Scorch00 Airtanker Conversion Projects

[blaunarwal]

I can confirm now that I've had some time to look at my release models and got a confirmation too from someone else that the animations are indeed not correct on the -5A models and a -6A model. So I will be issuing a fix for those models once I can correct it, as well as an aircraft.cfg edit fix for the -6A Super Cat. But in terms of the VC not working/clicking, that doesn't seem to be an issue for anyone else at the current time.


I've had the glass issue as well on other FS2004 conversions and a lot of times I actually have had to edit the alpha channel repeatedly for the windows to get them reappear or change the glass color even to add a slight bit of 'tint.' And apparently, there is variability in people's graphics drivers that make it so it's not a one solution fits all sort of situation.

The fix cured the ailerons for me but not the switches. Is this row in the middle between pilot and 1st officer clickable? If i look at it in MCX, it only move forward backwards with the flight steering but the switches are not animated.

 

[Scorch00]

The fix cured the ailerons for me but not the switches. Is this row in the middle between pilot and 1st officer clickable? If i look at it in MCX, it only move forward backwards with the flight steering but the switches are not animated.

At first I was trying to figure out what you were talking about, but the ones on the control yoke in the center between both the pilot and copilot are no-op switches. They aren't functional in the model.

 

[Scorch00]

The PBY fix is available here though for anyone who hasn't seen it yet and wants the fix,

P3DV4+ PBY Catalina Firebomber Pack Fix

This fix addresses reported issues about incorrect animations on several model's ailerons and a sound issue in the aircraft.cfg file on another aircraft. This fixes those issues. Original download is required, these are just the model and updated...

sim-outhouse.org

 

[Scorch00]

I was able to get in contact with Cera Sim several weeks back and have already begun work on modifications for the Bell 212 and Bell 412s. Some will notice a lot of US operators initially. But do have plans to do several other operators in other countries like Australia, Canada, and several others for the packs. But the main importance being that the additional models will be able to be painted with any of the stock Cera Sim paintkits that come with the 212/412 or any liveries you currently have, will also work on the expanded models. The only bits that would need to be painted to match user's existing liveries would be the new equipment textures that will come with the expansion model packs. Still not a final tally on how many expansion models I will do or if there will be overlap, etc for models and paints. Since these are widely used and highly varied versions, I just can't simply do all of them. So most will represent the more popular/requested models. I've also teamed up with a community member who has done a number of the liveries previewed here as well. He has provided me several paints that he's completed that will also help keep down the amount of time for the project hopefully. Below you can see some of the changes and equipment packages that are being worked on.

San Diego Fire Dept Bell 412EP

Los Angeles County Fire Dept Bell 412EP

SDFD Bell 212

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office Bell 212

 

[Scorch00]

It's been a while since I've updated this thread. But some progress has been done in terms of updates to equipment packs and such to both the 212 and the 412. There will be minor equipment variations of these models as I've mentioned before. It's just a matter of me modeling those small parts and adding them to make the sub-variation of that base version. The two bigger ones I'm working on now are the versions with a bubble window. Seen here along with one of the 'slick" models that has an external equipment basket for firefighting equipment like the bambi bucket and various equipment carried by the helicopter's firefighting "hotshot" crew members. The 412 will also get a version similar to this as well. One version of the basket will be empty and another will be full of equipment.

Bell 212 with bubble window:

Bell 412 with bubble window:

Bell 212 with bubble window and equipment basket:

Random extra Bell 412 teaser of another paint for San Diego County Sherrif:

 

[Scorch00]

A lot of smaller projects for updating the cosmetics of the Bell 412 have been successful. Some of those additions will also make their way over to the 212s as well. But largely I'm focused on the 412s at the current time. I have added several new things to the models I felt they needed on top of their equipment additions. Similar to the Skycrane project, I updated and added some things to the rotors of the 412. Those being dynamic rotor flex for collective use and changed the still rotor state to show rotor droop now while the rotors are slow/stopped. Something the stock aircraft was largely missing. Some models also have a bubble window, which has also been added to several versions that have it now. Seen below are some already shown paints, but with the new additions. New paints previewed here now are Ventura County Sheriff, San Bernardino County Sheriff, and Wildcat Helicopters in an Australian contract livery,

SDFD 412EPX with new rotor model:

San Bernardino County Sheriff 212 and 412:

Ventura County Sheriff 412EPX:
]

Wildcat Helicopters 412SP:

 

[Scorch00]

I wanted to give an update to this project and yes, it is still underway and I am nearing the end of it. Both aircraft have considerable changes and updates done to them to hopefully 'update' the aircraft to better help them age and for community members to have more options to fly these great helos. There are a ton of repaints, model configurations, and equipment additions for these helicopters for Fire/Rescue work. Things I have added to them:
-------------------
-Working Rescue Hoist
-Working FLIR Camera
-PBR
-4k Textures
-Extended Landing gear (High Skid models)
-Bubble windows
-Side mounted equipment cage with optional viewable equipment storage
-Rotor Flex/ Droop (412 models)
-Deployable/stowable pond snorkels
-Several different firefighting water tank options
-Pulse Lighting
-BLR FastFin Tail modifications
-Retainment of stock texture mapping and use of stock paints and paintkits

There are also a lot of liveries for these aircraft. Some of which may be released further down the road as stand alone texture packs to represent entire fleets of these aircraft.

