F-14D Tomcat progress

Time for a little Tomcat update...well, the external model is almost done. There are a lot of missing details, but all of the major modeling and texturing is done. Also, most of the animations are done and working. Some more worki is needed on the cokpit and weapons areas. The bad news is that not a single polygon of the internal model has been drawn yet... It is really hard to find the time to work on this, so I can't tell when it will be ready for release. It will be done when it will be done.

First carrier approach for the Tomcat!

Most of the animations are working correctly!

Climbing at full throttle over China Lake

F-14D Tomcat for FSX: first flight!

F-14D for FSX:Acceleration: first flight nearby China Lake NAWS

F-14D first flight: testing the moving parts....OK! Well....almost!

Above are two pictures of the first flight of my new Tomcat. There is a lot of work to be done - I think It will take one or two months before the project is ready for a Beta release. Still. I think it is looking good.

By the way, thanks to all the people that wrote me offering their help, support and appreciation. In particular, I wish to thank Stefano Napoli who sent me the F-14D Pilot's Manual - which will be really helpful!

If you're wondering which scenery I've used for the pictures...well it is a self-made scenery of China Lake NAWS I did with FS Earth Tile (and it is also my very first project with that software). FS Earth Tile, which, shame on me, I discovered just today, is an open source project lead by a guy known by his pseudonym "HB-100" (which I assume he used to avoid any legal annoyance for the "improper" usage of Google Earth / Virtual Earth imagery).

Basically, FS Earth Tile downloads the image database of Google Earth, Virtual Earth (or potentially any similar database) and converts it into Flight Simulator scenery. Unlike TileProxy, it DOES download the images to your HD(which violates the terms of usage of the aforementioned web sevices) and then compiles them into a permanent scenery. And unlike SBuilderX, as long as you do not want to add a water mask (i.e. FSX "water"), the process is fully automated.

Results will depend on the database itself (color consistency, detail, etc) - but if the database coverage is good, then the result is excellent. Italy, for example, is fully covered at 1m/pixel in Virtual Earth - with exception of blanked military areas. You can set the application, let it work overnight and have the full scenery of Northern Italy in few hours. That is what I'm going to do before going to bed. Long story short, if you like photosceneries, you MUST try FS Earth Tile.

PS As the starting location of FS Builder is Genova, Italy (my hometown), I assume the author is one of my fellow genoese citizens. If so: i miei più sentiti complimenti e grazie mille!

Grumman F-14D (Super)Tomcat first images

Grumman F-14D Super Tomcat - test render

F-14D for FSX:Acceleration trial render

Above are the trial renderings of my new FSX project, a Grumman F-14D Tomcat for FSX:Acceleration.

Like the Goshawk, it will be a native FSX:Acceleration model in order to have properly working hook/lanchbar and HUD / MFDs, as well as the all the other FSX features. It will be an F-14D that is the last version of the 'cat (which basically has the same GE engines of the F-14B and completely new avionics, including a modernized cockpit). The external model is 70% done and working, while the cockpit and flight modeling have not been started yet.

The reason why I chose to (re)make the Tomcat is that it is simply one of the most fascinating flying machines ever. The reasons why I chosed the D version is that a lot of features can be reused from the Acceleration hornet, and I can also reuse some of the work I did on the Goshawk.

Following the increasing complexity of Flight Simulator X, developing a new aircraft has become a very time consuming hobby. As I am a full time mechanical engineer, and as I have many different interests and time-wasting activities, it is very hard to find the time to continue developing software for FSX. But the projects I'm working on are also looking so nice that it is also hard to stop designing.It is also hard to provide a release date. I'd like to finish it before Christmas, but I am doubtful I can deliver...

I have put MB-339 project in "stand by" for now. I simply do not have time to do both and the Tomcat is at a much more advanced stage. One thing I can tell you is that the new base mesh provided by Massimo Taccoli looks really good.

Last, a request for help: I am disperately seeking high res pictures of the F-14D pilot cockpit (I'm looking for details of the side consoles and the "display/tailhook panel"): If you can provide them please e-mail me at dino_cattaneo@libero.it

T-45C Goshawk reviewed by PC-Pilot Magazine

T-45C for FSX:Acceleration (running on DX10)

I have just received a complimentary copy of the latest issue of PC Pilot, which features a one-page mini-review of the Goshawk. The review is generally very positive, and I wish to thank the PC Pilot staff for their interest and their appreciation.

However, I have to highlight one mistake: the Goshawk IS NOT Fs2004 compatible (as clearly stated by the readme file). Also, it requires Acceleration for full functionality. If you are not using FSX:Acceleration the package may not work correctly.

