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VS Studio F8F Question

Mach3DS

Mach3DS

Charter Member
I've been reading up on the Bearcat. And a recent airshow then visit to the Historic Flight Foundation (HFF) at Paine field has me wanting to purchase the F8F. However, I've been reading that there are numerous items that are not going to be addressed via patch. I can get over things like known CHT temps being inaccurate. Are there any show stoppers that should prevent me from making this a birthday purchase this week? I was the kind of kid (and still am to some degree) if my plastic airplane had one wing which was die cast asymmetrical from the other and I noticed it, I could no longer play with it! lol. I'm sure the visual is fine. It looks amazing.

I guess what I'm asking is, are there any systems which do not work to the extent that I couldn't have fun with it? I use TM Warthog, Saitek Rudder Pedals, TIR4Pro... I was a little worried as I read some users were experiencing very poor ground handling. Is your takeoff handling or performance affected by this? One thing I'd like to do is try the 96 second chalks out time to climb to 10K feet.
 
It's still a great model. Not sure if you'd deem it a show-stopper, but one of the known issues is a malfunctioning ADF. The radio can be tuned to an NDB, but the ADF needle doesn't point at the tuned station as it should in reality. This is a bit of a bummer when trying to navigate on cross-country flights.

It's been a while since I toyed with the VS Bearcat, but I don't recall any overly vexing ground handling issues. Just remember to engage the tailwheel lock before takeoff and landing.
 
mgchrist5 said:
It's still a great model. Not sure if you'd deem it a show-stopper, but one of the known issues is a malfunctioning ADF. The radio can be tuned to an NDB, but the ADF needle doesn't point at the tuned station as it should in reality. This is a bit of a bummer when trying to navigate on cross-country flights.

It's been a while since I toyed with the VS Bearcat, but I don't recall any overly vexing ground handling issues. Just remember to engage the tailwheel lock before takeoff and landing.
Click to expand...

I've always been interested in the F8F since a little lad and bought this sometime ago and enjoyed every minute of it, but have to say that haven't spent much time with the radios etc, as mostly fly circuits (or try to) or use if for aerobatics (and try to there as well). But no very pleased with and then went out as a result and bought the same company's TBM.

Cheers,

Martin
 
000rick000 said:
I was the kind of kid (and still am to some degree) if my plastic airplane had one wing which was die cast asymmetrical from the other and I noticed it, I could no longer play with it! lol. I'm sure the visual is fine. It looks amazing.
Click to expand...

In that case: I hope you can live with a few missing cylinders in the engine model.... :kilroy:

The default flight model isn't great but Fliger747 (I think) did a new flightmodel for it and that should still be available in the library.
 
Ferry_vO said:
In that case: I hope you can live with a few missing cylinders in the engine model.... :kilroy:

The default flight model isn't great but Fliger747 (I think) did a new flightmodel for it and that should still be available in the library.
Click to expand...

I just did a search for this new flight model, but nothing came up.
 
Rick , I have it ... you don't need to have much wing with this one ... it all bloody propeller :icon_lol: serious fun ... <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><input jscode="leoInternalChangeDone()" onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
 
Dumonceau said:
I just did a search for this new flight model, but nothing came up.
Click to expand...

This from Deano at Vertigo Studios forums

Work was cancelled on the Bearcat 1.2 patch as we are missing important files from the previous coder, making it impossible to export the correct model.
Click to expand...

Still a brilliant little aircraft :cool:

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I've enjoyed having it, and the extra repaint pack. Great textures and features. If you love the Bearcat, it is by far the best one that has been developed to-date.

Vertigo Studios Bearcat Flight Dynamics by Tom "Fliger747"

Tom never uploaded his flight dynamics for the aircraft, but he provided them in this thread here: http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?65012-A-Little-Bearcat-Action

Go to Page 3 and you will find the flight dynamics he provided for both the F8F-1, in one post, and the F8F-2, in another post. I also provided them for Tom in .zip file format, in the last post that you see on Page 3. There are also some more explanations on Page 4.

