The Dave's Hangar Blog

Shutting down

2011-11-08T14:02:00.000-08:00

I'm stopping my FG/JSBSim work for a while, maybe a long while. I need a break and have lots of work coming up anyway, so I won't be posting anything here, and won't be updating models. Grab them while you can because the hangar goes off the air in early December.

Moving soon

2011-11-02T19:37:00.000-07:00

My ISP, cox cable, has decided to stop hosting their customer's websites, so the hangar will be moving when I can find a suitable replacement host. Just as a backup here are links to the aircraft in the hangar:

DavePack
F-4N
F-105
FJ-3
BAK-12
F-4D
FGR2
F-4E
F-4EJ
F-4ETB
F-4F
F-4J
F-100D
F-7MG
A-1H
A-3D
A-7E
A-29B
AT-29
AD-4
AD-6
F7F
F-103E
Mirage IIIC
RA-5
SeaFury
T-2C
MiG-21
Typhoon
P-80
F-106
P-47D
B-17F
Precious Metal

Projects:

AH-1S
TF-104G
S-3B
F-84G
B377
Bear 360

Models by others:

F-5E

AI Models:

E-3
KC-10
SR-71

B-377 HowTo

2011-10-22T19:41:00.002-07:00

The latest version of the B-377 project contains some basic instructions for operating the airplane (see the howto.txt file). I'm still trying to fine tune the engine/prop/systems code, but the result is getting close to right.

Boeing B-377 conversion

2011-10-07T16:54:00.003-07:00

I've started a conversion project of a Boeing 377 model originally made by Greg Pepper, et. al., and hosted at the great Cal Classic website. The model is brilliant, and I hope I can do it justice. It's far more detailed than a model I would make. Many thanks to Tom Gibson at Cal Classic for permitting the FlightGear/JSBSim conversion and CC re-license.

The exterior is mostly complete. Needed are: cowl flaps, texture-mapping of flaps, wing leading edges. The interior is barely begun, but it's going to look great once the textures are applied.

The model is flyable.

2011-09-14T19:11:00.002-07:00

New project started: The Bear 360, from Bear Aircraft. Much of it is produced in Russia by Yakolev, and the engine is a Vedeneyev M-14P, 9-cylinder radial.

2011-09-06T17:36:00.000-07:00

Had a chance to fly the one-of-a-kind, retro painted A-320 this weekend. This paint job is the early-70's "friend ship" style. It's fun to see the usually jaded employees pointing and taking pictures (like me :).

FlightGear gravity for AIBallistic

2011-08-23T16:32:00.005-07:00

In my 2.4ish code the AIBallistic code is mixing metric gravity with English units for vertical speed and buoyancy (someone's ready for that NASA job!). The result is that bombs (and other things) don't fall fast enough, and some things, like drag 'chutes, are falling up now. I started to make adaptations in my models, but now believe it's best to keep the models as they are, awaiting a future fix.

Since my code is close-to-but-not-quite 2.4, I'm wondering if anybody else is getting the same results with official 2.4?

UPDATE: The bug is still in the current GIT repository, so it's probably in 2.4 as well.

UPDATE: I'll fix the bug locally and leave the models alone (line 862 of src/AIModels/AIBallistic.cxx). I'll still call them "2.4" compatible. Sorry, but I don't have time to make another category of models to match the buggy code. I'll post the fix details here when I get back from my trip so you can rebuild your FlightGear with it.

Drifting on carrier deck

2011-08-23T10:08:00.005-07:00

With FlightGear 2.4 I find that my models drift to the right and rotate to the left slowly. This is with the wind turned off. Is anybody else getting this? Note that my build is not exactly 2.4, but is from GIT within a few days of the 2.4 branching.

UPDATE: I've traced this to the "over-g" system, so I'll be commenting out this system until I can get it working again. The F-4J model has this change and is now updated for FG2.4.

F-84G version 0.1

2011-08-22T19:07:00.002-07:00

The Thunderjet, version 0.1 (very alpha) is posted. It flies, and it looks like a Thunderjet, but is otherwise unfinished. The above screenshot from FlightGear shows Scorpio's tail above the F-84's canopy.

F-84G project

2011-08-17T21:46:00.003-07:00

Beginning of an F-84G project. It'll be a while before I get much farther along, since I have a lot of FG2.4 upgrades to do in the hangar.

More updates, B-17F and DavePack

2011-08-16T13:37:00.003-07:00

The B-17F had developed some bugs, which are now fixed in the latest version and with the newest DavePack. The bombs should work correctly now. I also changed the way I control contrails in multi-engine airplanes. The single controlling property is still used (.../generic/int[5]), but now it contains a "binary counting" style of operation to represent which engines are running. Eventually I'll convert the two-engined models over to this system. As it stands, the system is limited to four engines.

