Flight Réplicas Douglas Dc-4 and B-24 free Released

[FlakNine]

Here’s a link to the web version of my work-in-progress B24 flight manual. When it’s done I’ll include a PDF with the aircraft but until then the web version is always up-to-date as I make edits.

 

[Brian_Gladden]

interesting pic, looks as if they lifted the engines of a PBY

Most likely right. Being in corporate use, she most likely didn't fly very high for passenger comfort not being pressurized. So the low altitude PB4Y-2 engines would be available and a less costly option

 

[tgycgijoes]

Thank you so much for this.

 

[FlakNine]

We've been busy adding more to the B-24, although we aren't quite ready to reveal the next update yet.

One thing we are experimenting with is making the prop RPM switches behave closer to the real thing. In the real aircraft, the prop RPM is controlled by 3-way toggle switches as shown in this image from the flight manual.


We are evaluating 3 potential solutions for this, and would be interested to hear thoughts on which direction we should take this, especially regarding how it will interact with control bindings. Here's an overview of the 3 options:

1. (Experimental 1) The prop RPM switches will function as real 3-way toggle switches. If you have an axis bound to prop RPM, the direction you move the lever controls the switch position (i.e. move your axis up will flick the switch up). EDIT: correction from the person working on this code - rather than adding me as a middle man, here is his explanation: "There is a PROP LEVER POSITION target and also a currentposition. If you have an external axis, the movement adjusts a target % for an internal virtual lever position target. Similarly you can map PROP_PITCH_INCR and PROP_PITCH_DECR to buttons which again adjust the target up and down. When the target is moved away from the current position % the visible switches animate in the correct direction and hold that animation for the time required to adjust current to target. "
   1. Mouse interaction: if you drag with the mouse, the target is moved and the switches animate. If you click on the INC / DEC all plates, all the targets move.
2. (Experimental 2) The prop RPM switches will function as real 3-way toggle switches. If you have an axis bound to prop RPM, the lever position range controls the switch position (i.e. 70-100% = switch up, 30-70% = switch middle, 0-30% = switch down). This is similar to the FlyingIron BF109 manual pitch control.
   1. Mouse interaction: the switches will behave like a 3-way toggle switch. Click and hold of the INC / DEC all plates would hold all 4 switches in place.
3. (Current implementation)The prop RPM switches function like a lever, so if you have an axis bound to prop RPM, the lever position controls the prop RPM %, and also the switch position. If your lever is at 75% then prop RPM is 75% and the lever position is 75%. This is least realistic but perhaps most convenient and familiar since it's how we typically control RPM in other aircraft.
   1. Mouse interaction: the switches will behave like a draggable lever

We'll probably share an experimental build here soon-ish, and listen to user feedback before making any final decision. We've prototyped Experimental 1 solution already.

 

[tiger1962]

I would go with Experimental 1, but if there's a way to make the switch position override the lever position I'd go with that instead.
Lever position authority over switch position would ideally require an EFB configuration utility where the user can define their own limits as per the Experimental 2 definition.

 

[Maty12]

Either 1 or 2 would work pretty well!

Don't know if it's of interest or possible in MSFS but in the old A2A B-17 and P-40 for FSX the increase/decrease prop pitch key bindings would instead toggle between decrease/neutral/increase, and I found that setup a pretty good compromise. So basically, if the switch was in the middle position you would press the key once to move to the increase or decrease postion, and if it was in either extreme and you wanted to move to the opposite extreme you would press the key twice. The controls for the gear, wing flaps and cowl flaps worked the same way.

 

[FlakNine]

We are getting close to releasing V21. Here's a provisional changelog and screenshot of the new cockpit lighting.

• Improved cockpit lighting
• Added cockpit lighting control knobs in position as per original flight manuals
• Fixed issues with exterior lights
• Updated exterior light labels to align with assigned switch functions
• Added animated "change-all" switch plates for Cowl Flap switches and Prop RPM switches
• Updated Prop RPM switch logic to function as a real 3-way switch
• Replaced many low res, pixelated cockpit labels and placards with all new higher resolution artwork created from scratch.
• Corrected Group ID letter and Radio Call letter on "The Beast" livery
• Fixed Attitude Indicator Cage knob
• Added click spots for sun visors (D only)
• Added settable intercooler switches, however these are only cosmetic, no intercooler is modeled
• Added attitude gyro cage knob

 

[Paul K]

Great to hear the Liberator's development continues. A little off-topic, but looking at that panel, and those of other aircraft from the 1940s through to the 1960s, it strikes me how much better the instruments and controls were laid out in American aircraft than British ones. We built some great aircraft, but when it came to cockpit ergonomics, the Americans were way ahead of us.

 

[Hollister56]

That's beautiful work FlakNine and thanks for the update. That goes for everyone working on this project with you. Looking forward to flying your next release. Thanks, Ed

 

[FlakNine]

V21 is released! Full changelog is

• Improved cockpit lighting
• Added cockpit lighting control knobs in position as per original flight manuals
• Fixed issues with exterior lights
• Updated exterior light labels to align with assigned switch functions
• Added animated "change-all" switch plates for Cowl Flap switches and Prop RPM switches
• Updated Prop RPM switch logic to function as a real 3-way switch (see flight manual for details)
• Replaced many low res, pixelated cockpit labels and placards with all new higher resolution artwork created from scratch.
• Corrected Group ID letter and Radio Call letter on "The Beast" livery
• Fixed Attitude Indicator Cage knob
• Added click spots for sun visors (D only)
• Added settable intercooler switches, however these are only cosmetic, no intercooler is modeled
• Added attitude gyro cage knob
• Added PDF copy of Flight Manual in Docs folder - always up-to-date web version is here

That's beautiful work FlakNine and thanks for the update. That goes for everyone working on this project with you. Looking forward to flying your next release. Thanks, Ed

Thanks for the kind words Ed - much appreciated!