FSX T-45C Gohsawk released!!!!

T-45C Goshawk Released!

I've just uploaded the final package to both flightsim.com and avsim.com.Look for T45CFSXA.zip in the file libraries in a day or two.

It's been a very long and complex project. I had a lot of fun and I hope I will find the time to keep the same quality level in future projects. Hope you'll like it.

Goshawk Beta over - Preparing files for release

This is how the final exterior model looks...

...and this is the final interior model.

I've just finished making the changes and improvements driven by the feedback by the beta testers. I think the overall product quality is significantly improved.

Most relevant changes were:

- External model: better overall fuselage, more accurate nose shape and windshield details. New, more accurate flap design. Improved wing shape. Gear doors relax to open position when the engine is off. Animated launch bar.

- Virtual cockpit: added functionality, improved night lighting and warning lights. Fixed miscellaneous details and improved textures.

- Flight model: more accurate approach speeds, roll rate, aerobatic capability.

I'm making the final touches and will post to Flightsim.com and Avsim.com in the next few days. It will be FREEWARE. While I think it is on par with professional add-ons, and while I spent a lot of time and efforts doing this, I wish to keep the hobbies separate from the businness.

Goshawk (Beta) ready for takeoff!

Ready to takeoff!

Virtual cockpit - visually complete (working to get more functionality)

Yesterday night (well, properly it was today early morning) I've released a (sort of) beta version to volunteer test sim-pilots. Above it is how it looks...the outside model is almost unchanged, while the virtual cockpit is finally (visually) complete.

I think the cockpit is reasonably close to the original. As I could not make a working AoA needle, I 've replaced it with a G-meter. Also, many warning lights are inop and I've also moved some of them...but apart from these details, I think it is Ok. Well, most switches are inop right now...but I am trying to see what I can do to add functionality to the cockpit.

I am also trying to work out a checklist that is both as close as possible to the original but also manageable by the average sim (and the simmer).

The instructor virtual cockpit was dropped. It is doable, but would have made the 3D model even bigger (and it is already very heavy...) and would have been difficult to manage.

The only major thing that is undecided is the big question: payware or freeware? It started as a freeware project. I do not want my hobbies to become work as: 1) I already have a job 2) if you do these kind of things for profit you end up doing what the market ask, rather than what you would like to do.

On the other hand, the work on this project has been very time consuming. And time is money. And I may need some financial reasons to keep doing such big things for FSX. To be or not to be....

FSX T-45C Goshawk - update

Below are a couple of screenshots of the work-in-progress T-45C Goshawk.

A couple of refinements were added to the the exterior model (some missing detail on the landing gear and tweaks to the fuselage and the cockpit) but it is 99.9% done and working. Except for the launch bar that it is not animated (can't tell why it is not working).

The model is fully SP2/Acceleration DX10 preview compliant, but while blooming is definitedly better in DX10 than in FX9c, some polygons appear to be uncorrectly shadowed. Well it is a "DX10 preview" so I guess it is OK that something is not working perfectly...

T-45C Goshawk approaching to a carrier (DX10)

Another Goshawk carrier landing in FSX:Acceleration!

As for the interior model...well, I did some progress. Now the main panel is done (except for the AoA indicators, clock and ADI which are not working as expected). All the instruments are dynamic 3d models (no 2D xml gauges, except for the displays which are aliased from the FSX:Acceleration Hornet). Do not expect a 100% working cockpit. It will be OK for carrier operations. This is a screenshot of the cockpit as it is now (a lot of switches missing, pedals yet to be done, more work needed on the canopy and seats).

T-45C Goshawk dynamic virtual cockpit

Flight model is ok, not great. Needs some tweaking. The plane behaviour is generally fine, and handiling is nice (but ailerons are not as effective as they should be). Carrier landing is relatively easy (and easier than the F/A-18 I think) but you need to fly 10-15 Kts faster than the real thing. I'm working on this too.

Ah, I may need the help of Beta test pilots. Not sure if I will do a proper Beta test, but if I do I may be looking for virtual pilots with some experience. Knowledge of carrier operations and ability to install add-ons manually is a must. If you are willing to help, drop me a line at dino_cattaneo@libero.it (and specify T-45 in the subject).

T-45C Goshawk for FSX update

Unfortunately I could not find the time to complete the Goshawk in July as I've planned... The external model has been slightly improved and it is now 100% done. Some more work is needed for the Virtual cockpit... I hope I will be able to release something in September. In the meantime, here are few screenshots.

T-45C Goshawk approaching a carrier

T-45C Goshawk in flight

T-45C Preparing to land on a carrier

MB339PAN Work in Progress

In the past few months, I've received several appreciation e-mails for the Fs04 MB339 PAN "Frecce Tricolori" I've released several years ago.

Being Italian, this plane means much to me. I think that the Frecce Tricolori, our beloved national Aerobatic team, is one of those things that make us Italians feel proud of our country - like Ferrari cars - despite the problems our country is facing.

First, I'd like to say "thank you" to all those people who have downloaded and appreciated my efforts.

Second, I'd like to answer to the most recurrent question that is:"What about a FSX version?

Well, of course I've been working on it. Compliling an FSX version using gmax (the modeling tool I've used for the FS04 version) should be a relatively small task. Basically you need to create new FSX materials, assign them to the parts and tag the new animations. Not a big deal.

Still, gmax is an obsolete tool now. There are several reasons why you'd prefer to have the source files in 3D Studio Max, first one being the fact that .max can be converted to other file formats very easily (that means you can reuse your source on any new version of Flight Simulator - andlmost any other game that allows user-created models).

So I've decided to start a completely new project in 3D Studio Max. The base mesh for this project is Massimo Taccoli's excellent 3d mesh (thank you Massimo!) he built for FS2002 / 2004.

My intent is merge the best of my 339 with the best of Massimo's one and add completely new textures (highest possible definintion and with self shadowing and bump mapping).

As a side note, should anyone be interested, *IT IS* possible to convert gmax models to 3ds...well, at least partially. This is done using Quake 3d file format as interchange file format. Still, it is a long process as you have to split the model in small bits. While the textures coordinates are usually preserved, animations and materials are lost. And in most cases the geometry needs some manual fix.

These are a couple of screenshots of 3D Studio Max wip. I really cannot tell when I'll have the time to work on this. My first priority is complete the Goshawk. Then I'll switch to the 339.

3Ds Max Model - Work in progress

T-45C Goshawk FSX in-game screenshots

T-45C Goshawk apporaching a carrier

T-45C Goshawk flight testing near Patuxent River NAS

Showing the animated parts

Cockpit preview - some more work needed

All the screenshots above are taken directly from FSX with DX10 preview, with no editing except border cropping. The external model is complete, but the cockpit needs some more work (basically the main panel is done, but the rest is far from being complete). By the way, the plane wll feature only the virtual cockpit. 2D cockpit will be limited to HUD (as the Acceleration F/A-18) . Also, virtual cockpit will only have partial functionality: only the main instruments will be working. On the good side, everything will be in 3D, including the gauges.