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Alpha F-8 Crusader improvements

Sorry I haven't read the entire thread but does anyone have any information on how the gear position indicators (set of three on left side of the panel) should look at various times?

I know they say "UP" when the gear is retracted and they show stripes (barberpole?) other times. But is there a definite indication when the gear is in transition and when it is down and locked? Also when there is no electricity as in dark and cold startup?

I'm talking about the real aircraft not so much what Alphasim might have done with their model although applying this info is the end goal. I don't have a copy of a pilot manual for the F-8 otherwise I'd dig in there. Any help is appreciated.
:ernae:
 
fsafranek said:
Sorry I haven't read the entire thread but does anyone have any information on how the gear position indicators (set of three on left side of the panel) should look at various times?

I know they say "UP" when the gear is retracted and they show stripes (barberpole?) other times. But is there a definite indication when the gear is in transition and when it is down and locked? Also when there is no electricity as in dark and cold startup?

I'm talking about the real aircraft not so much what Alphasim might have done with their model although applying this info is the end goal. I don't have a copy of a pilot manual for the F-8 otherwise I'd dig in there. Any help is appreciated.
:ernae:
Click to expand...

Funny you should ask ...

When Don's latest update was published, I saw the indicators for down as barberpole. That just seemed odd - but in in some photos in my books, they indeed show that for some of the newer E/J/L models. (eg: rear cover of Detail & Scale F-8 Crusader). Steve Pace's F-8 Part One, p.66 shows a vertical bar on a B model.

In most of the museum models, they seem to be barberpoled....

DSC00007.jpg



1200753.jpg



Don't know if that's lack of power that we see these in this fashion - I usuallly relate barberpole to "in transit" - but I certainly defer to the pros like Don, NC, and others who've actually worked on these.

DL
 
I think non-moving barber poles may indicate no electricity.

Interesting in your images also the different coloring of the cockpit. Different ADI as well. The top one doesn't indicate heading.
 
This is from the US Navy F-8A/B Pilot's Flight Operating Manual (NAVWEPS 01-45HHA-501). It does not say if/when the barberpoles are static or moving but when the gear is moving, that is indicated by the warning light in the gear handle.
The NATOPS Flight Manual for the F-8D/E has the same description (NAVAIR 01-45HHD-1)
 
Funny this came up. I was working on the exact issue. I don't think they used servos to rotate the indicator drums. Probably solenoids and a light centering spring giving more or less snap action. Cheaper and more robust.
No power = no solenoid, thus neutral position, or barberpole. Power on, Gear Down and locked; Wheel solenoid engaged. Power on, Gear Up and locked; UP Solenoid engaged.

That's how I modeled it, anyhow. I can't find a picture that shows the wheel. Right now it's a Black circle, with a Grey center, on a white back ground. Anybody else?.

View attachment 87381

There are lots of inaccuracies/errors in my Beta panel and gauges. This is just one that was very obvious to me too...Don
 
If I remember correctly from my days as an avionics tech in the corps. Those landing gear indicators are magnetically latched into a gear up or down indication based on polarity. When down and locked a wheels pictoral display is shown. When wheels are up a UP indication is displayed. When in transit or if no power is on the aircraft or circuit the barberpole unsafe indication is displayed.
 
This is what the wheels down and locked symbol looks like on the Vertigo F9F Cougar gear indicator (the 1st one in the picture from left to right):

I could not find any other aircraft in my hangar with a similar working gear indicator...
 
I think I'm finally closing in on a package release. It's gonna take a little time to sort out all of the WIP chaff, but, I think it will be up in a day or two.
I'm pretty sure it will have been worth the wait...Don

View attachment 88040
 
I'm pretty sure it will have been worth the wait...
Click to expand...

I for ONE am absolutely in doubt about that!! Don, you have really transformed and rejuventated this old bird it is highest on my "active" roster and no sign of abating. Thing is, each new plane you rework makes me go back and add the same updates to your previous efforts, e.g., Phantom and RA-5C. On the Vigi, I added the Sludge Hornet HUD (Vig had a HUD for sorts) but it seems to clash with the latest RFN 4.1 Tacan. Might be more a question for Sylvain, but as you are the panel and guage Guru I thought I might mention it. The AS F-8 is just a delight. Thanks again for these great results.

expat
 
expat said:
... On the Vigi, I added the Sludge Hornet HUD (Vig had a HUD for sorts) but it seems to clash with the latest RFN 4.1 Tacan. Might be more a question for Sylvain, but as you are the panel and gauge Guru I thought I might mention it. ...
Click to expand...

