F-35 V3.50 Update - Testers needed

As some of you are aware of, I am working on a further (and quite extensive) update of the F-35 package.
Also, you may recall that the source files of the F-35 were lost due to a malware attack (and me being stupid having the backup files stores in an fixed HDD which was wiped out too), so it took quite a while to make significant progress - actually I had to rebuild the source files for the virtual cockpits to make some significant progress. The external models have not been rebuilt/changed...just because it would take months.
Big thing is a completely new flight models by Roy Holmes - which closely mimic the (scarce) publicly available data.

Now, I have working working models of the improved Virtual Cockpits - and I'd need some Beta testers to double check they work.

The v3.50 Beta will be deployed in two steps: in the first we'll just check that the models are OK and work as intended, however the avionic suite will be identical to the previously release version (3.23). In the second, we'll have a round of new avionic features/improvements.

In detail, the current version I have on my HD (3.50 Beta 1) features the following changes:

External model:
- Introduced Ambient Occlusion mapping to all liveries and models
- Added Japanese, South Korean and Turkish liveries to F-35A
- Added Italian Navy and miscellaeneous USMC liveries to F-35B
- Added VX-9 and VFA-125 liveries to F-35C

Flight model:
- Completely new flight model for all variants: more realistic handling and engine performance
- External loads now create additional drag

Virtual cockpit
- Complete rebuild of the source files
- Improved 3D geometry in several areas
- Improved textures in several areas
- Added specular reflection effects
- New BFI indicator courtesy of IRIS Flight Simulations
- Improved HMD general readability and better drawing distance for bad weather
- Moved canopy opening control to the opposite side (I was told this is the current location)
- Jettison mode knob now works as intended
- Remaining brake applications counter is now digital (and works)
- MFD has now two selectable brightness levels
- Added night lighting map
- Backup TACAN now works
- Combined Generator/Starter knob should now work as intended
- General visibility optimization
….and a number of small improvements which are too many to mention.

If you are willing to have a quick test of the latest build, to help me make sure it works as intended, here are the prerequisites:

- Have a good knowledge of my latest F-35 payware build
- Have 3.30 GHz quad-core processor and a good video card (better if 960 or above)
- Have P3D (any version) with Tacpack. I may be interested in a small number of FSX users, but please beware that NO AVIONICS UPDATES are planned for FSX. As before, a patch that simplifies avionics to achieve FSX compatibility will be provided.

If you meet all the prerequisites, you may drop me an email at indiafoxtecho@gmail.com with:
- Your system (just CPU, video card and RAM)
- The simulator you intend to use for the testing
- Proof of purchase (unless you have a complimentary copy - if so please let me know)
- Any special reason why you want to help

Thanks in advance!

S-3B Viking AI Tanker

Finally here is S-3B AI Tanker model… I had this one sitting almost finished for quite a while...but never had the time (nor I was in the right mood) to complete.
It is basically a very simplified model of my old S-3, with some optimizations to be used as a tanker for Tacpack (or similar applications that can spawn a tanker or an AI aircraft).

Features of this model:
- simplified 3D model for better frame rates, optimized for viewing distances/angles of in flight refuel. No landing gear or other details modeled
- the refuel hose is always extended
- features navigation and formation lights
- multiple liveries (a selection of the ones available in the S-3 package)
- the model uses the same texture coordinates and format of the full S-3 model...so you can add more texture sets if you want to
- intended to be used as AI tanker with Tacpack, or other similar applications which can spawn an AI Tankers
...and of course it comes with recommended Tacpack settings

Aside... actually it *should* be possible to use the full S-3 model as human-driven tanker in multiplayer mission, but AFAIK it was never tested and nobody tried it.
This is a freeware release: you can download it by clicking HERE (or from the side bar).

Eurofighter update to version 1.12

After the release of Eurofighter version 1.10 and the update to version 1.11, some other minor bugs have been highlighted and have been fixed. So here we go with (yet another) update to the Eurofighter.
Note: this update includes the changes in version 1.11, so you can apply either to update a fresh install of version 1.10, or you can apply to an installation already update to version 1.11. It will work on both the 32 bit and 64 bit version of the package.


