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

[MrZippy]

I use to see em like that (Shiny) when we got them back from overhaul at NARF North Island. I'd have to help the AK's with the acceptance inventory/inspection. They sure did a nice
paint job on them back in in the day.

Sort of the same shiny Whale coming out of NARF Alameda. Boy that paint job got cruddy quickly!

 

[dhazelgrove]

Very impressive indeed.

I converted all the BMP textures to DDS, and dusted off some very old texture sets. These are all taken in P3Dv5.2 (latest).
In order: RF-4B, FGR2, F-4C, F-4D.

Shame there's no RF VC.

Dave

 

[Manschy]

Boah, those look very nice!

 

[CavOk]

It sounds like you haven't overwritten old mdl files with the new ones.

Please check this (using the first Pack12 variation to test it; so uncheck the box "all variations" when your select an F4 via the aircraft menu).
And focus on the SPoiler animation as seen in Spotplane view (Chute maybe another problem).

- Make sure the aircraft.cfg in your ..\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\ folder starts with the line ""// 1-5-2021, Changes by Rob, for Pack12, V1.2 beta4"
So you use the new aircraft.cfg

- Make sure you have copied the file F4B.mdl from my zip file Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\model.B\ folder to your \SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\model.B\
If unsure, do it again (the file should be overwritten).

Does the Spoiler animation in Spotplane view work now ??? No having completed the above steps.

But it seems there is more to this than I first realised.
Other authors models are displaying the same faults. Sometimes the spoilers work once and don't retract or don't work at all.

Mike
Hi Rob
Out of curiosity I uninstalled the update and reinstalled Virtavia Phantom II Reloaded V1.1 for FSX and all version of P3D.

Everything seems to be back to normal including models from other authors. Well I'm stumped!

 

[gray eagle]

Which version uses the metallic and shiny textures? With all the patches and updates, I've lost track were those two textures originally came from.

Never mind I found it.

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforu...-PBR-Texturing-in-native-P3D-v-4-4-Format-zip

 

[dhazelgrove]

Boah, those look very nice!

You can find then -- and many others -- if you search over at the AVSIM library for "Gus Robatto".

Dave

 

[lucame]

Hi everybody,

and thank you for this beautiful update.

I've noticed a strange issue.
I can load tanks, bombs and rockets with the loadmanager and I can see them when the plane is on the runway, but they disappeare when the plane accelerates...

Does anybody has an idea to fix it ?

Thank you and best regards lucame ( FSX)

 

[CavOk]

Hi everybody,

and thank you for this beautiful update.

I've noticed a strange issue.
I can load tanks, bombs and rockets with the loadmanager and I can see them when the plane is on the runway, but they disappeare when the plane accelerates...

Does anybody has an idea to fix it ?

Thank you and best regards lucame ( FSX)

Hi Lucame See my post at 424. I'm sure Rob is trying to sort this while meantime I've tried reinstalling the update piece by piece but I can never get past the F4B mdl. Removing the update and reinstalling the Virtavia_Phantom_V11 gives me full working models without the faults appearing as I described in other peoples models. I'm wondering if its vid card specific. By the way I'm using Prepar3d V5.2 my video card is a Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti running on Win 10
Regards
Mike

 

[rcbarend]

rcbF4V1-2.zip problems

Hi Guys,

Sorry to hear the problems reported here.
My V1.2 addon and update instruction was tested on FSX-Accel and P3dV4.3 by another user, and worked fine for him (like on my system).

A few remarks first:

1. My rcbF4V1-2.zip file is based on a clean install of JP's (Penz) V1.1, as he described it in his V1.1 package.

2. DO NOT try to use it with e.g. Ulrich Esser's P3D4 version of the package (PBR models); it won't work (see below).

3. To have the animations (like weapons visibility, spoiler, chute) work properly in MultiPlayer, and with the new way of inducing drag/weight effect of configured loadout, ALL the exterior visual model files (.mdl file) have changed in V1.2.
Meaning that if you use any other .mdl files (from other sources, like PBR .mdl files) it won't work since these .mdl files don't have the required changes for my V1.2

4. There is the possibility that my package doesn't work in P3D V5.2 (I don't have P3D myself, so can only test/describe it on FSX-Accel)
BUT: if JP's V1.1 package works fine in P3D V5.2 (as reported) I highly doubt that.


