Friday, August 15, 2014

Aermacchi MB.326: announcement and project scope

One thing I am really happy about my new Aermacchi MB.326 project is that it will benefit from the help of members the Sim Skunk Works Group. I think they need no introduction, but in the remote case that you do not know them, you should definitely check out their website and their aircrafts (to name one their F-104 rendition is legendary - and the work they are doing on their new Tornado model is really promising):
  
 
They have offered their help in several areas and their help is more than welcome - especially since the quality of their work is guaranteed. As additional "bonus" their team includes a pilot which has hundreds of flight hours in the real MB.326. Here are primary targets of the project:
  • The main scope of the project is to create a realistic rendition of the Aermacchi MB.326
  • The level of realism shall be enough to provide a good training device for people looking to advance to "serious" military simulation 
  • The model will be optimized for minimal frame rate impact
  • Given the dozens of different configurations (I have counted more than 25 variants) the main visual model will be the MB.326E I-RVEG - the reason why I picked this particular variant is that I had the chance to fly on it, and it is the only MB.326 in flying conditions.
  • The backseat cockpit will not be modeled to help with frame rate
  • For flexibility, the cockpit model will be a sort of "average" between the cockpits of the MB.326E, -G and -K - i.e. a generic "mid-70's" configuration.
  • The package should have at least one livery for each major operator (by "major" I mean by number of aicrafts: Italy, South Africa, Brazil and Australia were the largest users).
...and here is a list of "secondary targets" that I would like to achieve (in order of difficulty - easiest to hardest) but it will depend on time and resources:
 
  • Include basic Tacpack compatibiliy (note: given that different variants had different weapons capabilities, I will stick to a generic configuration)
  • Include at least a livery for EVERY operator (there are dozens!)
  • Include external model variants
  • Extend the project to include the MB.326K (single seater, light attack version)
  • Extend the project to include the MB.339A (there are a lot of commonalities between the 326 and the 339, and I have some draft material on the 339... but that is a lot of work)
That being said, I believe there is no way to complete anything before end of 2014 - beginning of 2015.

...and in reply to your questions: YES I'd like to to an Eurofighter too. Problem is that, as you know, this is just a hobby for me and my "bandwidth" is full. When the MB.326 project will be in a better shape, we will see...

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Very good news. SSW are masters of flight dynamics and systems. Unfortunately, their models cost a lot of money. But it is a quality that is paid for.

Thomas L. said...

Bu please a TackPack not a SSKW weapons system now one use this only when you join the SSKW group. And TacPack have a good ACMI.

If not then iam not interesting to buy it, TackPacks works 100% i am in touche with the VRS via Forum developer and the told me the gave you all about it and working 100% correct.

a good test pilot is always in training
Thomas

ScimmiaSpaziale said...

Just to clarify one thing - members of the SSW team offered their help for free - and the scope is to keep the MB.326 free for everyone.

If I will have time to add working weapons, they will be based on VRS Tacpack.

Thomas L. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Thomas L. said...

For me is not a problem to pay for the MB-326, i have already all aircraft from SSW the F-104 S/G and the F-84F also the Harrier AV-8BII. About the MB-339 Cloud9 we flown this bird 10 years in FS2004 with IBNET. Frecce Tricolori Virtuali. And i am using TacPack, i know the SSW have an own tool but TackPack have more seeting available as SSW. And is nice when the want help you for free. Just a info for you me and my Italien friends some are flying in real live the MB-339.

a good test pilot is always in training
Thomas

Carss said...

Hey Dino, can you try making and adding similar effects like these for the next F-35 update please?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP0tsNszz7I

Andrea said...

Excellent choice to work in co-operation with the boys SSW, I know them, they produce excellent aircraft, I'm waiting for the release of the Tornado.
I'm anxious to be able to try your Macchino, I saw the post that PUBLISHED which is great.
Good job.

Unknown said...

Hi Dino -

Nevermind the nasty. In opinion, you build some of the best freeware aircraft out there. As a CAD guy myself, I WISH I had the time to do what you do. Keep up the good work because we all appreciate it.

From San Diego -

Greg Moore

Unknown said...

Hi Dino -

Nevermind the nasty. In opinion, you build some of the best freeware aircraft out there. As a CAD guy myself, I WISH I had the time to do what you do. Keep up the good work because we all appreciate it.

From San Diego -

Greg Moore

Rod said...

Dino,

Australia used the MB-326H. Not sure if there are any images of their cockpit.

I remember controlling a flight of 6 Macchi's. The RAAF pilots and I had a lot of fun with them doing simulated attacks on the ships we were working with.

ScimmiaSpaziale said...

Yes, I know the 326H.
There are several walkarounds online tha show the cockpit details.
As I said, we are bound to "one cockpit for all variants" approach...we are trying to design an "average" cockpit that should not look too much out of place...
Here is how the latest H cockpit looked:

http://www.aussiemodeller.com.au/Images/History/Slingsby/Slingsby_macchi/Macchi/view/IMG_0363.jpg