Project Martin A-30 Baltimore

Baltimore Mk.IIIA

Hello Folks,

Here´s the preliminary pre-view version of the Baltimore Mk.IIIA CFS1 model, with the 1660 Hp engines but otherwise almost the same as the later Mk.V, for those who wish to try out the plane. The difference in engine power is rather noticeable in the simulator, even though the model itself is essentially the same as the Mk.V one. That was the reason for posting both trial versions, and I´m sure Smilo will be rather interested in trying out both models.

As with the other one posted yesterday, any suggestions for improvements and/or corrections will be very welcome!

The colour scheme is one for the desert: light-tan/brown, as yet, without military markings.
AFX, PCX and R8 files are included, as well as DP files. I opted for the more commonly used 6x250 lb bombload, although the maximum was 4x500=2000 lb.

The model as well as eye-candy screenshots enclosed herewith.
Thanks in advance for possible feedback.

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp
 

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Baltimore Panel Correction

Hello Folks!

The Baltimore Panel has been giving me several problems: The cabin struts wouldn´t disappear when the view was not the panel view, and the panel would not adjust to the full screen size.

So, I copied the panel and cabin-strut bitmaps into the two differently sized bitmaps of the P51D panel, put in the corresponding instrumentatioin, and it seems to work. I also ground down the rather serrated edges the struts got after the re-sizing procedure.

One thing though: I have not been able to make the twin engine throttle levers react to the mouse, but at least the panel works properly now. Strangely enough the mouse does affect the fuel selector and ignition switch for start-up.

The panel is generally based on a photograph of the original aircraft, and has the general instrument layout for default and generic gauges, and works better than before.

For the sake of correction I have attached the corrected panel to this post, as the one included with the Baltimore preview models is rather defective. (Sorry about that!).

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp
 
hello Stephan,
it's been years, but, as i recall,
some gauges have the same issue as your throttles.
try creating another small panel window
for just the throttle and make it overlap
the main window.
experiment with render_3d_window=1 or 0
if it works, crop a copy of the main panel bitmap
for your new "throttle" window background
and set it as visible=1

like i said, it's been a long time,
but, multi panel windows are possible.
if by chance you have my ar196,
check out the panel.cfg
there might be something helpful there.
 
OK, Smilo!

I´ll check that out with an extra small window.
I saw it that way on the P51D, now that you mention it - although it is a single lever. I was trying to have everything on one panel, but no matter, if the other small is also visible from the beginning, then that will do too!

I´ll see what I can do. Thanks for you indications!
Cheers,
Aleatorylamp.
 
it shouldn't be a problem.

visible=1
makes the window viewable at start up.
if you add the line;
nomenu=1
the new window will not be on the window titles list.
therefore, i don't think it can be toggled off.
although, you might want to double check that.

another cool thing you can do
is use mouse-able switch gauges to toggle windows.
for example, switching from the main panel
to a bomb site panel window,
auto pilot, adf, radios, maps...all kinds of stuff.
 
Hello Smilo.

Is there a convenient guide to panel configuration? I am going to run into the same issues with my current BV 141 project.

Thanks.
- Ivan.
 
i will have to fire up the old machine
and have a look in the archives.
seems like there was a list
of panel entry functions.
finding it will be the trick.
as i recall, panel work was mostly trial
and error...mostly error and a lot of time.

like i said above, it's been a long time.
but, who knows, i might be coerced
into stimulating the old memory cells
with the right incentive.
 
on panels

Hello Smilo, hello Ivan,

I managed to make a separate small panel for the Lear-45 dual-engine throttle levers, for which I modified the handles, and managed to put it in a similar way to that of the P51D panel, but keeping it visible, and having it in the middle at the bottom.

The plain window and the throttle handle mod are no big deal - I used some golden christmas-tree balls and deformed them... Better than being square, though...

I noticed this extra engine control panels doesn´t change size when entering full screen mode - because it has to be mousable, hence render-3D-window is at 0. At 1, it changes size with the rest of the panel, but isn´t mousable. It is however possible to manually re-size the engine control panel with the mouse, so all is not lost.

Here are two screenshots with the modified Lear-45 throttle levers in full screen mode, without and with manual re-sizing of the little engine control window.

As I want the levers to be at the bottom in the middle it looks a bit odd, so it´s either manually re-adjust the size in full-screen mode, or change the engine control panel position and have it as with the stock aircraft, where they are in the left corner. If they don´t change size there, it´s not out of tone.

Anyway, it works!

Incidentally, I looked into a CFS1 SDK I have here. It´s one for Panel and Instruments, as well as Adventure Programming, and although it looks a bit complicated, there are indications regarding the nomenclature to be used in the Panel Config file, the values that some of the parameters can have, and what they mean.

If you want, I can attach it to a post, but I think you already have it.

Update:
P.S. I doctored up the new modified Lear45 throttle gauge a bit more, and the backgroung bitmap, and it looks a little better. Here´s a screenshot replacing the previous one.
Then, I noticed I´d omitted the DP files for the Baltimore Mk.IIIA, so it´s attached too.

Things are going in dribs and drabs today after the Halloween party last night... My daughters had a great time though! Well, so did I, I must admit.

I hope you all had a nice Halloween yourselves!

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp
 

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Reasonable Panel Resemblance ?

Hello Hubbabubba, Ivan, Smilo!

Here is my first try at a Baltimore panel resemblance loosely based on the cockpit photos in the Polish document, and I would like to bounce it off you!

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp
 
Hello Aleatorylamp,

This is a very subjective question to ask but, IMHO, the board should be more rounded, like a one-place fighter rather than a full two-seat wide bomber panel. Only the two framing struts of the central windshield should be visible, again to render the narrowness of the cabin. The upper framing, if you absolutely want to show it, should be divided in the middle as the Baltimore had a right and left hinged canopy (from external views that clearly show that detail).