FG 2.4 updates

2011-08-08T15:40:00.002-07:00

DavePack and the A-1H model are now updated for FlightGear 2.4. The Skyraider now has a couple new effects, blue exhaust flames which appear at high manifold pressure and low sun angles, and yellow gun muzzle flames. They are a bit experimental yet.

Notes

2011-08-03T21:40:00.002-07:00

1. The Precious Metal racer is now at version 1.0
2. In a few days I'll be updating everything to FG version 2.4
3. I've been sidetracked with OS problems
4. It'll be a while before I can get back to new project development

Precious Metal v0.8

2011-07-25T12:46:00.002-07:00

Added are: Rudder and elevator finished and animated, spinner size increased, number 38 added to both sides of vertical stabilizer.

To do: Gear animation, and finish adding painted items to fuselage and tail.

Any idea if the props are featherable in the real airplane? I think it's uncommon for the prop to be featherable in a single engine airplane, but this airplane has so much propeller that it glides like a brick at idle power.

Precious Metal nearing completion

2011-07-24T20:26:00.003-07:00

Skipped ahead to version 0.7, with the addition of main gear, exhaust stacks, rear sides of props are painted black, and number "38" added to wing texture. Not much left to do: gear animation, tail surface animation, fuselage textures.

Precious Metal update, v0.5

2011-07-23T20:45:00.002-07:00

Version o.5 is posted. This one has working flaps and ailerons; outer gear doors (not yet animated); new nose shape; new exhaust stacks started; wing fillet; clipped wing tips with winglet; engine tweak (rpm limit now 3200).

Precious Metal update

2011-07-23T07:19:00.002-07:00

Version 0.4 is up, with a better instrument panel arrangement, including new RPM and MAP instruments. The engine and prop files have been tinkered with a lot, trying to get higher speeds. It's been an interesting process, and the main lesson learned is that you have to slow the props down to keep the helical tip Mach from eating up all your power. I've slowed them to 1500 rpm, and I'm still getting a helical tip Mach of .913. I'll try slowing the props down a bit more. Here's a screenshot showing relevant parameters during a high speed run.

Word: don't pull more than about 30 inches of MAP for takeoff or you'll overspeed the gear for sure.

Precious Metal update

2011-07-20T08:45:00.003-07:00

I've switched the textures in Precious Metal over to DDS format, just as a test. The textures aren't big enough to give me any feedback on performance, however the size difference is interesting. I've heard there might be problems rendering these on a Mac, so I've kept the old textures around in case I need to revert.

The torque problem has been fixed using an idea from Ron Jensen in which a torque opposite to the engine torque (moments/l-prop-lbsft) is added to the FDM's roll section.

S-3B update

2011-07-14T18:57:00.002-07:00

Version 0.6 is up, with windshield wipers working on pilot's side ("d" key), refueling probe ("f" key), hook geometry improvements, wing texture, wing folding geometry.

S-3B update

2011-07-08T19:51:00.001-07:00

Updates include: flaps and slats, and the bottom edges of the fuselage are more rounded.

Precious Metal flyable

2011-07-02T13:32:00.003-07:00

Precious Metal is now flyable, with most of the instrument panel in place. The great amount of torque is annoying, but I hope to get that fixed within a week. Still lots of work to do, but the model is already very sharp looking.

Precious Metal

2011-07-01T13:17:00.003-07:00

I saw a photo of this unlimited class air racer and just had to make one. It's a highly modified Mustang with contra-rotating props. Work is in the very early stages, so no pre-release yet.

EDIT: More work done, so the 0.1 version is in the hangar, projects section. Note that there shouldn't be any torque (or very little anyway), so that needs to be fixed.

S-3B update

2011-07-01T13:11:00.004-07:00

The Viking progress continues. The airplane is flyable and passed the sea trials. Still quite a bit to do. I'm calling it an S-3B, but it might turn out to be an S-3A. Markings are for VS-32, and will be the older two-tone, high-visibility scheme.

The engine spool-up time is very long, so you have to plan ahead in the landing pattern. Final approach to carrier at about 110 knots looks good for a gross weight of 30,000 pounds.

B-17F v1.0

2011-06-25T11:01:00.003-07:00

The B-17F, version 1.0 is posted. Bombardier view is view number 8 (it's easiest to get to it from cockpit view by using Shift-V). The "pipper" is set up for a release altitude of 30,000 ft, speed of 160 knots, and no wind. You'll have to increase your flight visibility in the environment settings in order to have adequate time to make course adjustments. The screenshot above shows the view of KSFO with default visibility.

In the future I'll add some wind, drift, altitude and speed adjustments, and some autopilot switches and release button to the bombardier's panel.

Of the eight bombs I dropped only two made it to the ground, but they scored well.

