Spartan Executive Six Years Later

[tgycgijoes]

As you know here, I discovered this on my calendar and posted it in my thread but I just wanted to go further the more I investigated it. I am also going to post this over at P3D because now that I figured it out, I will be flying MINE in Prepar3D V4.5 now that I can with the Windows 10 OS on the desktop and new(er) video card. When I found the webpage from Jim Savage a real life Spartan Executive owner/pilot and the history of the plane in WWII I had to go back in time. I spent the last two days working from three black and white 1940 photographs of N17630 and had to dig in the past for my photo interpreting skills to IMO create the correct color cowl and stripes. Based on the photo you will notice the rudder end stripe on the BT-13 Valiant Intermediate Trainer and the similar tone of the Spartan cowl and stripes. Also used some license and intrepretation for the yellow wings and the registration on the rudder and on the wings. I was extremely blessed to find the original paintkit inside one of my downloads. I wrote to Milton and glad to hear he is enjoying his retirement from FS but miss him as we all do a lot. He did not have the paintkit anymore and suggested that I contact one of the repainters and then I found it in EXTRAS. Thanks to Urs Burkhardt for creating it. It works great in Photoshop! The models are native FSX and work in P3D too. I will fly tomorrow and report.

The original thread which is pages long with a lot of names I didn't even recognize is here: http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php/105724-Spartan-Executive-FSX-Native/page4?highlight=spartan when Milton was active here on SOH back in 2017.

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



This is a view over the right wing before stepping on the walkway. Entry is through the door on the left side:

https://i.imgur.com/FOthxl8.jpg

The interior of the vc is great as well and all gauges work from what I can tell. They are in the panel folder.

https://i.imgur.com/3MO8JFo.jpg

[tgycgijoes]

I don't think that it came out too bad compared to the photo on top. All the graphics are hand drawn. I learned quite a lot of Adobe Photoshop creating the alpha channels and experimenting with the reflection and the artwork being non-reflective with the alpha channel. In the past I used to hand paint in white but the Spartan logo on the tail was so complex I Googled and found Brendan Williams and his great tutorials on How To Change Colors In Photoshop with Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layers. My Photoshop was older than his version so one step was different but it worked and that is what counts in the end. Even though I kept checking it in the model on MDCx I still need to raise the wing and the stripe to match the photo. Phooey!!!! Well, I'll get back and fix it Monday and I wanted to beat "the rivet counters" if any were going to comment on it. I'll fix it. Then it will REALLY be close.

https://i.imgur.com/Q34OAev.jpg

[thunder100]

yes a great plane

I fly since longer in P3DV4.5+ V5 and usually works well

And of you put it in historical context- MAN that plane was ahead of its time

Best regards

Roland

[tgycgijoes]

yes a great plane

I fly since longer in P3DV4.5+ V5 and usually works well

And of you put it in historical context- MAN that plane was ahead of its time

Best regards

Roland The Spartan is photographed in V4.5 at my "home airport" of Adele Williams Ocean Isle Beach close to my home and across the street from one of the supermarkets I shop at which I created especially for the scenery. All the buildings are exact as I can make them from photos taken live at the airport. It is nice to be able to visit correct and visit again. The restaurant in the big red building is now just a bar and tatoo parlour since I first did the airport for FSX 4 years ago so I updated it in December last. Hard to keep up with real life around you when you sim LOL!

[tgycgijoes]

Here is a screenshot of the 2D panel I have been creating with a lot of help over at FSDeveloper with some of the gauges like the Brittain B-5C Autopilot which was quite a challenge and is still not quite done yet. I have to tweak the mouse click areas of the buttons which will be a day's work on its own trial and error. Normally it's easy to plot it on a gauge with one click spot but this has 7 different click spots on the 7 buttons. This is being created from photos of the real panel in a real Spartan Executive. The pilot is so helpful and interested that I just WANT to do a great job on it for him. The rocker switches was today's work with each one a custom artwork in Photoshop and individually placed on the panel. Tomorrow I'll continue on the right side with GPS and gauges added. Then I will tackle the polished natural metal texture and the chrome spinner in P3D V4.5 which I found is so much different than repainting in FSX with its Diffuse, Specular and Bump. I know that there are Bump and Spec in FSX but there is a lot more to them in Prepar3D than I thought. I have a repaint but I don't like it all so I downloaded the Prepar3D V4 SDK and have been studying it.


