Convair CV-580

[Scorch00]

I mentioned this in my airtanker conversion thread, but figured it was a better option to make a more general post since it would be seen by more people. In terms of the 580, I've had a lot of requests to do a 580, but I know there's been Greg Pepper's version around for years as I've had it since my FS9 years. I've also slowly have been working through other T56 powered airtankers. But after picking it up this past week to see what I could do with it. I went looking for references and looking for permissions perhaps or hoping someone had updated them. And searching on CalClassics and then here I found that there's been several attempts and it doesn't seem like anything ever ended up coming from any of those projects. The thread here in regards to it no longer has pictures attached to it, so I couldn't even see how it looked. So I figured I'd ask if anyone else perhaps wanted to team up on getting some out there? I did a shortened nose version that Conair created for the actual airtanker versions, which is what I was interested in. But it did seem based on the threads here there's also considerable interest in the passenger and cargo versions. The version I've thrown together, is just what I'd consider super basic. I updated the model slightly with a new external tank, shortened the nose on it, and threw PBR at it. Did some lighting stuff and did some painting. And for those curious. Here are a couple pictures of the prototype I started last week.

 

[rohan]

I for one would very much appreciate your update of the "traditional" versions of the CV-580 . . . please, pretty please . . .

 

[Scorch00]

It's possible to do. I'm considering maybe even cutting the windows into the fuselage too, but not 100% sure. The bigger issue I have is updating the interior so the switches and gauges are all compatible. Interiors are definitely a big hole in terms of my ability currently. The FSX version's cockpit works in v4.5, but I'd say is only about 80ish % functioning.

 

[zswobbie1]

Yes Please!!

 

[Scorch00]

So It does look like I will likely go after trying to update the exterior at least. Still am looking at trying to do something with the cockpit. I will also attempt to do a couple other model variations because of the windows. Which I do plan to actually cut out of the fuselage instead of them being painted on. But I'm in the early model working phase for that to see if I can get a result that's acceptable. I can't dive fully into messing with them yet as I have 3 other projects ahead of it. But I do want to obviously update the tanker version along with the passenger and cargo versions.

 

[rohan]

Thanks for the update - looking forward to the release . . .

 

[Scorch00]

I am trying to layout a base for what will hopefully be done, "prototyping" as I call it seems to be have gone well so far with some of the stuff. But the main base models will be expanded to an additional 3 that don't differ much from the base aircraft, but have the Hamilton Standard propellers instead of the Aero Products ones. I was asked to add that difference by a few people. So it will be added to them across the board for added variation. All the other updates I have for now on them. Might do some more work on them soon though.

Aero Products Propeller Tanker Variant:

Hamilton Standard Propeller Tanker Variant:

 

[Scorch00]

Now that I've moved some projects out of the way, I've been able to get back to working on some stuff for the 580s. The tankers largely have the fuselage modifications for them done. They are still prototypes currently. butt the windows have been cut out and applied successfully to them as well as added a very simple interior for them, since they wont really be seen in this configuration of the 580. But they do have functional windows now! I have started working on the more complex of the versions. The Passenger variant. The cargo version will get a similar minimal window option like the tankers, but will have the traditional nose obviously. The pax version will be the same, but I am rough modeling an entire interior with seats for it, since the windows will be functional. So it will hopefully blend into the original bits from the base airplane's interior. Again, it will be super simple, but will at least be there. I've done some more updates to the exterior models with bump maps and things like that too. The pax version, I've completed cutting all the windows out of the fuselage, but that's a whole time consuming process to fine tune all that. But it will have windows. Not sure if this is a big deal or not, but I feel like it adds more to the airplane having real windows than just painted on ones. Maybe a bit, "extra," but I think it's a good addition. They may not look much different in these screen grabs, but they are in fact updated from the last ones I posted.

 

[Scorch00]

As I was saying, a super basic interior is underway. Not by any means is it spectacular, but it is at least an interior.