Which make me think the reported problems have something to do with incorrect installation of V1.2 (not 100% sure though).


To make sure any of the probems are not caused by old files on my FSX-Accel PC and the other testers P3Dv4.3 PC

1. Uninstall JP's V1.1; meaning: DELETE folders and all contents:
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 31\
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 32\
oo ...FSX(P3D)\Gauges\Virtavia_F-4_Phantom\


2. Install JP's V1.1 again; meaning: you should get the folder/files:
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 31\
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 32\
oo ...FSX(P3D)\Gauges\Virtavia_F-4_Phantom\
back again.

CHECK:
oo The filesize of ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\model.B\F4B.mdl should be appr. 9442 kB


3. Install my V1.2 package:
You can do that file/folder-by-file/folder, but the simplest is:

oo COPY the folder \Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\ from my V1.2 zip file to your ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\ folder.
Meaning that a number of files are added/overwritten.
CHECK:
oooo Windows asks you to overwrite 12 files.
oooo The filesize of ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\model.B\F4B.mdl should have changed to appr. 9472 kB

oo COPY the folder \Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 31\ from my V1.2 zip file to your ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\ folder.
CHECK:
oooo Windows asks you to overwrite 11 files.

oo COPY the folder \Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 32\ from my V1.2 zip file to your ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\ folder.
CHECK:
oooo Windows asks you to overwrite 8 files.

oo COPY the folder \Gauges\ from my V1.2 zip file to your ...FSX(P3D)\Gauges\ folder.
CHECK:
oooo Windows doesn't ask you to overwrite any files (everything is new)
oooo You should a.o. now have a file ...FSX(P3D)\Gauges\Virtavia_F-4_Phantom\rcb-gauges\airbrake.xml


Is that all correct sofar (exactly) ????
If not, report what's different.
If so, the install of V1.2 is probably correct and I need to go to the next step to get it solved.

But PLEASE, do exactly as I described above (nothing more / nothing less) .
Otherwise there is no way for me to debug such problems !!


As a sidenote:
My V1.2 package with all the described features, is a tweaked package of changed visual models, control gauges, aircaft.cfg and panel.cfg files; all based on JP's V1.1 package.
ANY deviation in installing it, or using something else (like other aircraft.cfg, panel.cfg or .mdl files) , MIGHT cause it not to work as intended.
That's what I need to find out first.

Rob

 

[rcbarend]

Hi everybody,

and thank you for this beautiful update.

I've noticed a strange issue.
I can load tanks, bombs and rockets with the loadmanager and I can see them when the plane is on the runway, but they disappeare when the plane accelerates...

Does anybody has an idea to fix it ?

Thank you and best regards lucame ( FSX)

Which FSX version ??
Because this only works in FSX-Accel/SteamEdition. as stated.

IF this is in FSX-Accel/SteamEdition: I'm willing to bet ...LoL... you didn't install V1.2 properly (given your description of the problem).
Please, reply to the post above ....

Rob

 

[lucame]

Hi Rob,

it' s FSX Acceleration.
All the old features ( AB, sonic boom, ...) and the new ones are there.
I have problems only with the external loads.

 

[CavOk]

Hi Guys,

Sorry to hear the problems reported here.
My V1.2 addon and update instruction was tested on FSX-Accel and P3dV4.3 by another user, and worked fine for him (like on my system).

