Firefly

[SkippyBing]

In a bid to actually get stuff off my hard drive and on to other peoples I've decided to change tack and take on texturing duties myself. If anyone's interested in commenting on the progress so far I've started a new site at the link below. I plan on only modelling for P3D from now on as testing across multiple sims isn't something I relish and as with Flying Stations it'll be relatively wallet friendly.

The early Firefly is first up, if only because it's basically been ready for about 2 years apart from the VC textures.


http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=62381&stc=1

[thunderstreak]

Nice! A Firefly will be a welcome addition.

[DaveWG]

Looking good Skippy. :encouragement:

[sketchy]

Ok OK I get the hint... the VC textures are 60% done......

[Bunkiester]

BZ Skippy!

This is wonderful news Sir! Your new site has been bookmarked!

Mark

[greenie]

One for my hanger for sure . Thanks .

[SkippyBing]

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=63693&stc=1

Links to sites you can get the Firefly, and a few more screenshots, are now up on my blog.

https://bravozulu.blog

[Bunkiester]

BZ Skippy!

I bought it, and I'm still using P3D V3! Someday I'll have version 4 and it'll be waiting for me :)

It looks great in the screenshots - thanks for bringing another FAA aircraft into the sim for us!

Mark

[YoYo]

Hello :wavey:,
Nice work and good idea to do missing Firefly!
Does the radar work in VC also or 2D panel only?

https://i.imgur.com/lzPTEUs.jpg

btw.
Manual:
https://bravozuludotblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/firefly-manual.pdf

[jankees]

looking good!

[SkippyBing]

Hello :wavey:,
Nice work and good idea to do missing Firefly!
Does the radar work in VC also or 2D panel only?

https://i.imgur.com/lzPTEUs.jpg

btw.
Manual:
https://bravozuludotblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/firefly-manual.pdf

The radar works in the VC, in fact the pop-up window is a view of the VC model as that's the only way I could get it to display as a B-scope display. There's also a 2D panel that is a more typical PPI type display. So basically all the radar displays!

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=63695&stc=1

[YoYo]

Thank You for reply.
This is rare choice (Firefly in simulators) so I must to have this addon :biggrin-new:.
What about TacPack? Is needed or if not any plans for the future (like TACAN=VOR of moving carriers)?
Just idea for carrier ops.

[SkippyBing]

Thank You for reply.
This is rare choice (Firefly in simulators) so I must to have this addon :biggrin-new:.
What about TacPack? Is needed or if not any plans for the future (like TACAN=VOR of moving carriers)?
Just idea for carrier ops.

It's not needed, but I am planning on adding TacPack as part of an update around Christmas that will also fix any issues that emerge and hopefully add PBR if that comes with the next update to P3D.

[AussieMan]

​Another great aircraft added to my bulging hangar. Well done Skip.

[jeansy]

sorry i have no idea how i missed this thread, the RAN had a few of these in several schemes and it was only the other night i was thinking about this aircraft

off to buy it now

BZ

BT

[YoYo]

https://i.imgur.com/RmgknD7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/iALdne0.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/60PCfOe.jpg

[YoYo]

I cant move throttle but... didnt read manual yet. :loyal:
I'll try Tomorrow. Good to see rain effect on the windshield.

VC:

https://i.imgur.com/kBNwKMg.jpg

[SkippyBing]

YoYo,

Great shots! If anyone's wondering around the slightly lighter square the under wing roundel is on, that appears to be where they painted over the European theatre markings before entering SEAC and was based on the picture below, which I'm 99% certain is the same aircraft.

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=63720&stc=1

Let me know if you're still having problems with the throttle!

Skippy

[DennyA]

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=63726&stc=1http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=63727&stc=1
Awesome plane! Thanks for doing a less mainstream plane. (Though I'm psyched for your Seafire as well!)

One minor issue: When I chose a folder on the drive where I store my P3D v4.3 addon planes for installing (since my "documents" folder is on a spinning hard drive instead of an SSD), the installer copied all of the files, but P3D didn't register them. I had to manually move them to the appropriate folders.

[YoYo]

YoYo,

Great shots! If anyone's wondering around the slightly lighter square the under wing roundel



Right! Good to know.



Let me know if you're still having problems with the throttle!


The problem exists still, I haven't idea why?
It looks like this and I havent for 100% double saved throttle axis. I use FSUIPC full version also.
See this: https://youtu.be/69anXA5mE8c (throttle lever always comes back).

