JP (and co)'s Alphasim/Virtavia F-4 Revival for FSX/P3D

[delta_lima]

Thanks for clarifying the PBR model issue, JP. Yes, am looking forward to those, but the stores configuration is what I'm really stoked about. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with your layout /design for the stores selector. More intuitive than some payware I've had ...

The ECM pod (my mistake for earlier calling it the AN/ALQ-184 - that's the more recent version) - is "AN/ALQ-119", accuracy matters. No biggie if not. I know space is tight on the description field.

I think there was an AIM-4 Falcon somewhere in Pack 2, (I'm admittedly less familiar with that pack) but I can't recall which model it was and I'm at work so can't check. Not that anyone would mourn if this loadout was omitted .... given how poorly that missile worked in combat conditions.

cheers,

dl

PS - as per JP - the FS9 repaints are superb. In hindsight, some of the Gus Robotto paints while beautifully detailed, I find the stenciling a bit overpowering. But they're still lovely. Markus Hellwig's German repaints of the RF-4 are delightful, and Steve Bryant (Duckie)'s naval/USMC paints are my personal favourites. They literally have not aged whatsoever on this model. Absolutely stunning, even after all these years. Raid the SOH and Avsim libraries for your particular Phavourite Phlavour of Phantom - time to dust off those jewels.

 

[Postbaer61]

Thanks for this great new thread, DL

Sorry, i'm a little bit late to the party, but during the weekend i hadn't much time.
I have currently finished Pack 1 and pack2 with PBR texturing and installing the afterburner effects.
Now I'm a little bit unsure whether to finish Pack3 and release all three PBR packs ,
or should I wait for JP's "Weapons Configurator" versions and then finish all three packs with the new feature.
This would avoid, to do the conversions twice.

btw all old repaints will work in the PBR version too.

a little more glossy PBR version for airshow variants

Cheers
Ulrich

 

[gray eagle]

Thanks for this great new thread, DL

Sorry, i'm a little bit late to the party, but during the weekend i hadn't much time.
I have currently finished Pack 1 and pack2 with PBR texturing and installing the afterburner effects.
Now I'm a little bit unsure whether to finish Pack3 and release all three PBR packs ,
or should I wait for JP's "Weapons Configurator" versions and then finish all three packs with the new feature.
This would avoid, to do the conversions twice.

btw all old repaints will work in the PBR version too.





a little more glossy PBR version for airshow variants

https://i.postimg.cc/VvdBXvzw/Capture.jpg

Cheers
Ulrich

That AB effect sure look good!

 

[dhazelgrove]

Did you get the three supplemental Pack 3 models that were released and bundled in the Pack 3 paintkit?

They are:
Model 10: FGR2 (Early) - no RWR on the tail.
Model 11: RF-4B
Model 12: RF-4B/C (Late)

You can find the paint kits on the Virtavia freeware pages.

Dave

 

[expat]

Ah, that's where they were - thanks!

 

[Penz]

I have currently finished Pack 1 and pack2 with PBR texturing and installing the afterburner effects.
Now I'm a little bit unsure whether to finish Pack3 and release all three PBR packs ,
or should I wait for JP's "Weapons Configurator" versions and then finish all three packs with the new feature.

Wonderful shots Ulrich, you do great work!

If you can wait 4-5 days I can send you the finished "weaponized" models, with embedded lights, user controlled "slime lights" and all the trimmings, so you can focus on material conversion and adding the afterburner. You will also need a bit of my "modeldef.xml" with the custom entries, so MCX won't puke when loading the models, lol.

I know delays are always unpopular among consumers, but a "staggered" approach is, as far as I can see, the best way to avoid having to do the same thing twice, or more. I had to start all the models from scratch second time around, because the weapons are only separate Scenegraph nodes until MCX has had its hands on them and grouped them by material, so it's a matter of getting everything right in the very first pass.

Cheers,
JP

 

[Postbaer61]

Wonderful shots Ulrich, you do great work!

If you can wait 4-5 days I can send you the finished "weaponized" models, with embedded lights, user controlled "slime lights" and all the trimmings, so you can focus on material conversion and adding the afterburner. You will also need a bit of my "modeldef.xml" with the custom entries, so MCX won't puke when loading the models, lol.

I know delays are always unpopular among consumers, but a "staggered" approach is, as far as I can see, the best way to avoid having to do the same thing twice, or more. I had to start all the models from scratch second time around, because the weapons are only separate Scenegraph nodes until MCX has had its hands on them and grouped them by material, so it's a matter of getting everything right in the very first pass.

Cheers,
JP

Thank you very much, JP, but only of base of your great work.

Sure i will wait, i'm no hurry. I'm looking forward to your new "weaponized" models.
I will complete the pack 3 for me, to see if all new textures works as they should.
I will send you the three WIP packs, when ready, that you get the bump maps and effect files and settings.

