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Alpha F-8 Crusader improvements

Thanks for the Kudos guys. Still A WIP. Probably be a while...

I'm in the process of revising my HSI(Collins AF/A24J-1) to also use(Switch selectable? Automatic?) the awesome RFN v4.0(Thanks RFN Team!) gauge's ILS/ALCS error for the CDI and GS indications.
Hopefully, I can get those to work, so gauge duplication won't be necessary, and we'll have all of those functions, plus HDG and CRS change clicks in a single instrument.
I had modded the Collins Mode Selector Control(MSC) C-8898/A to assign the Autopilot functions when I did the Phantom stuff, so it is gonna be there.
My Phantom RMI is also being looked at to display the Carrier Heading and Carrier pointer signals, vs ADF and Nav 2. I think I can get it to automatically select between Carrier pointer/Nav 2 and Carrier Heading/ADF when a carrier is locked.

RFN DME is still up for grabs as to how to display that. RADAR screen? Seperate display(Integrated into Phantom Nav 1 DME?)? The enable/disable LSO switch needs a home too. Ideas? You folk's input for mods/additions will be appreciated.

I'm using an on-hand F-8B Natops instrument panel page to revise/add gauge and warning lights and locations.
Real as it gets? Nope. Usable with a nod toward reality? Definately my target!

I'm modding the gauges that were included in my Phantom and Viggie panels(PhantomGaugesDCBXXX.CAB variations), so, once the updated *.cab is done, a simple panel.cfg edit will update those to the later versions too.

RADAR will only be the later version. For the life of me I can't get a ROUND RADAR to work using the fs9gps:1:map functions in a CustomDraw with a round Mask Image. It always show up on top... rectangular...Grrrrr!

Anyhoo, if I get Pam's permission for the FDE, I'll package up the whole shebang and put it in the library. Including my own, and, what repaints I can get permission to use in the package.
The aircraft.cfg will be all ready edited and point to most of the repaints I could find. That way all you need are the textures themselves.

For the RFN Folks; Though I love what you have done, the gauge itself is, IMO, kinda meh in the visuals department.
I know you have an FSX F-8 WIP(can't wait!), so, if you guys want my finished 2D HSI/RMI/DME (hopefully I'll get it right) instruments, they will be all yours to use as you wish. Can't help with the 3D. I'm pitiful at it...Don
 
fxsttcb said:
Thanks for the Kudos guys. Still A WIP. Probably be a while...

I'm in the process of revising my HSI(Collins AF/A24J-1) to also use(Switch selectable? Automatic?) the awesome RFN v4.0(Thanks RFN Team!) gauge's ILS/ALCS error for the CDI and GS indications.
Hopefully, I can get those to work, so gauge duplication won't be necessary, and we'll have all of those functions, plus HDG and CRS change clicks in a single instrument.
I had modded the Collins Mode Selector Control(MSC) C-8898/A to assign the Autopilot functions when I did the Phantom stuff, so it is gonna be there.
My Phantom RMI is also being looked at to display the Carrier Heading and Carrier pointer signals, vs ADF and Nav 2. I think I can get it to automatically select between Carrier pointer/Nav 2 and Carrier Heading/ADF when a carrier is locked.

RFN DME is still up for grabs as to how to display that. RADAR screen? Seperate display(Integrated into Phantom Nav 1 DME?)? The enable/disable LSO switch needs a home too. Ideas? You folk's input for mods/additions will be appreciated.

I'm using an on-hand F-8B Natops instrument panel page to revise/add gauge and warning lights and locations.
Real as it gets? Nope. Usable with a nod toward reality? Definately my target!

I'm modding the gauges that were included in my Phantom and Viggie panels(PhantomGaugesDCBXXX.CAB variations), so, once the updated *.cab is done, a simple panel.cfg edit will update those to the later versions too.

RADAR will only be the later version. For the life of me I can't get a ROUND RADAR to work using the fs9gps:1:map functions in a CustomDraw with a round Mask Image. It always show up on top... rectangular...Grrrrr!

Anyhoo, if I get Pam's permission for the FDE, I'll package up the whole shebang and put it in the library. Including my own, and, what repaints I can get permission to use in the package.
The aircraft.cfg will be all ready edited and point to most of the repaints I could find. That way all you need are the textures themselves.

For the RFN Folks; Though I love what you have done, the gauge itself is, IMO, kinda meh in the visuals department.
I know you have an FSX F-8 WIP(can't wait!), so, if you guys want my finished 2D HSI/RMI/DME (hopefully I'll get it right) instruments, they will be all yours to use as you wish. Can't help with the 3D. I'm pitiful at it...Don
Click to expand...