Btw. I see tail wheel on/off works, Is it any indicator for this? :wavey:

[SkippyBing]

The problem exists still, I haven't idea why?
It looks like this and I havent for 100% double saved throttle axis. I use FSUIPC full version also.
See this: https://youtu.be/69anXA5mE8c (throttle lever always comes back).

Btw. I see tail wheel on/off works, Is it any indicator for this? :wavey:

Hi,

It looks like FSUIPC and the engine gauge are conflicting. Basically the engine gauge stops you exceeding +15" of boost in either supercharger mode.
In your video the boost needle seems to be going above 15" when FSUIPC has the throttle, I think the problem should get better the higher you get.

If you can set FSUIPC to ignore the throttle for the Firefly that should solve the problem. Alternatively I can make the gauge control of the throttle selectable, but that would mean you'd have a lot more power at low level than is realistic. Or the engine would blow up.

Re the tail wheel, do you mean the lock? That did confuse me as I know it can be locked, but the pilot's notes don't tell you where the control for it is, and I can't see anything that could be it in the diagrams!

[SkippyBing]

Awesome plane! Thanks for doing a less mainstream plane. (Though I'm psyched for your Seafire as well!)

One minor issue: When I chose a folder on the drive where I store my P3D v4.3 addon planes for installing (since my "documents" folder is on a spinning hard drive instead of an SSD), the installer copied all of the files, but P3D didn't register them. I had to manually move them to the appropriate folders.

Thanks Denny!

For future releases I'll see if I can make the installer use a more appropriate folder structure if you're not installing to the Add-ons folder.

[YoYo]

Hi,

It looks like FSUIPC and the engine gauge are conflicting. Basically the engine gauge stops you exceeding +15" of boost in either supercharger mode.
In your video the boost needle seems to be going above 15" when FSUIPC has the throttle, I think the problem should get better the higher you get.

If you can set FSUIPC to ignore the throttle for the Firefly that should solve the problem. Alternatively I can make the gauge control of the throttle selectable, but that would mean you'd have a lot more power at low level than is realistic. Or the engine would blow up.

Re the tail wheel, do you mean the lock? That did confuse me as I know it can be locked, but the pilot's notes don't tell you where the control for it is, and I can't see anything that could be it in the diagrams!

Ok solved by creating FSUPIC profile only for Firefly and "ignore axis" for this profile was checked.
Now I can use the throttle.

https://i.imgur.com/FRvLv4i.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LgdW5kd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/uXCldgX.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ioNHn1R.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/tLEb6oj.jpg

[YoYo]

Small issue on the right wheel (animation), see this:


http://youtu.be/eWlRf5Ac5g4

Left is ok.

[SkippyBing]

Good spot! I'll check it out when I get home and look at getting an update out in the next few days.

[YoYo]

Magnetic heading on magnetic compass is mirrored. Nort and south is ok but see this: Not 270 but 90 deg.

http://i.imgur.com/B7Z6bI2m.jpg (https://imgur.com/B7Z6bI2)

[SkippyBing]

Magnetic heading on magnetic compass is mirrored. Nort and south is ok but see this: Not 270 but 90 deg.

Confirmed, I'm only seeing it in the F1 cockpit not the FR1 and NF1 is that the same for you?

[YoYo]

Confirmed, I'm only seeing it in the F1 cockpit not the FR1 and NF1 is that the same for you?

Yes, looks like this issue is only in F1.

Btw. night lights, well done:

https://i.imgur.com/EeEESzp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/cAZTnpV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Hyessdv.jpg

[SkippyBing]

Thanks Yoyo, the material scripting in V4 really helped out with the lights.

I've made a new installer with fixes for both those animation issues, it should be up within the next 24 hours or so depending on where you brought it.

[YoYo]

Thanks Yoyo, the material scripting in V4 really helped out with the lights.

I've made a new installer with fixes for both those animation issues, it should be up within the next 24 hours or so depending on where you brought it.

Thx Skippy,
Not many time to test whole systems ect. :very_drunk: but its a very interesting plane and I like it.
About panel light - is it possible to turn on floodlight in the day? Cockpit is very dark so it could help a little, just idea.

https://i.imgur.com/6xqdqlK.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rU8I79q.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/86NO0kM.jpg

btw.
next idea :wavey: :

https://www.mojehobby.pl/zdjecia/7/1/5/23972_rd.jpg

Regards and Thank You for this plane!

[YoYo]

Btw. why this topic is not sticky?
This plane was released from now :).

[SkippyBing]

About panel light - is it possible to turn on floodlight in the day? Cockpit is very dark so it could help a little, just idea.