B-17F about ready for v1.0

2011-06-24T12:32:00.002-07:00

Updates to the B-17F include: finished the waist gunners cabin, added waist guns, added porthole "window" to ball turret, drew in aft fuselage entry door, redid bombardier's cabin. There are still some things I want to do, like finishing the nose plexiglass, adding a bombardier's view with bomb sight and autopilot controls, giving the crew some texture.

The next update will be version 1.0, although it won't have all of the above.

Lockheed S-3B Viking

2011-06-22T17:47:00.002-07:00

FlightGear user "Bravo" requested an S-3B Viking model, and offered to help with the textures, so I found a Rick Sasala model, originally made for FS2000/CFS2, that could be converted. Initial conversion for FlightGear is done, and after borrowing heavily from the A-3D model it's flyable. Still gobs of work to be done. Version 0.1 is in the hangar in the "projects" section.

Skywarrior update

2011-06-21T15:19:00.002-07:00

The A-3 Skywarrior has been updated, to include working fuel dump and air refueling, chrome shader on engine, some surface and texture changes. The new version is named A-3D, rather than A-3. It's a bit of a hybrid, with the old tail guns combined with newer sealed bomb bay containing fuel tanks.

B-17F Update

2011-06-15T19:01:00.003-07:00

The B-17F now has contrails, set to start at 25,000 feet. The bombs now exit properly, thanks to Ron Jensen's suggestion for getting the bomb intervals using a different method. The bombs still have a collision problem after exiting the airplane. I've also tweaked the flight control trim settings a bit, and increased the minimum prop blade angle, which should give better thrust response.

Am I the only one who gets blue cloud decks?

P-47 Texture Update

2011-06-15T18:59:00.001-07:00

Textures have better panel lines now, thanks to Lanny Chambers. The new ones have more "pop".

P-47D update

2011-06-14T16:06:00.002-07:00

New Thunderbolt version posted, with updated textures and some semi-transparency added to more of the canopy frame.

B-17 "Liberty Belle" crashes near Chicago

2011-06-13T13:48:00.003-07:00

The B-17 bomber "Liberty Belle", owned by the Liberty Foundation, crashed near Oswego, Illinois on Monday. All aboard escaped.

Yet Another B-17 Update

2011-06-08T21:00:00.005-07:00

Lots of texture updates, including weathering. Modded the engines to add cowl flaps (non-functioning). Added the window at the rear of the fuselage upper blister (radio man's window?). Changed prop texture, adding logo on front of each blade. Changed bomb bay door property so that they operate over multiplayer.

ToDo: Bombardeer's station, pilot shapes/textures, more guns, contrails, wingtip vortices, fix bomb issues, finish waist gunner's stations, flap textures.

B-17 Project Update

2011-06-07T22:29:00.003-07:00

The Super Fortress model has been updated to version 0.95. The cockpit instruments are mostly complete, the bomb bay doors operate (key is "d"), and the bombs come out in sequence (except for bomb #2, which refuses to leave). Unfortunately the bombs often collide upon leaving the airplane. I hope the bad behavior of the bombs is fixable.

Machine guns fire, however they spray bullets all over. Lousy gunners :)

TF-104G project

2011-05-26T20:11:00.003-07:00

This is a conversion of a Massimo Taccoli model. It was previously released in my old hangar as version 1.0, however that model is lost, so I'm starting again at version 0.5 (beta).

B-17F update

2011-05-26T15:51:00.003-07:00

Updates to the B-17F project include: revised VRP, gear length, propeller animations, tail wheel steering, fuselage texture, starboard gunner's opening location.

2011-05-19T19:39:00.003-07:00

The P-47D is now at version 1.0. It's designed to work with FlightGear 2.2 (code from this year), but it might work on older FlightGear versions as well. It comes with two 500lb bombs and a 75 gallon centerline drop tank.

Ground handling is difficult, due to poor visibility over the nose and due to plenty of torque. After landing it's a good idea to switch to external view to help stay on the runway. Be careful with the brakes - tap the brakes to slow down. A good final approach speed is 120 knots with full flaps (this helps keep the runway in sight).

P-47D almost ready

2011-04-28T21:13:00.002-07:00

The P-47D model is almost ready for release. Version number is now 0.9, and the model is complete except for some handling tweaks, especially ground handling, and a couple CAD and texture adjustments. This is a former AlphaSim model, and now wears the livery of Colonel Bud Mahurin's mount when he was with the 56th Fighter Group in 1943/44. The model has a semi-transparent bit of forward window frame to aid in seeing the runway on landing.

The Bone Yard

2011-04-23T17:57:00.002-07:00

Is there anybody reading this who has write permissions to the FlightGear wiki? I've noticed that Kent Esbenshade's hangar, The Bone Yard (link can be found on this page), is not listed among the third party hangars. I think a lot of people might be missing out on Kent's great models.