A few remarks first:

1. My rcbF4V1-2.zip file is based on a clean install of JP's (Penz) V1.1, as he described it in his V1.1 package.

2. DO NOT try to use it with e.g. Ulrich Esser's P3D4 version of the package (PBR models); it won't work (see below).

3. To have the animations (like weapons visibility, spoiler, chute) work properly in MultiPlayer, and with the new way of inducing drag/weight effect of configured loadout, ALL the exterior visual model files (.mdl file) have changed in V1.2.
Meaning that if you use any other .mdl files (from other sources, like PBR .mdl files) it won't work since these .mdl files don't have the required changes for my V1.2

4. There is the possibility that my package doesn't work in P3D V5.2 (I don't have P3D myself, so can only test/describe it on FSX-Accel)
BUT: if JP's V1.1 package works fine in P3D V5.2 (as reported) I highly doubt that.


Which make me think the reported problems have something to do with incorrect installation of V1.2 (not 100% sure though).


To make sure any of the probems are not caused by old files on my FSX-Accel PC and the other testers P3Dv4.3 PC

1. Uninstall JP's V1.1; meaning: DELETE folders and all contents:
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\Done
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 31\Done
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 32\Done
oo ...FSX(P3D)\Gauges\Virtavia_F-4_Phantom\Done

I note that (P3D)\Gauges\Virtavia_F-4_Cockpitsounds aren't mentioned?


2. Install JP's V1.1 again; meaning: you should get the folder/files:
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\Done
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 31\Done
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 32\Done
oo ...FSX(P3D)\Gauges\Virtavia_F-4_Phantom\Done
back again.

CHECK:
oo The filesize of ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\model.B\F4B.mdl should be appr. 9442 kB correct


3. Install my V1.2 package:
You can do that file/folder-by-file/folder, but the simplest is:

oo COPY the folder \Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\ from my V1.2 zip file to your ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\ folder.
Meaning that a number of files are added/overwritten.
CHECK:
oooo Windows asks you to overwrite 12 files.correct
oooo The filesize of ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\model.B\F4B.mdl should have changed to appr. 9472 kBcorrect

oo COPY the folder \Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 31\ from my V1.2 zip file to your ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\ folder.
CHECK:
oooo Windows asks you to overwrite 11 files.correct

oo COPY the folder \Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 32\ from my V1.2 zip file to your ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\ folder.
CHECK:
oooo Windows asks you to overwrite 8 files.correct

oo COPY the folder \Gauges\ from my V1.2 zip file to your ...FSX(P3D)\Gauges\ folder.
CHECK:
oooo Windows doesn't ask you to overwrite any files (everything is new)correct
oooo You should a.o. now have a file ...FSX(P3D)\Gauges\Virtavia_F-4_Phantom\rcb-gauges\airbrake.xmlcorrect




Is that all correct sofar (exactly) ???? yes
If not, report what's different. I have tested and the spoiler and chute animation is still not working. Cockpit animation for the spoiler handle does work with an audible click. The click is absent on the RAF models.
Lastly the interference with other peoples models has ended. Spoilers work as expected
I've also repeated the test described in the readme and results are identical to my previous post
If so, the install of V1.2 is probably correct and I need to go to the next step to get it solved.

But PLEASE, do exactly as I described above (nothing more / nothing less) .
Otherwise there is no way for me to debug such problems !!


As a sidenote:
My V1.2 package with all the described features, is a tweaked package of changed visual models, control gauges, aircaft.cfg and panel.cfg files; all based on JP's V1.1 package.
ANY deviation in installing it, or using something else (like other aircraft.cfg, panel.cfg or .mdl files) , MIGHT cause it not to work as intended.
That's what I need to find out first.

 

[dhazelgrove]

Beware of The Red One (QF-4B, NMC).....

Dave

 

[rcbarend]

Hi Rob,

it' s FSX Acceleration.
All the old features ( AB, sonic boom, ...) and the new ones are there.
I have problems only with the external loads.

Please mail me a screenshot (see Email address at the bottom of my ReadmeV1.2.)
- Taken when this situation (disappearing loadout) occurs.
- In Spotplane view, from the front of the aircraft (so I can see the loadout visually)
- With the Loadout Configurator, Weapons Select/Radar and Debug 2D-windows opened.

Rob

 

[lucame]

Hi Rob,

I think I've fixed this issue.

