F-35 UPDATE TO VERSION 3.55 (P3D ONLY)

A small belated Christmas present for the F-35 users: here is version 3.55 which is most probably the last update for the "Version 3" of the F-35.

Most likely the next iteration will be a new product, with models rebuilt for PBR support and compatible only with Prepar3D version 4.4 and above (and will require a new purchase). I am sorry to ask for a new admission ticket, but the work needed is too much. I'll try to implement discounts for existing users if the distributors will allow that.

This 3.55 update applies to P3D (version 2.0 to 4.4): latest version for FSX will be 3.53. The zip file includes both the 3.55 version for P3D and the 3.53 FSX, and the simplified MFD and the low res textures as well. Note that using the simplified MFD will disrupt some of the features of this update.

Here is the features list:

Version 3.55 - 26/12/2018

THIS UPDATE APPLIES ONLY TO P3D - LATEST FSX VERSION IS 3.53

• Changed default load to "NO WEAPONS" for all aircrafts
• AoA indication limit on HMD is now 50° (was 30°)
• Slight change to toe-brake effectiveness
• Added special color livery for Koninklijke Luchtmacht
• Added special color livery for Aeronautica Militare
• Changed implementation of TFLIR imagery which hopefully solves/mitigates aircraft visibility for some users
• All air-to-air radar tracks are now shown on the Head Mounted Display:
  - symbol size is scaled depending on the target distance (small over 20Nm, medium from 20Nm to 10Nm, big below 10Nm)- symbols will park on the edge of the visibility area both in the vHUD and Free Look mode
• Implemented fine control of the air to surface target via Az/El TFLIR control:- fine control works only of TOO targets when the aircraft is in A/S mode- a TOO target must be assigned first (via TSD, ASR or HMD) to enable fine control- fine control allows the adjustment of TFLIR Az/El- fine control can be operated via the TFLIR screen (by clicking on the crosshair) or via keyboard shortcut
  
• Implemented following key shortcuts:
• ARROW KEYS:- In NAV mode: UP/DOWN control TSD1 zoom level; LEFT/RIGHT select previous/next waypoint- In A/A mode: UP/DOWN control Air-to-Air radar range; LEFT/RIGHT command UNDESIGNATE/DESIGNATE target- In A/S mode, with valid TOO: UP/DOWN control TFLIR El; LEFT/RIGHT control TFLIR Az; both will update target locationSHIFT+ARROW KEYS -> TFLIR CONTROL- UP/DOWN control TFLIR El; - LEFT/RIGHT control TFLIR Az; both will update target location
  
• CONTROL+ARROW KEYS -> ASR CURSOR CONTROL
  - UP/DOWN/LEFT/RIGHT control the position of the cursor in the ASR screen
• CONTROL+SHIFT+ARROW KEYS -> SENSOR CONTROL
  - UP -> DESIGNATE ASR CURSOR POSITION AS A/S TARGET
  - DOWN -> CHANGE ASR RADAR ZOOM
  - LEFT -> CHANGE TFLIR MODE
  - RIGHT -> CHANGE DAS MODE

As usual, you can download the update from the side bar or by clicking HERE.

Siai Marchetti S-21 / Aermacchi M-345 update

*** EDIT: I just realized that the cockpit model that went into the update did not feature the separate N1 and N2 needles as intended. Also the NX521 repaint had some minor glitches. I have updated the files to version 1.11 ***

Here is a small update to the S-211/M-345 package, mostly meant to address the incorrect behavior of the turn coordinator and the ball in the ADI. I also took the chance to fix a couple of minor things and add a couple of repaints. Here is the list of changes:

Version 1.11 - 14/12/2018
- Added separate N1 and N2 needles
- Fixed minor glitches in NX521S repaint

Version 1.10 - 01/12/2018

- Improved resolution of volt-ampere meter gauge
- Replaced engine exhaust texture with a more accurate one
- Fixed ADI turn rate indicator behavior
- Fixed ADI ball behavior
- Added Haitian Air Corps repaint
- Added NX521S repaint
- Added smoke effect (see notes)
- Fixed small glitch so that CRS could not be entered in digital cockpit versions
- Fixed small glitch in the JPATS USAF repaint

As usual the update can be downloaded from my Google Drive either from the side bar or by clicking HERE.