Cheers
Ulrich

 

[delta_lima]

Hello Ulrich,

Thanks go to you for really prettying you these models. Your enhancements really do bring these old gems to current standards. The were quite well-modelled shape-wise to begin with, so the PBR really makes them pop.

As to sequence, it’s all in yours and JP’s hands, but here’s my view. Up until a month ago, these models were (especially for us P3D users) dearly loved “friends” who were no longer with us. Only the memories remained. But now, they’ve come back from the dead, as it were, and to impressive standards.

So if having the model work you two are doing converge takes an extra week, that’s nothing in the grand scheme of things. Even two weeks. We’re talking quality, and that’s always worth waiting for. There’s already a nice v1.2 to play with for folks that are really eager, and so in my view, I’m happy to wait.

I should be focused on my retro naval AI project anyway ...

Thanks again-it’s going to be great, that I know.

DL

 

[Postbaer61]

@DL
Thanks for the kind words, DL,
As we all know ... anticipation is the greatest joy! Isn't' it?

@ Dave,
Did you mean this ones ?

Cheers
Ulrich

 

[dhazelgrove]

@ Dave,
Did you mean this ones ?
Cheers
Ulrich

Yes indeed, those are the beasties.
It's the Pack 3 items that I'm wanting.

Dave

 

[xpelekis]

He, he...

 

[gray eagle]

Rio Seat view

Wish there was a Rio seat view - I don't think there was one originally. It would of been interesting.

 

[MrZippy]

Wish there was a Rio seat view - I don't think there was one originally. It would of been interesting.

Hi, Butch!

While in my usually monkeying around mode, I tried putting in the RIO position in my Alphasim PhantomII. I borrowed a RIO.bmp from a freeware Dino F-14. It works OK...close enough for Govt. work!



VC view


RIO View

 

[expat]

The model I want most that Virtavia missed making is an F-4B or F-4J with air to air, one center or two wing tanks and no bombs. I use the first model in Pack 2 (USAF F-4C) which is clean save for two wing tanks. Assume this is all sovled by having the load out options at some point?

Really like the photo bird in SEA camo also!

 

[delta_lima]

The model I want most that Virtavia missed making is an F-4B or F-4J with air to air, one center or two wing tanks and no bombs. I use the first model in Pack 2 (USAF F-4C) which is clean save for two wing tanks. Assume this is all sovled by having the load out options at some point?

Really like the photo bird in SEA camo also!

Hi Ex,

JP created a J with centreline tanks and AIM-9s as part of 1.2. It’s model 6 in Pack 1. That should tide you through until the version with stores configurator is released.

Yeah. The RFs... my beauties, aren’t they? For my taste most of the originally included paints are too old and basic in relation to how good the model still is. Thankfully there’s repaint solutions for that. For SEA USAF C recce birds, I recommend Russel Smith’s repaints. He did 3, if memory serves. They’re on Avsim.

https://library.avsim.net/sendfile.php?Location=AVSIM&Proto=file&ImageID=246647

Also on Avisim are a bunch of TPS USMC RF-4s by Mike Pearson that are nice. Am repeating myself but don’t mind when I say Steve Bryant’s paints make this look like payware, as do Marcus Hellwig’s German Air Force paints.

 

[expat]

Thanks for the steer DL.

 

[PhantomTweak]

Hi, Butch!

While in my usually monkeying around mode, I tried putting in the RIO position in my Alphasim PhantomII. I borrowed a RIO.bmp from a freeware Dino F-14. It works OK...close enough for Govt. work!

VC view

RIO View

I'm glad YOU like it, Zip, but bear in mind those are two totally different radar systems.
The F-14 radar is a LOT more up-to-date than the Phantom ever had. Not just it's capabilities, but everything.

Heck, in 1980, I remember getting modules for the F-4 radar I was working on that were under warranty from Westinghouse (we called it The Circle Bar W. Check their emblem ) until 1960. The warranty ran out in 1960. What's that say about when they were MADE???

I know for sure the Tomcat had much newer radar systems in it. Including the RIO's pit. ESPECIALLY the RIO's office

Just a little detail to bear in mind
Good flying to ya!
Pat☺

 

[Penz]

Going to take a little while longer before I'm finshed with the weaponized models - I found a couple of things to improve on that I really want to implement.

Not least, I found this diagram describing how the "approach lights" on the front wheel door work, in a RL Phantom document:

In the current 1.2 version I deleted those lights from the models that had them. But now I know how they are supposed to work, I'll have to include them, and make them work correctly, of course!

-JP

 

[Priller]

Thanks for the update JP!!

Priller

 

[Postbaer61]

Pack 3 is nearly ready, here some impressions.