.robertjamesrichardson.co.uk
Very very stoked about this project.
DL
I don't really like this jet in real life, but I have to admit that Rob did a pretty good job at modelling it.
And I'm especially pleased by the textures he's using, looks like photorealistic:
Rob, wow, THANK YOU! I've always thought the Skylancer was one of the most beautiful jet designs ever (shocked, shocked I say, that anyone could not like it, Daube!). Never dreamed we'd see one in the sim. This and the F8U-3 Crusader III are my favorite "what if" planes of the 50s/60s era.
Can't wait to fly this. Rob, your work is so appreciated!
Awesome Rob, to see the matured grownup Ford, the F5D seeing the light within FSX! What kind of weapon options/configs do you have in mind.... or this is too early to tell perhaps?
Cheers,
Hank
Fantastic work Rob! I love all the "what if" planes. Now if you want a challenge try the XF-92A. two variants of the prototype. one without and one with afterburner. hint hint I'd love to get the non-AB a nice coat of polish one that aluminum! I love the research jets of the 50s.
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It's hard to argue the F5D being an unattractive plane - 'guess I'm biased towards deltas. Agree that from the WIPs, Rob's textures look pretty sweet.
Paint-scheme-wise, while it's expected that "Neil Armstrong" paint scheme would feature prominently, I'm impressed with the lesser known evaluation schemes appear to be featured too - thanks Rob!! The 4 airframes wore some smart schemes ... here's an early NACA scheme:
then shortly became NASA ...
http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/fi...-6475_full.jpg
Given the very short evaluation period of the plane (it was cancelled as an operational option I believe around 1958/59, bowing out to the already-chosen F-8) - it at least had a useful testbed / evaluation life (until mid-1970). Sparrow I was captive carried (not sure about actually launched, though) and as shown in Rob's first set, the internal bay carried either the 6 x Zunis or 72 x Mighty Mouse rockets. I think the Sidewinder was also trialed (not sure about fired), and I've only seen bombs mounted in drawings, not actually mounted. But for the purpose of "what if" - It's cool that Rob appears to be modeling all the options.
Some other interesting tidbits ... here's a rare shot of a nose camera installation - not for reconnaissance per se, but I believe for A2A filming of test aircraft (flew chase for at least a few X-15 launches, so possibly in support of that programme).
With it's DFRC connections to both the X-20 and the lifting-body programme in general, it's place in the ancestry in such craft as the Space Shuttle is well deserved. Rob's labours on this will no doubt be a fitting tribute.
dl
Yeah, I've been going over the Dyna-Soar approach tests performed by the Skylancer to fly when Rob is finished. I check his site every day to see if we're there yet.
I have to say that I think the Skylancer is one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built.
I do love a delta.
I'm in the process of TacPacking the model with ZUNI's, Sparrows and mk-82s
But as I only have the P3D version of TacPack it's just for that sim at the moment.
RobR
Great news indeed.
I always suspected your proclivities for deltas (the F-106 came straight out of nowhere, as did this ...) ... now I understand!
Rick's XF-92A idea is interesting - makes one wish for a back-dated KEDW set in the '50s ...
The AS/V F4D Skyray gets very regular flying time with me, despite its age (actually, I'm pretty happy with the model, it's the VC that's a bit old), so if you're ever inclined to one of those, I'm sure it'll be a hit. So too, would an X-24B - a delta (of sorts!) with no weapons to TacPac ...
Anyway - looking forward to the F5D - stuff of dreams, for sure!
dl
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