I've simply reinstalled XMLTools and now the loads are visible, even during the flight.
Now I just have to try if everything works with TacPack but I suppose it will be OK.

Thank you for your time and your help lucame

 

[rcbarend]

Hi Guys,

Sorry to hear the problems reported here.
My V1.2 addon and update instruction was tested on FSX-Accel and P3dV4.3 by another user, and worked fine for him (like on my system).

A few remarks first:

1. My rcbF4V1-2.zip file is based on a clean install of JP's (Penz) V1.1, as he described it in his V1.1 package.

2. DO NOT try to use it with e.g. Ulrich Esser's P3D4 version of the package (PBR models); it won't work (see below).

3. To have the animations (like weapons visibility, spoiler, chute) work properly in MultiPlayer, and with the new way of inducing drag/weight effect of configured loadout, ALL the exterior visual model files (.mdl file) have changed in V1.2.
Meaning that if you use any other .mdl files (from other sources, like PBR .mdl files) it won't work since these .mdl files don't have the required changes for my V1.2

4. There is the possibility that my package doesn't work in P3D V5.2 (I don't have P3D myself, so can only test/describe it on FSX-Accel)
BUT: if JP's V1.1 package works fine in P3D V5.2 (as reported) I highly doubt that.


Which make me think the reported problems have something to do with incorrect installation of V1.2 (not 100% sure though).


To make sure any of the probems are not caused by old files on my FSX-Accel PC and the other testers P3Dv4.3 PC

1. Uninstall JP's V1.1; meaning: DELETE folders and all contents:
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\Done
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 31\Done
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 32\Done
oo ...FSX(P3D)\Gauges\Virtavia_F-4_Phantom\Done

I note that (P3D)\Gauges\Virtavia_F-4_Cockpitsounds aren't mentioned?


2. Install JP's V1.1 again; meaning: you should get the folder/files:
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\Done
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 31\Done
oo ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 32\Done
oo ...FSX(P3D)\Gauges\Virtavia_F-4_Phantom\Done
back again.

CHECK:
oo The filesize of ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\model.B\F4B.mdl should be appr. 9442 kB correct


3. Install my V1.2 package:
You can do that file/folder-by-file/folder, but the simplest is:

oo COPY the folder \Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\ from my V1.2 zip file to your ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\ folder.
Meaning that a number of files are added/overwritten.
CHECK:
oooo Windows asks you to overwrite 12 files.correct
oooo The filesize of ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 12\model.B\F4B.mdl should have changed to appr. 9472 kBcorrect

oo COPY the folder \Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 31\ from my V1.2 zip file to your ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\ folder.
CHECK:
oooo Windows asks you to overwrite 11 files.correct

oo COPY the folder \Virtavia F-4 Phantom II Pack 32\ from my V1.2 zip file to your ...FSX(P3D)\SimObjects\Airplanes\ folder.
CHECK:
oooo Windows asks you to overwrite 8 files.correct

oo COPY the folder \Gauges\ from my V1.2 zip file to your ...FSX(P3D)\Gauges\ folder.
CHECK:
oooo Windows doesn't ask you to overwrite any files (everything is new)correct
oooo You should a.o. now have a file ...FSX(P3D)\Gauges\Virtavia_F-4_Phantom\rcb-gauges\airbrake.xmlcorrect




Is that all correct sofar (exactly) ???? yes
If not, report what's different. I have tested and the spoiler and chute animation is still not working. Cockpit animation for the spoiler handle does work with an audible click. The click is absent on the RAF models.
Lastly the interference with other peoples models has ended. Spoilers work as expected
I've also repeated the test described in the readme and results are identical to my previous post
If so, the install of V1.2 is probably correct and I need to go to the next step to get it solved.

But PLEASE, do exactly as I described above (nothing more / nothing less) .
Otherwise there is no way for me to debug such problems !!


