JP (and co)'s Alphasim/Virtavia F-4 Revival for FSX/P3D

[delta_lima]

Hello everyone,

Arguably the best kept secret in March 2020 (perhaps second after a grocery store still stocking toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and flour ) has been a native conversion of the original Alphasim/Virtiavia F-4 model packs (1, 2, and 3). Both Penz and Postbaer61 have been cooking up some wonderful improvements to this model not only to convert it, but to enhance it. A few of us have been chiming in along the way, but this thread to track the on-going changes to the latest versions, and a place to showcase some simply stunning work done by these gents.

OK. Some basics:

Latest version: v1.2, available here: http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforum...id=24&id=26521

Sim compatibility: Models are FSX and P3DV4.5 compliant; I've been testing in the latter newer sim, so others can comment on the FSX platform. Should work equally well in both.

Which of the original models covered: all models in each of the original 3 packs, with (so far) an extra model in pack 1 (see below). Subject to change, more (see below).

Standalone or extras needed: Thus far, v1.2 is an addon pack. It adds the models (exterior and VC), and panel contents. You'll still need the original FS9 pack for effects, the original paints, sounds, etc. Obviously, there's also various recommended sound packages and scores of repaints that you can add if/as desired. Note, there's a future version underway already, so this is subject to change.

Ok. Now some more detail. Here's what's in each of the packs so far (list adapted from Penz's original):

Pack 1
0: F-4J with 2 AIM-7 Sparrows, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders, 6 Mk 82 bombs and center tank.
1: F-4J with 2 AIM-7 Sparrows, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders, 6 bombs and center tank, alternate configuration.
2: F-4B with 4 AIM-7 Sparrows, and 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders.
3: F-4B with 4 AIM-9 Sidewinders.
4: Extra model F-4D with wing tanks and SUU-23A gun pod
5: Extra model F-4J, clean configuration.
6: Extra model F-4J with 2 AIM-7 Sparrows, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders and center tank


Pack2
0: F-4C with wing tanks.
1: F-4D, same configuration as model 4 in pack 1.
2: F-4E with 4 AIM-7 Sparrows, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders and wing tanks.
3: F-4E with slatted wings. 2 AIM-7 Sparrows, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders, wing tanks and jamming pod
4: F-4F with wing tanks.
5: F-4EJ with wing tanks.
6: F-4G with AGM-88 HARM, AGM-45 Shrike, ALQ-119 ECM pod and wing tanks.


Pack 3
0: FGR.1 with 2 ballast stores, 2 sidewinders and wing tanks.
1: RF-4E with center and wing tanks.
2: FG.1 with 4 AIM-7 Sparrows, 4 AIM-9 Sidewinders, center and wing tanks.
3: FGR.2 with 4 AIM-7 Sparrows, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders, gun pod and wing tanks.
4: RF-4C with wing tanks.
5: F.Mk.3 with 2 ballast stores (?), 2x2 wing tanks and travel pod on one of the port wing inner hardpoints.
6: RF-4C with wing tanks and centerline tank.
7: FGR.2 with wing tanks.
8: F-4J(UK) with wing tanks.
9: RF-4E with wing tanks.

More to follow ...

dl

[delta_lima]

Small sampling of the many models available. Some shots show repaints that can be added - no repaints are packaged with this pack.

[delta_lima]

More pics:

[delta_lima]

For a future update, Penz, and Postbaer61 are working on further enhancements. Including (but not limited to) a modelled-in afterburner effect and actual working slime lights:



Thanks in advance gents, and credit to all the other posters who've posted in the various download discussion thread from whom I've captured both your comments and your screenshots.

[delta_lima]

Cross post from the v1.2 file thread:

For some reason I cannot quote posts at the moment ...

Please go ahead DL and post, the more the merrier. And thank you for the ballast units, I'm definitely still interested to learn about the "missing pieces"!

Now that's a proper afterburner Ulrich. Einfach toll.

I have been busy with the cockpits, and making the slime lights turn on and off with the virtual cockpit wing lights switch. Had to use the switch for something, hehe. All good fun.

I'n the long run I would consider removing all external stores and making clean base models, then add the stores back in with visibility conditions to allow for some kind of weapons configuration panel, and to make it easier to tacpack.

Cheers, JP

Well, what can I say that you've really gone beyond what any of us were imagining.

Regarding stores, a visibility-condition configurator would be the "Mercedes Penz" approach. For non-tacpac folks, you'd be able to "expend" your ammunition before recovery (especially aboard carriers, where weight was critical) by taking off in a loaded condition and landing in a clean (or tanks only) condition.

Only you could be the judge of how much work it'd be and your willingness to do it. All I can do is postulate how warmly received it'd be, which I think it would most certainly be. I suppose the tradeoff would be fewer model configurations against more coding. Happy with any which way you take it, and if there's help that any of us can render, I'm confident you can count on it.

cheers,

dl

[stovall]

Thanks Delta-Lima, looks like a fantastic F-4 Phantom. Something to keep an eye out for. Please keep us posted of any developments.

[gray eagle]

Hello everyone,

Arguably the best kept secret in March 2020 (perhaps second after a grocery store still stocking toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and flour ) has been a native conversion of the original Alphasim/Virtiavia F-4 model packs (1, 2, and 3). Both Penz and Postbaer61 have been cooking up some wonderful improvements to this model not only to convert it, but to enhance it. A few of us have been chiming in along the way, but this thread to track the on-going changes to the latest versions, and a place to showcase some simply stunning work done by these gents.