Prepar3d V4.4 Compatibility Statement

Lockheed Martin has just released Prepar3D version 4.4, which introduces, along with a plethora of improvements, Phisically Based Rendering. PBR will only work on objects specifically compiled for it - old content will not change: it is still compatible and will show exactly as it did before.

Before upgrading to P3Dv4.4 please beware that:

- The update will disrupt VRS Tacpack compatibility. This means that if you upgrade to v4.4 you will not be able to use weapons, radars, sensors and loadout manager on my planes. Functionality will be restore as soon as VRS updates Tacpack to support P3Dv4.4: no action will be required from your side, just install the new version of Tacpack when it will become available.

- The update will remove any Beechcraft/Textron related default content (e.g. the Carenado Bonanza) so you may want to make a copy of those aircrafts before upgrading. 

Apart from the issue with Tacpack, everything else seems to work fine on my aircrafts. On my system, the update seems to provide a slightly better drawing distance and slightly sharper rendering of photoreal terrain. Also, enabling the SpeedTree functionality does not have the big impact it had before on my system (but I guess this is more important for helo and bush pilots). Anyway, here is a quick report of the compatibility of my current payware projects:

EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON: Works fine, no issues. However until Tacpack is updated, you will not be able to use weapons, radar and sensors. The loadout manager also will not work. Note that you can change the default loadout by modifying the payload on the stations - see the WEIGHT_AND_BALANCE section in the aircraft.cfg for details and the exact weights you need to apply (note that weapons will not work in any case).

E-2 HAWKEYE / C-2 GREYHOUND: They both work fine, no issues. The radar on the E-2 will also work as it is based on the FSX/P3D radar and not on Tacpack. Tacpack functionalities such as carrier navigation and IFF will not work - but you would not need them without VRSTP in any case.

SIAI MARCHETTI S-211 / AERMACCHI M-345: All the models work fine. You will not be able to fire weapons without Tacpack. However you will be able to use the configurator since, on these models, it is not Tacpack-dependent.

F-35 LIGHTNING II: No issues for this one too but for the Tacpack functions. Weapons, DAS, TFLIR, TWD, HMD and the configurator will not work. The TSD screen will work as it interrogates the FSX/P3D traffic database (does not depend on Tacpack) - as for the Eurofighter, you can also load the aircraft manually (but weapons will not work in any case). The STOVL functionality will work fine :-)

Also, as some of you have asked in the past, here is a quick recap of the compatibility of the freeware projects:

USS AMERICA - Works fine. Aside I am releasing 1.00 soon(ish).

AERMACCHI MB-326 - This has never been updated to 64bit techology: some of the code will not work. You will have issues with weapons loading and custom sounds. Works fine if you use it for VFR flights.

T-45C GOSHAWK - This does not rely on anything but XML, so no compatibility issues. You'll need Tacpack to fire the weapons.

S-3B VIKING - This one has never been updated to 64bit technology: some of the code will not work. Namely you will have issues during in-flight-refuel (you will not be able to receive or give fuel) and fuel tank capacity will not match the configuration. Also, no weapons or configurator until the next Tacpack update.

F-14D SUPER TOMCAT - This one has never been updated to 64bit technology: some of the code will not work. You will encounter some discrepancies in the fuel capacity, also no custom sounds - and then of course no weapons\radar functionality without Tacpack.

FREEWARE F-35 (OUTDATED) - This has never been upgraded to 64 bit since it has been superseded by the payware version: same issues  STOVL functions will not work.

MILITARY AVATARS PACKAGE - Works fine.

C-2 Greyhound - E-2 Hawkeye Release and Paintkit

The C-2 Greyhound / E-2 Hawkeye package is finally available for purchase at SimMarket!
This is the link to the product page:

https://secure.simmarket.com/indiafoxtecho-visual-simulations-e-2-hawkeye-c-2-greyhound-package.phtml

The paintkit for both aircrafts is also available for download from my Google Drive, here is the link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TF8fLflTzi6YH-xl5eRVDodeljJR0RYF/view?usp=sharing

If you create an awesome livery please leat me know!