AH-1 and newest FG snapshot

2011-04-20T20:31:00.001-07:00

Does anyone know if the AH-1 Cobra model from the hangar works with the latest snapshot release of FlightGear?

DavePack update

2011-04-14T15:29:00.002-07:00

The sounds used by the Super Tucano models (the AT-29 and A-29B) are now in DavePack, and the DavePack version number for FG 2.2 is now 4.8. Both Super Tucano models are also updated. Every released model now has a FG2.2 update. I never thought this day would arrive!

BAK-12 barrier

2011-04-07T17:02:00.005-07:00

The BAK-12 model is now updated for FG2.2, although it might also work in FG2.0 or older. The package contains an example AI scenario file that you can use to add two barriers to runway 21R/03L at Nellis AFB. Just place the scenario file in your AI directory, and invoke the scenario file in your preferences.xml file. There is also a readme file included which explains all this.

Crash-detect System

2011-04-05T17:36:00.002-07:00

Most of the models in the Hangar use a "crash detect" system, which monitors height and g-load, and freezes the FDM when parameters are exceeded. Usually I set the limits to -1 foot and 9 g's. While adapting all the models to FG 2.2 standard lately, I noticed that many of them were failing to ground trim properly at start-up. The models flew fine thereafter, and you wouldn't have noticed this unless you routinely run FG with a console window open in order to observe the warning output. Thomas Kreitler discovered that the default FDM integration algorithm ("Trapezoidal") was causing this, and switching to another algorithm, "Adams Bashforth 2", fixed it. I'm now changing all crash detect system files to set "Adams Bashforth 2" as a default.

Break for flying

2011-03-30T20:37:00.002-07:00

Took the F-4J out for a spin tonight, and someguy came out to fly in the F-4N. Here's a shot of someguy landing aboard the Nimitz, and a shot of the F-4's parked on deck. Full size shots are here: Landing, Parked.

2011-03-24T23:08:00.002-07:00

I finally have the Hawker Typhoon ready for its 1.0 release. This is a great looking model by Alpha Simulations, and is set up for FlightGear 2.2.

Bullets impacting tracers

2011-03-23T19:57:00.003-07:00

Due to a change in FlightGear recently, many of the airplanes in the hangar have had a problem where the bullets sense an impact soon after leaving the barrel. I believe the problem is caused by the bullets impacting the tracers. I've solved it here by moving the bullet starting location 1 ft laterally to give it clearance. All aircraft being upgraded to FG2.2 standard should be fixed.

Parking brake light

2011-03-22T16:09:00.002-07:00

As part of the upgrades to FG2.2 standard, all aircraft will get a parking brake light, and all aircraft will have the brake set at startup. A reminder: on aircraft with catapult capability you don't need to release the parking brake prior to launch. The launch command (Shift-C) will release it for you.

Cobra ready for testing

2011-03-21T16:26:00.003-07:00

If you'd like to try out JSBSim's helicopter capabilities within FlightGear, a simple AH-1S model is now available at my hangar. Please read the readme included in the package for information. This model is built for FlightGear code from about February or newer, and JSBSim code from March 10th or newer.

Chopper testing

2011-03-07T19:35:00.005-08:00

Testing new FGRotor and FGElectric mods, using Alpha-J's AH-1S model. It seems to fly right, but I'm no chopper pilot, so can't tell for sure. The JSBSim FDM uses a rotor governor system, designed by Thomas Kreitler, and the standard FlightGear throttle-slider-controls-collective feature. There are also key bindings for the rotor brake and clutch. I also added a kill switch that cuts power to the rotor, in order to test the free wheeling unit and autorotating behavior.

Calidus

2011-03-03T10:19:00.002-08:00

I've been working with Thomas Kreitler, author of the rotor code in JSBSim, to add some things that will make autogyros possible, so here is the start of the first autogyro for JSBSim/FlightGear. This is the Calidus, a 500 kg MTOW aircraft, with an 8.4m rotor, powered by a Rotax engine spinning a 172cm propeller. More on the real Calidus here.

AT-29 Super Tucano

2011-03-01T18:11:00.002-08:00

The AT-29 model has been updated for use in FlightGear 2.2. Updates include: parking brake light, fixed nose wheel steering, fixed contrail trigger.

Is there anyone out there who would like to redo the texture? The current one has "the jaggies" (it was blown up from a smaller texture).

Propeller P-factor

2011-02-02T20:57:00.004-08:00

JSBSim has had the framework for modeling P-factor for some time now, but it's up to the modeler to provide the value (in inches per radian). This is the distance (in inches) that the propeller thrust vector is offset horizontally due to angle of attack (in radians). I've figured that a value of 0.79*D is a good approximation, where D is the propeller diameter in inches.

What this means in practice is that the Skyraider thrust vector will be offset about 2.5 inches to the right at 12 degrees of alpha (final approach alpha).

