SOH A-26 Invader, the story continues ...

Gordon,

That is simply brilliant! You have a tendency to outdo yourself time and time again!

Priller
 
Looking forward to the 'K' very much, having spent so much time on the project myself, it will be marvellous to see it out there and done. I'm particularly looking forward to the completed vc which was looking outstanding in P3D - hope it is now done for FSX as well. Maybe, if you're playing with the A-26, there will be a new vc for that as well??

Best regards

DaveQ
 
She looks absolutely spectacular, Gordon !

The Invader is definitely a big favorite in the sim community. I couldn't help but notice that this thread from 2017, now has 423 replies and over 78,300 views ! I never get tired of flying this beauty. :adoration:
 
Special Kay Is In The House....err...well....Hangar

Here's the current status of the A-26K and the A-26B&C WIP models as they are being re-constructed. I've been working with the Special Kay team and refining the K interior and exterior models, more on that later. Because the K, B and C models share so many common components, I figured it would be logical to upgrade Milton's original mesh as well, so...I'll be releasing that set as well, pending his approval...of course.

The models are near beta and working extremely well in P3D. I haven't really increased any poly counts significantly, so I don't anticipate any problems with the models in FSX.

The Amazing Thing...
This is an example of how "old" mesh and skins will translate into P3Dv4.5 PBR. With the exception of the SEA camo specific to "Kay, all of these skins were created by me in 2012. The have translated beautifully into V4.5 PBR, requiring only the removal of the original alpha channels, replacing them with the metal textures/channels required by PBR. Skinners should take note that all of their old skins can and will translate to PBR in models that have been upgraded for compatibility. For my conversions, I used my recovered 2012 PK, which included the "worn" layers that easily adapted as "metal" textures, replacing the old alphas. It's simple and logical once the channel structure is understood. Actually the workflow is more logical and intuitive the the old methods we used for years.

The screen caps showed the airplanes fairly well, but the PBR skins just cannot be appreciated fully unless shown in motion. I'll follow this video with some aerial "beauty" video as well.
Pay particular attention to the subtle nuance of the wear on the metal and painted skins. It's trick...

IF you have good speakers, you might want to grab a beer and crank it up. Enjoy....

 
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Panther_99FS said:
I was blessed enough to see 'Special Kay' in person about 2 months ago...
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Panther!! Good to see you around. Miss you, amigo. Your “panthered” landing screenshots were epic. Inside joke that I’m sure the old hands here recall...:wink:

Hope you’re doing well.

Daniel
 
This looks absolutely awesome! Now with all that heavy weaponry, is it possible to (please!) tacpack enable this bird? The nose mounted MGs alone would make that a rush.
 
Looking amazing Gordon. Do you have any previews of the VC yet?

I hope we will see a 'modernized' civilian version to represent surplus aircraft that are currently in civilian hands.
 
blanston12 said:
Do you have any previews of the VC yet? I hope we will see a 'modernized' civilian version to represent surplus aircraft that are currently in civilian hands.
Click to expand...

The next video with aircraft in flight will have the VC, at its current stage of development. This one is basically the restored "Kay" reproduction. I might look at a modern VC, but I am re-constructing the four Tigercat VC variants that were lost with my data. Top of the list is the Jetstar, then an Invader B&C cockpit. When Winter hits, I'll be doing the dev work full time again, but right now I'm still restoring redwood outside while the sun is up and the weather is good.

The B&C models are very similar to the K, so those should use common mesh, instruments and code. That'll make for an easier project. TacPack is on the table too. :encouragement:
 
I really appreciate models featuring a more modern, restored cockpit. Just using the freeware FS9/FSX GNS-430 or 530 plus a transponder and, space permitting, a secondary Com radio is all that's really needed.
 
stansdds said:
I really appreciate models featuring a more modern, restored cockpit. Just using the freeware FS9/FSX GNS-430 or 530 plus a transponder and, space permitting, a secondary Com radio is all that's really needed.
Click to expand...

The Special Kay team are installing Garmin G5 HSI and ADI now. That will be represented in the VC...hopefully. I actually have a few radios set up as pop-up window views using hot keys. I can pop up a Garmin, F-18 style HUD and a basic radio stack when I want to "cheat" a tiny bit. Mainly IFR flying but handy for VFR navigation on long flights. Those are in the beta K model now.
 
Bump and an Update:

Tomorrow AM I will be going in for the first of two full knee replacement surgeries. The second procedure will be done in approx. three months. What that means, in pragmatic terms is that I will be spending the next six months re-habing and bringing the new equipment up to speed...so to speak. :encouragement:

My focus in this time period will be on rebuilding my research database and...drum rolllllll...MODELING AIRPLANES !

The lineup continues with the Jetstar project (ongoing), then the K Invader, the F7F Tigercats and the Abrams Explorer. Also, Mr. Shupe has graciously granted me full permission to release the B&C Invaders for P3D, including the V4 PBR variants. I've got research material on the way for the cockpit variants...B, C & K models, so these will be fairly comprehensive releases.

Once I'm past the first couple days of recovery I'll bump back in with another update...and some video.



A small preview of the B/C VC modeling process. It's a WIP, but coming along nicely.

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