I'll have to see, I think it depends what blend mode you use for the light map. I'm using multiply which tends not to show up in the day, I think additive does but the light doesn't look as good.

Oddly enough I've got the pilot's notes for the Barracuda somewhere! Couple of other projects ahead of her at the moment though...

[jeansy]

first pass of the pk

https://image.ibb.co/dHa31p/2018_9_24_23_6_46_381.png

[YoYo]

Nice work Matt! :wavey:
I’ll do something too, I hope :loyal:.

[SkippyBing]

Jeansy, great work! Hopefully I've laid out the textures so most of the mapping will be valid for the Mk 4 and 5 when I get round to making them...

[YoYo]

Im working on this:

277, DK438, F Mk.1, + new spec files (fuselage, left wing, right is default):

http://i.imgur.com/N9jVHrvm.jpg (https://imgur.com/N9jVHrv) http://i.imgur.com/2gcPuSnm.jpg (https://imgur.com/2gcPuSn)

[strykerpsg]

first pass of the pk

https://image.ibb.co/dHa31p/2018_9_24_23_6_46_381.png

Matt, did the pics get deleted? Only your text shows up when I look through these great shots posted by others.

[strykerpsg]

Matt, disregard. It works at home. Beautiful paints all. This is just another example of great looking warbird unbeknownst to me till now. Great paints to all shown thus far.

[jeansy]

ta and thanks Ive earmarked several schemes which i would like to do when time permitting which i will upload to avsim or flightsim.com

[YoYo]

Near finish (90%), many new effects (spec, weathering ect) on this repaint, I hope You like it.

Fairey Firefly Mk I, FAA Squadron 1771, DK-438, No. 277 “Lucy Quipment,” HMS Implacable, Off Japan July 1945.

https://i.imgur.com/jcQSqOu.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YluZd2Q.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/ovMFH5xm.jpg (https://imgur.com/ovMFH5x) http://i.imgur.com/N9oPkIgm.jpg (https://imgur.com/N9oPkIg) http://i.imgur.com/N3r5AGWm.jpg (https://imgur.com/N3r5AGW) http://i.imgur.com/NXjm7C8m.jpg (https://imgur.com/NXjm7C8)

[YoYo]

Skippy, Id like to ask about load manager, is it correct?
My looks like this:

http://i.imgur.com/yJ9nNiRm.jpg (https://imgur.com/yJ9nNiR)

I dont know what to push to see something (or I feel like on lothery ;) ) and what to see finally.
Maybe good idea to do thumbnails of weapon, pylons, external tanks ect. and +/- buttons?

[SkippyBing]

That is odd, there should be text saying what's loaded, or Nil if it's empty! I'll have a think about what might be causing it, it shouldn't be the font as it's using Arial. I'm away for a couple of weeks from Friday so it probably won't be a quick fix.
In the meantime the top arrows select or remove drop tanks, and the middle set cycle through rockets and bombs. Bottom set adds or removes internal fuel in 10% increments.

Also love the repaint!

[YoYo]

https://i.imgur.com/VNlculo.jpg

[YoYo]

https://i.imgur.com/xgHlsST.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/We5fHJi.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/svhXUQR.jpg

Skippy,
did You test carrier landings? For me it looks like tail hook needs to be improved. I always finish like this, on the nose after I take arrestor cable:

http://i.imgur.com/7QmzyJnm.jpg (https://imgur.com/7QmzyJn)

It's a problem in settings (too soft I think of .cable_force_adjust).
http://lc0277.gratisim.fr/Adapting_SX_aircrafts_to_acceleration_carriers.htm l
https://www.prepar3d.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=119998

[SkippyBing]

For carrier landings you need to come in at about 5 knots above the stall and then fully back on the stick as you touch down. I added some code to control the tail hook as by default it's locked fully down until the aircraft is fully stopped. It now goes to 25% extended as it catches the wire which massively improved my success rate.

[YoYo]

For carrier landings you need to come in at about 5 knots above the stall and then fully back on the stick as you touch down. I added some code to control the tail hook as by default it's locked fully down until the aircraft is fully stopped. It now goes to 25% extended as it catches the wire which massively improved my success rate.

So its hard coded?
I dont see [tailhook] section in aircraft.cfg .

Skippy, please see this, for me its a bug, I'll check what is happen if I'll add "cable_force_adjust" manually:

[tailhook]
cable_force_adjust=xxx

Each time my finish is on nose, even I catch cable with a gentle approach and good speed:


http://youtu.be/huolxSjvaMk

The stick was full back after the touch down, the aircraft was near empty also.

