F7F Tigercat SOH Project

[Milton Shupe]

I find on my testing that there is a "T" handle just ahead of the throttle that drops the tank for me. I also tried the "arrow" and it didn't seem to have any affect. Perhaps I am doing something out of sequence but the Tank drops...Soooooooo I'm blissfully ignorant of what should be and happy with what is... I didn't notice any "arming" sequence....I just pushed the "T" handle and tank was gone...ooopsy glad the main tanks had fuel in them..

Ol'Jarhead

Assuming that you are talking about the -3N Night Fighter, then you need to install the aircraft.zip I posted above. Clicking on the "T" does nothing but make the tank animation occur. Using the proper method drops the tank and the fuel weight if you have fuel remaining in the tank. Otherwise, no difference.

As a minimum, ensure that in the aircraft.cfg Contact Point section, your statements look like this:

[contact_points]
static_pitch = 5.9
static_cg_height = 7.3
tailwheel_lock = 0
gear_system_type = 1
max_number_of_points = 9

 

[Hurricane91]

I tried out the F7F last night. What a sweetheart. And that sound! Many thanks to the SOH team that built this fine aircraft.

 

[LCBORDEN]

Milton...er.... Mr.Shupe....er....SIR

Assuming that you are talking about the -3N Night Fighter, then you need to install the aircraft.zip I posted above. Clicking on the "T" does nothing but make the tank animation occur. Using the proper method drops the tank and the fuel weight if you have fuel remaining in the tank. Otherwise, no difference.

As a minimum, ensure that in the aircraft.cfg Contact Point section, your statements look like this:

[contact_points]
static_pitch = 5.9
static_cg_height = 7.3
tailwheel_lock = 0
gear_system_type = 1
max_number_of_points = 9

Thanks Milton I did download the .CFG zip and will install it shortly...I was referring to the -300 I did not try dropping the tank on the 3N Guess I need to read any "read me first" before I jump in and go zooming around. Thanks for the new .CFG and all the wonderful info. This really is a great addition to our sim world... I also am trying the AT11...Wonderful job...I'm a sucker for Radial Twins Thanks for keeping my interest in simming re-invigorated.


Ol'Jarhead

 

[Flyboy208]

Man, oh man, this bird is a blast - so much fun to fly! Mike :salute:

 

[Mick]

Could use a little help...

Due to unrelenting demands on my time and attention I've been pretty much out of this hobby for most of the past year. I've eagerly anticipated the new Tigercat but haven't been able to follow this thread. I've seen various beta releases in the new files lists, and a number of paints that were done for them despite notes that warned about anticipated changes to the texturing. Now that some versions appear to be complete I find myself confused about what to download. I have a few questions.

Am I correct in thinking that only the three versions that have been released at FlightSim (F7F-3 RTWR, F7F-3P and F7F-3N) are complete and final, and that all the other models I've seen on the list here at SOH are still works in progress, to be completed in the future and released when finished?

Am I also correct in thinking that all the repaints that have been posted here are only good for pre-release versions of the model, and that due to the texturing changes noted in the file descriptions, none of them are suited to the released or anticipated final release versions of any of the models.

If it's not that simple, can anybody help me figure this out without reading the fifty-plus pages of posts in this thread?

Thanks for any help anyone can offer!

And a big Thanks to Milton for this wonderful plane!

 

[Willy]

Mick, This release of the F7F is unfinished. There will be a (much?) later release with a more complete VC and the final texture mapping.

Also for everyone. There's a new sounds update by Nigel Richards that has come to the staff's attention as being somewhat suspicous. I'd like to ask everyone to hold off on downloading it until Rami has had time to check it out. We're hoping that it's nothing, but don't want to take a chance on it without a further look over.

Willy

 

[Milton Shupe]

Due to unrelenting demands on my time and attention I've been pretty much out of this hobby for most of the past year. I've eagerly anticipated the new Tigercat but haven't been able to follow this thread. I've seen various beta releases in the new files lists, and a number of paints that were done for them despite notes that warned about anticipated changes to the texturing. Now that some versions appear to be complete I find myself confused about what to download. I have a few questions.