I would also include a bomb-aimer-navigator switchable panel for precision level bombing. I have destroyed factories while flying at 30,000 feet using one. Ask smilo; he was on the receiving side of my bomb-load.:redfire:

You should also include rear-gunner trainable guns with a DP file that is TG2 compliant. Hours of fun shooting back at pursuing pesky fighters.:tommygun2::gameoff:
 
oh yeah?!?........... :a1310:
well, i could nail the target
from 10,000 feet with my bombardier panel.
but, that's another story.

i agree with hubba regarding the bomb site panel.
it's a must have in a bomber.
especially, with the glass nose models.
i also agree with the higher arch panel
to achieve the narrow cockpit effect.
and, of course, tg2

i don't know for fact, but, would guess
the a-30 had mixture and prop pitch controls.
these should fit nicely in the throttle quadrant.
as i recall, i have one somewhere.
as always, finding it is the trick.

it's looking more and more
like i need to hook up a monitor
to my old cfs machine.
 
Hello Hubbabubba, hello Smilo,
Thank you very much for your suggestions.
Let´s see what I can come up with!
Cheers,
Aleatorylamp
 
Hello Folks,
Thanks again for your helpful suggestions. Thinking about it, what you said is logical and should have occurred to me... but it didn´t! I´ve only ever made simple look-alike panels and if it had to be a good one, it was always someone else who made it.

Anyway, this one will come out quite properly, because it´s based on the P47D panel bitmap, whose curvature seems the most fitting. I raised it a bit to leave enough room for two complete rows of engine instruments on the right, and now I am going to adapt some new window struts. It´s already starting to look quite a lot more correct!

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp
 
Hello Smilo, Hello Hubbabubba,

Yes, thanks! ...and now it´s even better with the cabin struts. The guy who made the P47D panel certainly did a good job - it looks very smart.

TG2 Problem: I believe this is the facility that allow shooting in any direction, but it is incompatible with my Windows version.

Bomb sight:
Hubbabubba copmmented:
Quote> I would also include a bomb-aimer-navigator switchable panel for precision level bombing. I have destroyed factories while flying at 30,000 feet using one. Ask smilo; he was on the receiving side of my bomb-load. <Unquote.

I´m afraid it´s totally over my head, and I wouldn´t know how to go about it. It sounds enticing, however, so I wonder if you could clarify, perhaps?

Anyway, here´s a screenshot of the panel in its current state.

Update. I´ve updated the screenshot with another image:
The panel now has a slightly softer, browner hue instead of the dark grey which was a bit harsh, and then I´ve put in my twin-engine throttle gauge. (Props were automatic, I believe, and so was mixture).

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp
 
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Hello Aleatorylamp,

It does look more like the correct shape.

What are you using for Twin Engine Tachometer, Boost, and Oil Pressure / Temperature Gauges?
I figure I will need something like that for a couple stuck projects as well as a good set of Engine Controls.
I have way too many stuck projects at this point....

- Ivan.
 
Engine instruments

Hello Ivan,
The twin-engine instruments I always use are the generic FSFS gauges that come with Flight Shop Converter. They even cater for 4-engined aircraft!
I find them very practical, as all except the RPM gauges, are dual-needle. The oil ones have pressure and temperature readouts. See attached screenshot.

They ones for twins would be as follows:

cessna_182.rpm.1
cessna_182.rpm.2
cessna_182.oil.1
cessna_182.oil.2
cessna_182.manifold_pressure_fuel_flow.1
cessna_182.manifold_pressure_fuel_flow.2
cessna_182.egt_cht.1
cessna_182.egt_cht.2

For 4-engined planes you´d also use the corresponding gauges numbered .3 and .4.

If you have any problem finding them I´ll be glad to post them!
I suppose these would easily lend themselves to dial-bitmap colour and carcass modifications, to get a more WW2-like look.

Then, for the throttle lever I took the Lear45 thrust lever and made the the handles brownish and round.

Update: FSFS Converter I think needs a valid FS98 installation to install. Then it adds additional default gauges for jet and piston engines Nos. 1 to 4, and also provides default generic panels and panel config files for 2-, 3- and 4-engined aircraft. If you don´t want to install FS98 I can send you the files.

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp
 

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Hello Aleatorylamp,

Thanks for the gauges.
I think those came with CFS also because I believe I have used some of them for testing.
I also happen to have an installation of FS98 but unfortunately it is also on my Development machine which seems to not be able to run any significant programs now. I suspect that it had something to do with the OS patch that I needed to install before attempting to install the Visual C++ compiler. Neither installation worked.

The problems with these gauges is that the Tachometer does not read correctly but appears to be about 30% too high in all cases.
The Manifold Pressure also has too limited a Boost Range: In general, about 60 inches Hg is needed but I don't think these gauges go anywhere near that.

I need to do something with working on my version of the Tachometer at some point and figure out why it works with my AIR files derived from the P-51D but not other CFS AIR files.
I have way too many open projects in CFS development at the moment and don't seem to be able to concentrate on just one in order to finish. Each one seems to require just a little bit of dedicated work....

- Ivan.
 
Hello Ivan,
Too bad that after someone provided a useful tool with gauges for multi-engined aircraft, it turns out that the gauges don´t give satisfactory readouts. There always seems to be some drawback! Maybe the scales on the bitmaps have to be altered.

With the RPM gauges, what happens is that they give incorrect readouts at first, but this corrects itself after switching to the full display window, or back and forth from the small display window to full one.

Cheers,
Aleatorylamp
 
Hmmmm.... I am going to have to try that out.
I didn't think it worked under any circumstances.

If these are the gauges you are using for Baltimore, have you checked whether they read properly for you?

- Ivan.
 
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