Yet more DavePack and Skyraider updates

2011-01-25T22:19:00.003-08:00

DavePack now has a slip indicator instrument, which the Skyraider really needs now that I've tweaked the P factor and spiral slipstream up a bit. I also changed the armament, adding SUU-11 minigun pods (4) in place of some CBU-25. I also removed the centerline Mk-82 bomb to save some weight.

For takeoff remember to release the parking brake. Advance power to full. The airplane will track straight until about 80 knots, at which time it will need some right rudder. At about 130 knots you'll break ground, at which time you'll need to add some right aileron as the left wing dips. Climb at 160 knots.

For landing, lower wheels when below 200 knots, and lower flaps when below 130. Fly final at at least 110 knots. Cut power over the threshold to land at about 90 knots. Don't stand on the brakes, or you'll end up in the position depicted above.

SkyRaider, A-1H

2011-01-24T10:36:00.002-08:00

I've added a parking brake light to DavePack, which all the models will eventually have. It's especially important for the tail dragger airplanes, since they'll flip over on their nose easily if you try to take off with the brake set.

The new DavePack and A-1H are posted, both meant for FG2.2, although they might still work with FG2.0 (I don't know, and won't be testing for it).

FlightGear 2.2 Support

2011-01-13T13:12:00.002-08:00

I'm running FlightGear code from about mid-December, which is probably close enough to the upcoming 2.2 release to start building for 2.2. The B-17F project now has two versions, one for FG2.0, which I will no longer be working on, and one for FG2.2, which will continue to be developed. Eventually I'll have FG2.2 versions posted for all models.

JA-37 Viggen

2010-12-08T17:03:00.002-08:00

Anonymous Reader asked for a Viggen model, and while I don't have the time to work on one until perhaps March, I did find a model by Kazunori Ito, made for FS2002, that was convertible to AC3D format. It's a high-poly model with nice textures, but still needs a lot of work. If anyone would like to take a look, or start working on his own project, the model is available at: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12562954/JA-37.tar.gz .

Note that I've removed the right wing and gear while doing some clean-up on the left side. Once the left side is cleaned up and cut into named objects, then I mirror it over to the right. License: Creative Commons, CC-BY-NC-SA.

P-47D With Chrome Shader

2010-11-30T22:01:00.003-08:00

The chrome shader is going to look nice on this airplane. BTW, version 0.7 of the P-47D pre-release is posted (with the Bud Mahurin paint job almost done).

Aztec Eagles

2010-11-29T22:55:00.003-08:00

Work on the P-47D continues. I would have posted the current project at the hangar in the "projects" section, but my ISP has once again crapped out. Maybe tomorrow they'll feed the squirrels. Here's a screenshot of another paint scheme I'm considering, the Mexican Air Force's 201st Squadron "Aztec Eagles", which was attached to the USAAF 5th Air Force, 58th Fighter Group, in 1944/45. It might look better with a chrome shader.

Refueling

2010-11-28T15:03:00.002-08:00

Thanks to Jean, a.k.a. "jano", there is now a nasal script included in DavePack that allows JSBSim models to properly refuel. All the F-4 models have been updated to use this. I also moved the upper mirror in each F-4, flipping it to a stowed position, to give a better forward view. In order to refuel the following conditions must be met:

1) The refueling system must be activated, and the probe (or door) must be in the extended (or open) position.

2) You must be refueling from a tanker which has a matching type of connection; either "probe" or "boom" type.

3) You must be in "the box" behind the tanker.

When conditions are met you will start taking on fuel, and a small green light will illuminate on the fuel gauge. Fuel will go in to all tanks at an equal rate. If the fuel gauge only shows tank[0] quantity, then the tank[0] quantity will increase slowly until the other tanks are full.

The download rate is 6000 lb/min, which is hard-coded in JSBSim.

AI Models

2010-11-17T22:04:00.003-08:00

I'm adding a section to the hangar for AI models. These are low poly-count models with no cockpit, no landing gear and minimal texture. These models are intended to be airborne, hence the removal of landing gear. My goal is to have AI models of support aircraft, such as tanker, cargo and surveillance types, which can be added to your simulation as objects of type AIAircraft.

The first AI model posted is an E-3 AWACS. Poly-count for this model is 1090, and the texture size is only 3 KB! It does have one animation - a rotating radome, spinning at 6 RPM. Getting this animation to work took a severe hack, since I couldn't figure out how to get the spin animation to accept a "value". It seems a "property" is required, so I found a property at "sim/session" that has (or usually will have?) a value of 1, which I could then multiply by 6.0. Ugly, but it works.

Lost airplane

2010-11-17T07:28:00.002-08:00

Does anyone have a copy of my MC-205 model? I've lost the latest version of it (and several other airplanes). I have an older version, so I can restart the project at some time, but it would help a lot to have the latest version. Thanks!

