DC-4 Skymaster

lagaffe said:
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For this, I created 5 additional fuel tanks that are a bit special because they are not connected to the overall engine fuel system.
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Click to expand...
For information (I'm not expecting you to change the DC-4 for this) there is an unfortunate consequence of the new oil tanks, potentially affecting the use of the DC-4 with career add-ons and VAs.

I'm the 'aircraft guy' for FSEconomy (https://www.fseconomy.net/). FSE was originally created in the days of FS2000 or before and uses the Simconnect API to set and read fuel tank contents. The FSE clients need to support FS9, FSX, P3D etc as we still have many users of those sims.

For [FUEL_SYSTEM] aircraft, which do not use the old Simconnect tank names, MSFS attempts to translate the old tank names/offsets (as used by [FUEL] aircraft and FSE) into Tank numbers (Tank.1 etc), firstly by physical position and then by order of definition.

Tanks exactly on the centreline (digital zero offset) are mapped to Center1, 2 and 3 in order of definition in the [FUEL_SYSTEM] section. Any subsequent tank on the centreline is ignored.
Then the two tanks closest to the Centreline are mapped to Left Main and Right Main.
The two tanks next closest to the Centreline are mapped to Left Aux and Right Aux.
The two tanks next closest to the Centreline are mapped to Left Tip and Right Tip.

The consequence is that the oil tanks are getting mixed in with the Fuel tanks and FSE is putting 500 gallons of JetA into a 50 gallon oil tank and engines are stopping.
I can 'fix' this for FSE by editing your flight_model.cfg to move the fuel tanks inboard and the oil tanks outboard which is technically incorrect but given the relative weights of the tanks not a big problem.
But every user needs to apply the change, and its probable that there are other add-on clients out there still using the Simconnect API.

Cheers
Keith
 
Hello,

@keithb77,
I understand your problem but I have spend a lot of time to define exactly the location of each tank (fuel or oil) and code/test all the fuel system on theses two aircrafts : DC-4 and C-54 which are not identical (6 tanks versus 8 tanks).
In the futur, I have planed to modelized also the fire fighter version and for that version an other tank (of water) will be add to simulate completly the variation of weight when the aircraft launch its content on the fire. This have a significant action on the flight model moreover this has been yet coded in the PBY-5 fire fighter: the emptying of the tank is carried out by a Java script (coded in 2021).

I note this point and I will study your solution but if the modifications are too significant I would keep my initial assumptions :confused:

Some time ago, I was asked a question about the point of view that would not be centered correctly.
Looking closely, I noticed that the two seats were not symmetrical but that the offset for the yoke was slightly offset inward. I took care to check the MDL files (FSX/P3D) of Mike "CYUL" and they were already like this.

1787932090164.png

Despite some research to get an image or a photo with the right angle, I haven’t found anything satisfactory so I leave the seats like that. I will position the point of view (camera.cfg / eyepoint), so that the yoke is centered, so the position on the seat won’t be centered ... of course.

Since the last version released, I have made some improvments:
  • Improvements for the cargo bulk on the C-54: seats for soldiers, internal structure ribs & longerons, emergency door, etc
  • Adding a jeep to transport in the C-54 cabin
  • Adding the Oil Reserve tank with its pump and selector/switches
  • Light bug on the Safety ELT solved: it was a bad Node_ID that was used for the light bulb part
  • Better XML code for managing the compass vibrations (C-54 & DC-4)
  • Caution light for oil quantity and pressure are now correctly displayed on DC-4 and C-54 (warning for pressure < 45 psi & half quantity)
  • Caution light for oil quantity and pressure are lowered on the central panel (3D model) for the C-54 (more visibility)
  • Some values used to make tests are moved in "Douglas_Templates.xml" and defined as "Macro" for a better maintenance over the files.
  • Move two rheostats backward the copilot's wall (side the front door) : light spots for the navigator & radio
  • Animation for the feathering buttons and the propellers
  • Hydraulic management : animation of some 3D gauges, XML code, levers, hand pump, shut-off valve,
  • Hydraulic management : XML code to manage the hand pump and bypass handlet to increase hydraulic pressure (for engines OFF)
1787933722920.png
  • Hydraulic ByPass Valve is used to save hydraulic regulator wear (function not coded but the button is animated)
  • Hydraulic ByPass Handle to commute from Standard (closed) to manual (open) operations
  • Hydraulic Hand Pump is used (8 < actions < 10) to obtain a hydraulic pressure between 2600 and 3000 psi.
For example: If the pilot need to lower flaps when engines are OFF:
  • put the battery ON,
  • open the bypass handle and
  • increase manually the hydraulic pressure in order to lower the flaps.
Hydraulic power is used in this airplane to :
  • apply the wheel brakes (partially coded - ModelBehavior to improve),
  • raise and lower the wings flaps (not coded yet - ModelBehavior to improve),
  • extend or retract nose and main landing gear (already coded) (y),
  • open and close the engine cowl flaps (not coded yet - ModelBehavior to improve),
  • operate the carburetor filter door (carburetor filter not modelized :(),
  • operate the windshield wipers (not coded yet: to do this week ),
  • operate the nose gear steering mechanism (already coded) (y).
 