 

[Scorch00]

Figured I'd also give a peak at one of the paints I'm including with the Passenger version. Doesn't have the new updated fuselage yet. It's still sporting the stock one, but the whole thing has the other updates on it.

 

[rohan]

I must admit that I never realised that the original models had only “painted on” windows, and your “extra mile” of cutting them out and refurbishing the pax interior makes your updates all the better for me. Thanks so much for doing all these updates to the 580s . . .

 

[Scorch00]

I must admit that I never realised that the original models had only “painted on” windows, and your “extra mile” of cutting them out and refurbishing the pax interior makes your updates all the better for me. Thanks so much for doing all these updates to the 580s . . .

You're welcome! I had originally thought about just doing the exterior, but since I've done this sort of thing before, decided to give it a go for these as well. It will still be extremely basic inside, but it will at least have one. It looks acceptable currently. I'm exporting the whole updated fuselage and all of it added today, so hoping it goes well.

 

[Scorch00]

The attachment and import of the new fuselage went well. Still am a long ways off for it, but a lot of the main stuff has at least been started. But it does in fact, now have functioning windows!

 

[Scorch00]

The 580 is going along I'm trying to update some things with the external lighting on it currently as well as attempting to try and get more functionality out of the cockpit with swapping gauges and whatnot. Panel reworks are definitely not my area. So I'm sort of fumbling about with that trying to either swap them or replace the gauge out of the Electra. I've scanned a couple times at Cal Classics to see if there's been any response in the thread in regards to gentleman that was updating the gauges to xml. But haven't received a response at all in regards to a fully converted, accurate VC. Right now it's just looking like me swapping gauges until I get most stuff working again. Right now I have some of the engine gauges and the six-pack functioning again. Below is a small video of the external light rework. The lights appear differently on it in the day time vs night time. In "high" light during the day, the bulbs for the lights are much dimmer as they would be in daytime, and when low light starts to take effect in the sim, the light halo will appear. Also added in a gear retraction cuts the taxi light off automatically.

 

[gray eagle]

This project looks and sounds awesome. I hope that a Navy paint will be added to the 580 project. After completing a Tonkin Gulf (Vietnam) cruise embarked on the USS Hancock and subsequently USS Bon Homme Richard, we'd dock at NAS Alamada and board a Navy Convair 580 for NAS Miramar. This was the way squadron personnel were transported.

 

[Scorch00]

Thank you! It is a really cool airplane, one that I think is kind of forgotten about unless you know about it. But I can definitely do that! That's a really cool paint too!

 

[Scorch00]

A lot of work on the VC-131H paint. I remapped the wings and a few other bits after realizing the wings weren't separate from one another, but other than that, it looks like a really cool paint thus far.

 

[gray eagle]

WOW!!! That really looks nice!!! I suppose the Convair is still a wip. I sure do appreciate you doing a Navy paint, and so fast. Thank you for doing this paint FWIW, This is other side of the same VC-131

This particular aircraft was with VR-48 as a VIP transport

 

[gray eagle]

Additional info for Navy VC-131H (Shown above)
Convair C-131D-CO Samaritan
Convair Model 340 (MSN 326) built as USAF C-131D 55-299. Was N8442H before USAF service.
Converted to Convair Model 580 with VIP interior.
Transferred to US Navy but operated under USAF serial number.
and redesignated as VC-131H with VIP interior. Operated by VR-48

 

[Scorch00]

I decided to do more model modifications into the evening and early morning hours to create the actual VC-131H. Shortened the nose and changed it's shape a bit and deleted the aft most windows on both sides to better represent the Samaratin. Nose still needs better shaping and shortening though. It's getting there though. The paint is still a WIP though. There's bits and other small details to add to it and tweak a couple more things with the model. So that's another version of the 580 that will come with this pack. The 580, 580F, 580T, and now the VC-131H.