CHANGES WITH RESPECT TO VERSION 1.12
- Fixed color match in Cyber Tiger repaint
- Fixed visual interference between pylons 4 and 10 and gear doors
- Changed Lift Dump animation: it will now retract automatically below 20 knots (as in real life)
- Fixed minor graphical switch in FUEL page (showing a minimal quantity of fuel in external tanks even if they are empty)
- Fixed bug preventing stopwatch from updating in the HUD in some instances
- Fixed bug preventing selection of automatic vs. manual waypoint switch
- Fixed bug causing VRS Tacan Tanker information to overlap with other HUD graphics in some instances

CHANGES WITH RESPECT TO VERSION 1.10
- Fixed bug preventing the laser spot designator from correctly pointing towards PP target
- Fixed bug preventing the targeting logic from correcly uploading GPS coordinates for PP targets in some instances
- Introduced the necessity to press FCS RESET button when engines are powered up to align control surfaces.
  This is not required if the flight is started in mid-air, or if the avionics are set with Control+Shift+R
- Extension of fuel probe now automatically selects the FUEL page on Right MHDD
- HUD now shows the "REFUELING" caption if fuel is being transfered by a Tacpack tanker
- Added Lift Dump animation: if aicraft is on the ground, throttles are idle and PoF is LANDING, Canards and Tailerons will move to the maximum drag position.
- Added 36th Stormo repaint courtesy of Tim Brennan
- Added RAF 100 Years repaint courtesy of Matt Kingscott
- Added Cyber Tiger repaint courtesy of Marius Krämer (https://edrm-repaints.com/)

As usual you can download it either from the side bar or from the link HERE.

Eurofighter Update to version 1.11 (Patch)

This is an update to the latest retail version of the Eurofighter 2000 package for FSX and P3D.

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To install the patch:
FIRST you need to install the latest version of the Eurofighter package in the simulator of your choice.
You can get it from your distributor of choice (SimMarket, FlightSimStore, FSPilot Shop and PCPilotShop). Current version is 1.10.To do this you simple direct the installation folder to the MAIN folder of the simulator you chose.
Then you should take the Eurofighter_2000 folder included in this zip file and drop it to the /SimObjects/Aircraft subfolder.
You will be notified that a number of files will be overwritten, and you should accept it at the prompt.

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CHANGES WITH RESPECT TO VERSION 1.10
- Fixed bug preventing the laser spot designator from correctly pointing towards PP target
- Fixed bug preventing the targeting logic from correcly uploading GPS coordinates for PP targets in some instances
- Introduced the necessity to press FCS RESET button when engines are powered up to align control surfaces.
  This is not required if the flight is started in mid-air, or if the avionics are set with Control+Shift+R
- Extension of fuel probe now automatically selects the FUEL page on Right MHDD
- HUD now shows the "REFUELING" caption if fuel is being transfered by a Tacpack tanker
- Added Lift Dump animation: if aicraft is on the ground, throttles are idle and PoF is LANDING, Canards and Tailerons will move to the maximum drag position.
- Added 36th Stormo repaint courtesy of Tim Brennan
- Added RAF 100 Years repaint courtesy of Matt Kingscott
- Added Cyber Tiger repaint courtesy of Marius Krämer (https://edrm-repaints.com/)

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The update can be downloaded from the side bar or by clicking HERE

SIAI S-211 / Aermacchi M-345 Release, Manual and Paintkit

The SIAI-Marchetti S-211 package is now available for purchase at SimMarket! It will be available soon from other distributors, too.
The SimMarket page is HERE.

Aside, here is the link to the paint kit:
S-211/M-311/M-345 Paintkit
Note that the model has 3 visual variants: one for the S-211, one for the M-311/M-345 demonstrator and one for the M-345 prototype. You should use the template relative to the model you want to repaint.

Last here is a link to the manual.pdf (althout a copy of the manual is included in the package, in the S-211/docs folder).
S-211/M-311/M-345 Product Manual

There are few controls which are not documented:
- Clickling the rearview mirror will make it reflective (dynamical reflections supported in P3Dv3.1 and above)
- Clicking on the throttle friction (when throttle is at idle) will set the throttle to stop
- Clicking on the stick will make it disappear, and to make it re-appear you will have to click the pedal adjustment knob.

