F-35 Beta...will actually be an Alpha.

I'll be reviewing the applications for Beta testing tonight - my apologies for the delay, but these are pretty busy days for me...

Speaking of the Beta...well technically it will be an Alpha, i.e. will not be feature complete. More specifically, the MFD will work as initially intended...but I am having some ideas on how to improve it. Also, Jivko Rusev is working to an accurate HMD based on all the information available on the real one so far - but may not be included in the Beta build.

Long story short, this Beta will be focused on the visual model (external and virtual cockpit) and the flight model, while the cockpit will lack some of the planned functionality.

The Beta will feature the AA-1 prototype only, while the final packge will also have AF-1 (I'm still undecided if it will be in the actual "upainted" colors, or in the AF-1 scheme showed a while ago by LM) and an operational version.

F-35B and F-35C, at least for the moment, are being left out. I know that many of you are waiting for them but I want to be sure that the F-35A is as good as it can (reasonably) be before making anything else.

On the good side, I've tried it under SP2 and seems to work (with the exception of the features borrowed from the stock Hornet).

F-35 project - Beta testing application / UPDATE

Finished model of the Beta (and yes, I've added the wheel chocks!).

Thanks for the outstanding response to my request for Beta test pilots. The quantity (and quality) of the applications is largely above my expectations, and definitely much more than what I can handle.

I will pick 10-12 testers maximum - my apologies in advance to those whose will be left out. I really appreciate the support of everyone, but, being this a small (almost)one-man-band project, I do not have the time to manage the feedback and information-flow of a much larger group.

I will try to reply to each e-mail, but it could take a couple of days.

By the way, as per emails and previous posts, Beta version will be sent, upon request, to anyone who has sent a Paypal donation for my freeware projects before January 7th. These Beta copies will not count towards the 10/12 limit.

Goodbye to the real F-35 AA-1...

The virtual F-35 AA-1 model parked at Edwards AFB. As visual treat, SHIFT+E+4 will remove the pilot and add engine covers and "remove before flight" ribbons as shown in this picture. I should probably add wheel chocks. By the way SHIFT+E+2 will open the in-flight refuel receptacle and SHIFT+E+3 will open the weapon bay doors.

I've just read that the real life F-35 AA-1 has been officially retired by Lockheed Martin after 91 test flights and 3 years of service. But instead of being placed in a museum, it will be the subject of live fire testing for battle damage assessment purposes.

AA-1 is(was) the first F-35 test aircraft built, and it is(was) roughly 5000 lbs overweight compared to the current CTOL test aircraft, named AF-1 which took flight for the first time in November 2009. And it is the only model that will be depicted in the Beta.

Goodbye AA-1.

EDIT: Here is a link to a montage of the AA-1 test flights straight from the JSF website

http://www.jsf.mil/video/f35test/AA-1%20Montage_high.wmv

F-35 cockpit geometry complete and a word of clarification about money and Paypal

This is the final cockpit geometry for the Beta - but some of the planned "functional" features are still missing....

I have to confess I spent most of this Wednesday (which was bank holiday here in Italy) playing FSX and flying above NAS Forth Worth in the F-35. Quite fun. Some more "touch" functionality has been added to the MFD (but I repeat: do not expect anything super - no windows popping/resizing or other cool stuff the real F-35 does). So far I'm quite happy. This build in still somewhat Acceleration dependant - but should work in SP2 with some restrictions (I still have to check).

But this is not "really" a post about the F-35. It is a post about money. The F-35 will probably be my first payware project ever. "Probably" means that I have to iron out a thing or two before taking a final decision. This does NOT mean that I will abandon the freeware. In particular, if I will ever find the time, I would like to update both the T-45 and the F-14.

Back to the Lighting II, it has been tought from the beginning as a payware and I thought I was clear on this in this blog. It has been designed to be a low price/low budget/reasonable quality project, meaning some of its features may not be on par with some other AAA aircrafts out there. But I am doing my best and should be on par with my previous FSX projects.

As for the price, it will be probably in the 10-15€ range - depending on the distribution method. I know some of you may be disappointed but keep in mind that a fair FSX plane could easily take 500 hours to make or more. As for the distribution method I've not decided yet. SimMarket seems the best option at the moment.

One more thing about the Paypal donations. First I'd like to say THANK YOU to anyone who made a donation so far. Much appreciated. Then, I'd like to clarify once again that this button was placed on this blog on request of several T-45 and F-14 users who asked for it. As the F-35 will be payware, this may be misleading - and I hope that none of those who have donated felt cheated. If so, I'm sorry it was not my intention. As compensation for any possible mistake, whoever has done a donation so far will receive the test versions of the F-35 (once the Beta is ready and upon request).

I'm thinking to remove the button completely, but, for the moment, I'm just changing the text. Let me know what you think.

F-35 project update

Finally the cockpit model is almost complete!

Experimenting fixed camers angles

Quick update - I've made huge steps towards the completion of the cockpit model. It is almost done: actually the only thing that needs some work is the canopy - which I hope it will be completed by tomorrow. From the functionality standpoint - the basic things are working. It should not take too time to have everything you need for VFR flying working. MFD will have a fixed layout (i.e. you cannot change windows type/size/position like in the real thing) - it is possible to make a folly working MFD in FSX - but I'm not a "gauge-guy" and it will take a while to make. So I decided for a fixed layout.

Also I'm experimenting with the HMD - some things work fine some other don't. Basic flight data will be superimposed on the VC via a transparent gauge - while I still need to find a suitable soution for the horizon projection.

Fligh model seems to work fine - albeit it is hard to tell if it is realistic...

As for the external model it does not need much work, I think - but it will not change it before the beta. Speaking of the beta, I will first complete the canopy, add some functionality to the VC and implement basic HMD. But it should not take more than few days, I hope.

F-35 Change to test plans

An unusually cold and snowy weather in Genoa forced me to stay at home for most of the weekend. "Unusually cold and snowy" means we are not used to see much snow, if any, and even a thin white layer is sufficient to paralyze the whole town.
On the good side, I've made some major steps foward with modeling of the cockpit. At present I'd say it is 60-70% done. Probably 15-20 work-hours away from the completion.

So, I've changed my mind for the testing... the test version will have the cockpit but no HMD and limited MFD functionality. This means that the Beta testers "draft" will not happen in the next few days as I planned.

Will post an update when the cockpit is about 90% complete.

P.S. My apologies to anyone who may have sent me e-mails in the past few days. I am having issues with the home internet connection and I cannot reply from my office. I always try to reply to each message - and will do it as soon as the home connection is restored.

F-35A more screenshots and first cockpit image

Quick progress report: finally I've managed to make some significant progress to thc cockpit. The main display is not finished yet, but it is not far from completition. Side consoles need some more work - especially the right one. Outer model for AA-1 is complete, with the exception of some Easter eggs I would like to add - the additional models will be done as soon as AA-1 is complete. AF-1 and operational F-35 (with and without external loads) will be done for sure. I've been experimenting with -B and -C conversion with mixed results. I think it is better to debug AA-1 first.

Minor tweaks to flight modeling, but it is still prliminary. Flight performance and fine-tuning will be done during testing.

As for the beta test - I wish I had time to plan it properly. From previous experiences, I know it can add a lot of value to the finished project, but needs to be planned/coordinated with some care otherwise some of its benefist are lost. It is likely that a "cockpitless" alpha model will be released for testing before Christmas. I will make a post on how to apply for testing within a couple of days.