Grumman F7F Tigercat, 1st Production Version.

[aleatorylamp]

Cabin progress

Good morning!
The glazed cockpit with canopy spars, pilot, instrument console, dashboard and seatback,
is slowly taking shape, and bleeds are being beaten successfully using convenient
glue-sequences like in the AT-9 Jeep some years ago.
Here´s a screenshot for eye-candy!
BTW, suggestions, constructive criticism or any ideas otherwise are welcome as usual.
Cheers,
Aleatorylamp.

 

[aleatorylamp]

Flaps, difficult!

Hello All,
The flaps on this machine are normal ones, i.e. they are in two parts, and not
of the split-flap type either, so wings have inboard and outboard cut-outs on
left and right aft engine-nacelle sides.

As I had already been fearing, things were going too well to be true without flaps,
and that these would be a very difficult task. The nice bleed-free wing/nacelle
construction has been quite short lived!

The flaps will require quite a few additional resources, and it won´t be possible to
maintain moving elevators, ailerons and fin as I had originally intended.

However, that will be no problem at all - the important thing now is to find ways
to get the flaps to display decently without too many bleeds.

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

Merry Christmas!

Hello Folks,
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

Difficult...

Hello Folks,
I hope you have all hade a good Christmas, and that everybody will have a Happy New Year, including a St. Sylvester evening celebration corresponding to their wishes!

The flaps issue on the Tigercat is rather difficult. The cleanest solution is not to have any flaps at all!

At the moment, I have two components on top of the engine nacelles: One small convex "hat" near the leading edge behind the engine, and one top component behind that, covering the bleeds from the lower mid-nacelle structure underneath.

The obvious conclusion now would be to eliminate the lower nacelle structure and build out the nacelle-top component into a whole complete nacelle, perhaps separating the aft-portruding end as an aft-nacelle component.

But that will not solve the problem of the inner and outer flaps on either side of the aft-portruding nacelle-end.

One experiment was moderately successful, involving placement of flaps and aft-nacelles into Tail Left/Right families.

At least inner flaps don´t bleed through the nacelle-ends when viewed from the side, and the opposite outer flaps one doesn´t bleed through the opposite nacelle-end either.

But... the outer flaps now bleed through the aileron portion of the wing end, and there aren´t enough components left over to separate ailerons from the wing to place those into Tail Left/Right as well...

Well... we shall see... maybe...
Cheers,
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

Flap Improvements

Hello Folks,
Some good news, for a change... about time too!

Turning the nacelle structure into a component has quite a few advantages.
Apart from the fact that parts count is down from 138.2% to 123.8%, I was able to
a- eliminate the nacelle-top cover as there were no more nacelle-wall bleeds through the wing.
b- make the aft-nacelle sides straight instead of round - only the bottom is round. The structure hadn´t allowed that.
c- implement a convenient glue-sequence: Inner-flap, inner-wing, nacelle, outer-wing, outer-flap, and outer aft-wing.
d- group all this in Wing Mid left/right, with no messy Tail left/right grouping.

There is still some interaction with nacelle-ends, outer flaps, and the component which is the aileron portion of the
wing, seen from the opposite side. This can be see in the first 2 screenshots on the left, where the lower corner of
the left flat bleeds through the left nacelle-end, both extended and retracted.

On the right side though, the display is remarkably clean.
All in all, it is very much better than what I was expecting, and something will hopefully come to my mind to get
the outer flap/nacelle issue better.

So, it looks like it´s going quite well again, for the moment. Here are a couple of screenshots for eye-candy.
Grumman did make a beautiful and elegant machine, didn´t they?

As soon as I get it a little better I´ll post another WIP model, for those interested to play around
with and have a closer look.
Cheers,
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

Flaps still difficult - WIP model V3

Happy New Year to all!

With the two components (wing and flap) on either side of the nacelle,
improving the existing glue sequence so that the outer flap does not interfere
with the outer wing is still very elusive.

The AF99 logic behind this I bet would even escape the capacities of Sophie,
although it IS remarkable how politely and diplomatically she reacted to the
stroppy university interviewer. Maybe Sophie should be the interviewer, or perhaps
better, a teacher at the university, instead of a student. This way she could teach
some manners, and also suggest ways for students not to shoot their peers...

Anyway, back to the Tigercat:
Now, as I´d already feared, even with the wing in 3 sections - inner and mid with
their flaps, and outer, there are still problems, also with the nacelle in left and
right halves (which I´ve discarded).

Parts Count is at 126.8. There are still 2 components and 12 structures free.

Instead of the outer flap bleeding through the outer wing, it is now the nacelle
end that makes it disappear. Other arrangements make other things disappear.

Then, more glue-frugal building sequences involving all possible groups in the wing
area only yield worse results.

I still have to try out adding insignia flap parts somewhere, although that will probably
also be conflictive because they will also cause problems from some viewpoints...

So anyway, for the moment, here´s WIP model Version 3.
It´s definitely better than before!

It has transparent, inhabited cockpit with provisional dashboard, and also working flaps,
whose display isn´t perfect though. Then, underneath nacelle-wingroots and upper cabin
spars in VC view still need a bit of work.