Am I correct in thinking that only the three versions that have been released at FlightSim (F7F-3 RTWR, F7F-3P and F7F-3N) are complete and final, and that all the other models I've seen on the list here at SOH are still works in progress, to be completed in the future and released when finished?

Am I also correct in thinking that all the repaints that have been posted here are only good for pre-release versions of the model, and that due to the texturing changes noted in the file descriptions, none of them are suited to the released or anticipated final release versions of any of the models.

If it's not that simple, can anybody help me figure this out without reading the fifty-plus pages of posts in this thread?

Thanks for any help anyone can offer!

And a big Thanks to Milton for this wonderful plane!

Hi Mick, thanks for dropping in.

Here's the scoop. What has been released is done... however ... maybe this explains it all.

Initial mapping was done for the -1 only so the WIP could be tested in FSX with textures, so it was a quick and dirty mapping.

The RTWR version which is a -3 uses mapping from the original -1 version I did, a -1 with a shorter tail. Therefore the mapping isn't really suitable for the tall-tailed -3 as there are overlap issues with the tail and the ailerons. Not worth messing with to do any serious textures.

For the -3N, I did remap the fuse, tail, and wings to straighten that mess out a bit. Seems to be a fairly clean map but it hasn't been vetted. Smoothie did the textures for that so he may be able to tell of any issues he experienced.

The tanker is simply a single seat -3 that has the same issues that all have, except the -3N.

We wanted to get out a F7F-3 for the RTWR and that is why we pushed this interim product. Franz and Mikezola did textures for that. All the other models use what was temporarily developed for the RTWR -3. PRB did the panel and there are sound sets available from Gary Jones and Nigel Richards.

The plan for this project was that I committed do the exterior model; I did.
N2056 wanted to do the the interior model for FSX, the VC, 3D gauges and all be native FSX. Meanwhile he took on the P-61. His intent is to do the F7F when he gets done there.

So, all this fun we are having is with an interim product; only the exterior model, flight model, and possibly the sounds will make it to the final FSX product. The exterior mapping will be re-done for FSX.

Not sure what we will do for the final FS9 product unless someone steps up to take it forward. The idea was to convert N2056's work back to a FS9 model but that may be more difficult than converting the other way as the gauges and mapping and textures will not work for FS9.

At any rate the gmax source can be available for anyone who wishes to take it forward for FS9.

Hope this helps.

 

[nigel richards]

Mick, This release of the F7F is unfinished. There will be a (much?) later release with a more complete VC and the final texture mapping.

Also for everyone. There's a new sounds update by Nigel Richards that has come to the staff's attention as being somewhat suspicous. I'd like to ask everyone to hold off on downloading it until Rami has had time to check it out. We're hoping that it's nothing, but don't want to take a chance on it without a further look over.

Willy

:salute:HI willy! the sound upload problem was my fault. I was just unfamiliar with upload practice here. The update has now been successfully uploaded: Real_P&W_R-2800_fastcats_update size:1,115kb containing two wav files. I made a test download a couple of hours ago to make sure it was complete. No problems. Sorry for any inconvenience!
Best Regards, Nigel

 

[Milton Shupe]

...snipped...

Also for everyone. There's a new sounds update by Nigel Richards that has come to the staff's attention as being somewhat suspicous. I'd like to ask everyone to hold off on downloading it until Rami has had time to check it out. We're hoping that it's nothing, but don't want to take a chance on it without a further look over.

Willy

That has been corrected. You can get the sound updates for the -3N here:

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/local_links.php?catid=110&linkid=3490

EDIT: Just realized that Nigel beat me to it. I also downloaded and tested the update; works fine.

 

[Mick]

Thanks Willy & Milton,

So there aren't any completely finished versions at all yet? And I should just not download anything at this point?

This makes me wish I could find some time to get back into this hobby, and maybe I could recruit David to help complete the FS9 planes. But I think it will be at least several months, maybe more, before I'll be in a position to work on much of anything.

 

[Willy]

Mick, the F7F as it is now in it's unfinished state is as good as a lot of payware. Try it and see how you like it. It's already replaced my Alpha Sim Tigercat.

 

[tankerguy72]

Mick, the F7F as it is now in it's unfinished state is as good as a lot of payware. Try it and see how you like it. It's already replaced my Alpha Sim Tigercat.