OK. Some basics:

Latest version: v1.2, available here: http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforum...id=24&id=26521

Sim compatibility: Models are FSX and P3DV4.5 compliant; I've been testing in the latter newer sim, so others can comment on the FSX platform. Should work equally well in both.

Which of the original models covered: all models in each of the original 3 packs, with (so far) an extra model in pack 1 (see below). Subject to change, more (see below).

Standalone or extras needed: Thus far, v1.2 is an addon pack. It adds the models (exterior and VC), and panel contents. You'll still need the original FS9 pack for effects, the original paints, sounds, etc. Obviously, there's also various recommended sound packages and scores of repaints that you can add if/as desired. Note, there's a future version underway already, so this is subject to change.

Ok. Now some more detail. Here's what's in each of the packs so far (list adapted from Penz's original):

Pack 1
0: F-4J with 2 AIM-7 Sparrows, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders, 6 Mk 82 bombs and center tank.
1: F-4J with 2 AIM-7 Sparrows, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders, 6 bombs and center tank, alternate configuration.
2: F-4B with 4 AIM-7 Sparrows, and 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders.
3: F-4B with 4 AIM-9 Sidewinders.
4: Extra model F-4D with wing tanks and SUU-23A gun pod
5: Extra model F-4J, clean configuration.
6: Extra model F-4J with 2 AIM-7 Sparrows, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders and center tank


Pack2
0: F-4C with wing tanks.
1: F-4D, same configuration as model 4 in pack 1.
2: F-4E with 4 AIM-7 Sparrows, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders and wing tanks.
3: F-4E with slatted wings. 2 AIM-7 Sparrows, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders, wing tanks and jamming pod
4: F-4F with wing tanks.
5: F-4EJ with wing tanks.
6: F-4G with AGM-88 HARM, AGM-45 Shrike, ALQ-119 ECM pod and wing tanks.


Pack 3
0: FGR.1 with 2 ballast stores, 2 sidewinders and wing tanks.
1: RF-4E with center and wing tanks.
2: FG.1 with 4 AIM-7 Sparrows, 4 AIM-9 Sidewinders, center and wing tanks.
3: FGR.2 with 4 AIM-7 Sparrows, 2 AIM-9 Sidewinders, gun pod and wing tanks.
4: RF-4C with wing tanks.
5: F.Mk.3 with 2 ballast stores (?), 2x2 wing tanks and travel pod on one of the port wing inner hardpoints.
6: RF-4C with wing tanks and centerline tank.
7: FGR.2 with wing tanks.
8: F-4J(UK) with wing tanks.
9: RF-4E with wing tanks.

More to follow ...

dl

So there is a J model in paint pack 1 right? The "J" model had no IRST sensor under the nose. The "B" birds did. That how I can tell them apart.

[delta_lima]

No surprise with all that hanging off it, you need reheat just to taxi ...

Looks superb, JP. Sorry to hear about the snag - we're waiting patiently, and appreciate you're wanting to do a good job. Nice illumination cast from the nose gear light.

Thanks again!

dl

So there is a J model in paint pack 1 right? The "J" model had no IRST sensor under the nose. The "B" birds did. That how I can tell them apart.

Yes, there was 2 x J models beforehand, and PJ added a third (model = 6). The B/N USN/USMC had the IRST, while the J/S USN/USMC didn't. There were a whole host of other, even more significant differences across all those models, but you're right, that's the easiest way to tell the B/N models from the J/S models.

As a partial aside, I own the three-book anthology by Andy Evans "F-4 Phantom - Comprehensive Guide for the Modeller" and highly recommend it. They're a moderately detailed overview of all the models, though lack the descriptive and anecdotal depth of say, Robert Prest's "F-4 Phantom, a Pilot's Story".

EDIT - just took a look - they're hard to get these days - upwards of $50 for a used, and into the hundreds per book. Bizarre. I paid around $30 new for each. I've got over 100 aviation books - I had no idea I was sitting on a gold mine!

[gray eagle]

We could use another "J" model to add to the collection. This is Randy "Duke" Cunningham's bird. My brother was in this outfit at the time. CDR Cunningham transferred from VF-96 over to
my outfit (VF-154) as the Operations Officer and brought over pictures of his mig kills taken thru gun cameras; one of the first things he did when he checked in at my outfit was hang his mig kill pictures on the ready room walls.

[Priller]

We're already at the request stage?

Then I would like to request this one:



Ed??

Priller

[MZee1960]

I found my happy place ! Thanks, Ulrich.







So, .......now just to populate Lakenheath with some military aircraft and AI traffic (that's not FS9 code) in FSX ......

[Penz]

So there is a J model in paint pack 1 right? The "J" model had no IRST sensor under the nose. The "B" birds did. That how I can tell them apart.

Yes Sir! As a matter of fact, the new "Pack 1" will consist of only those two models, B and J, with selectable loadout, so you should be able to install any original repaint easily.

(Oops, DL beat me to it, haha!).

Oh, and thank you very much Priller! I'm very happy to be back in the groove again.

Cheers,
JP