As a sidenote:
My V1.2 package with all the described features, is a tweaked package of changed visual models, control gauges, aircaft.cfg and panel.cfg files; all based on JP's V1.1 package.
ANY deviation in installing it, or using something else (like other aircraft.cfg, panel.cfg or .mdl files) , MIGHT cause it not to work as intended.
That's what I need to find out first.

So the installl of V1.2 appears to be correct.

Three remarks:
1. Sorry, I didn't mention the (P3D)\Gauges\Virtavia_F-4_Cockpitsounds folder (nor \Effects) since they are not relevant for debugging this.

2. I don't understand what you mean with your remark: Lastly the interference with other peoples models has ended. Spoilers work as expected

3. Since this is in P3D V5.2 (which I don't use, and was not tested):
I need explicite confirmation if this Spoiler animation issue you have (the Chute might be another problem) happens with the first Pack12 model (F4B) too.
Can you please Email me (see my EMail address in READMEV1.2.txt) such a screenshot with the F4B model:
- In Spotplane view, with the Spoiler animation state visible
- With the Debug 2D-window opened.

So a simular screenshot as the attached picture (in FSX-Accel) with the Pack12-F4B model.
No worries if extended spoilers ARENOT visible for you; that's what I'm trying to establish.
The same model , same situation, with the update V1.2 installed . I need to be able to read the values in the Debug window in a screenshot in P3Dv5.2

Rob

 

[rcbarend]

Problems Solved

After some private conversation, the problems with V1.2 as reported above , are solved .
In case anyone else has simular problems: problem was in the install of XMLTools.

Good to know now that the V1.2 update also works in P3DV5.2 (which isn't trivial ...LoL)

Cheers, Rob

 

[rcbarend]

You can find then -- and many others -- if you search over at the AVSIM library for "Gus Robatto".

Dave

Hi,

Can somebody tell me if these additional texture sets (made for the original Virtavia FS9 package) work in FSX/P3D with JP's V1.1 package ??

The problem I have:
For some reason (which I can't trace back) these texture sets always refer to specific models.
Virtavia named these model.1, model.2 etc ....
Whereas in JP's V1.1 package these models are referred to (and organised in three Pack versions) as model.B, model.C, model.F4K, model.GR1, etc etc .

So I'm trying to find a mapping ....

Rob

 

[lucame]

Hi Rob,

I' ve added some repaints to the Phantom packages in V1.1 and they work with V1.2, too ( I've tested for the moment the Phantom 12 package)

In every aircraft. cfg there are some informations about the plane ( F4B, F4E, ....): I've changed in "model=" 1, 2 or 3 with B, E or EJ ( for example) and the textures appeared.

There some interesting textures even for the recce versions.

Best regards Lucame

 

[dhazelgrove]

Hi,

Can somebody tell me if these additional texture sets (made for the original Virtavia FS9 package) work in FSX/P3D with JP's V1.1 package ??

The problem I have:
For some reason (which I can't trace back) these texture sets always refer to specific models.
Virtavia named these model.1, model.2 etc ....
Whereas in JP's V1.1 package these models are referred to (and organised in three Pack versions) as model.B, model.C, model.F4K, model.GR1, etc etc .

So I'm trying to find a mapping ....

Rob

They do indeed work, although I've converted them all to DDS.

In the original FS9 packages, there was a need for optional alternative fuel/weapon loadouts, as well as the different aircraft models.
Pack 1 was USN/USMC models. Pack 2 was USAF/Export models. Pack 3 was the RF/RR-engined variants.
Within each pack, an individual aircraft model and external fuel/weapon loadout (where options were offered) was achieved by an individual model number.
The flight dynamics were all exactly the same, though, no matter the weights and drag of the externals.

Now that there's the loadout manager, these are no longer required -- so all you have to worry about is what the aircraft model you're wanting to depict actually is.
This means that you'll have to modify the model and (in some cases) title entries for each individual [fltsim.x] entry.

There is one possible pitfall to bear in mind: some original repaints didn't include all the textures -- only those specific to the individual paint.
Be careful where you source the missing ones from, as you could get some interesting colour schemes as a result.

Dave