Hi expat,
The RFN gauge is using some common L:Variables with the Sludge Hornet HUD. The basic idea was to allow the RFN gauge code to manage carrier identification and variables calculation and to let the HUD code managing all the graphic aspects. The HUD xml can be changed in order to put in comment the redondant code, but such modification takes times, so I can't give you more info on any official release as I can't speak for Jivko...

Regards,
Sylvain
 
Don,

I've tried your version and the Tufun AB effect is just not working for me. I tried different "Fixes" for it and still no joy. I had to restore the original F8 from the trashcan
and the TF burner is back. I install all you effects/gauges et al and I can preview the different models you made and fly them it's just there is no AB. So for now,
I have the old one back and it works although I don't have that nice panel/cockpit you made. Is there a possibility that I could use your panels on my old AS F8 version?

Bummer!!!! :pop4:
 
FSX68 said:
Don,

I've tried your version and the Tufun AB effect is just not working for me. I tried different "Fixes" for it and still no joy. I had to restore the original F8 from the trashcan
and the TF burner is back. I install all you effects/gauges et al and I can preview the different models you made and fly them it's just there is no AB. So for now,
I have the old one back and it works although I don't have that nice panel/cockpit you made. Is there a possibility that I could use your panels on my old AS F8 version?

Bummer!!!! :pop4:
Click to expand...

If you have the original Alpha Crusader gauge in stalled then...

Added this "gaugexx=ALPHA_Crusader!Reheat_Auto_LOGO, 0,0,20,20" without the quotes in all your panels, panel.cfg file... under [Vcockpit01]... after the last line, then change xx to the next number in line.

In the aircraft.cfg file make these changes...

[lights]
light.3 = 9, -17.55, 0.00, 0.15, fx_ALPHA_F8_TF_AB //Logo Lights

W4rB.jpg


smaET.jpg


eRjzn.jpg
 
I use the FSX afterburner variable{ (A:TURB ENG AFTERBURNER:1,bool) [Vcockpit01], gauge17=F8GaugesDCBv1!F8 Afterburner Follower, 0,0,10,9 } to control the LOGO lights(#9) for the AB effect.

In RW there is a throttle detent for Military Power(100%+ RPM). Moving the throttle beyond that detent engages the 'burner. Some AC have a thumb or pinkie button for the re-igniter.
Are you actually getting 100.00% throttle? If your controller is like mine, it only gives ~99.5% throttle. I took advantage of the quirk and made the trigger 100%.
I can set full boogie on the controller, without engaging the 'burner, then use F4 to engage AB. Moving the throttle, at all, kills AB.

You can set a lower threshold in the aircraft.cfg [TurbineEngineData] section. Change afterburner_throttle_threshold=1.00 to a lower setpoint...Don
 
TuFun said:
If you have the original Alpha Crusader gauge in stalled then...

Added this "gaugexx=ALPHA_Crusader!Reheat_Auto_LOGO, 0,0,20,20" without the quotes in all your panels, panel.cfg file... under [Vcockpit01]... after the last line, then change xx to the next number in line.

In the aircraft.cfg file make these changes...

[lights]
light.3 = 9, -17.55, 0.00, 0.15, fx_ALPHA_F8_TF_AB //Logo Lights

W4rB.jpg
Click to expand...