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keithb77 said:
For information (I'm not expecting you to change the DC-4 for this) there is an unfortunate consequence of the new oil tanks, potentially affecting the use of the DC-4 with career add-ons and VAs.

I'm the 'aircraft guy' for FSEconomy (https://www.fseconomy.net/). FSE was originally created in the days of FS2000 or before and uses the Simconnect API to set and read fuel tank contents. The FSE clients need to support FS9, FSX, P3D etc as we still have many users of those sims.

For [FUEL_SYSTEM] aircraft, which do not use the old Simconnect tank names, MSFS attempts to translate the old tank names/offsets (as used by [FUEL] aircraft and FSE) into Tank numbers (Tank.1 etc), firstly by physical position and then by order of definition.

Tanks exactly on the centreline (digital zero offset) are mapped to Center1, 2 and 3 in order of definition in the [FUEL_SYSTEM] section. Any subsequent tank on the centreline is ignored.
Then the two tanks closest to the Centreline are mapped to Left Main and Right Main.
The two tanks next closest to the Centreline are mapped to Left Aux and Right Aux.
The two tanks next closest to the Centreline are mapped to Left Tip and Right Tip.

The consequence is that the oil tanks are getting mixed in with the Fuel tanks and FSE is putting 500 gallons of JetA into a 50 gallon oil tank and engines are stopping.
I can 'fix' this for FSE by editing your flight_model.cfg to move the fuel tanks inboard and the oil tanks outboard which is technically incorrect but given the relative weights of the tanks not a big problem.
But every user needs to apply the change, and its probable that there are other add-on clients out there still using the Simconnect API.

Cheers
Keith
Click to expand...
You still can start your flight in the client, open the tablet from the pull down and rearange your fuel in 'Flight Performance' to your needs - thats how to operate the Dash7 as well.
You should refrain from cheating though 'cause flight performance calculations (or range calculations for that matter) usually go south with negative numbers ;) and the penality only comes after the landing :rocket:
 
ferondoe said:
The Douglas DC-4 registered F-BBDJ and named "Ciel de l'Île-de-France" is the historic aircraft with which Air France operated its very first scheduled commercial flight between Paris (Orly) and New York on June 23, 1946.
View attachment 196283
Click to expand...
Is this for MSFS24 and if so, where can I download it? Both the mainfile andeventually liveries
Piet de Geus
 
The plane is linked in this topic, just take the time to read back to find the link. It's FS2020, but 2024 compatible, but you can find all that just by reading the last couple of pages of this topic.

The French livery is on flightsim.to.
 
On this topic, read the #263 and you can find a link for my last Beta v0.54.
This aircraft can run under FS20 and FS24.

The C-54 has two panels: panel.20 and panel.24
To use it under FS24, be sure to define in the aircraft.cfg of the C-54 the panel = 24 like this:
Code: 
// =============== C54s (Short Nose) =============================

[FLTSIM.0]
Title="Douglas C-54E USAAC 317180"
Model="c54e"
Panel="24"

and don't forget to recreate the layout .json.

You can also wait one or two days, I will release the last v0.55. as soon as possible.

This aircraft is Work In Progress but it's 90% functionnal.
The point to improve are:
- interior textures to change for PBR textures
- sound management to change for a WWISE package.
 
If you're not changing any of the files included in the package, but simply changing a line in the aircraft.cfg, you should not need to regenerate the .json file, though it certainly doesn't hurt.
 
The new version V0.55 is ready :
- C-54 panel is yet configured for MSFS2024 (for FS20 users change the Panel =24 in Panel = 20 in the C-54 aircraft).

