DC Designs P3D native FA-18F/G Super Hornet

[DC1973]

Hi folks, hope you're all well!


A lot of changes happening for me at the moment. I've been working contracts for many of the big sim developers throughout 2019, which has been tremendous fun and hugely informative. I think, finally, I'm ready to start producing commercial products of my own, and I recently took the step of going full-time with aircraft / scenery design for the sim. It's a big step for me, but my abilities and experience have grown a great deal since releasing the Northrop P-61C in 2018, enough that I might just have what it takes now. The forthcoming Microsoft simulator also tipped the balance for me, as I see a huge market opening up when the console crowd join the fun.


This is the first project I'm undertaking - I have the sense that there is a market out there of users who want excellent visual realism and realistic flight models but aren't as keen on the super-realistic detail of the VRS Superbug study-level aircraft. If this goes well, I'll look at continuing on with more, similar products aimed at the mid-level user. As you can see, the project is well underway. Two aircraft will be in the package - the "F" and the "G" Growler version, and probably a single-seater "E" version as a stand-alone for those who prefer to go solo Aircraft will have selectable weapons load-outs, but I will leave TacPack / vACMI choices to the user - the model will include necessary attach points to facilitate weapons should they be desired.


Release schedule is tentatively penned in for early 2020, and of course I'll be hoping to release it to the forthcoming FS2020 as well. I'm hugely excited to be going full-time with this, but also there's a lot of trepidation. Still, as always I'll post updates and keep everybody informed of what's going on

 

[jeansy]

im sold nuff said

 

[wombat666]

A brave step but if you have taken the first one then you should be good.
Love the idea of no TacPac and the non 'study level' approach, I'm mid level (at best!) when it comes to Flight Simulation so you should have me on board for starters.
FWIW, doing your own thing is very rewarding from a personal level, go for it!

 

[DC1973]

Thanks guys - it's a big leap but I've enjoyed working on sim development so much over the past couple of years that it's become a no-brainer. There are more updates on my Facebook page in my signature - oh, and I forgot to mention that I'll probably make the Hornets compatible with FSX too, as there are still lots of folks using the Steam version and even Acceleration.

 

[menef]

Happy to read this, good luck

 

[lowa]

Agree

There`s bunch of us quiet ones ready to hop onboard.

 

[Priller]

If it will be Prepar3D v4+ compatible, I'm game!

Priller

 

[InDeepSchit]

Looks like VRS has some competition! I must say, I can't wait to get my hands on the Growler (even though it did replace one of my all-time favorite aircraft, RIP Prowler). I'd love to do some shared cockpit out of Whidbey Island (and maybe draw a 10 gallon hat in the sky with the contrail). All joking aside though, this is definitely something I'll be keeping close tabs on, and I know it's in good hands.

 

[DennyA]

That's looking great! I've been wanting a Rhino to fly around in, but not enough to commit to a full study-level simulation. Count me in!

And hopefully that will go well, and you could possibly revive your F-8 as a full-on product.

 

[WarHorse47]

This looks really great. But it's useless to me as I only have FSXA.

Isn't this the "FSX General Discussion" forum, or am I totally lost???

 

[Priller]

This looks really great. But it's useless to me as I only have FSXA.

Isn't this the "FSX General Discussion" forum, or am I totally lost???

Cfr post #4 by the man himself!

Priller

 

[Sundog]

Some more options I would like to see added to these is the CFT's they're getting and the centerline combination fuel tank with it sensor in the nose, since P3D has IR built in to it.

it looks good so far, thanks for the preview pics.

 

[DC1973]

This looks really great. But it's useless to me as I only have FSXA. Isn't this the "FSX General Discussion" forum, or am I totally lost???

It will be compatible with FSX and P3D - I forgot to add that in the title bar when I created the thread. It's an age thing...

 

[WarHorse47]

It will be compatible with FSX and P3D - I forgot to add that in the title bar when I created the thread. It's an age thing...

I get lost at my age as well which is why I asked.
Thanks for the clarification.

 

[DC1973]

"It's too early!" they said. "You haven't even finished animating it yet!" they said.

Too early, too shmearly - carrier tests for the flight model at different fuel weights - it handles quite nicely at 150 KIAS and 4,000lbs of fuel. Tricky to land well without instruments though, daylight circuits only around Javier's Nimitz ( AI Carriers in P3D v4 )!

 

[fallenphoenix1986]

Looking good so far, went hunting for an F model last week and its slim pickings - the KBT model had plenty of port over related issues I wasn't able to resolve so this is a done deal for me

 

[Flyboy208]

Most welcome news Dean. A little biased , but as I spent a lot of time with 2 seat Hornets with my 8 years in The US Navy , always thought they looked better than The single seat variants. I know several people who will be thrilled to see a Growler as well. Awesome news ! Mike

 

[DC1973]

I also looked at what was already out there before committing to the project - the old KBT "D" Hornet had a great exterior model, but no VC ( aliased to the stock FA-18A ) and there was nothing else really out there.

Mike - great to hear, I'll make the airplane as good as I can for folks!

A quick picture of the VC, which will feature a fully-functional front seat ( obviously ), and a partially functional rear seat. I'm thinking of leveraging the stock control tower or GPS display for that big screen in the rear seat. The modelling is done, but texture mapping and animation remains to be worked upon.

 

[DC1973]

After some more thought, I decided that giving you all two aircraft in a single package wasn't going to be good enough for the community - it will be my first commercial release and I really want to make a good impression. As a result, the DC Designs Super Hornet package will contain three aircraft - yes, three! The FA-18E, FA-18F and FA-18G. The "E" may have been covered comprehensively by VRS, but with no good alternative to the study-level airplane out there and such little modeling required to convert the nose and canopy section, it seemed mad not to really!

Work is progressing very well, makes such a difference to the process to be full-time and also using a modern design package to create and animate the airplanes. Exterior models may well be complete by the end of the week, next week latest. Enjoy the piccies for now!

 

[fsafranek]

Looking forward to this as an affordable option to the VRS offering.
Combined with the FSXBA F/A-18C this will fill the ranks nicely on the upcoming Team SDB Enterprise (sorry for the shameless plug, just excited by your news).