Tom's flight dynamics are absolutely superb, the only thing I changed for my own preference was to tone down the p-factor on take-off, as otherwise there just isn't enough rudder authority to realistically control the aircraft on take-off.

Speaking of the HFF Bearcat, Rick, I spotted this video recently on youtube, showing a (slightly higher-than) pilot's view from a flight in that particular aircraft. If you go to the uploader's 'stream', there are some similar videos from other aircraft in the HFF collection (AT-6, B-25).

 
7uau.jpg
 
I've yet to install the Vertigo Bearcat (it's waiting it's turn along with their P-36), but it does look a nice model.

I was going through my files the other day, and found this brief comparison by Jim Beasley between the Bearcat & Mustang which he posted a long time ago on WiX.

There is also comment from Glenn Wegman.

Jim Beasley

I have time in both and this may be heresy but the Bearcat is so well laid out and performs so well it's almost boring (in a good way). In spite of the power the torque effect is relatively minimal and feels like it's on rails. It hits 300 without even thinking, and has exceptional aerobatic performance. It may be the most perfect piston engine fighter. I am much more partial to the 51 for a variety of reasons including (primarily) sentimental ones and it too is an excellent machine, and the fact that you can carry someone, lots of stuff, and go really far distances (I've done Philly to Ft. Lauderdale 3 hrs nonstop) makes it a ride you can't beat. I also like the 51 more because I believe it requires more skill to do proper, advanced acro than in the bearcat.

Jim

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Glenn Wegman

Got time in both too.

The Bearcat was the first fighter I flew and hopped out of the T-6 and into it. Cockpit is fairly small and pretty much perfectly laid out. Everything is in easy reach and fairly comfortable. Did a 4 hour 20 minute leg one time with a 150 gal drop and it got a little uncumfy after about the third hour though! There was a fair amount of heat radiating through the firewall and up from the front floor and my heels got toasted and hurt pretty good. ATC thinks your a stealth G-1 if you call in as a Grumman as your showing about 230 knots, so they get a little confused at that as they don't encounter too many Cats!! It pretty much flies itself and crosswinds are a non event. Actually flown a couple of them.

First one had a 2800CB and the other a 2800-34 which was noticeably lazier on take off and climb performance. They go straight down the runway coming and going and really have no bad habits. Landed one time and went to unlock the tail wheel to turn off the runway, and it was already unlocked as I apparently forgot to lock it on takeoff. Couldn't tell the difference! Wasn't too wild about having to wash it after every flight though. Down side can be a pretty fumy cockpit, oily mess on the fuselage sides and upper wing if it has not been flown regularly. One time after a flight I chose to go up over the windshield, along the top cowling and swing down off of the prop to keep from sliding off of the wing and breaking my neck!

A Mustang's a Mustang! A little more work to fly. Not quite as stable on the ground, A good crosswind will make you sit up a little straighter and pay attention. I like not having to wash it after every flight! Seating position is usually a little farther from the panel and gear handle so a little more reaching is in order, but hey, it's got a back seat. A little noisier in the cockpit than the Cat, but not as fumy. Mustangs don't burn or loose wings either!

Glenn
Click to expand...

I think alot of people are under the impression the Bearcat is something of a torque (and other prop effects) monster, but from reading various pilots reports, they seem to indicate that like the previous Grumman fighters, it's rather a pussy cat (Well, I seem to recall that's what Stephen Grey said!).

(Talking of prop effects and comparisons, it was interesting to read 27jensen's comments on his YouTube cockpit video from one of his sorties in a P-63.

He says it's actually harder to control on the take off run than in the Mustang, and needs full right rudder, and sometimes some right brake to stop the swing!).

Anyway, back to the Bearcat.

Here's an article published on AvWeb by John Deakin as to what it's like to fly one: -

http://www.avweb.com/news/pelican/182122-1.html

Oh, thanks for posting that video John!

