Flying Iron updates for the Me-109 and the P-38

P

Paul K

SOH-CM-2026
In case anyone didn't get the email...

Minor fixes to the 109, but major work done on the P-38, as below

Change Log for the 109:
-Fixed tiny clickspot issue
-Added Swiss J-702 livery

Change Log for the P-38
- Major flight model overhaul for pitch, roll and yaw behaviour
- Improved zero- to low-speed crosswind forces (reduced).
- Improved thermo dynamics logic
- Oil temp now initializes to proper temps when starting the flight with running engines
- Significant MOI improvements for all 3 axis
- Retuned sensitivity to turbulence
- Retuned all 3 flaps settings (notably flap 1 (8deg) works more like a maneuvering flap now)
- Other small tunings to make the above 3 points work well
- Fixed tiny clickspot issue in 2024

Hugely welcome, not just for the fixes to my favourite Flying Iron model, the P-38, but also the fact that Flying Iron is still alive and kicking!
 
And now the F6F Hellcat - I haven't flown it yet, but it looks like they've reworked the flight model, thank goodness.

Version 1.1.0

New Features

Automatic Mixture Control - The mixture lever now features realistic Auto Lean and Auto Rich modes. Full Rich has been rendered inoperative, matching the real F6F's design. Fuel consumption now varies realistically with mixture setting and altitude.

Flight Model Improvements
Stall Behaviour - Improved stall characteristics with smoother airflow detachment and reattachment, and more predictable aileron response near the stall. The aircraft now gives clearer pre-stall warnings through the controls.

Control Surface Response - Noticeably more responsive elevator and ailerons for crisper pitch and roll control. Rudder authority has been rebalanced for more natural coordinated turns.

Lateral Stability - Refined roll, pitch, and yaw stability for a more planted, confident feel in all flight regimes. Removed excessive virtual dihedral effect that made the aircraft feel artificially stable at times.

Trim System - Significantly improved aileron and rudder trim effectiveness. Trim now works much better across the flight envelope, reducing control forces during long cruise legs.

Engine & Performance Improvements
Engine Performance Tables - Fully implemented and tuned engine mechanical efficiency, friction, and manifold efficiency tables based on real R-2800 data. Power output now matches historical performance figures across all RPM ranges and power settings.

Supercharger Tuning - Refined supercharger boost ratios across all three altitude gears for more realistic manifold pressure behaviour at medium and high altitude.
Propeller Roll Effect - Reduced excessive propeller-induced roll moment for smoother, more natural handling.

Gyroscopic Precession - Fine-tuned the radial engine's gyroscopic precession effects on pitch and yaw for more authentic handling characteristics, especially during power changes and steep manoeuvres.
 
I could make my first flight with the P38. I have bought it quite some time ago but never had the time to fly it. I barely started the engines on ground a few times, then the click-zone problems appeared :D
But now these problems are solved so I could start cold&dark again and this time I left the parking spot... and immediately noticed the aircraft goes forward with zero throttle ?? Is that normal ?
Beside this issue which forced me to taxi on the brakes, the flight was nice. I don't "feel" it yet but it's pretty enjoyable in VR, so that plane will not be a hangar queen for sure.
 
Just had an email saying there is an update for the P-38...

Version 1.2.1

  • Auto Lean / Auto Rich mixture simulation - The mixture lever now properly simulates the real P-38L's three-position operation: Cutoff, Auto Lean, and Auto Rich. Engine performance and fuel consumption respond realistically to mixture setting.
  • Refined flight dynamics - Moment of inertia values have been corrected for more faithful aircraft rotation and handling characteristics.
  • Improved turbulence response - Roll, pitch, and yaw damping have been individually tuned for more natural behaviour in turbulent air.
  • Better crosswind ground handling - Takeoff and landing rolls in crosswinds are now more realistic and controllable.
  • Enhanced control surface behaviour - Elevator, rudder, and aileron response has been retuned across the speed envelope for smoother, more authentic stick feel.
  • Higher-fidelity aerodynamics - Increased the CFD resolution for a deeper simulation of flight dynamics.
  • Improved compressibility modelling - Elevator authority degradation at high speed has been refined for more realistic dive behaviour.
  • Unwanted roll tendency with gear retraction - Fixed an incorrect centre-of-gravity shift value on the right landing gear that caused the aircraft to roll when retracting the gear.
  • Left engine oil cooler simulation - Corrected the oil heating calculation so the left engine oil temperature now behaves correctly.
  • Oil cooler switch tooltips - Swapped AUTO/MANUAL labels on both left and right oil cooler switches so the tooltips match the actual switch positions.
 
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