E-2/C-2 Beta 2 (Release Candidate) Post

This post is meant as repository for infomation and bug reports on the Beta 2 build. The purpose of Beta 2 is to check that the bug fixes and the new features applied to Beta 1 have not caused any unintended side effects and the installer works correctly.
Please note that not all of the bugs in the Beta 1 have been addressed or solved - but any bug left should be a minor glitch that may be addressed by a patch at later stage.

The list of bugs and changes addressed can be found on the old beta 1 post - HERE

The current (and almost complete) product manual can be downloaded by clicking HERE

Basically I'd like Beta testers to check that there are no catastrophic issues with the product or the installer.

IMPORTANT POINTS:
- The plane now embraces a cold and dark approach. Spawning the A/C on the ground will turn it off (meaning the engines will be switched off, the systems will be switched off and the parking brake will be set). Control+Shift+R sets the Aircraft in a "ready to start the engines" state. Control+Shift+O shuts the aircraft down.
- The plane now "enforces" the use of the MAX RUDDER switch as in the real deal. You will get a MASTER CAUTION alert if it is not ON (2°-6°) above 150 kts and OFF (20°) below 130 kts
- The flight model has been COMPLETELY reworked according to suggestions coming from real-world pilots. It should be more challenging to fly.

LAST MINUTE CHANGES:

- The MAX RUDDER indication on the copilot side reworked to show actual rudder limiter status
- AOA indicator has now a white mark in the optimal area
- Added SHIFT+R key shortcut to toggle the MAX RUDDER switch.
- Caution and Warning lights conditions have been slightly reworked.

S-211 for Aerofly FS2 - update to version 1.0

**** EDIT - .ZIP FILE REPOSTED ON 07/11 AS ONE OF THE FILES IN THE ARCHIEVE WAS INCORRECT - PLEASE DOWLOAD IT AGAIN! ****

With thanks to Jan from the IPACS forum, here is a small update to the freeware SIAI-Marchetti S-211 model for Aerofly FS2. Apart from a general cleanup of the s211.tmd file and some improvements in the control.tmd file, the important thing is that the update introduces a much needed damping effect to the main landing gear - generating a much better behavior during touchdown.

Version 1.0
05/11/2018
-Included improvements in to the tmd files provided by Jan-Hendrik Hanuschik from the Aerofly FS 2 forum
-Minor tweak to the external model to fix speedbrake actuator

Model can be downloaded from the sidebar or by clicking HERE.

F-35 LIGHTNING II UPDATE TO VERSION 3.53

While debugging the E-2/C-2 Package I have discovered a nasty bug in the TACAN system that affects also other planes… so I took the chance for a quick update to the F-35. Here are the details of the update:


CHANGE LOG
Version 3.53 - 02/11/2018
- Fixed major bug in NAV1/TACAN frequency conversion causing generating incorrect TACAN channels in some instances.
- Fixed bug preventing NAV1 frequency tuning once a TACAN channel has been entered
- Fixed graphic glitch in MFD TSD1 screen
- Fixed minor graphic glitch in BFI Baro setting window
- Updated Koninklijke Luchtmacht F-35A livery
- Added F-35C VFA-147 Argonauts USN livery
- Fixed wrong entry in F-35C configuration file

NOTE: THE UPDATE WILL RESET THE MFD TO "FULL FEATURE" MODE. IF YOU WANT TO USE THE SIMPLIFIED MFD YOU MUST RE-APPLY THE SIMPLIFIED MFD PATCH OVER THE UPDATES FILES.

NOTE: THIS UPDATE WILL WORK WITH ALL PREVIOUS VERSION STARTING FROM V3.50. WHICH MUST BE DOWNLOADED BY YOUR DISTRIBUTOR OF CHOICE.

The update can be dowloaded from the sidebar or by clicking HERE.