Bowie

While all y'all are in a good mood... How much trouble would it be to up-rate the flight dynamics to produce a Mike model, powered by a J52-P-408 with 11,200 lbf of thrust, everything else same/same? Fly the Scooter a lot, and while the traditional E model is great for the 60's-70's environment, an ACM version for the legacy F/A-18 era would be sweet, and take it into the millennium. Really enjoy the Scooter. EDIT: Upon further research, this Echo model appears to be upgraded to the Foxtrot spec., with its 9,300 lbf J52-P8A/8B engine, wing spoilers for landing role-out, and the capability to shoot AIM-9 Sidewinders. Good decision for a long-lived, multi-role A/C. As for the Mike model: now have a alternate A-4E-C.lua file, that reflects the J52-P-408's 11,200 lbf thrust and 17 lbs of additional weight, as well as an additional 100 rds. of 20x110mm ammo for the Colt Mk 12's, and its accompanying 119 lbs. (for the combat weight) Bowie

Just found this new update, looking for the answer to a question: How to get a keybind for "call the ball", like the F/A-18C. Already have the salute for launch, but the no grade/comms traps are weak. Really enjoy this Scooter. Bowie

Will CC this here, as this is the mothership. Problem: #3 Cat, on the USS Forrestal is dumping AI A-4E-C A/C, even w/o a payload, into the sea. Assume: Lack of Airspeed - as 3,000 lb loaded A-4E-C A/C from the other three Cat's struggle and sometimes even drag their gear. Situation: Steaming at 18 kn., because of the Replenishment ship, into a 15 kn. (@33 ft.) wind, 10° port, down the flight-deck. Combined Wind Over Deck: a calculated 32 kn. External View IAS: (On flight deck or Cat) Player: 36 kn. AI: 19 kn. AI appear to respond to Wind at airfields. EDIT: Did External View Launch Tests off the USS Forrestal. AI A-4E-C: Full Internal Fuel, 3,000 lb payload + 2xAIM-9M (4074 lb), 86% Max Gross Weight. Launch Speeds/Results: Consistent over program CAT.1, .2, .4: 153 kn. IAS - (fly off) CAT.3: 144 kn. IAS - (swim) Cat#3 Bug.trk EDIT#2: Reduced Wind to 5 kn, increased Speed to 28 kn., for the same Wind Over Deck. Repeated the Tests. Same A/C results. Launch Speeds/Results: Consistent over program CAT.1, .2, .4: 152 kn. IAS - (fly off) CAT.3: 141 kn. IAS - (swim) Please advise. EDIT: While all y'all are in a good mood... Ship Exhaust: not Steam Locomotive They burn fuel, not wood, and use a closed, high-pressure steam turbine propulsion system, not open piston. The Exhaust should resemble lean diesel smoke, or, better, F-4 Phantom II Jet exhaust, which is burning kerosene. USS Forrestal and LHA-1 Tarawa are the worst offenders, and use the same "ship".lua "GT.exhaust", except Tarawa uses twice as much (two stacks). None... looks better than OEM, as they have been disabled. The A-4E-C Exhaust, at full power, (please see attached track) would be about perfect all by itself. Please advise. This is a wonderful product, and much appreciated. Bowie

Actually, the A-4E-C Exhaust, at full power, would be about perfect all by itself. Cat#3 Super.trk Bowie

Yeah, am using Marianas II/Guam in Carrier based Vietcong/NorK/ChiCom scenarios. Nice piece of real estate to fight over, and Orote Airstrip will handle modern jets, and will even operate a KC135MPRS w/ 60% fuel if the wind is right. A-4E's and F/A-18C's... and MiG's Bungle in the Jungle. Bowie

Did the exact same mission profile, 3,000 lb payload, except w/ a carrier change to Super. Cat#3 Super.trk All flew off. So, the true offender - is USS Forrestal's low power #3 Cat. The original tests were w/ a 4,000 lb bomb-load, and both Carriers' #3 Cat failed to keep the planes dry. 3,000 lbs is reasonable for a carrier launch. But the USS Forrestal's #3 Diving Board still needs a fix. Bowie

As opposed to putting an A-4E-C on the USS Forrestal and shooting it off the #3 Cat? EDIT: IF you embark a Division, to "take-off from runway", it will be the second plane off... the wet one. Cat#3 Bug.trk Bowie

They burn fuel, not wood, and use a closed, high-pressure steam turbine propulsion system, not open piston. The Exhaust should resemble lean diesel smoke, or, better, F-4 Phantom II Jet exhaust, which is burning kerosene. USS Forrestal and LHA-1 Tarawa are the worst offenders, and use the same "ship".lua "GT.exhaust", except Tarawa uses twice as much (two stacks). None... looks better than OEM, as they have been disabled. Please advise. Bowie