Now that is BRILLIANT news!! Thanks so much for your efforts!!

Guess I'll have to buy you quite a few :icon29::guinness:!

Cheers,

Dumonceau
 
Don,
Have your fine avionics retrofitted into my beloved AS Phantoms and Vigilante's so really looking forward to your F8U mods!
expat
 
Dumonceau said:
Not wanting to annoy anyone, but is there any news on that new VC??
Click to expand...
Not annoying. Glad to see the interest. :mixedsmi:

Update:
I was working on incorporating the RFN ILS stuff into the HSI and Attitude indicator, when, dummy me, I realized that my test plane had the RFN v3.0 installed.
I put the modded HSI and Attitude gauges in the F-8 with the RFN v4.0 and nothing worked except the LSO button. The RFN v4.0 has so much better functionality, that v3.0 is not an option to me.
I wanted to keep the RFN TACAN as a popup only, with the HSI, Attitude, and an annunciator displaying the functions in the VC and 2D panels. The annunciator would have also duplicated the RFN v4.0 mouse functions.
Unless I can figure out the L:Vars that the RFN folks used in the new "C" coded gauge, it looks like we'll have the RFN v4.0 plus the HSI. I will keep trying. It wouldn't be the first time I've cut/try hit on the right L:Var names.
I grabbed a new Hex Editor with an ASCII/Hex/Octal search function. I haven't tried it yet, so, there is hope.

Adding stuff like the Com 2 radio to drive the RMI, or, have it assigned to the RFN TACAN(user panel.cfg edit), and creating new gauges does take some time for an old half blind hack like me!

Changing gauge locations/sizes has made a new main VC texture necessary, so, you'll be stuck with my "less than stellar" artwork.

As always, I'm open to suggestions, and critiques...Don

Here is where I'm at now:
View attachment 85350

View attachment 85349
 
Thanks!!

Thanks for the update mate! That is looking more than gorgeous!!

I must say that you're doing a lot more than I was hoping for! Originally I was hoping for the gunsight and the new radar you put in, but reading what more goodies you are adding, makes it all the more promising!

I'm patiently awaiting the final result (and will put some plastic foil over my keyboard to stop the drool from ruining another one! ;D)

In the meantime, could you tell me how you added the gunsight and if I could do it myself?

Thanks again for the update and your efforts!

Dumonceau
 
The Gunsight is a new gauge with it's on/off-bright/dim clickspots in top right/top left of my RADAR gauge.

I'll create a standalone switch to go with the package for use in planes without my RADAR.

The Rollus Crusader, or AS F-105, Gunsight should work too. In the 2D, and the VC.
My Gunsight's VC position and size is:
[Vcockpit01]
...
gauge28=F8GaugesDCB!F8 Gunsight, 454,1,119,119

I don't know if those Sights are designed at the same size, so position and final size will probably need tweaking.

The switch for the VC can probably be placed anywhere.
The top right corner of the RADAR head might work.
[Vcockpit02]
...
Switch Position and Size, 487,0,25,25

You'll have to work out the 2D. I haven't even looked at that yet...Don
 
fxsttcb said:
Not annoying. Glad to see the interest. :mixedsmi:

Update:
I was working on incorporating the RFN ILS stuff into the HSI and Attitude indicator, when, dummy me, I realized that my test plane had the RFN v3.0 installed.
I put the modded HSI and Attitude gauges in the F-8 with the RFN v4.0 and nothing worked except the LSO button. The RFN v4.0 has so much better functionality, that v3.0 is not an option to me.
I wanted to keep the RFN TACAN as a popup only, with the HSI, Attitude, and an annunciator displaying the functions in the VC and 2D panels. The annunciator would have also duplicated the RFN v4.0 mouse functions.
Unless I can figure out the L:Vars that the RFN folks used in the new "C" coded gauge, it looks like we'll have the RFN v4.0 plus the HSI. I will keep trying. It wouldn't be the first time I've cut/try hit on the right L:Var names.
I grabbed a new Hex Editor with an ASCII/Hex/Octal search function. I haven't tried it yet, so, there is hope.

Adding stuff like the Com 2 radio to drive the RMI, or, have it assigned to the RFN TACAN(user panel.cfg edit), and creating new gauges does take some time for an old half blind hack like me!

Changing gauge locations/sizes has made a new main VC texture necessary, so, you'll be stuck with my "less than stellar" artwork.