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

Improved wing glue-sequence

Hello All,
As I mentioned before, there is a glue problem at the engine nacelles, where outer
flaps and central and outer wing sections must be glued. Upto now, all wing/flap/nacelle
elements are in Wing Mid left/right.

However, there IS a combination with another group that offers a little improvement.
Splitting the sequence in two, and combining it with Inner Wing Mid left/right, it improves:

Wing Mid left/right now only groups outer wing/flap elements (central wing sections,
outer flaps and outer wings).

Innerwing Mid left/right now groups inner wing/flap elements, engine-nacelles, and the
little wing-top convexities.

Flaps now display properly, both retracted and extended, and the wing-top convexities too.
However, as AF99 now uses automatic glue between the two groups, there´s a slight,
momentary bleed between nacelles and central wing sections.

Nevertheless, it all looks much better, and quite promising...

Update: I tried using separated inner and outer nacelle-half components again, this time
in the new glue sequences mentioned above, but it only brought back the previous
flap/nacelle bleeds.

So, the lesser evil seems to be the momentary outer nacelle-wall bleeding through the wing
when viewed from vertically above, which is not a commonly used viewing angle anyway. Also,
with the dark-blue colour scheme on this model, I suppose this small flaw will go largely unnoticed.

I´ll get on with the wheel wells and doors now, and then start on the textures.
More, later...
Cheers,
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

Negligible nacelle bleeds

Hello All,
I found a FS98 example from 1999, of the Tigercat in Navy-blue livery by Chris Lampard,
with rather good textures.

I am loosely basing the textures for the CFS1 Tigercat on these, lightening up the overall
colour slightly, adapting the texture mapping to fit, and changing the markings.

As expected, once textured, the nacelle bleeds virtually disappear, as the nacelles are
textured in the same dark-blue as the wings.

Here are some "after-before" screenshots.
The one on the right (furthermost) has the yellow-coloured, untextured nacelles bleeding
through the top wings, and the one on the left (furthermost) shows how the textures
conceal the bleeds.

So that´s one problem solved, that was still bothering me to some extent.
Even for a possible re-paint of the model in silver-grey likefor example the "Test" prototype
Tigercat, the bleeds would also go unnoticed.

Then, the centre screenshot shows texture progress on wings, fin and tailplanes.
I got the typeface correct this time!

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

Wheel-door/ Engine-nacelle bleeds

Hello Folks,
Slowly things are coming together, and I still have to decide on the registration number.

Candidates for this F7F-1 model are either number 99, with the number only on the tail,
and not on the wings, engine nacelles or nose, or alternatively number 01, with numbers
painted on the fin and on the nose. Possibly I´ll go for the 01.

At the moment, there´s bleed-battles between wheel doors and engine nacelles.
Wheel-wells seem OK grouped in Wing Low left/right, but wheel-doors make problems there,
despite glue templates. Similar problems also arise if grouped with the landing gear in
Gear Left/Right, with inner-doors in Gear Centre, or also, grouped in Innerwing Mid Left/Right,
glued in sequence with the nacelles.

The problems in these 3 available grouping methods seem to be caused on one hand, by the
low-reaching engine-nacelles, and on the other, by the the landing gear being positioned right
at the front of the wheel doors. So, I´ll have to see if I can at least find a lesser evil...

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

Improvements very slow...

Hello all,
A small but dubious improvement was a 4th grouping method, involving engine-nacelles grouped in
Wing Low Left/right and sequenced with wheel-wells and doors, eliminating the Nacelle/Door interaction,
leaving only a Gearstrut/Door one.

However, it ruined the rather nicely-working sequence achieved previously, that properly displayed inner
and outer flaps with the nacelle in-between.

Sixpence of one and half a shilling of the other...

Update - Surprisingly, quite an improvement:
I´ve just moved the gear-doors and wells from Wing Low left/right back into Innerwing Mid Left/right again,
but with a more precise glue-sequence, so this time it has worked much better!

Flaps, nacelles and wheel doors display correctly. It is a combination of the positive results of the last two trials.
Now the only a remaining minor issue is the landing gear struts shining through the wheel doors.

Expectedly, duplicating the wheel-doors into the landing-gear groups as insignia parts did the trick.
It´s not perfect on the inner wheel-door, but it will have to suffice.

Update 2 - Still not perfect:
Yet another glitch: The inner wing shines through the nacelles! There´s always the kicker, isn´t there?
So many parts in the Innerwing Mid left/right groups now, that it´s got very complicated.
Not even duplicating the engine-nacelles works... the nacelles then shine through the inner wings!

Let´s see if slowly but surely we can get what we want... Maybe some mumbo-jumbo will work.
Cheers,
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

Time for another WIP model!

Hello Folks,
Although there is still a considerable amount of work to be done, I think the improvements so
far warrant another WIP model post.
It´s not going too badly, which is very pleasing.

The main aspect still needing work are the hairline cracks and fine adjustments of parts in several different areas of the model.
These defects are now more apparent given the dark-blue navy textures the aircraft now has.