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

[tgycgijoes]

After working on this for so many hours I forgot just how many, it is completed. All gauges that I couldn't find in other free aircrafts with permission to use or default FSX, are custom XML graphics and code (much much help over at FSDevelopers especially BalterOne, Maddz, TomGibson and WarpD. all of whose patience I probably tried and they never let on. Thanks guys. I will be sharing it here on SOH with the custom repaint texture. The Brittain B-5C Autopilot is fully functional and probably is the oldest next to a Sperry Autopilot that I have ever seen or used. They provided me with the documents to understand it while coding the gauge and the real pilot described its operation in detail for me as he did for the Midcontinent MD41-1484 GPS Annunciator which you can see below the registration and right of the SPARTAN EXECUTIVE plates. It is installed to make the aircraft IFR compliant with the GPS not in the middle but on the right side of the panel. It annunciates GPS functions. I have learned so much creating this panel not only in gauges I had never seen before but also xml coding some of which I had never done before as well. The flap gauges on the right side of the panel are also custom coded with nine flap positions (fortunate that is the maximum FSX allows) and are activated in 5 degree increment clicks with the mouse wheel on the flap switch. The Belly Flap is unfortunately not modeled by Milton so it mimics the wing flaps. If I knew how to add them in Blender I would because Milton Shupe the creator has provided the GMax for it in his download of all his models available. That would be REALLY cool and unique. I also wish I knew how to create a VC from this 2D panel but again I was told over at FSDev' that it takes Blender know-how to do that. I know how to substitute gauges on a VC if they are on the panel which they are but this is not just a gauge swap to same positions but a whole new positioned panel. Anyway without any further ado:

https://i.imgur.com/Bad06Me.jpg

[tgycgijoes]

I have learned so much creating this in FSX. Especially how to get this highly polished finish which is true to the real aircraft. I learned how to do flat finishes for the insignias and cowl in Photoshop and have a few more gauges to add to the panel for pressure alarm lights. So here it is:

https://i.imgur.com/Vrrq3UL.jpg

[Mike71]

---- Even though I kept checking it in the model on MDCx I still need to raise the wing and the stripe to match the photo. Phooey!!!! Well, I'll get back and fix it Monday and I wanted to beat "the rivet counters" if any were going to comment on it. I'll fix it. Then it will REALLY be close.

Looks great; you may think about lowering the cowl horizontal stripe vice raising the one on the fuselage? The photo angles may not reveal that it is a little lower?

Good luck -

[tgycgijoes]

Looks great; you may think about lowering the cowl horizontal stripe vice raising the one on the fuselage? The photo angles may not reveal that it is a little lower?

Good luck - I had to think about what you were saying for a moment and then understood. The screw strip right? Very difficult because they are two distinct parts and the cowl looks like one thing in Photoshop and then when it is opened up in FSX, it is shaped differently. When I first applied Executive on the cowl it looks absolutely perfect in Photoshop and then in the sim it is totally distorted. I had to get it to looking right like it is by trial and error. If you looked at Photoshop and the PSD/BMP it looks totally wrong but it's not. Anyway thank you for pointing that out and I will check it out and see what can be done if anything.

[tgycgijoes]

I added the last four gauges to the panel today and it is complete. They are three warning lamps and the Nose-up Nose-down trim indicator with help again from FS Developers Tom Gibson, Maddz and BalterOne with the coding. I haven't actually flown it with controls yet because mine are not permanently setup having very limited space for flightsimming. Looking forward to doing that but it may not be for a few days with real life scheduling for the rest of the week and possibly next week as well. We'll see what happens. Thanks to FSDevelopers and to you guys here for sharing and commenting. :loyal:

[tgycgijoes]

Here is the final instrument panel with all gauges which work perfectly and also a shot of the completed repaint texture both in P3D V4.5 though they work as perfectly in FSX. I am using the Brittain B-5C Autopilot which is activated.

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

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

[thunder100]

Hi

Do you share the panel ?

Thank you

Roland

[tgycgijoes]

Hi

Do you share the panel ?

Thank you

Roland

Hi Roland,
It is 2D not VC because I don't know or am able to make it as a part of the virtual cockpit, I wish it was. I am going to post here a mediafire link to the complete aircraft. You are very welcome to use just the panel if you want. I have permission from Milton Shupe to share the whole aircraft. The repaint and panel are totally created by me so mine to share. The panel will include all the custom gauges but not the default FSX a few of which I used which will come from your FSX Gauges. It will be packed separately. I am pleased that you would like to use it. The real pilot just asked me this morning after all the work we did together if I am going to share it which I told him yes also. After I put together a package I want to test it before I post the link here to make sure it all works as a download and install. There will be no installer, it will need to be done manually but I will include instructions how to do that for those who are unfamiliar. Thanks for your interest. BTW. The panel is a one of a kind in the real Spartan totally built and installed by the owner/pilot.