As always, I'm open to suggestions, and critiques...Don

Here is where I'm at now:
View attachment 85350

View attachment 85349
Click to expand...
Hi Don,
What is the issue with the RFN 4.0 gauge? May I help you ? L:vars are mainly used for developpers who want to build their own gauges instead of using the Tacan Indicator.
Note that we had released a V4.1 (with some new customization features) but V4.x should not be really different to integrate to your panel than V3.0...

Regards,
Sylvain
 
fxsttcb said:
The Gunsight is a new gauge with it's on/off-bright/dim clickspots in top right/top left of my RADAR gauge.

I'll create a standalone switch to go with the package for use in planes without my RADAR.

The Rollus Crusader, or AS F-105, Gunsight should work too. In the 2D, and the VC.
My Gunsight's VC position and size is:
[Vcockpit01]
...
gauge28=F8GaugesDCB!F8 Gunsight, 454,1,119,119

I don't know if those Sights are designed at the same size, so position and final size will probably need tweaking.

The switch for the VC can probably be placed anywhere.
The top right corner of the RADAR head might work.
[Vcockpit02]
...
Switch Position and Size, 487,0,25,25

You'll have to work out the 2D. I haven't even looked at that yet...Don
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer mate, but I'll wait for the full deal then!! :)
 
sparouty said:
Hi Don,
What is the issue with the RFN 4.0 gauge? May I help you ? L:vars are mainly used for developpers who want to build their own gauges instead of using the Tacan Indicator.
Note that we had released a V4.1 (with some new customization features) but V4.x should not be really different to integrate to your panel than V3.0...

Regards,
Sylvain
Click to expand...
Hi Sylvain,
There is no problem with the gauge. None! It works flawlessly. :applause: Thank You!

It's me! I don't like popups, unless they are necessary. I prefer to have the important stuff in the VC. Your ACLS stuff is IMPORTANT, but, having those functions added to existing Instruments is desireable.

The L:vars, that are used in v3.0, are accessable to me via "Tacan_Indicator.xml" and XML Notepad. The V4.0 is a "C" coded *.dll and contains revisions to the code that I can't "See" like I can with *.xml.

I want to create an ACLS annunciator set with "Tuned", "Locked", "LSO", "ILS", etc. displayed on the panel where(or close to) RW annunciators are located, including the necessary clickspots for LSO on/off and TACAN/ILS.

I planned to incorporate the Bearing to the Carrier(Radial), Carrier Heading, Glideslope Error, and Localiser Error, into my HSI, Attitude Indicator(Flight Director), and RMI, with Distance in my DME.
Those are already existing instruments that I made for the F-4 Phantoms, and I want to use them in the F-8, with revisions to add your RFN_CarrierGauge.dll's L:Vars for ACLS functions.

I think I have the code worked out so that if my Autopilot's Flight Director switch is on, ALCS is selected as the Nav source, and the RFN is in ILS Mode, my HSI's CDI and GS indications will be driven by the RFN L:Vars.
The same errors will be used for my pitch and heading reference bars on the Attitude indicator. With the same conditions in effect, I want to drive the RMI's Nav2 needle with the Bearing to the Carrier, and the ADF needle with the Carrier/Runway Heading variables. Along with my DME displaying the Distance, and Time to Target.

I need to know what the L:Vars are for all of the above functions. I can work out all of the scaling and on/off(Bool) using a digital gauge I made to display string conditions.

Thanks again, for another great addition to my Naval Aviation repertoire...Don
 
Don, you're working some real magic with that panel. If it integrates the RFN gauge into the panel - then you'll have a winner. Actually, it's already a winner based on the gauge clean up you've done so far. A few questions for you on the panel:

  • Do I understand that the Tacan gauge be embedded in the VC as well, or just the 2D? It looks like it's the VC - now that's just nuts, if you can pull that off!!! :ernae:


  • I noticed in your first shot of the new panel a week or so there's an intereting hand-drawng white/light grey line around the Radalt gauge. I've never seen that before - what is that?

Back to the old FS9-era "no pylon fix". Given that was partly an .mdl issue (and its associated alpha channels), and given that now the model is freeware, would there be a way to edit that easily? Probably not ... but as most brain-farts, had to at least ask ... :pop4:

Looking forward to these updates - your work on "late-life extensions" of the AS Phantom and Crusader models is legendary!

