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Out of interest does your Gunfighter have an extension?

This isn't as much a joystick issue, but rather, I'm finding the Hornet to have quite a large deadzone. I have my deadzone set to zero in the options for X and Y, but there is still a good couple of centimetres of movement at the top of my joystick (centre mounted extension). I have checked the joystick software (VirPil), and the joystick deadzone is far less than the Hornet deadzone itself. The F-15C for instance, has a much smaller deadzone in game. I take it this is realistic, but if not, is there a way to customise this for the Hornet?

27/07/2018 - Release of RAAF Pack 2.0 - 77 SQN A21-49 70th Anniversary https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3301363/ A21-49 appears as it did between January 2012 and February 2013, where it featured at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon in Victoria. In 2011, members from No. 77 SQN were asked to come up with a design to be painted on a Hornet to coincide with the Squadrons 70th Anniversary celebrations. The scheme was designed by 77 SQN personnel, LAC Nicholas Pearsall, CPL Aaron Somerville and SGT Chris Henderson. The scheme has several key features built around the 77 SQN FS-14062 satin green base. On the vertical stabilisers we see the 77 SQN “grumpy monkey” accompanied by the squadron motto “swift to destroy” with the hornet silhouette. The checkerboard pattern is reflective of the green and white checkerboard pattern seen on earlier 77 SQN schemes, including Gloster Meteor aircraft deployed to Korea, as well as Sabre and Mirage III fighters. On the left side of the nose, there is a placard listing the Battle Honours for 77 SQN, from the Second World War, through to Korea. Less prominent, is the inverted (white) warning signage around the cockpit. It is worth noting that despite the high visibility commemorative paintwork, the majority of the aircraft is still painted in the 77 SQN low visibility scheme, including roundels, and darkened formation lights on the nose. During the lifetime of this scheme, various panels were repainted FS35237 or FS36375, notably around the nose.

Thanks guys, I'm glad you are enjoying it! Strut: I'm not sure mate, it could be that I edited the original V1.0 of the RAAF Pack rather than create a new listing. Perhaps it's burried many pages back? I could just reupload the pack in an entirely new entry.

Pleased to say the F/A-18 Hornet RAAF Pack 2.0 - Part I - ​Test & Training - is released :) https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/1994272/

You won't have any trouble running through the preflight and getting the Hornet off the ground. Flying is also straightforward, and thoroughly enjoyable. Landing is the only part you will need to practice, and no other module will properly prepare you. You will find yourself overloaded just managing the information on the HUD during approach, the first few attempts. You can land fairly hard and push the throttles to get out of trouble, so I wouldn't expect you will crash outright. But you may have a few go-arounds as you manage the information overload. Just jump in the Hornet today and have a go, you are ready.

EDIT: 25/06/18 - A final check tonight revealed issues with the roughness maps that I need to work through - reflectivity is inverted on areas it shouldn't be. I will keep working at it and see how far I get today and tomorrow. It's important to get this step correct, otherwise the aircraft look too reflective in bright sun. My apologies, and thanks for your patience everyone.

I just need to work through some minor issues on my list and package everything. This weekend is certainly my goal.

A21-28 is almost complete - this is also a member of 2OCU, but with the low vis markings. There are a few unique points about this paint scheme - firstly, the FS35237 on top is fairly consistent and a little darker (less weathered) than A21-25. The "A21-28" font is also different than any of the other airframes I am painting, I am not sure of the reason for this. Note also the inverted serial text colouring on the rear. Also shown is the landing gear assembly - note how clean the RAAF ground crew keeps the inside of the wheel bays! This appears true of almost all of the reference I have seen for different RAAF Hornets. A21-28 will complete Part 1 of the RAAF Pack 2.0, titled "Test and Training", which will include this skin, A21-25 and A21-32. This should hopefully give you all three RAAF skins to practice your weapons delivery and landings!

Another small update - I have now completed A21-32 and A21-25. A21-28 is next. Below is A21-25, a member of 2OCU, or No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit. This unit prepares RAAF pilots to fly the Hornet, as well as instructor training and refresher courses for existing Hornet pilots. A21-25 appears as it did in 2017, with the 2OCU high visibility livery. Notable points include the weathered and marked right boomerang tail logo, faded, repainted, and patchy FS35237 paint down the right flank and nose. The aircraft is relatively clean of fluid marks, which contrasts the weathered tail logos.

