Blackbird SR-71 Blackbird has taken off and Beale AFB retro released. (bundle)

Dimus, interesting video, I had wondered about the SR in the engine test area! If you do any more updates to the scenery, for extra realism, add the red anti collision lights top and bottom of that SR as they were switched on for engine start - even on the tests.


I see an update has been released, did you manage to fix the flickering fuel spill on the hangar floor - also have there been any update to the SR itself?
 
centuryseries said:
Dimus, interesting video, I had wondered about the SR in the engine test area! If you do any more updates to the scenery, for extra realism, add the red anti collision lights top and bottom of that SR as they were switched on for engine start - even on the tests.


I see an update has been released, did you manage to fix the flickering fuel spill on the hangar floor - also have there been any update to the SR itself?
Click to expand...
Thanks! On the lights: Will be considered, why not. The update mainly fixed the door animation issue when sometimes the door would not fully opened. A sim glitch that I managed to work around by redoing the animation differently. Full changelog for the scenery is:
- Fixed hangar No12 door animation bug that sometimes did not open completely
- Hangar 12 renamed to No 76 (to denote the best spawn position for a Blackbird)
- Corrected sound effect for lights switch off when closing hangar doors at night
- Deleted birdstrike radar that did not exist in the 80s
- Adjusted position of parked KC-135Qs and start positions on northern apron to not block the vehicle roadway

The fuel spills flickering is something that others have reported but neither myself or the testers are seeing. We are trying to figure out if it depends on a graphics setting. Please log this on Discord on the SR-71 discussion channel so we can gather info.

For the SR-71 a big update is under progress to take into account as much as possible of the stuff reported so far and add more features. Can't give an ETA yet.
 
Just HU on an update for the SR-71 that is out. Also two freeware scenery enhancements are available from BB website here (scroll down the page to find them):

blackbirdsims.com

Blackbird Simulations SR-71A for MSFS2024 - Early Access

Dedicated to the memory of Brian Shul ...one of the greats. - and a big thank you to Walt. Squeeze into the cockpit of an aviation legend with our SR-71A Blackbird — an experience engineered for those who crave speed, precision, the thrill of pushing boundaries, and historical accuracy. From...
blackbirdsims.com blackbirdsims.com

One is an addition of two Blackbird hangars at the default Mildenhall airport. The other is a revamp of the default Diego Garcia AB which includes one Blackbird hangar that was transported and assembled there in the 70s to support SR-71 operations from Diego Garcia.
 
Dimus said:
Just HU on an update for the SR-71 that is out. Also two freeware scenery enhancements are available from BB website here (scroll down the page to find them):

blackbirdsims.com

Blackbird Simulations SR-71A for MSFS2024 - Early Access

Dedicated to the memory of Brian Shul ...one of the greats. - and a big thank you to Walt. Squeeze into the cockpit of an aviation legend with our SR-71A Blackbird — an experience engineered for those who crave speed, precision, the thrill of pushing boundaries, and historical accuracy. From...
blackbirdsims.com blackbirdsims.com

One is an addition of two Blackbird hangars at the default Mildenhall airport. The other is a revamp of the default Diego Garcia AB which includes one Blackbird hangar that was transported and assembled there in the 70s to support SR-71 operations from Diego Garcia.
Click to expand...

I have some freeware Mildenhall scenery - which has the static hangars, anyone know if it's possible to remove bgl like we did in the old days for FSX etc?
 
centuryseries said:
I have some freeware Mildenhall scenery - which has the static hangars, anyone know if it's possible to remove bgl like we did in the old days for FSX etc?
Click to expand...
If you recompile the layout.json file, I think it is. But I'll let the experts elaborate.

Priller
 
I'm afraid it is not possible. In MSFS all custom oblects used by a scenery are compiled in one database (Modelib). If you delete it you lose all custom objects that the scenery maker included.

If you use the freeware (or payware) Mildenhall together with these free hangars, then they will just be on top of each other. These will only work with default.

Diego Garcia on the other hand is a more complete package as in addition to the hangar, there is a revamp of all aprons, runway and parking locations. The SR hangar is also painted in the "70s" colors of grey and white instead of beige and the aft door is stuck in the semi-open position, as when it was transported from Beale the reassembly did not go exactly to plan. The issue with Diego Garcia is that the base/apron arrangement is more or less the current one, not the 70s one, which was much less extensive.
 
This might be the best MSFS customer based video production I've ever seen. Beautiful editing and camera work. Really showcases the beauty of this simulation.
 
That is indeed a very nicely made video. He apparently used "easy" mode as in realistic mode Mach 4 is not possible, but in all, very well made.

I'd also like to announce a small update to the KBAB retro scenery. In addition to a few bug fixes, the main entrance was changed to the correct and very cool looking period one:
1771514820557.png

Also the static SR-71 engine runup scene (happens at 6:00am and 6:00pm each day) was made more lively with the addition of the TEB firing effect and the beacon rotating (like suggested by centuryseries):
1771517793914.png
Also the AG330 cart connecteng pole is animated and retracts after the engine fires up.
 
dvj said:
This might be the best MSFS customer based video production I've ever seen. Beautiful editing and camera work. Really showcases the beauty of this simulation.
Click to expand...
Thank you for posting. It was indeed a fantastic video.

@Dimus or anyone that's purchased and flown from Beale in the current base settings, are all those AI aircraft (including that fantastic Bone, included?). Admittedly, I have purchased but only flew out once and only saw static T-38's and drone's. Work has just kept me away from trying her out more.
 
The video is using the contemporary Beale version not the retro. In any case there is unfortunately no AI traffic included in the scenery, only statics.
 
