Hovering in the F-35B

Approaching LHA-4 in a stable hover thanks to Rob! 

 F-35B USMC livery - with CBUs and gun pod.

...and AIM-9X also for the F-35A!

A very rainy labor day brought some major advancements in my F-35 project... actually I've been working almost non-stop for 12 hours on it today... Not sure if it is a good thing.

Anyway, the integration with Rob Barenrdregt's STOVL functionality is done and...works like a dream! I spent a lot of the weekend hovering here and there and it is a lot of fun.

Also, the F-35B is almost ready for Beta testing - I added a lot of missing details and completed the texturing and I have to confess I am quite happy with it.

And I've also modeled the AIM-9X and rebuilt the F-35A models with it. And I've also figured out a way to model the F-35C in a reasonable amount of time (with a little artistic licence on a couple of details... which I am sure someone will notice in seconds, but it may be a fair copromise...it is worth a try IMHO).

First images of the F-35B Pre-Alpha and of the F-35A Release Candidate

VERY PRELIMINARY image of the F-35B model - textures are WIP



...and this is the F-35A "Release Candidate" model

Despite of what I wrote in the previous post, I made some other modifications (hopefully enhancements) to the F-35A model, the most important being that I switched to a "modeled" afterburner effect. Some people may not like it, but its rendering is more consistent through different video cards and drivers - the major drawback is that it increases the virtual "size" of the visual model, so that default views are slightly farther away. I also refined some aspects of the main textures and I am quite happy with it.

...so I've finally switched to the F-35B. Above is the very first image, texturing needs a lot of work but looks promising, and the many areas of the model need some work. But, so far, I think it does not look bad IMHO.



F-35A - Modifications after Beta 1

I've finally found the time to complete (most of) the changes and improvements in response to the Beta 1 feedback. I will now move to the F-35B.

VISUAL MODEL:

- Added missing details to diffuse texture

- Redone specular texture, to achieve a "smooth" look
- Tail area redesigned (should be closer to real LRIP planes)
- Auxiliary air exhaust redesigned
- Fixed "disappearing pilot" glitch
- Added main gear doors actuators
- Added radar reflectors (or, at least, what I think are radar reflectors)
- Added some minor 3D details
- Redone UVW in canopy area
- Modified pilot helmet transparency level
- Modeled A/B effect, instead of .fx based one
VIRTUAL COCKPIT:
- Fixed light leakage from left console
- Fixed switches positions and animations
- Fixed several minor modeling issues, functionality not changed

FLIGHT MODEL:
- Reduced acceleration in various flight conditions
- Reduced effectiveness of speed brakes
- Provided alternate wheel contact points to get rid of "micro-oscillations" which happen when the plane is still (same issue as previous release)

F-35 2.0 Beta 1 - WIP testing and open discussion post - CLOSED

BETA TEST CLOSED

SORRY FOR THE LACK OF UPDATES - DUE MY PERSONAL TIME CONSTRAINTS, BETA 1 HAS NOT BEEN AS EXTENSIVE AS I WISHED IT TO BE, NOR DID I HAVE TIME TO UPDATE THE BLOG PROPERLY.
I WILL MAKE A NEW POST WITH ALL THE CHANGES DONE IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

FEATURES OF THE BETA 1
***************************
This Beta 1 build includes only the F-35A, and only in USAF markings, actually depicting AF-9, one of the Low Rate Initial Production and one very first aicraft delivered to Eglin AFB.
External model is much more accurate than the previous release and should be significantly closer to the real thing. Due to a much higher polycount, I've decided to remove some eye-candies such as "Remove before flight" ribbons and wheelchocks. It is possible, however, that the new visual model may impact the fps.
The VC has been optimized in several areas, and sports minor functional improvements, texture refinements and details.
No changes to the flight model - which has been extensively tested though in the previous releases - and IMHo mimics the behaviour of a fly-by-wire quite well in many areas of the envelope.

SEE NEXT POST FOR THE LIST OF CHANGES

F-35A Beta - Stop to applications

Thanks a lot for you interest in the F-35 Beta - I've already received dozens of applications, much more than the ones I need and definitely more than what I can handle.
I am closing the selection today - download links to the selected testers will be sent most probably during the weekend.

F-35 2.0 Beta 1 - How to apply

Well, I finally have a build that I consider good enough for Beta 1. Actually I think it should be better than that, as the flight model is the same as the previous version and it was working fine...and most of the VC is the same, apart from some minor graphical tweak.
So, Beta 1 is ready for testing. Beta 1 will ONLY feature the F-35A, the CTOL version. F-35B is in the works, but it experiencing some delay as my real life job is consuming most of my time and energy lately. F-35C is also in the works, but, for technical reasons, it is much better to have the -A and -B ready before moving to the -C.

Should you want to apply for the Beta testing, please drop me an email at indiafoxtecho (gmail) com, which, from now on, will be my main address for simulation related email. Please add a F-35A Beta in the subject (or anything that will help me sorting them out) and a brief description of your systems and main add-ons...and which kind of simmer you are, if you wish so - keep it short - I just want to better understand your perspective and -in case- suggestions.
Also, due to my time constraints, I will not accept many testers - it will be impossible for me to collect a large amount of information. There will not be a particular rule to chose the testers - I will mainly pick different systems/simmer "types" combination...just to have varied feedback. Should you not be picked - well, I am sorry - I just cannot accept more than few testers.
Also, to report bugs, please use ONLY the methods described in the email. Thanks you all in advance!

F-35A External weapons

Above is the "new" cockpit...as you can see it is mostly the same as the previous version. There are some subtle changes to the textures, minor geometry fix and some optimizations here and there.

Here is a picture of the "final" -A model. The new 3D model is much more accurate...but less efficient in terms of frame rates. Models with external loads are, of course, "heavier" in terms of geometry, so users with slower systems should see a better performance without external loads.

Another shot of the new F-35A model

I think the F-35A is ready for Beta testing. Hopefully, during the next weekend I should be able to compile the versions with the various loadouts. I will post the instructions on how to apply to for the Beta once they are ready.