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Stealthiness of the F-35 Lighting II...

Misc replies

All, thanks for your appreciation and encouragement - here are some replies to your questions.

CTOL Models:
The models will be accurate to the best of my knowledge - rest assured that I'm "scanning" each new image from Lockheed Martin like Harrison Ford in Blade Runner. At present, I've planned:
AA-1 Prototype (BTW it turned out to be 5000lbs heavier than the design goal)
AF-1 Pre-production (weight optimized). With respect to AA-1 visual differences will be: two-piece nose gear doors, different APU exhaust location, different shape of probes, different fuselage/nozzle interface design. Livery TBD. Current prototype is flying unpainted (primer only). I've seen some cool renderings of the "official" AF-1 livery and they are cool...but I'm not sure they will ever use that scheme.
F-35A Operational - same design as AF-1 but: nose test probe removed, EOTS mounted, gun (although I'm missing some details of the gun exhaust design). Livery 58th Fighter Squadron "Mighty Gorillas" (AFAIK confirmed as main training unit for the F-35).

Flight model:
Lots of guess work here...but every source indicates that the F-35 is extremely easy to fly.

Head Mounted Display:
Current solution I'm using is this: the "moving" parts of the "HUD" are projected onto a distant 3d surface and "fixed" with respect of the a/c. The rest of the HUD is a 2d translucent gauge you bring up with SHIFT+1 so that it follows the head movement (works well with Freetrack / track IR).
Neutrino is lending a hand (for free :mixedsmi:) on a 100% accurate HUD/HMD but it is not confirmed that it will make its way into the final product. If so, the new HUD will be probably released as freeware and my model will be configured to accept it perfectly.

F-35 B
I am Italian and since the Italian Navy will employ the F-35B for our brand new carrier I'd love to make one. Difficulties are both related to flight modeling and 3D modeling: despite the popular belief (and what LM was advertising) there are significant changes to the airframe design between A and B (major differences being canopy, center fuselage, refueling system, VTOL system, engine). Besides IRIS was doing this model. So, for now, the focus is deliver a good F-35A. If it turns out that the Beta has no major defects, then we will see. In any case, if I'll do it, it will probably use the "superflap" pseudo-hovering "workaround"... I know it is lame...but I need to keep things simple in order to deliver in a reasonable time.

F-35 C
I know it would be cool...and I'd love to make it...and thus forcing Javier to make a new version of his Nimitz :icon_lol: ...but also in this case there are significant differences (nose gear and gear doors, completely different and much larger wing with folding mechanism and spoilers, different arresting hook) so it is not impossible...but it is much more work than one could imagine.


Sorry if I've missed anything. BTW, I will not have much time for replies on this forum in the next few days...but I'll be checking this thread regularly.
 
Just one correction: HMD refers to a Helmet Mounted Display, not Head Mounted Display. . . .I know, I know, the helmet is on the head so technically, lol, lol. . .but it is a Helmet Mounted Display:salute:
 
:salute:
You are right
Still, I don't feel this mistake as embarassing as misspelling "LIGHTNING" on both the texture of the aircraft and the title of this post... Honestly, I've probably always misspelled (misspelt?) this word for all my life...
:salute:
 
Hi,

This surely looks like something I would buy and make fictional paints of. I think I see photoreal in the previews. If there's a repaint kit made available, please include the UV maps/wireframes showing parts. That would benefit non-photoreal repaints and repaint flexibility in general.

Thanks for the info, you have a winner me thinks :ernae:
 
Hi Folks

re: HMD
The HMD itself is an impressive piece of kit.

I've seen a BAESystems video from the CATB proving aircraft.

One of its awesome features is the pilot's external view.

There are several multi-spectral cameras mounted around the aircraft.

The HMD presents a totally seamless view
allowing the pilot to see externally
the entire 360, (in all axis), around the aircraft
without any part of the aircraft obstructing that view.

It provides an eerie perspective, as if one is sitting in mid-air.

Dino -
It would be impressive if you could mimic that.

Maybe by making the cockpit model itself
a conditionally displayed object.

HTH
ATB
Paul
 
Same here, I'm really looking forward to this, I'm also looking forward to a B model as this will be the RAF's version, but having seen the Iris wips that also looks amazing! :salute: Great work Dino!!
 
IanP said:
If people couldn't base commercial products on purchased meshes, a certain very well known military visual modelling company that is seen regularly around these parts wouldn't exist... ;)

Looking nice, Dino.
Click to expand...

Bingo. Its common for people to buy models from Turbosquid and re-package them for other uses. As long as the license allows for it. The biggest problem with TS, is they are in no way made spacifically for FSX. They may LOOK great, but they dont WORK great.

