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  • Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.

    Post 16 Update

    Post 17 Warning

Just Another Boring Formation Flight

Bomber_12th

Bomber_12th

SOH-CM-2025
Today I threw together the idea of putting the P-51D up in the air together with the Spitfire Mk.XIV, and do some close-in formation work, around Cambridgeshire once again. Despite very poor weather ('real-world' weather), it did make for quite a stunning and very fun experience.<o:p></o:p>
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Though a bit long, I hope you will enjoy re-living this flight through the following screenshots and text. Feel free to open/download any or all of the screenshots to view them full-size.
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Just as all flights begin, with start and warm-up, this first shot is from the cockpit of the Mustang out at his number 2. Being a slightly faster aircraft, the Mk.XIV, for this flight, would be flying wing rather than lead. Both the Mustang and the Spitfire are excellent for formation work, in either position. (There was quite the 'row of roundels' on the airfield when this shot was taken, as can be seen by the aircraft behind the Spit)<o:p></o:p>
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Taxiing out, some of the resident Duxford warbirds can be seen in the background.<o:p></o:p>
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Lifting off, and gear coming up, the take-offs were staggered by just a few seconds. The benefit of a place like Duxford, is that you can easily perform mass take-offs, with up to three fighters abreast off of the grass surface. In this case, both take-offs were performed simply from the main 'hard runway', with the aircraft's positions off-set from the centerline.<o:p></o:p>
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Climbing out of the Duxford airspace, and starting to form up as number 2 tucks in.<o:p></o:p>
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When flying wing, with the exception of quick engine-temp scans, the pilot's eyes are always focused on lead, as very well demonstrated here. : )<o:p></o:p>
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The weather wasn't already the greatest at Duxford, but it really began to deteriorate as the flight went along.<o:p></o:p>
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Still, there were enough breaks in the clouds to be quite manageable for a while.<o:p></o:p>
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Now tucked in tight on lead, some close-in shots of number 2 off the right wing (pilot still focused on lead's aircraft).<o:p></o:p>
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Instruments check, or so I am told... ; )<o:p></o:p>
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The view from the cockpit of the Mustang, looking over the right shoulder.<o:p></o:p>
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All along, the goal was to try and climb above most of the weather, if possible.<o:p></o:p>
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Like a shadow...<o:p></o:p>
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Just a gorgeous aircraft.<o:p></o:p>
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Skirting around the weather, but still maintaining close formation.<o:p></o:p>
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Clouds now safely below...<o:p></o:p>
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...and just blue sky and sun above.<o:p></o:p>
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Here is one of the best illustrations of the kind of weather that was experienced during the flight (and tried to be avoided as best as possible).<o:p></o:p>
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Eventually starting a descent towards Duxford.<o:p></o:p>
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Approaching the field, some space was put between lead and number 2, in order to setup for a little bit of a tail-chase over the field, before break and landing. Here, number 2 is starting to slip back behind the Mustang.<o:p></o:p>
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Heading down the chute, now with ample space separating the aircraft.<o:p></o:p>
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"Follow the Leader" <o:p></o:p>
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Mustang on downwind, flaps half, gear locked, and canopy opened for added effect. ; )<o:p></o:p>
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Just moments before a tail-low main-wheel landing. As can be seen, by the time tires touched dirt again, the weather was quite awful.<o:p></o:p>
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<o:p> </o:p>Before putting the aircraft to bed, another quick photo-opportunity was had. I hope you've enjoyed this set!<o:p></o:p>
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I can tell you put a lot of effort into the flight, the screenshots, and the post.

Excellent job! Stuff like this keeps me motivated to continue on with FSX!

Regards, Diego
 
Thank you Sundog!

Re: my avatar, yes I'm trying to do all that I can to get in the spirit/right mode of thinking - make the shift/transition easier (new books, new manuals, new websites, new folks to talk with, all to shift focus onto a completely different aircraft than the Mustang (a big change for me, lol)).
 
MenendezDiego said:
I can tell you put a lot of effort into the flight, the screenshots, and the post.

