• Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.

    Post 16 Update

    Post 17 Warning old domain name stealing credentials

  • Special Server Maintenance

    Just when you think you have everything running some what better...

    You get a message from the Hosting company. Short story they need to move us to a new server. I have been working with them to plan a good date for all concerned. Here is what we have come up with as a schedule.

    1. November 4th 17:00 -5UTC shut off the forums and start backup proceedures. During this time there will be no access to the forums or the Resource Section.
    2. November 5th Continue with Backups and download same until complete.
    3. November 6th 7:00 turn over server to hosting company to move system to new server
    4. November 7th - 8th restore backups and upgrade forum software.

    If all goes well we should be back online on November 8th.

    To keep you updated we will post updates on AVSIM forums.

    Thank you for your support.

F7F Tigercat Rises From the Ashes

I'm so happy to see that not only have you not given up on this work, but it's freaking amazing what you've gotten done so quickly to recover!

Thank you, it looks awesome!

Tom

P.S. I did share your videos on Facebook...
 
This is looking very cool. I wonder Gordon, do you have access to an F7F? How do you have all this great detail available to you? Its amazing.
 
Awesome work, and great to see you making a comeback after such a horrible loss! Inspiring, to say the least :)
 
ejoiner said:
I wonder Gordon, do you have access to an F7F? How do you have all this great detail available to you? Its amazing.
Click to expand...

Milton's original files were very complete, including a POH. The handbook has a large number of photos of the various systems, which gives me a good handle on the basic modeling. Many of the plackards and details have been gathered from various sites that specialize in old radios, aircraft parts etc. Unfortunately, all of that data was lost so the only thing in my archive at the moment is the actual model and numerous photos of restored aircraft. The only VC I recovered was the original military variant so it will be necessary to build the three civilian variants I had previously modeled from scratch. That will take quite a bit of time.

BTW...if I had access to a real F7F I'd probably spend a bit less time at the computer....lol. :very_drunk:
 
FlyingsCool said:
I'm so happy to see that not only have you not given up on this work, but it's freaking amazing what you've gotten done so quickly to recover!

Thank you, it looks awesome!

Tom

P.S. I did share your videos on Facebook...
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing those videos Tom.

Recovering the Tigercat and K Invader were relatively straightforward once I retrieved the published beta models. The mesh .mdl file will remember the pivot points, UVW mapping and basic structure of the model, but all of the pivot alignments and animations require coding from scratch. On a model like the Tigercat I can code the entire exterior model in one work session....more or less. The most complex part is the tricycle gear/gear doors and prop animations. The interior model is more complex with all of the switches, trim wheels and flight controls. That said, a basic airplane can be recovered...more or less in a week. Re-assembling the supporting data base is another thing entirely.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top