Best,

DL
 
DL,
Right now, the RFN TACAN is in the VC and also as a popup. It was only a matter of replacing the "Tri", resizing it, and adding a background for it to the VC texture.
I want to put the HSI there. The RW RMI belongs where the HSI is, and I'd like to put a correct UHF Preset gauge(Left click opens the Radio Stack, and the ATC window with a right click) where the RMI is now.
Other than replacing a few RW gauges that don't have FSX functions, and a few that I definately want in it(AFCS/ACLS) I'm trying to get it to reflect the late '50s/early '60s Natops F-8B diagram.

ROFL! The white perimeter of the Rad-Alt is simply an example of my piss-poor-to-unbelievable artistry! :icon_lol: It was an attempt to give it a reflective edge that got out of hand and never corrected.

Eliminating the pylons to create an RF-8 would require editing the model to actually remove them. Without the source code it will be way too much work.
The Materials edit and alpha fix that Phil did for FS9 won't work in FSX unless you don't mind a see-thru plane!

Once I get the VC and required gauges done, I can take a good screenie as the basis for a 2D. Without decent gauge backlighting in the VC, the 2D might be better for night ops...Don
 
fxsttcb said:
DL,
Right now, the RFN TACAN is in the VC and also as a popup. It was only a matter of replacing the "Tri", resizing it, and adding a background for it to the VC texture.
I want to put the HSI there. The RW RMI belongs where the HSI is, and I'd like to put a correct UHF Preset gauge(Left click opens the Radio Stack, and the ATC window with a right click) where the RMI is now.
Other than replacing a few RW gauges that don't have FSX functions, and a few that I definately want in it(AFCS/ACLS) I'm trying to get it to reflect the late '50s/early '60s Natops F-8B diagram.

ROFL! The white perimeter of the Rad-Alt is simply an example of my piss-poor-to-unbelievable artistry! :icon_lol: It was an attempt to give it a reflective edge that got out of hand and never corrected.

Eliminating the pylons to create an RF-8 would require editing the model to actually remove them. Without the source code it will be way too much work.
The Materials edit and alpha fix that Phil did for FS9 won't work in FSX unless you don't mind a see-thru plane!

Once I get the VC and required gauges done, I can take a good screenie as the basis for a 2D. Without decent gauge backlighting in the VC, the 2D might be better for night ops...Don
Click to expand...


Most excellent Don!

That gauge in the VC would be stupendous. The one annoying thing about the pop up is that I lose it once I pop out of the VC to say external mode, and then back to VC.

That said, I enjoy the 2D for certain applications - so I'll be all over this once ready.

No worries on the Radalt - I was just curious - and as one who cannot (yet at least!) model or paint, who am I to cast aspersions?

Also understand the pylons issue - yes, that was LITERALLY the first mod / port over when I moved to FSX - "did the pylon fix work?" I've lived in clean-model withdrawal ever since, and instead, I fly the RF-8 toting 4 AIM-9s around ... :isadizzy: Have you managed to slave the RF- paints to the F-8c model? At least that one only has 2 x AIM-9s ... I always get the buggered mixed up texture mish mash) ... likely not, but just curious ...

DL
 
If you want your pop-ups to stay open until you decide to close them, add Type=Special to the panel.cfg pop-up's [WindowXX] description. Then you can change views without it closing automatically...Don
 
Navy Chief said:
I bought the C9 Phantom. If I remember correctly, it doesn't work too well in FSX, does it? NC
Click to expand...

Hello Chief,

The original doesn't work too well in FSX indeed. But after swapping quite a few gauges (some from payware models that I own), it works reasonably well. Not up to todays standards, but I just needed a Phantom in my sim.

@ Don: thank you again for your work! If this package gets released, a lot of us will be in Gunfighter heaven!! :jump:

Dumonceau
 
Dumonceau said:
Hello Chief,

The original doesn't work too well in FSX indeed. But after swapping quite a few gauges (some from payware models that I own), it works reasonably well. Not up to todays standards, but I just needed a Phantom in my sim.

@ Don: thank you again for your work! If this package gets released, a lot of us will be in Gunfighter heaven!! :jump:

Dumonceau
Click to expand...
I tried the C9 Phantom. Too much stuff wouldn't work to my liking. Have you tried the freebie Virtavia Phantoms? They work pretty good in FSX. I put some fixes and revised panels for them in the library here.

The F-8 panel stuff will be in the library here. I'm working on a Beta *zip for you guys to test. My rig is more than capable @ 5Ghz, but, if it causes a big performance hit for other folks, I'll have to look deeper into some of the code.

If I get the required permissions to include the fine works of other folks(Stuff that I am using in my AS F-8), I'll do the full package...Don
 
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