AI Aircraft/Cat Launch: Wind Over Deck (IAS) Problem: #3 Cat, on both the USS Forrestal and Super Carrier, are dumping AI A-4E-C A/C, w/o payload, into the sea. Assume: Lack of Airspeed - as 3,000 lb loaded A-4E-C A/C from the other three Cat's struggle and sometimes even drag their gear. Situation: Steaming at 18 kn., because of the Replenishment ship, into a 15 kn. (@33 ft.) wind, 10° port, down the flight-deck. Combined Wind Over Deck: a calculated 32 kn. External View IAS: (On flight deck or Cat) Player: 36 kn. AI: 19 kn. AI appear to respond to Wind at airfields. EDIT: Did External View Launch Tests off the USS Forrestal. AI A-4E-C: Full Internal Fuel, 3,000 lb payload + 2xAIM-9M (4074 lb), 86% Max Gross Weight. Launch Speeds/Results: Consistent over program CAT.1, .2, .4: 153 kn. IAS - (fly off) CAT.3: 144 kn. IAS - (swim) EDIT#2: Reduced Wind to 5 kn, increased Speed to 28 kn., for the same Wind Over Deck. Repeated the Tests. Same A/C results. Launch Speeds/Results: Consistent over program CAT.1, .2, .4: 152 kn. IAS - (fly off) CAT.3: 141 kn. IAS - (swim) Please advise. Bowie

CFS2 - had a 'dice-roll' waypoint, with an 'A' or 'B' outcome. Unique routes were propagated for both from that point. eg: Route leads to a mountain. Variable Waypoint originates randomly selected 'A' and 'B' routes, say left or right around the mountain. Or, say, dive-bomb the airfield, or low-level attack the tank farm. Or, say, attack from the East, or attack from the Southwest. All possible with a Variable Waypoint. Bowie

"Airbrake, Toggle". Bowie

Add to the list: - No key-bindes to charge the guns. - No Starter Cover Toggle. - No Magneto Toggle. Thanks. Bowie

Meh. Ha! CFSII 1%(CFSIV) is reborn. Long live the PTO. Thank you all involved. (now, something to shoot at) Bowie

Found that when the Bf 109K-4 was reconfigured to a Bf 109G-6, by replacing the 30mm Mk 108 cannon with the 20mm MG 151/20 by modifying... "Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta\CoreMods\WWII Units\Weapons\Weapons.lua file" The "P-51's fuselage breaks in half way" problem all but went away. The 30mm stuff is a bomb. Weapons - (Bf 109G-6).lua Bowie

The 352nd FG are more stunning NMF skins by Reflected. 328th FS, Jul44: 328th FS, Sep44: 328th FS, Oct44: And, lastly, a true Frankenstein, just for fun. Bowie's Tigers: simply the DCS 112 Sqdn front fuselage riveted to the DCS USAF 363rd FS airframe. Bowie

The OD P-47D, essential for Spring and Summer ALG Normandy, 1944. (Sure, the front and rear fuselage don't quite match, but then, there's a war on, and pails of paint differ, not to mention damage/repair partial repaints.) Front Fuselage and RoughMets by Reflected, Rear Fuselage/Wings by Red Kite or DCS for the Camo. USAAF Default OD JUL44: 56th FG OD JUL44: 56th FG Camo JUL44: These are workhorse aircraft, and make up/mixed all Spring, 5/8ths Summer, and 3/8ths Fall, for any given P-47D division(8). The SEP44 livery is the same, sans lower wing invasion stripes. Next, will be the Reflected 352nd FG P-51D's... Bowie

The 4th FG, along with the 357th FG, are absolutely stunning NMF skins by Reflected. These are the Jul44 livery, the Sep44 is sans lower invasion stripes. The "Jail-birds." (black bars and aluminum trays) And a 363rd FS, 357th FG Oct44... just because. Next will be the true Frankensteins - the P-47D Jul44 OD and Camo liveries. Bowie