P-47D

2010-11-13T18:54:00.003-08:00

Working on an AlphaSim P-47D also. This one is going to be textured as Bud Mahurin's airplane, "Spirit of Atlantic City, NJ".

AI KC-10

2010-11-10T11:48:00.002-08:00

I've just converted a very old, and very low-poly, MSFS2K KC-10 for use as an AI tanker, and I'll be posting it to the hangar soon. While testing it I tried for the umpteenth time to get refueling to work with my airplane models, and failed again. Is there anyone handy with nasal here who would like to get that working?

Rocket for scenery

2010-11-05T18:07:00.003-07:00

"Alpha-J" has started a new hangar , and in it he's posted a Mercury Redstone rocket that can be installed as part of the Cape Canaveral scenery. When you click on the rocket it shoots into space. This is a scenery object, not an AI object per se , so it doesn't use the AIBallistic FDM. It uses a home brew FDM scripted in nasal.

Typhoon progress

2010-11-05T18:03:00.003-07:00

Borrowing heavily from the AD-4 model, I've got the Tiffy flying. More model work and animations to go. Oh, and maybe a different engine and prop :)

Mirage-5COAM

2010-10-29T10:35:00.002-07:00

In response to an inquiry, here is a Mirage-5COAM project that I had previously in my hangar. This is a conversion of a Denis and Daniel da Silva model, and carries my standard CC license. This project contains only an AC3D mesh and PNG textures. No FDM included. The project still needs a lot of work. I'll send this project to you if you want it. I may get around to finishing it some time in the future.

New project started

2010-10-20T22:54:00.003-07:00

This is a conversion of the Alpha Sim Hawker Typhoon. Initial work goes pretty fast, but the rest will take about a month.

Hangar Reconstruction

2010-10-07T21:29:00.005-07:00

The official Dave's Hangar is under reconstruction. I'm going through all the models and making some adjustments, as well as testing them against a FlightGear 2.0 build. As models are redone they will be added back to the hangar. The hangar URL is: http://members.cox.net/davidculp/hangar.html . This hangar is using Dropbox for the model FTP server.

One of the updates I'm making is converting all the SGI graphics to PNG format, which takes time, so it'll be a few days before the reconstruction is complete.

Hangar is back up

2010-09-29T22:16:00.003-07:00

Well, sort of. A temporary version is up at:
http://members.cox.net/davidculp/hangar-temp.htm . The aircraft packages themselves are hosted at mediafire (thanks for the tip Zexe!). Eventually I'll get the nice-looking hangar back up. Please let me know if anything is broken or incomplete.

AFAIK all these aircraft work with FlightGear 2.0, and remember that you need DavePack.

New email address

2010-09-20T20:25:00.002-07:00

The good news is I have a new POP3 account at: davidculp@cox.net
The bad news is Cox only gives me 20MB of web space. I can upload a partial hangar while I search for a solution.

Dave's Hangar off the air

2010-07-03T17:30:00.002-07:00

I've moved to a new city, and my account with Comcast has been closed, so Dave's Hangar is closed until I can start up a new account. That may take a long time, as I'm living in temporary housing while I try to buy a house via the "short sale" process, which could take months.

I still have all the content, but it's sitting on a computer that's presently in storage.

Updated Sea Fury

2010-04-08T13:37:00.002-07:00

Version 1.1 is compatible with FG 2.0+. It has a new prop, new seat position, and new trim settings.

Updated AD-6

2010-04-07T17:16:00.002-07:00

I just posted an updated AD-6 that is meant to work with FlightGear post-2.0. I'm calling that "2.0+". This model incorporates the "simulation/sim-time-sec" change mentioned below. It also has a propwash feature that allows the horizontal tail to react to propwash. For example, if you gun the engine and apply nose down elevator you can lift the tail wheel off the ground. You can also flip the airplane up onto the nose, so be careful.

The propwash is not seen by the vertical tail yet. My first attempt at that resulted in a bad reaction between the tail forces and the tail wheel, which caused the airplane to hop and spin around.

sim/time/sec

2010-04-02T17:12:00.003-07:00

The newer JSBSim code has moved the property "sim/time/sec" to "simulation/sim/time/sec". All my models use at least one system which relies on sim/time/sec, so this breaks all of them. The effected systems are: alpha_buffet, beacon, beacon2 and crash-detect, and there may be others. I'll leave models in the Hangar as they are, which should work with FG 2.0. If you build a newer version of FG you'll probably have to edit the above files, or else FG will abort.

Video of F-4N model

2010-04-01T16:46:00.002-07:00

A video of the Dave's Hangar F-4N has been moved to a different location at YouTube. The new URL is here. Many thanks to "BlazeInfernoHD" for making this video!