I AGREE! I know i have more hours in this excellent plane than any of my payware aircraft.

 

[TARPSBird]

I'm enjoying both the -3 and the -3N versions. Just one question. In the -3N panel.cfg file, what function does invisible gauge 29 (A26_engine_start.gau) perform, or should perform? I got an error prompt for the gauge when I loaded the aircraft and went to 2D cockpit view, so I removed it from the cfg. Engine startup and everything seems to still work OK, but I was wondering what it was.

 

[tankerguy72]

I dont know why but the 3N crashes FSX for me everytime havent been able to take it flying

 

[TARPSBird]

There was a folder in the -3N download with an alternate FSX cfg and air file, have you replaced the default files with those?

 

[nigel richards]

"...as good as a lot of payware"

:salute:

Mick, the F7F as it is now in it's unfinished state is as good as a lot of payware. Try it and see how you like it. It's already replaced my Alpha Sim Tigercat.

Willy, you certainly hit the mark when it comes to quality! I've got a shelf full of payware models gathering dust that are light years behind a model of this league. The dedicated work by Milton Shupe and his talented team places the Tigercat second to none.
So fellas, if you haven't already, spoil yourself and GET ONE!

 

[Mick]

Thanks Willy,

Well, trying it isn't within the realm of possibility with things as they are these days. The best I can do is drop the appropriate zip files into the huge and growing folder of planes, paints and scenery that I don't have time to install, much less fly or even look at in the sim.

But I will at least download the Tigercats that are as ready as they're likely to be in the foreseeable future.

I figure I should include the F7F-3 RTWR, F7F-3P and F7F-3N, right?

How about the early versions, dash -1 and -2? And the borate tanker? Are they anything near ready?

Should I assume that all the repaints posted here so far are for earlier versions of the models, and just leave them alone?

This is so frustrating, being unable to keep track of a project that appeals to me so much! It's pretty frustrating not to be able to work on anything with David, or to check out scads of planes and scenery, or to even boot up FS to check anything out. But being unable to keep up with this project is the most frustrating of all!

 

[Milton Shupe]

I dont know why but the 3N crashes FSX for me everytime havent been able to take it flying

Read the -3N documentation about what to remove for FSX. This aircraft design and packaging is for FS2004, but if you insist in running it in FSX, then you need to be reading the enclosed docs.

"3. For FSX users, open the FSX Flight Model folder, copy the aircraft.cfg and air file and replace the FS9 ones for this aircraft. Also "Open the aircraft.cfg and correct this statement-"texture=" to "texture=3n".

4. For FSX users, open the panel folder and delete two gauges: MAPE_WEP and the A26_Engine_Start. (Also a good idea to comment out those gauges from the panel.cfg.)

In the panel.cfg, take note here:

gauge30=MAPE_WEP!WEP toggle, 475,390,25,35 // Will not work in FSX - Remove

You can also remove any gauge FSX fusses about.

And, depending on when you downloaded it, you may need to make this change in the aircraft.cfg Contact Points section:

max_number_of_points = 9

This allows the tank to drop.

So, I am sorry that you are having FSX issues and maybe these things will help. It has always run fine here for me in FSX. If this does not cure your issue, then I would suspect a texture or sound file issue. Let me know please.

 

[Milton Shupe]

I'm enjoying both the -3 and the -3N versions. Just one question. In the -3N panel.cfg file, what function does invisible gauge 29 (A26_engine_start.gau) perform, or should perform? I got an error prompt for the gauge when I loaded the aircraft and went to 2D cockpit view, so I removed it from the cfg. Engine startup and everything seems to still work OK, but I was wondering what it was.

You must be referring to FSX here? The gauge will not work in FSX.

Its function is to turn the engine slowly to cross 11 blades before allowing the magneto switch to flip. This works only using the ctrl+e start procedure. Looks very cool in spot view.

 

[Milton Shupe]

There was a folder in the -3N download with an alternate FSX cfg and air file, have you replaced the default files with those?

Just an FYI here: The main difference in the FM is how the WEP is handled in FSX. Tom had to compensate for that. Tom originally developed the FM in FSX, not FS9, so it is FSX tried and true, with changes for FS9.