PC Pilot magazine issue featuring the Goshawk

As a side note, I have to confess it is the first time I got my hands on a "real" (i.e.made of actual paper) flight simulation magazine. Well, PC Pilot is good. Lots of useful information and interesting articles. Ok, the content is not much different from what you can find on several online sites, but it is really well presented - and I still think that paper is much more readable than a web page.

Proper scenery and repaints for the Goshawk!

NOTAM for T-45C Goshawk users:

Jim Dhaenens has released an FSX version of Meridian NAS, which is one of the two major real-life "homes" of the Goshawk (the other one being Kingville, TX).

The scenery is well detailed and has some excellent custom objects placed upon an 2meters per pixel aerial photo. Try it, it is much better than the spooky default FSX Meridian, and adds a lot to the Goshawk experience (by the way, Jim has released also other nice sceneries for vitual naval aviators, like Pensacola NAS). File name is fsx_knmm.zip available at avsim.com (and elsewhere). Here is a picture:

FSX Meridian NAS by Jim (fsx_knmm.zip)

Also, if you are looking for some non-fictional repaints, Russell R. Smith has released a set of four repaints which include Pensacola NAS and (much needed) USMC Goshawks. File name is 4_t-45cs.zip.

USMC Goshawk repaint by Russ

It is a real pleasure for me to see that so many people all around the world enjoy the Goshawk, and it is an even greater pleasure to see that there are people who develop their own additions.

T-45C Goshawk v1.1 released

T-45C Goshawk for FSX:Acceleration v1.1

The updated version of the T-45C Goshawk for FSX has been uploaded to both avsim.com and flightsim.com and will soon be available for download. The file name you should look for is T45CFSXB.zip
This is the complete list of changes that made their way to the final package:

Visual model:
-added two liveries: USN without sq.insignia, USN Training Wing 1
-added user-defined identification numbers (numbers can be changed in aircraft selection window)
-added pilot & instruction animations
-fixed instructor HUD shape
-fixed light position (some lights are now hardcoded in the mdl)
-fixed point of view position in spot views
-fixed minor flaw in flaps animation
-added few minor details

Interior model:
-Added MFD functionality: Power/BRT/CNt controls work as well as all keys; as the code is from Accelleration Hornet,incorrectly show 2 engines and working radar.
-Added some HUD functionality (altimeter mode; power/brt; azimut & elevation controls)
-Added functional radios (COM1/COM2/NAV1).Only active frequency selector work. FSX stock radio and GPS can be brought to screen by pressing SHIFT+2 & SHIFT+3.
-Replaced non-working TACAN with NDB (display only - knobs do'nt work)
-Following controls/switches now working: Flood/cabin light; Fire test; Warning test (incorrectly not all lights will light up while tested); Formation light; COM 1 / COM 2 / NAV1 audio selector
-Slightly moved and modified AoA indexed for readability
-Added blane profile to attitude indicator
-Fixed Vertical Velocity indicator bug (zero was not properly set).

Flight model:

- Slightly higher roll rate

Misc:

- Update checklist to include new functionality

Some (minor) problems are still there. I hope they do not bother you too much....and since many are asking, these are thr projects I'm working on:

Grumman F-14 Tomcat: I've not yet decided which version, probably F-14D Supertomcat. I am rebuilding it from scratch (it will NOT be a port of the FS2004 version). I already did some work last year, and it is not bad, so there is a good chance that the external model will be ready in a month or so. If there will be a market opportunity, this may be my first payware release. I am sorry to ask money for what is basically a hobby, but the development efforts required to make a good FSX plane is huge.

Aermacchi MB-339PAN: I'm sure you know Massimo Taccoli, and his excellent work. Massimo was so kind to give me his 3D mesh of the 339 to work on it. I've already begun placing some textures, and it's looking good.

T-45C Goshawk for FSX:Acceleration v1.1

T-45C Goshawk of VT7, Kingsville NAS

I'm working right now on a Goshawk update that will be released in a week or so. The improvements will be:

External model:
- "Point of view too far" issue solved
- Animated crew
- Added Minor details in the visual model
- Added Training Wing 1 texture set, and a texture set without markings
- Now you can change the identification number by typing it (like stock FSX planes)
- (not yet decided for sure) an additional model with practice bombs

Virtual cockpit:
- MFDs working and clickable (even if they show 2 engines and radar, as they are aliased from the Hornet)
- Radios working and clickable
- Tacan replaced with working NDB. IFF replaced with working Squawk
- Few more buttons working

Flight model:
- slight improvements

I'm sorry to make an update so soon, but there are cool functionalities I've just learned and implemented and really there is no point in keeping them only to in my hard disk.