Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk, remains uncontrollable....

[Priller]

Well, my first attempt at takeoff was uncontrollable again. I've no doubt I am doing something wrong. Just not sure what. NC

You're dong nothing wrong Pete. There's improvement, but still a lot of things wrong...

Priller

 

[DC1973]

No chance for a DCD Scooter then, Dean ?.... ( will Virtavia's A-4 ever going to cut the mustard ???.... )

So what about a F4D Skyray, F3H-2 Demon, F-11 Tiger, F-7U Cutlass or FJ-4 Fury then, Dean ? All sea going you know, ready for some awesome 1950's/1960's MSFS2024 carrier operations !

The're all extremely popular around here, mate, don't miss the boat on any of 'em !

I would love to do some more Cold War warriors for sure, but slowing down here now, happy to retire and mostly be just a simmer again. I do have two more launches lined up for 2025, but not revealing them at the moment. Will decide whether I do anything further thereafter.

 

[DC1973]

Well, my first attempt at takeoff was uncontrollable again. I've no doubt I am doing something wrong. Just not sure what. NC

I'm flying it regularly Pete, take offs and landings all smooth, although as a small aircraft with a high wing loading and narrow undercarriage, the Scooter is always skittish on the runway ( as is the F-16 for instance ). Both require finesse in the circuit. It's not wrong at all, it's just an aircraft that requires a bit of practice to handle well, which was likely why it was used as a trainer for so long. Crosswinds are also tricky to balance against, must have the ailerons down into the wind.

 

[DennyA]

Yeah, Navy Chief, my first takeoff and landing was super-smooth, but when I went up the second time it was a bit skittish. Checked the wind and sure enough, pretty significant crosswind. So give it a shot with the wind set straight down the runway while you're getting a feel for it...

I'm hoping crosswinds are handled more realistically in FS24.

(Also, Dean, no retirement until I'm flying a P-61 and a radial-powered F-15. But seriously, maybe at that point you can just do some "passion project" planes that might not have a big commercial market but that you and us would all love to fly!)

 

[Mike71]

I flew just about every type of A-4 / TA-4 in real life. They all had a crosswind limit of 15 knots!

Spoilers were added to newer models starting with the A-4F and backfitted to some earlier upgraded versions. - along with nose wheel steering to help the crosswind problem (somewhat). However NWS was a headache, unreliable and caused some accidents. It was removed in most models later on, especially in the TA-4J so the students couldn't screw it up. The A-4 really didn't need it anyway as differential braking could turn one almost in its own length.

No A-4 had a parking brake, but it was common in the hold short / marshall area to swing the nosewheel sharply to 90 degrees with differential brakes, stop with both brakes - and the plane would stay there on its own, at idle.

The single seat A-4s were very manueverable to say the least. The "T-Birds" were all very nose heavy and somewhat sluggish in pitch at higher g- loadings. They also needed a couple more degrees NU trim for a normal takeoff (always at half flaps).

 

[DC1973]

I flew just about every type of A-4 / TA-4 in real life. They all had a crosswind limit of 15 knots!

Spoilers were added to newer models starting with the A-4F and backfitted to some earlier upgraded versions. - along with nose wheel steering to help the crosswind problem (somewhat). However NWS was a headache, unreliable and caused some accidents. It was removed in most models later on, especially in the TA-4J so the students couldn't screw it up. The A-4 really didn't need it anyway as differential braking could turn one almost in its own length.

No A-4 had a parking brake, but it was common in the hold short / marshall area to swing the nosewheel sharply to 90 degrees with differential brakes, stop with both brakes - and the plane would stay there on its own, at idle.

The single seat A-4s were very manueverable to say the least. The "T-Birds" were all very nose heavy and somewhat sluggish in pitch at higher g- loadings. They also needed a couple more degrees NU trim for a normal takeoff (always at half flaps).

This is awesome information Mike, so helpful! The trusty old PA-28 I did my PPL in had a crosswind limit of 15 knots as well, amazing to think a much larger aircraft like the Skyhawk suffered from the same restriction.

I got the Scooter as close as I could aerodynamically in the short time frame that I had to work on it. I know they were nippy although I reckon I don't have enough drag at corner velocity as I should. Stall buffet comes in at above 12 degrees AoA, and it'll hold 6G "forever" at 350 knots with the nose a little low when clean. Max low-level airspeed is 550 KIAS, might manage a little more if light. Would have liked to work on it longer but had to switch back to my own aircraft for their updates. I'm sure Virtavia will continue improving their A-4, especially now they finally have their Marketplace store up and ready.

 

[DC1973]

Yeah, Navy Chief, my first takeoff and landing was super-smooth, but when I went up the second time it was a bit skittish. Checked the wind and sure enough, pretty significant crosswind. So give it a shot with the wind set straight down the runway while you're getting a feel for it...

I'm hoping crosswinds are handled more realistically in FS24.

(Also, Dean, no retirement until I'm flying a P-61 and a radial-powered F-15. But seriously, maybe at that point you can just do some "passion project" planes that might not have a big commercial market but that you and us would all love to fly!)

I have some ideas, and also plans for freeware later on as I still enjoy the process of building the airplanes. P-61 is well underway but won't be revealed properly until early 2025, I want to let MSFS2024 settle in first and include some of its goodies. Live weapons are also something I'm not retiring from until they're done. Eagles are next for an update after Concorde.

 

[Navy Chief]

I had several backseat rides in a TA-4J at Pax River. Exciting rides, all of them! NC

 

[Cazzie]

First time I had to fly it was this morning. I have all the updates ands I find it great to fly, especially if handled slowly. Watch your rolls, those short wings are quick and twitchy. I have seen every Blue Angel aircraft type since the Cougar and I still think that the Scooter was the best demonstration aircraft they flew. Wish I could find a Paint Kit, love to do a livery of this.

Cazzie

 

[DC1973]

First time I had to fly it was this morning. I have all the updates ands I find it great to fly, especially if handled slowly. Watch your rolls, those short wings are quick and twitchy. I have seen every Blue Angel aircraft type since the Cougar and I still think that the Scooter was the best demonstration aircraft they flew. Wish I could find a Paint Kit, love to do a livery of this.

Cazzie

There is a paint kit on the freeware section of their website, it's the same one as from FSX days.

 

[DennyA]

First time I had to fly it was this morning. I have all the updates ands I find it great to fly, especially if handled slowly. Watch your rolls, those short wings are quick and twitchy. I have seen every Blue Angel aircraft type since the Cougar and I still think that the Scooter was the best demonstration aircraft they flew. Wish I could find a Paint Kit, love to do a livery of this.

Cazzie

View attachment 156373

It's a little heavy on the metallic sparkle (I think it's a photographic texture?), but there's a nice BA A-4 paint available:





Available here:

Blue Angel 1 for Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk for Microsoft Flight Simulator | MSFS

✓ Blue Angel 1 for Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk is a Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 mod created by wcs33. Experience the iconic Blue Angels A-4 Skyhawk with this photo-based rendition for the Virtavia A-4 Skyhawk. Make sure to follow the provided instructions for an accurate representation of the...

flightsim.to

Just re-read the description, and yep, it's a photo texture. The author gives permission to improve the livery, as well, if you're wanting to pull out the Humbrols and brush...

 

[Navy Chief]

I tried again yesterday. Still no joy. Not sure what I am doing wrong.

 

[Mike71]

I doubt a Navy LT (O-3) had his name painted on the lead (number 1) airplane. The leader was typically a Navy CDR (O-5) in those days --