Excellent job! Stuff like this keeps me motivated to continue on with FSX!

Regards, Diego
Click to expand...

Thank you Diego!

Unfortunately, despite how much fun it is, it really does eat up the time. I decided to take the opportunity to do something like this, now, before I get back into full "developer-mode" again, which is starting to happen more and more every day, and all of the time I set asside for sitting at the computer (far too much as is) will be sucked up in modeling and texturing again. : )
 
Diego, I also just wanted to add, following your feedback, how great it is to hear that these screesnhots/text could maybe spark some more, as you say, motivation, or interest. The thing that used to make FS so addicting for me (besides the seemingly constant flow of freeware which made it seem like Christmas almost every day!) were the routine screenshot threads (none probably more prolific than that of Panther's), which would provide a lot of inspiration/drive to want to experience/reproduce for myself, what others had done/shown in their screenshot posts (and at the same time try to improve my 'screenshot-taking' abilities, so they might be worth showing).

Although I don't know how easy it is to tell, or not, but Nick Churchill has probably been the single biggest inspiration for me personally, at trying to make 'interesting' screenshots/try to do something that is outside of the general 'norm', and just for that reason, to try and achieve that, it is enjoyable (and addicting).
 
You have a great eye for a shot. It goes without saying that the P-51 1ooks amazing, but the old RealAir Spitfire still scrubs up nicely. She was the first payware aircraft I ever bought for FSX, and it's nice to see her with the latest.
 
Thank you all for the feedback and compliments on the screenshots!

It does speak volumes for how close to perfection the RealAir Spitfire is, when after 4-5 years of FS-development have gone by, it still looks amazing, and remains the Spitfire for me.

BTW, who wouldn't want to have a Griffon-powered high-back Spitfire for themselves (be sure to check out the low bank and pass after the 5:11 mark)? ; )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdT7_qshR9w

Flying over the Channel from France to Duxford, UK.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBRPILoefik
 
Really great shots John and an inspiration to (finally) build a new rig that can show all these great aircraft and scenery packages in all their glory.

Little bit off-topic but was mentioned above -- what ever happened to Panther?? He was an inspiration to me starting back in the FS2004 days.
 
He's still active in the 'NewsHawks' forum, though he got out of the flight simulation hobby and into photography.
 
Magnificant shots John and also an inspiration for me to drag the Mustang and Spitfire (also my first FSX addon purchase) out of the hangar for some screenies around Duxford...time willing very busy time of year!

Surprised nobody has really picked up on on your the next aircraft (maybe they have and not mentioned it)...the Bell P-39 Airacobra...
 
Bomber_12th said:
Diego, I also just wanted to add, following your feedback, how great it is to hear that these screesnhots/text could maybe spark some more, as you say, motivation, or interest. The thing that used to make FS so addicting for me (besides the seemingly constant flow of freeware which made it seem like Christmas almost every day!) were the routine screenshot threads (none probably more prolific than that of Panther's), which would provide a lot of inspiration/drive to want to experience/reproduce for myself, what others had done/shown in their screenshot posts (and at the same time try to improve my 'screenshot-taking' abilities, so they might be worth showing).

Although I don't know how easy it is to tell, or not, but Nick Churchill has probably been the single biggest inspiration for me personally, at trying to make 'interesting' screenshots/try to do something that is outside of the general 'norm', and just for that reason, to try and achieve that, it is enjoyable (and addicting).
Click to expand...


I used to be all about the screenshots! I spent a lot of time at screenshotworld.

Honestly though, with real world flying, class time, and a part time job, I haven't had the time :(

Maybe in the future!

Regards, Diego
 
Naki said:
Magnificant shots John and also an inspiration for me to drag the Mustang and Spitfire (also my first FSX addon purchase) out of the hangar for some screenies around Duxford...time willing very busy time of year!

Surprised nobody has really picked up on on your the next aircraft (maybe they have and not mentioned it)...the Bell P-39 Airacobra...
Click to expand...

Well, I have wanted to try and keep it on the 'down low' for a little while longer/not yet officially announced. ; )

Thanks for the compliments, Naki!
 
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