[jeansy]

Skippy did you end up releasing the update, i only ask that simmarket normally email when something has been updated and I havent seen anything yet

or are you still working on a patch

[SkippyBing]

Matt,

The installer is updated for the wheel and compass animations. I'm not sure if an email was sent out though.

Yoyo,

The hook is hard coded, but if you add the section to the aircraft.cfg the sim will use those values instead.

When I get back in a couple of weeks I'll see if I can knock up a video of a carrier landing. There doesn't seem anything obviously wrong with your technique though.

[YoYo]

Matt,

The installer is updated for the wheel and compass animations. I'm not sure if an email was sent out though.

Yoyo,

The hook is hard coded, but if you add the section to the aircraft.cfg the sim will use those values instead.

When I get back in a couple of weeks I'll see if I can knock up a video of a carrier landing. There doesn't seem anything obviously wrong with your technique though.

https://i.imgur.com/updGLXb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ItsJBtY.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4QiXWh2.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9HeahhY.jpg

Batman/FDO has Today a lot of work ;) (Im glad it works also and the entry is present with "//" too).
But not a sucess, every time on the nose with: [tailhook] cable_force_adjust=0.7 to 1.5.
I remember the initial same problems with F4U of MilViz (in the final, release version was ok but it was many tests, does it work little differently in P3Dv4?).


Skippy did you end up releasing the update, i only ask that simmarket normally email when something has been updated and I havent seen anything yet

or are you still working on a patch

Checked in Simmarket, right, I have this:

http://s6.ifotos.pl/mini/Nowy-1JPG_qeqpqnh.jpg (http://ifotos.pl/z/qeqpqnh/)

so its a new version, animation and compass direction are ok from now.

[YoYo]

How to use rockets (does it work here as it was in manual)?

F.1: Arm is set to "on" (on stick), salvo to "on", fire button (HOTAS: Thrustmaster Warthog, button 1) pressed and I don't see any effects :wavey: ?

[YoYo]

The next repaint (preview).

Fairey Firefly F1 Early, E3-J, Z2116, FAA No. 731 Sqd, East Haven airbase, the end of 1944.

https://i.imgur.com/5mNvptZ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/oU0y1WQ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/eVHhdC4.jpg

[SkippyBing]

Yoyo,

For the bombs and rockets there's also a switch on the side of the cockpit to select the firing mode, which I think needs to be made. I haven't got the manual to hand but it does vary by version. Did you get the loading gauge to work then?

Love the repaint!

[YoYo]

Yoyo,

For the bombs and rockets there's also a switch on the side of the cockpit to select the firing mode, which I think needs to be made. I haven't got the manual to hand but it does vary by version. Did you get the loading gauge to work then?

Love the repaint!

I'll try it again.

Btw. small variation, IN YOUR MODELS KIT STORE SOON :biggrin-new: :

https://i.imgur.com/CcbBqrk.jpg

[strykerpsg]

YoYo, such a great merge of the old with the new. That shot certainly brings back great childhood memories.

[SkippyBing]

Yoyo,
That box art is amazing!
When I do the Tacpack update I'll try and make the weapons control a bit more logical! Unfortunately I couldn't find a lot of information on what the switches did, I even asked the Fleet Air Arm museum but they haven't catalogued their Firefly stuff yet.

[DaveWG]

Picked up the Firefly last night. Lovely model, but I had a couple of issues.
Frame rate in the VC was very low, around 20fps, compared to around 75 in the external view, and quite stuttery.
Swapping to one of the other Firefly models caused the aircraft to go haywire, spinning and bucking with the prop and spinner missing. Had to restart the sim to recover.

I don't see anyone else reporting these problems, so it may well be something on my system causing a conflict.
I didn't have much time to troubleshoot last night but I'll try again tonight.

[SkippyBing]

Picked up the Firefly last night. Lovely model, but I had a couple of issues.
Frame rate in the VC was very low, around 20fps, compared to around 75 in the external view, and quite stuttery.
Swapping to one of the other Firefly models caused the aircraft to go haywire, spinning and bucking with the prop and spinner missing. Had to restart the sim to recover.

I don't see anyone else reporting these problems, so it may well be something on my system causing a conflict.
I didn't have much time to troubleshoot last night but I'll try again tonight.

Dave,

I haven't noticed the fps drop you're getting in the VC, I'm not even sure what would cause it as it's more or less the external model with working needles and no undercarriage!
Not sure about the prop issue, although I found the Sea Fury occasionally did the same thing. With that I found swapping aircraft while paused seemed to stop it happening. I think it might be something to do with the engine gauge not stopping the sim going to full power on start, which massively over boosts the engine. I had a vague idea for a fix for the Fury, once I'm home I'll drop you an updated gauge to see if it works.