This is my panel gauge entries under [Vcockpit01] :
[Vcockpit01]
Background_color=0,0,0
size_mm=1024,1024
visible=0
pixel_size=1024,1024
texture=$vpanel1

gauge00=ALPHA_Crusader!Contrail_REC, 0,0,20,20
gauge01=ALPHA_Crusader!Reheat_Auto_LOGO, 0,0,20,20 <<<< this one was already there and at the top
gauge02=ALPHA_Crusader!RALT, 280,270,101,108
gauge03=ALPHA_Crusader!OilPress1, 177,280,75,75
gauge04=ALPHA_Crusader!N1RPMTURB1, 80,384,80,82
gauge05=ALPHA_Crusader!AOA, 170,374,89,90
gauge06=ALPHA_Crusader!Flaps_ind, 83,490,73,73
gauge07=ALPHA_Crusader!VSI, 663,567,90,94
gauge08=ALPHA_Crusader!EGT1, 79,588,90,89
gauge09=ALPHA_Crusader!GFI, 170,579,93,95
gauge10=ALPHA_Crusader!ALT, 265,546,128,130
gauge11=ALPHA_Crusader!ATT, 414,432,198,200
gauge12=ALPHA_Crusader!Gear_Ind, 10,491,66,71
gauge13=ALPHA_Crusader!TRI, 638,271,119,125
gauge14=ALPHA_Crusader!VGI, 616, 396 ,158,160
gauge15=ALPHA_Crusader!ACLK, 767,388,84,84
gauge16=ALPHA_Crusader!FuelFlow1, 766,483,84,84
gauge17=ALPHA_Crusader!TSI, 167,475,95,95
gauge18=ALPHA_Crusader!ATT2, 764,574,86,85
gauge19=ALPHA_Crusader!fuel_gauge, 857,576,85,85
gauge20=ALPHA_Crusader!SPDBRK, 653,228,29,29
gauge21=ALPHA_Crusader!STALL, 285,234,54,18
gauge22=ALPHA_Crusader!Switch NAV-GPS, 124,316,16,40
gauge23=ALPHA_Crusader!AB_on, 862,348,33,22
gauge24=ALPHA_Crusader!OSPD, 681,228,29,29
gauge25=ALPHA_Crusader!Tailhook, 357,211,33,25
gauge26=ALPHA_Crusader!LandingLights, 438,363,25,30
gauge27=ALPHA_Crusader!NavLights, 493,363,25,30
gauge28=ALPHA_Crusader!PanelLights, 465,363,25,30
gauge29=ALPHA_Crusader!AP Icon, 15,575,22,22
gauge30=ALPHA_Crusader!AP Switch, 45,576,22,22
gauge31=ALPHA_Crusader!Pitot deice, 563,362,25,30
gauge32=ALPHA_Crusader!ADF, 858,387,86,90
gauge33=SimIcons1024!ATC Icon, 15,600,22,22
gauge34=SimIcons1024!Kneeboard Icon, 45,600,22,22
gauge35=SimIcons1024!GPS Icon, 15,628,22,22
gauge36=SimIcons1024!Radio Icon, 45,628,22,22
gauge37=SimIcons1024!Map Icon, 32,655,22,22
gauge38=F15_Gauges!IRIS Airspeed US, 281,416,104,104
gauge39=Rollusgauges!tews, 428,162,179,176
gauge40=Rollusgauges!incidence, 316,104,24,77
///gaugexx=Harrier_GR7!HUD Night, 446,3,137,144

In original Panel entries the last gauge entry was //'s out and I think gauge 39 and 40 could be //'s out as well, yes?
There are four cab files under folders. Which ones need to stay?
View attachment 88116
 
fxsttcb said:
I use the FSX afterburner variable{ (A:TURB ENG AFTERBURNER:1,bool) [Vcockpit01], gauge17=F8GaugesDCBv1!F8 Afterburner Follower, 0,0,10,9 } to control the LOGO lights(#9) for the AB effect.

In RW there is a throttle detent for Military Power(100%+ RPM). Moving the throttle beyond that detent engages the 'burner. Some AC have a thumb or pinkie button for the re-igniter.
Are you actually getting 100.00% throttle? If your controller is like mine, it only gives ~99.5% throttle. I took advantage of the quirk and made the trigger 100%.
I can set full boogie on the controller, without engaging the 'burner, then use F4 to engage AB. Moving the throttle, at all, kills AB.

You can set a lower threshold in the aircraft.cfg [TurbineEngineData] section. Change afterburner_throttle_threshold=1.00 to a lower setpoint...Don
Click to expand...

Cool... I set my threshold to .98... afterburner kicks in... sweet! Thanks Don!
 
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