[thunder100]

hi

You can use your gauges in any spot of AN EXISTING GAUGE in VC, but you cannot make them bigger or reallocate the position

Thats my (limited ) go on it

Best regards

Roland

904539045490455

[tgycgijoes]

hi

You can use your gauges in any spot of AN EXISTING GAUGE in VC, but you cannot make them bigger or reallocate the position

Thats my (limited ) go on it

Best regards

Roland

904539045490455 I have replaced many gauges into existing virtual panels in FS Panel Studio by opening up the gauge and noting the location and the size of the existing gauge and using those values for the new gauge and that works perfectly but I have been told that i have to do this in a 3D drawing program like Blender or FS Design Studio to actually be able to make this panel into a part of the virtual cockpit at FS Developers who are "da guys" who know how to do stuff like that.

[falcon409]

I have replaced many gauges into existing virtual panels in FS Panel Studio by opening up the gauge and noting the location and the size of the existing gauge and using those values for the new gauge and that works perfectly but I have been told that i have to do this in a 3D drawing program like Blender or FS Design Studio to actually be able to make this panel into a part of the virtual cockpit at FS Developers who are "da guys" who know how to do stuff like that.

After looking the panels over in FSPanel Studio, while some gauges in the VC can be replaced, the majority are apparently part of the mdl file as they are not active in FSPS. So you could conceivably replace the panel artwork and layout on that texture where the new gauges would go but without the ability to access the VC information via a 3D program you're out of luck. It's unfortunate that it was done that way (not saying it was wrong), just that those of us who relish being able to customize VC's are unable to do so.

[tgycgijoes]

After looking the panels over in FSPanel Studio, while some gauges in the VC can be replaced, the majority are apparently part of the mdl file as they are not active in FSPS. So you could conceivably replace the panel artwork and layout on that texture where the new gauges would go but without the ability to access the VC information via a 3D program you're out of luck. It's unfortunate that it was done that way (not saying it was wrong), just that those of us who relish being able to customize VC's are unable to do so. I found that out too. I am creating a landing panel popup that can be used to see where you are going when taxiing and landing which I am including in the package. Yeh its a bummer.

[Mike71]

I found that out too. I am creating a landing panel popup that can be used to see where you are going when taxiing and landing which I am including in the package. Yeh its a bummer.In FSX and P3D, i bind "VIEW (always pan up / always pan down)" to letters on my keyboard. The effect is to raise and lower the pilot seat in 2D panel view. Works well for me, especially in taildraggers --

[tgycgijoes]

In FSX and P3D, i bind "VIEW (always pan up / always pan down)" to letters on my keyboard. The effect is to raise and lower the pilot seat in 2D panel view. Works well for me, especially in taildraggers -- How exactly is that done Mike Let me know tomorrow. I was watching Father Brown Mysteries until now so I didn't see your post. I will log in after church tomorrow afternoon.

[Mike71]

How exactly is that done Mike Let me know tomorrow. I was watching Father Brown Mysteries until now so I didn't see your post. I will log in after church tomorrow afternoon.Select two letter keys you want to use to move your seat up or down and set them in your CONTROLS settings. See these photos for FSX or P3D4.

These will work in 2D panel view: to raise or lower the seat, press and HOLD the desired key down until you get the horizon where you want it - the change in view will pan a little slowly, but will work.

I show "Z" in the P3D binding but actually use "A" (- I just changed it after taking these shots because I want to use "Z" for something else). You may have to try different keys depending what way your controls selections, or default selections are presently in use.

- - - Updated - - -90457

[tgycgijoes]

Select two letter keys you want to use to move your seat up or down and set them in your CONTROLS settings. See these photos for FSX or P3D4.

These will work in 2D panel view: to raise or lower the seat, press and HOLD the desired key down until you get the horizon where you want it - the change in view will pan a little slowly, but will work.

I show "Z" in the P3D binding but actually use "A" (- I just changed it after taking these shots because I want to use "Z" for something else). You may have to try different keys depending what way your controls selections, or default selections are presently in use.

- - - Updated - - -90457 I'llo try it later after church

[tgycgijoes]

Here is a shot of the final Spartan Executive NC17634 at Elizabethton, North Carolina an airport I created a couple months ago. If you notice that the rudder is a different finish than the rest of the aircraft it's because it is fabric covered not aluminum as are the elevator and ailerons. They are painted with a gloss finish gray paint which I matched. The cowl ring blue is also matched to the exact paint from info from the manufacturer that the owner supplied. We have worked closely on a daily basis throughout the project which makes it probably as authentic as it can get in a simulator limited only by MY skills which often are lacking more than I like. I asked a lot of help over at FSDevelopers and want to thank the input I got here as well.