Frankensteins of Normandy First off, being a simple and humble mad scientist, the credit for this project lies with the Master Livery-Smiths. They produced all the bodies. - Reflected - Magic Zack[M4] - Red Kite (apparently defunct) - DCS DevGroup The Project: Concentration in the ETO is Normandy Breakout (Operation Cobra) to the Siegfried Line, July 1944 to January 1945. This covers Three(3) aircraft paint directives, as well as the introduction, or non-camouflaging, of Natural Metal Finish aircraft in theater. - JUL44: Removal of Upper Wing/Fuselage Invasion Stripes. - SEP44: Removal of Lower Wing Invasion Stripes, retaining Lower Fuselage Invasion Stripes. - OCT44: Incorporation of Squadron Color Rudders to existing Lower Fuselage Invasion Stripes. The Frankensteins: Starting with the DCS offerings. - DCS USAF 363rd FS, 357th FG (used as a generic OD for the 4th and 354th FG's as well.) Note: TTBoMK, the 354th FG being the only P-51 Fighter Group deployed to a Normandy ALG, A-2 Cricqueville. - DCS USAF 364th FS, 357th FG - DCS USAF Standard (353rd FG) - DCS 53rd FS 9th Air Force (36th FG) DCS OD Jul44: New RoughMet, darker/flat OD green. DCS OD Sep44: New RoughMet, new wings sans lower invasion stripes. DCS 364thFS Oct44: New Roughmet (de-"blinged"), new wings sans lower invasion stripes. (the OEM has lower wing/fuselage invasion stripes) DCS 36thFG Sep44: New wings sans lower invasion stripes. (the OEM has lower wing/fuselage invasion stripes, tail stripe) DCS 353rdFG Jul44: Added lower wing/fuselage invasion stripes, tail stripe. DCS 353rdFG Sep44: Added lower fuselage invasion stripes, tail stripe. Next: the 4th FG P-51D's. Bowie

EDIT: Ran this w/ both the P-47 and P-51 "Bingo" missions (Player spectator A/C in mission), and checked the climb speeds and times for both settings. No discernible difference. The F mission climb is to 18,500 ft, with a climb speed of 162 kts to 10,000 ft., and then 185 kts to 18,500 ft., which is 160 kts indicated at those altitudes. With both settings, climb speeds fluctuate between 147 and 201 kts IAS. Erratic, and well in excess of programed speed. Please advise. @NineLine Bowie

Best practice for Carrier Landings: Dead-stick Field Carrier Landings. On the Up-wind leg, buzz the runway off to the Right, 1,000 ft./250 IAS/2700 RPM, and check that it is clear. End of the runway, Chop the throttle and bank hard left, looking for the ramp at the other end. Ease the bank, open the canopy, and begin a slow decent to 500 ft. as you slow on the Down-wind leg. At 170 IAS and about 3/4 field, lower the gear and trim up the nose, and drop a notch of flaps. Abeam of the ramp, 500 ft., passing through 150 IAS, another notch of flaps and break for a descending spiral to the ramp, adding flaps as needed, to full. Finish the turn at the ramp, flare to three-point attitude, and level the wings. Then drive the tail-wheel in as you stall, just before touchdown. Every landing like that? A Carrier Landing is no sweat. Bowie

Gun Camera footage - saved and replayed at 1/2 speed like the mission "Track" function. How awesome would that be. Bowie

Am now using "56th FG, 61st FS Generic camo skin" by Reflected. But, come on. It's a great skin and OEM. Bowie

Indicated Airspeed Option: The program already tracks this, as it appears as "IAS: n kn" in the external view data window. It's what pilots operate by. Not a big problem for level flight, an an empirical program of Altitudes/IAS's has produced data of ground speeds at altitude for waypoints. The problem is climb. Climbing from 2,000 ft. up to 25K, at max continuous power and 170 mph (148 kts) indicated, has a tremendous ground speed variable. The AI already climb away in this configuration and keeping formation is impossible. If the AI were limited to max continuous power and 170 mph (148 kts) indicated, that would also solve the problem of a route climb. The other issue is an Alternate Waypoint Trigger, and the ability to provide an alternate route. A or B. Turns Four(4) missions into Eight, plus the unpredictability. Multiple Alternate Waypoint Triggers? 1,2,3,... One mission, infinite variably engagements. Bowie

Below ~ 250 indicated, with 10­° of flaps and an energy advantage going into it, one can beat a Bf 109-G6 in a turn fight. How much trouble would it be to code this into the Veteran and Ace AI pilots? The other thing is the single combat "lufberry" with the Bf 109-G6. Round and round, the Ace AI pilot will break off/maneuver when they have lost <3/4 of a circle. Seems like all the other AI pilots just stay in until they get chased down as a 1G strafing target. Rookie move, maybe reserved for nuggets. Bowie

This Folder (C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta\Mods\aircraft\P-51D\ Liveries\Cockpit_P-51D-25-NA) appears to be persistent, at least through the last update. Bowie