Bell 212 Mustang Helicopters (Canada)
]

Bell 412 EP Kestrel Aviation (Australia)

Bell 412 EP & EPX San Diego Fire Dept (USA)

Bell 412 EP NSW RFS (Australia)

 

[Scorch00]

Another update on this project. I've finally passed the threshold where all things I wanted to add to these have been successfully added and things adjusted to allow for the new additions to also function. Beta testing both the 212 and 412 is now active and will run for a bit to make sure there aren't any issues with the release versions and I have time to fix any issues that do come up.

Seen here is the Bell 212 in one of the many firefighting configurations. This one is one flown exclusively by Kestrel Aviation in Australia. This one is flying with many of the cosmetic additions and the stowable snorkel.

 

[Scorch00]

Just as an FYI both the models have been uploaded here on SOH and elsewhere.

Bell 212 Fire Rescue Expansion Pack for CeraSim Bell 212:

https://sim-outhouse.org/sohforums/resources/p3dv4-cerasim-bell-212-fire-rescue-expansion-pack.28596/

Bell 412 Fire Rescue Expansion Pack for CeraSim Bell 412:

https://sim-outhouse.org/sohforums/resources/p3dv4-cerasim-bell-412-fire-rescue-expansion-pack.28597/

I am in the process of contacting another author to start another project possibly for a series of S-2 Trackers. This would of course follow along with the firefighting theme. I will be trying to attempt some minor updates for Milton Shupe and crew's S-2Ts and S-2As used in firefighting. That includes the Conair S-2F1 Turbo Firecat, Marsh S-2F3AT Turbo Tracker flown by Cal Fire, and the Grumman S-2A Tracker tankers. They would get some what I call are longevity mods for the cosmetics largely along with some other tweaks for FFX use and some lighting changes. Relatively minor incursion into the aircraft. But since they were updated for FSX some time back now, I've had a lot of people reach out to see if I can maybe do some updates/changes, so I figured they maybe needed some updating for P3D with updated textures and PBR added to them.

The Cal Fire S-2F3AT would be up first hopefully followed by the Turbo Firecat and lastly the radial S-2As. This is the prototype model update. It has PBR, 4k Textures, updated bump mapping, new prop setup for blur and corrected contact points for them sitting properly when loaded and unloaded. And largely, that's all they'd need cosmetics wise.

 

[Scorch00]

Just wanted to throw some more updates out there. I have a lot of projects going on and as it always seems to end up, side quest projects also have popped up. So the S-2s are still being worked on. I did get in contact with Milton and he has given me his permission to update the S-2s, which is awesome. Can't thank him enough for that and I'm sure lots in the community will also like to see those tanker versions updated a bit.

The other two projects going on currently are also firebomber related. I am in the midst of updating an Airbus C-295 tactical transport into the the proposed C-295 airtanker. Which has an internal tank capable of carrying, what is rumored to be close to or around 1,800 gallons of water or retardant. The aircraft was tested in Spain recently and I am making a version of it in case it does reach production. Alongside that I am also doing a rescue variant of it known as the CC-295 Kingfisher in service with the Royal Canadian Air Force. That aircraft will accompany the 295 tanker model. They each have their unique additions, being as they are newer models of the 295, both have the wings changed to mimic the new winglet wings on the 295 variants seen in service. As well as since it's an updated FSX aircraft with a non-functional VC, I have maintained the FSX updated gauges for shortcut windows to be used for things like the search radar and gadgets like that used in the Kingfisher variant, but have also model merged in a functional Airbus A320 series cockpit. Albeit not accurate to the real aircraft, but it is at least still an Airbus product and is functional. I have also updated the lighting, textures, added PBR and updated some performance and sounds on them.

CC-295 Kingfisher

C-295 Persuader Airtanker

The Third smaller project sort of also aligns with the C295. This involves the MAFFS II firefighting system. The, 'flying squirt gun" as I call it. The system is growing in popularity in being installed onto tactical airlifter aircraft now. Where as it was only seen before on the C-130 Hercules. Systems are now being rolled out for several different aircraft. So I am modeling a MAFFS II nozzle setup to be attached using FireFIghterX's attachment system for P3D and allow this nozzle setup to be attached to existing stock P3D C-130s or, this C295 I am releasing, or the C-27J (By Iris), or C-390 by Embraer. Each model will get a variant of the nozzle to fit those specific airplanes.

MAFFS II Nozzle Attachment

MAFFS II on Iris C-27J

 

[Tako_Kichi]

I started on a conversion of the PAD CASA 295 into a CC-295 (with their full permission) many years ago. I got the outside done and was working on the VC when I lost a key player in the LDR team to cancer and I abandoned all the current projects at that time due to burn-out and apathy. I look forward to seeing what you have been able to do with her!