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com www.dropbox.com

Since the last, the new functions are:
  • Improvements for the cargo bulk on the C-54: more details added as seats for soldiers, internal structures , emergency doors, etc
  • Adding a jeep to be transported in the C-54 cabin (3D model and animation)
  • Adding the Oil Reserve tank with its pump and selector/switch (to choice the engine tank to be fill)
  • Hydraulic management:
    • animation of some 3D gauges, XML code, levers, hand pump, shut-off valve, etc
    • XML code to manage the hydraulic hand pump and bypass handle to increase hydraulic pressure when engines are OFF
  • A minor bug on the "Safety ELT" is solved: a bad Node_ID was used for the light bulb part
  • Better XML code for the compass vibrations for the C-54 & DC-4 : better visualizations of theses vibrations
  • Caution lights for oil quantity and pressure are now correctly displayed on DC-4 and C-54
  • Caution light for oil quantity and pressure are lowered/panel on the 3D model for the C-54 (pressure over 45 psi)
  • Some numerical values used to make tests are moved in Douglas_Templates.xml as Macro to obtain a better code.
  • Move two rheostats backward the copilot on the wall side the door (light spots navigator & radio to be animated in the future)
  • The 4 feathering buttons for the propellers are animated and the pitch of blades can be changed
  • Texture of Warning lights for Fire Detection (on the upper ribbon) rewied for a better emissivity and a better reading of indicators
  • Fire Extinguisher levers animated and coded (fire effect should be implemented in the future)
  • Emergency Brake animated and coded
  • Emergency Exit placards located in exterior for DC-4 and in cargo rear doors for C-54
  • Cockpit bolds textures rewied for windows and windshield
  • Texture of protections VC (top of the upper ribbon) rewied (now they are brown to answer to a Hollister question).
  • Wipers are animated (the right need to be improved) and also the switch to choice SLOW/PARKED/FAST animation (not electrical but hydraulic powered)
Known bugs:
  • The right wiper animation need to be redone - it's not perfect for me :confused:
  • Trim surfaces are not animated, sorry
  • Read the Changelog for more informations (Documentation folder)
  • For more information,I tried to work while staying as faithful as possible to the "C-54A &B Pilote Training Manual" which is included in the "Documentation\1 - Manuals" folder ... so read it, please ;)

Planning the next weeks :
  • V0.6: migration of interior textures requiring to be redone as PBR textures and adding some characters (flight attendant and vintage pilots)
  • V0.7: development of a sound package mixing a WWISE package and legacy sounds for interior cockpit noises (it's yet in test)
  • V0.8: addition of a set of XML code to manage engine constraints, like what was done on the Stearman (improvement in engine oil temperature increases)
  • V0.9: bug fixes.
  • V1.0: Final version with documentation.
 
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Items that I dearly miss from the A2A Strat and Connie days is their 2d panels that show their 'captain of the ship' info. So it allows you to basically begin a simple but immersive vintage career. That dynamically changes based off all your flight parameters and how well your pax thing you've done. I used to really enjoy that.

The other thing is engine wear and tear and persistence with the ability to fix various components. But I appreciate that at version 0.55 or even version 1.0, engine wear and tear and persistence is another whole can of worms you probably don't even want to think about right now!
 
Hello Mantock,

Regarding the advanced engine management model, I plan to reuse the one of the Stearman that I developed for GAS by adapting it for 4 R2000 engines .
Two planes which use this Enhanced System are available as freeware for MSFS in the SOH library:
- https://sim-outhouse.org/sohforums/...rman-model-a75l300-rally-msfs-2020-2024.28704
- https://sim-outhouse.org/sohforums/...del-ib75a-super-stearman-msfs-2020-2024.28698

Try it and you’ll see what I plan to do:
- precise management of engine power curves,
- managing the oil temperature before having full power
- compliance with the maximum RPMS to be respected so as not to damage the engines
- backups of engine wear at the end of the flight (persistent variables)
- loading the old flight parameters saved before a flight
- modeling of the detonation of engines
- etc
It’s not at the A2A level, but it’s already better than a basic plane :geek:
 
OK, for the ladder : it was in the original version of Mike and I forgot to transfert it, I do it now (the texture for the ladder is yet ready in one file ...)
Ok also for the livery ... but I would also like to leave some work for Jankees and Ferondoe :p

For the tail boom, I think it is a display bug because it appears under my FS20 and FS24 with my dev version v0.60

1788536984079.png

MSFS 2024, starting from California, from a small parking :
- tail boom is present
- the ladder also but to pull up the jeep ... it will be very difficult !

PS: I can add the "heavy-duty handling hoist" integrated into the structure which was provided with the C-54A but I don't know (no pictures) how this handling hoist is fixed on the structure and how it is "folded" inside the bulk.

1788541035378.png
 
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Ahh...I found that clicking on the cargo door will activate unloading the jeep and also installing the tail boom.
When I was a kid (many moons ago) I flew on one of these (Navy Version) with my Dad who was also Navy from the
east cost (USA) to Naples It back in ~1956. I remember how cold it was in the plane as we flew over the Atlantic and
we stopped at Argentia Newfoundland for fuel. I remember seeing the tail boom bracing the rear of the plane. The plane
I was on looked a lot like this one except it had US Navy markings on it.

C54Boom.jpg
 
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