The model is now fully textured with provisional No. 99 Navy textures, but the panelling still needs to be improved.
There were lots of adjustments and alterations made to the textures of the FS98 Tigercat by Chris Lampard, so the resemblance has practically disappeared, although they proved very useful as a starting point and guideline.

Summarizing over the previous WIP-V3, in Version 4:
-Wheelwells and geardoors have been put in, and display is reasonably acceptable, although there are still some minor bleeds of geardoors through the wing seen from above, and also through the propeller disc, although this last thing will be a bit hard to solve.
- Flaps display has been improved, and the glue sequences involved are more effective.
- The .air file has been improved a bit further as regards wheel stance on the tarmac. Suggestions as to aircraft behaviour will be welcome.
As before:
- Panel is aliased to that of P51D Mustang.
- Sound is aliased to that of the P47D Thunderbolt.

So... Those interested can have fun and play around with the model, and also have a peek inside if they are so inclined.
Cheers,
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

Bleed problems

Hello Folks,
The bleed problems in this model have not been solved yet, and I haven´t made
any further progress on them, so it is still on standby. I ´ll see if i can at least
provide an improvement.
It seems I´m going to run into similar problems with the new Havoc project.
We´ll see how it goes...
Cheers,
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

Good news

Hello Folks!

At last, a winning streak in the fight against bleeds!

After several different tries at re-grouping engine nacelles and wheel-doors,
the annoying bleeds through nacelles and wings have finally gone, and the
model now good for upload.

Here are some screenshots - the wheeldoors are in bright red to make sure
I see any naughty bleeds... but it seems OK now. This will of course pave the
way for succesfull bleed-fighting with the new A-20 Havoc which is well underway
by now.

I´ll be uploading the model after I adjust the Dp files and finish the readmes.

Cheers
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

Getting ready...

Hello All,

Getting a model ready for upload is not only the model, but also other things that take
some time to prepare.

I´ve just done a Tigercat look-alike panel for default CFS1 gauges. It is not exactly like
the photo-original, but that wasn´t the intention, as I wanted better visibility of the
outside world. I´ve also adapted Smilo´s a bomb aimer´s panel for a solid nose,
re-calibrated for the Tigercat´s higher speeds.
For the moment, here´s a couple screenshots of the two panels.

Then, the model has to be run through SCASM to correct the virtual cockpit chase
view, so there´s still some work left before the upload.

Incidentally, I finally managed to get into Flightsim.com, which my browser was blocking,
by using a different one, and there´s a good FS98 Tigercat there, albeit without a
transparent cockpit, so this one won´t be totally redundant.

I´ve also separated WEP in the .air file from the normal throttle lever travel, and it will
be 58 inches of mercury for normal max. manifold pressure at full throttle, with 2000 Hp,
giving 349 mph at S.L. and 415 mph at 15000 ft.

Then, pressing F10 there´s an extra 8 inches of mercury for WEP (type 2), with a total
of 66 inches of MP and 2400 Hp, giving 394 mph at S.L. and 459 mph at 15000 ft.

For CFS1´s single speed blower, this is quite a good approximation to the performance
with the 2-speed blower in the specs, and I expect it will be quite enjoyable to fly.

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

The model now has a SACAM-corrected virtual cockpit, and I´ve implemented some
propeller blurs á la Ivan, and also liquidated a number of hairline cracks seen from above.

Having forgotten about the hairline cracks seen from below, I´ll have to catch those now,
and SCASM the model again before I upload it.

Also, after some extra trials, there are now two P&W R-2800-34W engines installed, instead
of the -22W ones. These deliver 300 more Hp each, and push top speed at critical altitude up from 430 mph to 460 mph, without affecting performance lower down, which is excellent.

This makes it into a very pleasing power-house to fly, and the model itself is fortunately
progressing very nicely after this long lull period. It won´t be long now.
Meanwhile, here´s some more screenshots.

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

Grumman Tigercat F7F3 uploaded

Hello Folks,

Once approved by the warbirds library, the Grumman Tigercat F7F3
will be available at the following link:

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/local_links.php?action=jump&catid=19&id=27029

I hope you enjoy the aircraft.
Let me know if anything is amiss!

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp

 

[aleatorylamp]

CFS1 Grumman F7F3 Tigercat.zip

A new entry has been added to Add-Ons Library, category CFS 1 Aircraft Add-Ons

Description: The Grumman F7F3 Tigercat was an American heavy fighter and light bomber that served with U.S.Navy + U.S. Marine Corps from late WWII until 1954.

This release depicts the third production version, powered by two 2400 Hp P&W R-2800-34W radial engines, with a top speed of 460 mph, of which 189 units were produced. It was the first twin-engined, tricycle-gear fighter deployed by the USN. 364 units of all variants were built.

Includes CFS1 .air file, AFX and PCX Source files, DP files, and custom panel for mostly default gauges, adapted bomb aimer's panel from an original by Smilo, as well as SCASM-corrected virtual cockpit view.

By Stephan Scholz.

To check it out, rate it or add comments, visit CFS1 Grumman F7F3 Tigercat.zip
The comments you make there will appear in the posts below.