[YoYo]

Picked up the Firefly last night. Lovely model, but I had a couple of issues.
Frame rate in the VC was very low, around 20fps, compared to around 75 in the external view, and quite stuttery.
Swapping to one of the other Firefly models caused the aircraft to go haywire, spinning and bucking with the prop and spinner missing. Had to restart the sim to recover.

I don't see anyone else reporting these problems, so it may well be something on my system causing a conflict.
I didn't have much time to troubleshoot last night but I'll try again tonight.

I didnt notice this, fps are like default Maule, not worse, its a light model.

[DaveWG]

Seems to be the radar that's causing the problem for me. The F1 is fine (round about 55-60fps in the VC). The FR1 is only about 20-22fps in the VC.
If I open the 2d radar control panel fps drops to about 15. Turn on the radar and close the 2d popup and the fps then jumps up and down between roughly 22 and 45 in a regular cycle even if I turn the radar off again. Disabling the radar in the [VCockpit02] section of the panel.cfg puts the fps up to the same as the F1.

[YoYo]

Seems to be the radar that's causing the problem for me. The F1 is fine (round about 55-60fps in the VC). The FR1 is only about 20-22fps in the VC.
If I open the 2d radar control panel fps drops to about 15. Turn on the radar and close the 2d popup and the fps then jumps up and down between roughly 22 and 45 in a regular cycle even if I turn the radar off again. Disabling the radar in the [VCockpit02] section of the panel.cfg puts the fps up to the same as the F1.

Ahhh, right, I didnt fly FR1 yet, sorry.


Yoyo,
For the bombs and rockets there's also a switch on the side of the cockpit to select the firing mode, which I think needs to be made. I haven't got the manual to hand but it does vary by version. Did you get the loading gauge to work then?


http://i.imgur.com/cQOR0qYm.jpg (https://imgur.com/cQOR0qY) http://i.imgur.com/1mxdzkwm.jpg (https://imgur.com/1mxdzkw)

Here is what I did. The loading gauge works (I think because I see weapons, just no fonts as it was repored before). Switches are UP, Arm is on but when I hit Button 1 - I dont see any effects :onthego:.

[SkippyBing]

Yoyo,

From memory one of the versions needs a second switch to be made on the right hand side of the cockpit, it may be that?

Dave,

I'll have a look at that when I get home. I'm not sure there's a lot that can be done though because of the way the radar works.

[ozrico]

As per the previous thread on aircraft carrier landings by Yo-Yo, I've been getting things right until I hit the deck then
I always seen to end up nose forward eating carrier!!

The [tailhook] cable_force_adjust =0.7 - 1.5 fix didn't seem to work for me. What I found to work was:

[tailhook]
tailhook_length= 0.6000
tailhook_position=-24.000, 0.000, -0.600
cable_force_adjust= 2.200

Now I'm buttering Victorious like bread!

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=67430&stc=1

[CavOk]

[QUOTE=ozrico;1175169]
As per the previous thread on aircraft carrier landings by Yo-Yo, I've been getting things right until I hit the deck then
I always seen to end up nose forward eating carrier!!

The [tailhook] cable_force_adjust =0.7 - 1.5 fix didn't seem to work for me. What I found to work was:

[tailhook]
tailhook_length= 0.6000
tailhook_position=-24.000, 0.000, -0.600
cable_force_adjust= 2.200

Now I'm buttering Victorious like bread!

Thanks it works a treat

[SkippyBing]

Having finally got on top of things in the real world I've done a bit of digging into why people were finding carrier landings tricky. And then I found out I wasn't rusty, okay I was but not that rusty, but that the P3Dv4 gauge wasn't doing everything it had been doing in P3Dv3. Full explanation on the blog (https://bravozulu.blog/2019/02/24/__trashed/) along with the updated gauge if you don't want to wait for the next update. In short you should now land like the picture below rather than tipping onto the prop!

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=67644&stc=1

[SkippyBing]

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=74349&stc=1

In a fit of productivity I've updated the Firefly for TacPack. If you'd like to update yours the files are on the blog (https://bravozulu.blog/2020/03/07/tacpack-for-p3dv4/), I'll also be doing an update for the installer in the next week or so once I've tweaked a few other bits.

[YoYo]

Ohhh, thank You! :wavey:

[modelr]

Just picked this interesting aircraft up. Were any of the repaints shown in this thread by YoYo and jeansy ever released? I can't seem to find them anywhere.

TIA
Don H