Last there is a small bug in the M-345HET so that you cannot set the CRS... will fix that in the first patch.

My current plans for 2018

First I'd like to thank you once again for your continued support through 2017 - this has been a great year for my flight simulation projects.

This has been quite a year for flight simulation in general, with the release of Prepar3D v4 and Flight Simulation World (finally 64 bit came to the offspring Flight Simulator X), X-Plane 11, DCS 2.1 and a increasingly growing presence of Virtual Reality helmets. Speaking of VR, IPACS released Aerofly FS2 which performs really well.

As for my projects, this has been the year of the release of the Eurofighter - which was a very complex, very time consuming project. I'd say it has been a (limited) success, as it sold about 700 copies to date. To me, it was also very important as it was my first release after the malware attack which caused the loss of all my source files.

So...here is what is on my mind (and my PC) for 2018 - of course this is all pretty much subject to change without notice at any time.

SIAI-S.211 / Aermacchi M-345

The Beta testing is progressing... a couple of nasty bugs popped up, while the rest of the issues so far are not very complex to solve. I should be able to release the package within January 2018.


C-2 Greyhound / E-2 Hawkeye

The initial concept of this project was to create a full "Greyhound/Hawkeye" package...but it turns out the commonalities between the two aircrafts are fewer than what I expected. So, I am currently rethinking about the feature list. The C-2 preliminary model, from a professional mesh, looks really good.

T-45C Goshawk 

Yes... I am remodeling the Goshawk, too. It is meant for a new "pro" version... I am working on a new, high resolution mesh which should be suitable for modern simulations. Looks good so far, but it will take quite a long time before it will be ready.

Other new projects

For the moment, I have dropped the MB-339 and T-50 projects. As for the first there is a group of developers working on it in Italy and their version looks good, while korean developers are working on the second one. In addition, public information on the T-50 is way too scarce at the moment.
Now, one plane I'd really like to model is the TA-4J... I am thinking about it. 

And yes, the S-3 AI tanker model is still unfinished... sorry for that.

Support for existing projects

Both the F-35 and Eurofighter projects have been updated recently to P3Dv4.1 through a patch on my blog. I have plans to update both installers, and improve both.

Support for other sims

At the moment, the only thing I have to announce is that the S-211 is being ported to Aerofly FS2 (and looks great and it is super smooth!). We'll see if it makes sense to port more planes. Also, support for FSW is being considered (but...the mdl and gauge files need to be recompiled, so it is quite a break from FSX/P3D).

Eurofighter Typhoon version 1.09 update and P3Dv4 compatibility

Here are two "patches" that will update the Eurofighter avionics and will also bring P3Dv4 compatibilty.

- EFAv109x32 is intended for use with 32 bit simulators (FSX SE, Gold and Acceleration and P3Dv1.x, 2.x and 3.x) - DOWLOAD HERE

- EFAV109x64 is intended for use with Prepar3D v4.x - DOWNLOAD HERE

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To install the patch:
FIRST you need to install the latest version of the Eurofighter package in the simulator of your choice.
You can get it from your distributor of choice (SimMarket, FlightSimStore, FSPilot Shop and PCPilotShop). Current version is 1.08.
To do this you simple direct the installation folder to the MAIN folder of the simulator you chose.
Then you should take the relevant .zip file (either the 32bit or the 64bit version) and drag and drop it to the /SimObjects/Aircraft subfolder.
You will be notified that a number of files will be overwritten, and you should accept it at the prompt.

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CHANGES WITH RESPECT TO VERSION 1.08
- Implemented XML FCS controls (based on Jimi's gauges, courtesy of Karl Meindl) - autotrim, g-limiter and Aoa limiter  
- Implemented new fuel management code (courtesy of Roy Holmes)
- Fixed minor bug in fuel weight display on MFD-3
- Implemented gangbar functionality in virtual cockpit
- Fixed minor bug in AoA Bracket display
- Fixed display condition bug by in STA 13 pylon when in VC
- Fixed model display bug in Meteor missiles when in VC
- Changed Low Height knob code so that is now operated by the mouse wheel and allows 10 ft increments
- Fixed bug that prevented route heading bug from showing while not in NAV mode
- Added afterburner notification to energy caret
- Added warning horn sound when canopy is moving