Cheers

Paul
 
It really is a superb aircraft model , noticed in the video post just how quickly it really jumps off the deck , it would have been very interesting read had the type gone into actual fighter v fighter against the best of the period , that stage tho was already set but still to take one for a ride it is the best FS model.
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I have it. I love the model and the wings look great from the vc. it seems to fly right, in truth I have no idea how a real one would fly. I like playing with the vintage stuff especially the auto pilot.

the landing light illuminating the wrong direction is aggrevaiting. I and dont think the supercharger works... has any noticable impact on the sim.
 
I also have it and it's surely one of the most beautiful planes in my hangar.
About the general realism, the flight model may not be completely true to life, but at least it provides a good challenge, especially for the landings.
I also appreciate a lot the load manager, which works very well.

I haven't used the supercharger so much, because I didn't do much high altitude flights yet. The only thing I dislike in this plane is the engine sound: the sounds are good quality I think, but the engine sounds like it's running idle unless you set more than 50% power on your throttle :/
But globally, I like this plane a lot.

daube_image1932.jpg


daube_image1977.jpg
 
Thanks to Everyone who responded!

So, it sounds like the "major" issues are:

1. FDE - Which is actually solved with Tom's FDE's for both -1, -2 airplanes
2. Landing Light direction (this one will just bug me more than likely, but since this aircraft will mostly be replicating the restored versions I can live with that, as they're not flying these babies at much too much).
3. ADF - Really too bad, as I was hoping for some cross country flights....looks like I'll be doing it the old fashioned way then! Pilotage & Dead reckoning! :) Which could be a blessing in disguise, and I can refresh myself with that thing called a magnetic compass & UNOS ;)
4. Sound? Maybe a personal preference thing. We'll see, but I can live with that too.

Anything else I believe I can tolerate. LOL. I have the F9F which I think is brilliant. A great reproduction. So I think this will also be a great addition.

John, thanks for posting that video. Brilliant. I love the HD clarity. That's the one locally here, and having been able to get up close and personal with it (and the others in his collections), what a sweet ride! The only question is, will you repaint a bare metal Thai Air Force version for me!?? LOL. :D I'm kidding (only half). But, I think you've all sold me. The video certainly did.

Daube & Noddy, thanks for the pictures, they're great. Daube, especially that angle with the full load out. Most of the screens I see are just the clean aircraft. thank you!

Bradburger, thanks for the RL pilot reports. I enjoyed reading those too.

Thanks to everyone who posted.
 
Looks like it has a 2D popup GPS, which will compensate for the ADF being INOP. Which is nice since the HFF version also has what looks like a Garmin 295 or similar. So I can still perform the cross country flights. So can anyone tell me, is there a navigation switch which allows you to utilize the ADF with the GPS unit. If this exists, does the pointer work correctly in this situation?
 
Is there any way to have the F8F-1 and the F8F-2 FDE's installed simultaneously without having to rename the files each time? John, thank you for the FDE links. Tom, thank you for the airfiles!!


Nevermind....found your post John about how to setup this up! Thanks again. :D
 
Rick et al:

Hope you enjoy the plane. I sent the Flight dynamics off to Deano ages ago, not sure if he did anything with them. The -1 and -2 planes were different enough to really need a separate set. An unfortunate trend is to group several different models in a release and use the same flight parameters.

Opinions might vary as to the P-factor on takeoff. In that era something wasn't bad at all if you did stay on the runway, the pilot macho was "I can handle anything, piece of cake... ". As far as I can tell one needs to feed the power in slowly enough, use a lot of rudder trim (which is especially true in the way FS works) and perhaps a stab of brake. The -2 had a taller fin for good reason. Shipboard it was easier since one might start out with 30-40 knots over the deck, by which time the rudder would be effective. Some grizzled instructor pilot would be leaning over the cockpit rim, putting his hand on your shoulder and giving you the sage advice "remember son, easy on the throttle". Some solo!

T
 
I've finally loaded up the VS Bearcat on my machine.

Looks very nice so far, but haven't really explored it yet in detail.

Meanwhile, some more in-cockpit Bearcat footage, from Stephen Grey's 'Joker' slot at last years Flying Legends: -


Cheers

Paul
 
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