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Dimus said:
@dvj The video is using the contemporary Beale version not the retro. In any case there is unfortunately no AI traffic included in the scenery, only statics.
Click to expand...
Thanks @Dimus for the reply. The included static's look very nice indeed. Hoping for a nice military AI traffic package sometime this decade...lol. I see some WIPs but that B-1 just looked fantastic too.
 
The B1 Lancer is from another developer. Good looking model, but not study level. What I like about that video is zero music.
 
dvj said:
The B1 Lancer is from another developer. Good looking model, but not study level. What I like about that video is zero music.
Click to expand...
Those externals on the B1 looked just fantastic, including the engine details. I am hopeful someone, some day, makes a study level B1, as best can be accomplished without compromising security obviously. I think it complimented the video you posted wonderfully. So much strategic power in one nicely made video. Thanks again for posting.
 
Hi Dimus. Was wondering if there are any plans to put some SR-71s at Kadena AFB,Okinawa. I was there July 70 - Dec 71. We had at least 2, if not 3 SR-71s there, flying almost every day. I worked in the bomb dump, not far from the northeast end of the base. 23R. They used 05L/23R, and they were housed on the pad just north of the runway, east end. They were there from March 1968 till 1990. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kadena_Air_Base
 
@modelr There is no plan for Kadena. It would be a completely new project. The SR hangars were totally different than Beale. In Mildenhall and Diego Garcia they used the same hangars so we offered these small scenery enhancements for free.

Btw an update was issued for the SR-71 yesterday with many enhancements and bugfixes.
 
Dimus said:
@modelr There is no plan for Kadena. It would be a completely new project. The SR hangars were totally different than Beale. In Mildenhall and Diego Garcia they used the same hangars so we offered these small scenery enhancements for free.

Btw an update was issued for the SR-71 yesterday with many enhancements and bugfixes.
Click to expand...
Understood. Kadena, as well as all of Okinawa, is one of the places I like to fly around becuase of my 18 months there. Good times.

I downloaded the update yesterday.

Is the Beale AFB scenery still available? I didn't have the money for the bundle when I bought the SR-71, but would like to get it now.
 
Beta version 0.8.95

What’s new
1. This release has an improved flight model that addresses several concerns,
such as inadequate deceleration with low power settings at Mach cruise
and the ground roll at idle power. Of course any time the flight model gets
changed we will be looking for regressions, please report if you find any.

What’s Fixed.
1. The problem with unintended hydraulic failures resulting in no brakes and
no flight controls has been resolved. Manual recovery procedures like
restarting the flight should no longer be necessary. (Mantis 11251)
2. Inability to refuel in Authentic mode has been fixed (Mantis 11270)
3. Surface limiters will no longer put rudders out of alignment. (Mantis 11262)
4. Loss of control due to overbank is no longer irrecoverable. (Mantis 11287)
5. Log entries for consequences will now only appear once in the log for each
separate violation (Mantis 11248)
6. Altitude Hold will now be released based on external inputs as well as use
of the cockpit pitch wheel (Mantis 11297)
7. EGT readings are now more realistic. (Mantis 11274)
8. G meter should no longer be wrong on takeoff (Mantis 11285)
9. Turn Coordinator ball fixed (Mantis 11291)
10. The RSO bail switch now works properly (Mantis 11245)
11. Added a fuel dump visual effect (Mantis 11256)
12. Consequences for exceeding G loads are now more forgiving (Mantis 11289)
13. Random static noise in radio has been addressed (Mantis 11185)
14. Tanker connection in authentic mode is now correct (Mantis 11249)
15. Tanker paddles and guide lights have been fixed (Mantis 11227)
16. Fuel Dump process now works correctly (Mantis 11255)
17. Ladders will now appear in a Cold and Dark scenario (Mantis 11294)
18. Fuel Dump switch now resets when guard is moved down (Mantis 11292)
19. Forward Bypass tooltips have been corrected (Mantis 11206)
20. Added LOD's to external model (7 total)
21. Added Collision box to LOX cart (Mantis 11238)
22. Added new Ballast Nose preset/model( Same as OBC but no camera )
23. Fixed alignment for ASARS and OBC noses (Mantis 111280)
24. Flipped models for ASARS and OBC noses, also renamed OBC parts in
model and XML (was OBCD)
25. Fixed floating wire in right gear bay and unattached inner surface (Mantis
0011279)
26. Added window in OBC nose for cameras, added OBC and TEOC camera
models
27. Possible fix for cockpit decals shimmering
28. Fixed flashing screw heads on AG330 carts (Mantis 0011278)
29. Fixed Gap in panel between Drag chute handle and temp selector
30. Fixed Afterburner flames still showing on engine failure (Mantis 0011259)
31. Fixed Engine glow on right controlled by left throttle, also both engine
emissives not shutting down on engine failure
32. Add slight transparency to LG handle ( ref material pics show it this way)
33. Fix Missing Plexiglass pieces on RH panels. Made new material for
these.(were glass and hidden/not visible)
34. Fix some disconnected skinned hoses that were broken on main gear.
35. fixed XML for fuel dump switch, was set to 100 keyframes for anim (it only
has 10)
36. The periscope is now animated.
37. The Intercom system cover is animated.
38. Cockpit EGT flag model fixes.
 
modelr said:
Understood. Kadena, as well as all of Okinawa, is one of the places I like to fly around becuase of my 18 months there. Good times.

I downloaded the update yesterday.

Is the Beale AFB scenery still available? I didn't have the money for the bundle when I bought the SR-71, but would like to get it now.
Click to expand...
Yes, still available.
 
I want simply becaue, I WANT! Couldn't take-off, fly, or land it on a prayer, but for models and screenshots of one historic aircraft in my lifetime.

Cazzie
 
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