The F-35 is looking great. Im sure the original model he purchased was not a total waist, in he could of used the model for referance and textures, saving a lot of time in the long run.

Keep up the great work!
 
@ Gibbage

In fact using the TS model as reference was indeed its main usage.
As for the textures they are 100% new (and photoreal). Camelot mesh looks exceptional in renderings but useless in FSX.

@ Dag
Yes - textures are photoreal, so there is no paintkit actually. I will, however, provide the information I can and a "blank" texture I made as "template"
 
it's looking really beautiful for an F-35, but regarding that FDE, theres no need to guess. Everything about how that plane flies is sitting right there in front of you looking back.. all you gotta do is the math.. i know, easier said than done.. Theres a lot of math there.. but still, it's very much worth the time it takes with a calculator, a compass, an architects scale and a pencil to do..
Pam
 
I wrote two short articles about my flights in the JSF cockpit demonstrator (with explanation of the VTOL flight controls). Warning: they are in Dutch. If anyone wants them send me a PM with your mail address. If anyone wants to translate them with an on-line translator I can send the Word-file.
 
@Dino Cattaneo,

I think the PhotoReal Textures are a "MUST HAVE" for this bird. Bravo!
However, I would like to see (have added) more in the way of avionic systems (if not this version, perhaps later ones). I'm sure that most everyone would agree that all the Navigation displays and basic-flight systems should be included. And, when you get around to all your emails, perhaps some (MFD) HOTAS and VC&C capabilities too. Also, glad to hear the Mr. J.R. "neutrino" is doing the HMD; hope its included at the time of release. :salute:

Also, for the F-35B's VTOL Thrust vectoring systems, will they be automated with the click of a button (like the real one)? I read that you are thinking of the "Old Flap method" ... what does that mean, exactly; Manual deployment?

And, will you be able to use a realistic sound set (recordings) for this model or are we limited to default F/A-18 stuff?

I know you've got a lot to do... Grazie & Ciao! :wavey:


PS: @Mr. Javier "Thrawn" - Yes, I would very much like to have a Nimitz Class carrier with F-35's onboard. Muchas Gracias! :applause:

=====================================

Mr. "Stickshaker,"
Stickshaker said:
I wrote two short articles about my flights in the JSF cockpit demonstrator (with explanation of the VTOL flight controls). Warning: they are in Dutch. If anyone wants them send me a PM with your mail address. If anyone wants to translate them with an on-line translator I can send the Word-file.
Click to expand...

Sure it might be fun, if its a quick read... Could you just post a link?



Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
From,
James F. Chams
 
Mr. "James"
If you had read, he said he is opting to not do a F-35B at the time of release because it would take longer, and also because Iris is doing one. He is only doing the F-35A for the release.
 
Mr. Ryan "Rezabrya,"

Rezabrya said:
Mr. "James"
If you had read, he said he is opting to not do a F-35B at the time of release because it would take longer, and also because Iris is doing one. He is only doing the F-35A for the release.
Click to expand...

That's NOT exactly what he said... He's made it clear from the begining (on all his Blog's: HERE) that the first release was ONLY the F-35 CTOL's, which many somehow didn't catch. As to what he'll do for the future with the F-35B VTOL and F-35C, I'll leave that up to him to mention. His focus, currently, is on this first release of the F-35A CTOL AA-1 and AF-1, but mine extends on to the entire package(s) while it is still in the discussion/concept/development stages.


Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
From,
James F. Chams
 
Ok I apologize. I seem to be in a fighting mood today and I have decided to stop posting until I cool down. I apologize for anyone I offended.
 
Rezabrya said:
Mr. "James"
If you had read, he said he is opting to not do a F-35B at the time of release because it would take longer, and also because Iris is doing one. He is only doing the F-35A for the release.
Click to expand...

I think we'll see Dino's release long before Iris's appears. I know Pam is or has been tweaking their FDE, but have been loosing faith with Iris of late and their release record. There was even talk about not releasing it because some other developer was working an F-35 as well. But if they do release their F-35B, I'll be the first in line to purchase.

Matt
 
Same here, my uncle was the chief engineer on the whole project and I really look forward to having an F-35 in FSX.
 
Dino Cattaneo said:
@ Gibbage

In fact using the TS model as reference was indeed its main usage.
As for the textures they are 100% new (and photoreal). Camelot mesh looks exceptional in renderings but useless in FSX.
Click to expand...

Outstanding work on the textures then! From working on the YF-23 and texturing it myself, its REALLY hard to get that new look they use on the 22 and 35 with just grey shades. Great job capturing the way it looks!
 
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