It will go out for a little beta testing and then be available to download the repaint and custom panel in the Warbird Library probably next week.

https://i.imgur.com/JCUuZi2.jpg

[tgycgijoes]

Well, right after sending out the two beta testers the file, my hard drive died. I am typing this on my church laptop right now to let you all know but any more Spartan will have to wait until I get a new one delivered I ordered today. Thank the Lord for foresight, I saved the entire file of every thing Spartan onto a flash drive but other stuff is gone forever AGAIN. You can't flash drive EVERYTHING. The drive that died is not recognized at being attached to the computer at all so I don't know what happened, it just did. My daughter created a recovery drive onto a flash drive according to Microsoft instructions but that still did not access it. :banghead:

[tgycgijoes]

As promised, I apologize for the delay, I gave a final check to these in FSX SP2 (Acceleration doesn't play nice with Windows 10) that after much trouble I got installed on the new hard drive. Here in our Warbirds Library are the two versions of the Spartan Executive: Polaris WWII and Modern Jim Savage who by the way told me he was really impressed with us and joined this past week.

I will be working on trying to create a virtual panel for the modern version with all the custom gauges and if successful will post as an update along with PBR texture to use in Prepar3D V4.5 which I also studied how this past week while I was painstakingly adding software into the new hard drive. Not as hard as it seemed but a lot of trial and error my "tutor" instructed me. If you have any comments or questions about either one, please PM me here and I will answer promptly.

Richard
tgycgijoes :loyal:

[tgycgijoes]

I started this afternoon to work on the virtual cockpit panel for the modern Spartan Executive. Milton and his team did a great job on the Polaris WWII version so I am not going to change that all. Anyway... as I started to open up my jpgs from Jim again I noticed as I enlarged them that he has a textured background on the panel and also it has a rubber edge not the metal edge that is in the WWII version so I Googled; found out how to do both and I have updated the 2D panel bmp and its a start for the vc panel background as well. Here is a screenshot of the update.

https://i.imgur.com/cOmQ9Rm.jpg

[thunder100]

HI beautiful really

Roland

[tgycgijoes]

HI beautiful really

Roland Let me know how it flies for you on your system and what sim, OS etc to compare.

[tgycgijoes]

I spent this afternoon trying to create a virtual panel for this first with Abacus FS Design Studio instructions which I don't understand. They look so simple but don't work for me. So, then I tried to do it in FS Panel Studio which Abacus uses in cooperation with FSDS. That didn't work either no matter how hard I tried. If anyone wants to try and make a VC using my gauges you are welcome to try and if you succeed share it with all of us who will be so grateful. I AM including a modified panel cfg with my new panel bmps you can replace the one in the modern version with if you want to.

https://www.mediafire.com/file/y0lukeod91xkusp/Updated+Spartan+Modern+Panel.zip/file

[tgycgijoes]

Gecko45 just PM'd me that in Prepar3D V4.5 the bump file and the fuse2 were misaligned. I had to go and find the Spartan again because I had to reinstall P3D and lost the addons which I now replaced and it is fine on my system but anyway here is a brand new link to the Spartan Executive Modern version with the new powder-coated and rubber rimmed panel like the real one. Enjoy.

https://www.mediafire.com/file/32uj8772p4b4tnr/Spartan+Executive+Modern.zip/file

[tgycgijoes]

I have learned a lot since this was done back in April of this year. Although the background might be a little clearer, I was able to recreate the 2D panel in VC with FS Design Studio and resizing my gauges to fit on the panel. I have a little hiccups in a couple of switches so I am not ready to share (Help asked for at FSDevelopers) Here is a screentshot I just took at 60J in North Carolina. All the gauges work in the VC, thank you Lord for inspiration to make it work. Thanks too to Arno for Model Converter X which allowed me to remove some gauges that were modeled into the mdl and "stepping on mine" Something I learned in the past nine months. I may also try and add a configuration panel next week. I learned how to add chocks to the Neptune back when working on NAS Argentia and I really like that shroud that is posted above on the release of the Spartan for MSFS. I don't know if my drawing skills are up to it. See about removing the pilot when chocks are set too. All things to try that I would like to add.

https://i.imgur.com/rCEep9t.jpg

[SgtT]

Wow, very nice I wish I had some skills.

[tgycgijoes]

Wow, very nice I wish I had some skills. I am sure you have skills that I don't and many many people have helped me learn all I know along the way here in SOH and also in FS Developers where I was just reading a reply for help I posted this morning.:loyal: