MV F-4E Phantom II Released!

[Scandinavian]

For those using the J on naval ops ....

Does the start cart show up - and work - on a moving carrier properly? On their F-86, when I try and start my "FJ Fury" from a carrier, the cart won't appear. So once I shut down, I can't restart, if on the carrier. No biggie on that one, as I use the "FJ" most as shore-based, and do trap practice a dozen or so miles off the coast of Corpus Christi, or Hawaii, etc.

But hoping that's not the case for the "J" Phantom.

cheers,

dl

I haven't tried the Phantom yet, but if the cart is designed to appear when shut down and standing still a moving carrier will inhibit that. That's just how FSX works.

 

[DaveQ]

What do you mean by "local" issue? Sounds like some of us have some kind of disease when you put it that way.

Do you have some suggestions or answers as to why some have brown missiles? I went through several installs/uninstalls and downloads on Monday, until Jon provided me with an alternate F4_sys.dall file to get the jet fired up. So why should my external missile textures be any different than yours?

Sorry - didn't mean to imply any disease state or cause offence!! I just meant maybe, like my afterburner issue, it's peculiar to individual set-ups. The only thing that crossed my mind was an issue with the bump file since that can sometimes cause odd very shiny textures to appear.

DaveQ

 

[WarHorse47]

Sorry - didn't mean to imply any disease state or cause offence!! I just meant maybe, like my afterburner issue, it's peculiar to individual set-ups. The only thing that crossed my mind was an issue with the bump file since that can sometimes cause odd very shiny textures to appear.

DaveQ

We tend to forget that it's just not one Phantom II that was released, but three different versions for FSX, FSX Steam and P3D and even the P3D release is limited to specific P3D versions from what I read. My theory is that some of the coding might have been mixed up by accident between the different versions. I'm experiencing the brown textures in the standard FSX set-up.

When you refer to "individual set-ups" the only major differences would be the graphics card or drivers - and that doesn't make sense given what we know about the texture files, etc.

Anyways, the issue is back in MV's court, so lets see what the hotfix brings.

 

[stovall]

A note on the Milviz F-4 J and E repaints I have released in the Military Library. These were made over a year ago using the Paint Kit released with the Beta version of the aircraft. There are at least two problems that Paint Kit has with the current model. These include the RIO's helmet remains unpainted. Only the pilots helmet is painted. Also noticed there is an issue with the pylons. The right pylon color is shown on the left pylon and there is some kind of design on the left pylon. This is all I have found for now.

No doubt these two issues will be corrected with the upcoming current paint kit to be release in the next few days. I will releasing a fix for these issues once the paint kit comes out. You say why not just repaint the aircraft using the new paint kit. The answer is the paints of this aircraft represent hours upon hours of work. Fortunately there will be very few changes needed. Stay tuned.

 

[Ian Warren]

Thanks Tom , off to the Library

 

[DaveQ]

When you refer to "individual set-ups" the only major differences would be the graphics card or drivers - and that doesn't make sense given what we know about the texture files, etc.

Anyways, the issue is back in MV's court, so lets see what the hotfix brings.

.

Just as a comment, the afterburner problem seems to be related to DX10 in some way since, if I switch back to DX9, it disappears. My graphics card is an Nvidia GeForce GTX 760 Ti running with an Intel i7-4820 CPU and 16Gb RAM on Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium. Currently practising traps and cats on the Enterprise with the -J while waiting for the paint kit. Superb piece of kit, this!!

DaveQ

 

[delta_lima]

Running DX10 here ... no issues with AB.

dl

 

[delta_lima]

Quick mini-review

Broke down and got this bird last night ... had only 5 min to read the manual and 30 min to fly - just a few quick words:

First, I know I've stated the importance of the naval model(s) - so I'm really glad this release featured the J - with a bonus E model - awesome! C'mon, just a bit of humour ...

Seriously now, quite happy with this model, and feel it has some great strengths worth communicating. In no particular order,

• Amazingly detailed model. Has to be seen to be fully appreciated.
• Exceptional paint - the included paint schemes are beautifully weathered (I know haters will hate, whatever) - just adds to the immersion. Ditto for the interior - looks "lived in" without being cartoonish.
• FDE wise - feels good, but will take a bit of a learning curve. This is not the Alphasim or C9 Phantom. Much more complex, and at least so far, I'm finding it much harder to be proficient at it - it's a fairly involved simulation, not just a model. Naval nuts will want to know how it handles coming aboard the boat ... to be honest, and I'm usually fairly adept at carrier landing - but this one I'm struggling to land smoothly, balancing being on speed, on AoA, and having the right pitch angle for "optimum" (not great) visibility - I did a couple of traps just to say I did, but I'm going to have to spend a good few hours doing FCLP before I feel happy about going to the boat.
• Systems - only got enough time to get it started - I know I'm missing a few steps, some switches I can't find - again, there is a real depth to what this a/c can do.
• Performance (hardware-wise) - Amazing. On a mid-range i5 I'm getting 27.5-28.9/30.0 locked around either default or mid-level complexity airfields (Calclassic, modified MAIW fields, etc) . On board the Enterprise that drops down to approx. 22-24, and to about 20 aboard the USS Kittyhawk (both payware boats).
• Loadout module - once you figure out it's a drag/drop interface (is that a first??? never seen that before) its very easy to use. One minor issue (see below).
• Slime lights - again, I made much hay about this, and glad it was sorted - but I was very surprised how MV achieved this. It's a toggle-able item off the loadout module. Now that is BRILLIANT. I'm not sure exactly which year this came on for the E, but as they were never on a J, it allows them to be de-selected. In the interim (until the full S comes out), though, if anyone does any of the later S-type repaints, then these can be added for a measure of realism. Great solution. I hope this can be kept on the full future S model, as it too, didn't have them on it's whole life (just the last few years). Will open that model to a whole larger breadth timewise of schemes that can be repainted. So again - bravo on a great solution.
• TacPac - others can comment, as I don't have that at this time, nor likely.

Challenges/criticisms:

• Loadout screen - really small/hard to read. Roughly doubling in size would really help.
• Loadout screen - never did find the "ready to fly" option ... I'm sure it's there, but I just couldn't find it.
• Loadout screen - "chocks" sets up the ladder - I didn't see any wheel chocks - was that the intention?
• Generator panel (shift+2) - switches work but no gauges .... am I missing something?
• Tooltips - would make life a lot easier. I think MV doesn't do these on most their models, so not expecting it, but would really help in memorizing all the functions.
• Height warning beeping - I looked for a cancel button, but to no avail.

Overall, I'm happy with it. I didn't buy until the J model was available - and even though some would argue I'm doing it backwards, that model was the only reason I bought it. But I'm happy to reward the development of the type in general, with a hope of future development of the S in particular. I maintain my original prediction that the "J" - while maybe just an "extra bonus" will be the lynchpin in this model's success - to the extent that it affords both USN/USMC repaint options, as well as - again, with a little suspension of disbelief - some C/D options too. That decision was critical, and doubtlessly MV will see that reward sale-wise.

cheers,

dl

 

[henrystreet]

just a few quick words:
cheers,
dl

this helps me a lot

 

[DaveB]

Cheers dl.. appreciate that

As I've already mentioned.. had I been aware the J was included, I may have dived in already but I don't really want an E.. especially at $50 (no matter how many years it took to put together)!! Now.. I've reached a point where I'm happy to wait for the naval version and/or.. this one appears in a sale which I doubt will be yet awhile. Not to be completely put off.. I went and bought the Bear Studio's Naval Flanker instead. It's also a pig to trap (weight is the key) and of course.. all the switches and controls are in Russian (very few have tooltips either).

Fear not.. MV will get me in the end though not yet
ATB
DaveB

 

[WarHorse47]

I agree with delta_lima, but there are a few more points to make..

My understanding is that the Generator Panel is a leftover from the beta and not to be used. Instead display the generator using the Config Manager, then turn on the generator by going to the AddOn Menu. There is a command there for the Phantom.

Some of us are experiencing some texture issues with the Sidewinder, Left Stabilizer and AB.

The manual at the moment seems to be missing a lot of detail. Although I can set up the INS and Nav Computer to eliminate the warning light, I still haven't figured out how to navigate from point A to point B.

@DaveB, I believe the flanker has an option to convert the cockpit into English. Been awhile since I flew it, but I know the Su30 has it. Look in the Bear Studios folder in the root FSX directory.

 

[DagR]

Hmm, I have brownish grey Sparrows but Sidewinders and stab is all ok

 

[DaveB]

@DaveB, I believe the flanker has an option to convert the cockpit into English. Been awhile since I flew it, but I know the Su30 has it. Look in the Bear Studios folder in the root FSX directory.

Ahh.. thanks WH
ATB
DaveB

 

[YoYo]

The nice wallpaper for lover's Phantom . On my desktop from now.

http://images69.fotosik.pl/1031/574fd9acaaa90ed8.jpg

 

[Boomer]

Adjusted Bob's launch bar settings a bit in the aircraft.cfg:
[launch_assistance]
launch_bar_pivot= 18.6, 0.000, -2.04
launch_bar_lug= 19, 0.000, -2.1

Very nice! Thanks for this. I haven't had an opportunity to fly the Phantom for a couple days & your new contact points work perfectly!

I set the lift_scalar= 3.0 and pitch_scalar= 1.5 (not changing the drag scalar) and so far as I can tell, there's no real negative impact on handling but it yields a more stable approach to remain on AoA and maintaining the interval.

Sweet! This really does the trick; clean & 30% fuel has me crossing the ramp at 135kts with a good AOA & had made this bird almost pussycat to trap.

 

[Duckie]

...

Some of us are experiencing some texture issues with the Sidewinder, Left Stabilizer and AB.

...

Just heard from krazycolin on the support forum re these texture problems. They have fixed the sidewinders and are working on the stabilizers.

Steve

 

[ST0RM]

I wish I would have saved my money and bought this instead of some other recent poorly-supported payware aircraft. Bummer I cant get a refund. Fool me once...

 

[delta_lima]

Sweet shot, YoYo!


Boomer,

Thanks for that post on StormILM's suggested scalar edits. I looked for the whole post, but couldn't find it. Are those edits for the flap scalars, not the wings, I assume?

WH,

Thanks for the pointer to the Addon's menu. I never go there, since I use a shortcut to launch AICarriers ... wouldn't of thought to go there. Thanks also for clarifying the start cart panel issue. Will play about with it more tonight ...

thanks,

dl

 

[WarHorse47]

Sweet shot, YoYo!


Boomer,

Thanks for that post on StormILM's suggested scalar edits. I looked for the whole post, but couldn't find it. Are those edits for the flap scalars, not the wings, I assume?

WH,

Thanks for the pointer to the Addon's menu. I never go there, since I use a shortcut to launch AICarriers ... wouldn't of thought to go there. Thanks also for clarifying the start cart panel issue. Will play about with it more tonight ...

thanks,

dl

Let me know if you get the start cart to function. I was told that the brakes (chocks) need to be on, but for some reason I couldn't get it to run or at least I couldn't tell if it was running or not. The manual start has worked for me every time.

 

[Boomer]

Hey DL,

Yes sir that is for the flaps only.

One word of caution using it though. Watch your power setting as you cross the ramp (like you wouldn't be anyway ) because she will balloon a little in GE. I Bolter the 1st 2 times I attempted a trap. The approach is a world of difference though.

Make no mistake, its still not an "easy" plane to trap but its no longer a white knuckle sweaty palm experience LOL