F-4EJ Update

2010-03-26T08:59:00.002-07:00

Fixed the drag 'chute. It now has the proper color, texture and ambient shading. Added a few degrees of flap travel. BTW, FlightGear user Zexe Onyo found a link to a nice YouTube video featuring the F-4EJ Kai of the 302 Sqdn.: here.

AD-6 propeller update

2010-03-16T16:13:00.002-07:00

New code is in JSBSim now (but not yet in FlightGear) that allows you switch a prop into and out of constant speed mode. I've also added two optional tables that can be used to define compressibility effects on a prop. The AD-6 Skyraider prop has been updated. The AeroMatic values have been changed to suit the actual gear ratio of 2.28 (engine/prop). This results in a low-rpm prop. Great for cruising.

Some propeller changes

2010-03-04T08:46:00.002-08:00

I've been working on a new prop configurator for AeroMatic. This one builds a more complete set of tables, from a beta of -10 to +90 degrees for constant speed props. All you have to tweak manually is the min and max prop angles. I've tested it the F7F model, where I set the blade angle limits to the range 18-50. The new model is version 1.4.

Some things to look out for when using the new prop configs:

1) If you set the min blade angle too large, the engine starter won't be strong enough to start the engine. In this case you have to either decrease the min angle, or decrease the engine idle speed. Your idle thrust will be higher than before.

2) There are no Mach effects in the prop code, so your dive speed will be a bit higher than you'd expect. I'm working on this.

3) I saw somewhere that the blade angle range for the P-51 was 20-55, so that should give a ballpark range for high-speed applications.

The Bone Yard

2010-02-23T12:08:00.002-08:00

Kent Esbenshade has established a hangar for his fine models at: The Bone Yard. The F-104C, F-86F and F-100D entries at my hangar now redirect you to The Bone Yard.

Offline for a while

2010-02-17T17:44:00.001-08:00

I'm going to be offline for a while. I may not be able to respond to email in a timely manner. I'll be traveling a lot. Return time unknown.

Chrome Shader on P-80

2010-02-10T12:25:00.003-08:00

Playing around with the chrome shader. This one has some blue added on top and brown added below. It should look better in the new FlightGear release, which won't be adding as much additional blue from the sky. The P-80 really needs the chrome effect.

F-100D, Early '60's Livery

2010-02-09T21:42:00.003-08:00

Kent Esbenshade turned the clock back on the F-100D, giving it a pre-Vietnam livery. The model includes many enhancements, including a very realistic panel. It's available now at the hangar.

Some flying advice for the F-100: Don't horse it off the ground. Climb shallow at first and let the speed build up. At slow speeds, or high AOA, use mostly rudder for turns. Using aileron could lead to a snap roll.

The Hun Shuffle

2010-02-09T18:25:00.002-08:00

I've renamed the F-100 the F-100D, to distinguish it from Kent Esbenshade's new F-100 model, which is also a D model, but will be listed here as F-100. Kent's model will be here soon.

Michael Fader's Wings website

2010-02-05T18:55:00.002-08:00

Here's a website recommended by Kent: Wings . It's a site with lots of information on military aircraft and squadrons. Scroll down to the Profiles button. In this section you'll find a great collection of profiles, especially for U.S. Navy airplanes!

Hawker Sea Fury

2010-02-05T14:52:00.002-08:00

This model has been sitting around for years. A lot of things kept me from releasing it. First, the engine and prop weren't working right, which kept me from releasing any piston powered models for years. Then there was the "drifting in the direction of pitch angle" bug in the JSBSim gear code, which is now fixed, but kept me from releasing tail-draggers for a long time. Some things that still need work: better engine and prop configuration, better sound, and better gear animation. At least it's pretty! That's thanks to the original designers at AlphaSim.

Boeing's OV-10X proposal

2010-02-03T19:51:00.002-08:00

Some details of Boeing's proposed new OV-10 are available in this 2-page PDF file: http://www.ov-10bronco.net/Technical/boeing_ov-10(x)_super_bronco_info_card_2009_01.pdf . I hope they go with P&W engines.

Chengdu F-7MG

2010-02-03T18:06:00.003-08:00

Released version 1.0 of the Chengdu F-7MG. This airplane is equipped and painted for the August 1st aerial demonstration team. The airplane is not as polished as others in the Hangar, but I'm pressed for time these days. Besides, there are 1.3 billion people in China, and you'd figure one of them could do some work on it.

Kent's F-104C and F-86F

2010-02-01T16:32:00.002-08:00

Kent Esbenshade's new F-104C and F-86F models are available at the hangar. You need to check these out!

RA-5C Spoiler-Deflectors

2010-01-28T00:03:00.003-08:00

The Vigilante had an unusual set of spoilers and deflectors on each wing which provided roll control and speed braking. Even after buying a nice book on the Viggie, loaded with information and photos, I still only have the spoilers and deflectors about 75% figured out. I believe that when operated as speed brakes these control surfaces worked as shown in the above screen shot. The upper, outermost surface was hinged at the rear and rotated upwards. The lower, outermost surface was hinged at the front and rotated downwards. North American used a similar system in their F-107 project.

The blue tint

2010-01-22T09:19:00.003-08:00

I've noticed a lot of blue being added to models lately by FlightGear's rendering system. It's especially troublesome when a shiny surface is painted white, like the wings on this F-104. Any idea how to get rid of the blue?

Kent's F-104C

2010-01-21T15:50:00.002-08:00

Kent Esbenshade is working on an F-104 model (and several others). I've posted it in the Hangar in the Projects section as a beta release. The model is very nice and close to release. A complication here is that Kent is using the last stable FlightGear, and therefore can't see how it will render in the upcoming version. I'm helping out, but I'm not sure my newish build for linux renders the same as everyone else's newish build. Also, I don't have experience using the chrome shader, so I'm having to learn that at the same time. Can any of you please check out the F-104C and post feedback here? I'm especially interested in rendering/texturing/coloration/lighting issues. Thanks!

Good Reading

2010-01-16T09:43:00.003-08:00

I recommend this book if you're in to cold war airplanes. This is a collection of articles written by pilots who flew these airplanes, about flying them. Most of the articles cover things such as training, check-out, starting procedures, airplane quirks, handling qualities, comparisons to similar airplanes, their typical missions, airplane history, etc. Amazon link here.

Bronco on the grass

2010-01-09T19:22:00.004-08:00

Still pressed for time these days, so I'll post a photo of OV-10 number 825. This photo is from the Battle of Britain Airshow at RAF Abingdon in 1981. I brought this airplane from Germany and had a great time. The Brits introduced me to Flaming Drambuies. I did pretty well at first, but later lost half my mustache.

Vigilante at the Midway

2010-01-05T08:20:00.003-08:00

The RA-5 is one of my favorites. I took a few photos hoping to find some areas where the model could be improved. The tail end is especially complicated. I STILL can't figure out where the speed brakes are. I guess some combination of wing spoilers was used for this. The current RA-5C model in the hangar has speed brakes aerodynamically but not visually. I may end up having to get the NATOPS flight manual to get the answer.

F9F body flaps

2010-01-04T13:58:00.002-08:00

Of all the things I saw on the deck of the Midway, these "body flaps" on the F9F were the most interesting. I'd never thought of it before, but one of the problems with blended wing-body (BWB) airplanes is how do you make up for all the missing flap span? Grumman's answer was body flaps. I assume they were very draggy, which for a carrier airplane is not a bad thing.

Visit to Midway Museum

2010-01-01T14:43:00.002-08:00

I'll post photos after I get them developed and digitized. The airplanes on deck are very well prepared. I was especially impressed by the ordnance loads on the airplanes. The A-6 was loaded with 30 Mk-82 bombs! I stupidly forgot to bring a camera along, so I bought a 27-shot throw away camera in the gift shop. I hope the photos turn out OK :)

USS Midway museum website

F-86 update

2009-12-29T19:17:00.002-08:00

I'm traveling a lot these days, so not much time for Hangar work. Here's a screenshot of the progress on the F-86.

openAE

2009-12-29T18:47:00.002-08:00

In this blog's "links widget" there is a link to openAE, a site worth visiting. (Hmm, back when I was in college that last sentence would have been gibberish.) The folks there are about to release the next version of OpenDatcom, which is a GUI interface for the U.S. Air Force's Digital DATCOM. DATCOM was created to aid in estimating the aerodynamic qualities of airplanes based on their geometry. This is very useful for making JSBSim configurations, however few people have been willing to deal with the user-unfriendliness of DATCOM. OpenDatcom may be the solution!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T12:50:00.002-08:00

For those of you who would like to see how NORAD tracks Santa, the NORAD folks explain it here: NORAD Santa Tracking

PNG versus SGI

2009-12-18T19:21:00.004-08:00

I have a new version of AC3D, which means I can now start using PNG textures, which compress to a smaller size than the SGI textures do. One thing that seems a bit disconcerting is that it takes forever for GIMP to compress the images, which leads one to wonder is the de-compression just as slow? Has anyone noticed a significant difference in load-time for models using PNG textures?

In a Sabre Mood

2009-12-17T18:58:00.003-08:00

I'm in the process of converting Detlef Faber's F-86 into a later model F-86F-25, the type with wing fences and no slats. The texture will be the 512th FDS livery, aircraft number 52-5350, as mentioned in a previous post about the Wings Palette web site. To help you get into the mood too, here's a film of the 526th FBS getting their new F-86's!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQL9Kxxd88s