PorcoRosso86 - Thank you, I really appreciate your comment! Certainly, I would like to have a go at some other nations, originals, or other aircraft. If they ever release an F111 module, I will certainly do the RAAF skins for that aircraft! I also plan to do the Mirage III, the trouble is, the quality and quantity of images for the Mirage might prove a minor issue, we'll see. Roller25 - You are spot on! Thanks for bringing that issue to my attention, and please be on the lookout for anything else. Every time I open the files, I find new minor issues that need fixing, and another set of eyes really helps the process.

I'm not developing this one for the RAAF Pack 2.0, so go for it! Look forward to flying it :)

Thanks guys. After considering timeframes last night, and looking at my pace of output, I am going to change the release plans for F/A-18 Hornet RAAF Pack V2.0. I am going release V2.0 in several complimentary parts, rather than wait for the full pack to be completed. The total pack will be upwards of 15 aircraft, and at my current level of detail, that could be 2-4 months of work quite easily, as it is about 20 hours of work per airframe (quicker as I get going). I would like to release the first part in the next couple of weeks, which will be titled - "Test and Training". It will comprise of A21-32 the ARDU test airframe pictured above, A21-25 of 2OCU with a high-vis paint scheme, and A21-28 of 2OCU with a low-vis paint scheme. I understand that most people are currently learning systems and practicing flying the aircraft, which makes a "Test and Training" pack most appropriate (and needed) right now. After that, I will finish working on Part 2, which will be called "Bastille and Falconer", comprising of four aircraft used in combat, in the Middle East, during 2003. With more packs to follow after that. I look forward to people being able to train with the RAAF shortly! Thanks for your support.

Hi guys, a progress update - As previously mentioned, I want to do the RAAF and Eagle Dynamics justice by getting RAAF Pack 2.0, like the Hornet module itself, as accurate as possible. Part of this involves studying as much reference as possible, to capture all the unique details of each airframe in the upcoming pack. Below is one of three aircraft currently nearing completion - please keep in mind, there will be more than the seven skins that appeared in 1.0. A21-32 is an interesting airframe, as it has a number of panels that are either missing FS35237 (2 on the spine), or have a faded shade. In some places, such as the vertical stabilisers, we see the almost completely faded position of the original ARDU graphics, now replaced with the later, smaller triangle graphic. At times in its history, the black and yellow stripes extend over the rudder surfaces, at other times they end before the rudders. The 'warning static charge' also makes a rare appearance on the canopy frame. This particular livery, despite its unique paint scheme, also has minimal fluid deposits or noticeable wear.

For me this has been three years. Others much longer I’m sure, but a day hasn’t passed by without me checking the forums for news. Often at work in a meeting, or on the bus, whenever really. In an sense it’s an opportunity to fulfil a boyhood dream of flying the RAAF’s frontline fighter, which is now as old as I am in service! Heartfelt appreciation to ED for realising this aircraft, uncompromised, fully realised. It’s a brilliant time for consumer flight simulation. Nice to be here with you all on this momentous day.

Hi Strut, yes indeed. I have the decals complete for the update, now I am applying them to the new texture maps. Version 2.0 will be twice the number of skins, so there is a lot of work involved. Basically all artwork has been remade from scratch, to get the authenticity as accurate as possible. I would hope to have the new pack ready a few weeks after the Hornet release.

Template Questions / Help Awesome! How do we view the tex maps on the new model though? Do we wait for the module to be released or is the updated model already contained within DCS? EDIT: Also, these new maps are so much easier to work with! Rather than 6 maps, we have 2, with logical layout. Thanks ED, many headaches saved :)

Is there one for April is there? That’d be brilliant

Do you guys remember a couple of years ago, we were racking up hundreds of pages in the Hornet thread, discussing any vague mention of anything resembling the word "Hornet" by Sith, Wags, or Skate. Or even going as far to google translate the Russian side of the forum. I even remember one guy asking for screenshots of the Hornet code, in lieu of art shots. At that point we were waiting each week for words.. since then, we have seen screenshots, videos, open discussion with Wags, and now we are actually WEEKS from having the Hornet module on our computers! It actually, genuinely, feels like every day from now until release is Christmas eve.

That does seem to match the layout of text in the ref images, RhineHornet - you might have cracked it. MustangSally, that would be an incredible help, cheers for looking into it for me, and be sure to pass on my thanks to your mate :)

Unfortunately Esac Mirmidon, the sign is not actually in those two high res images. The "Pyrotechnics installed under structure do no cut" sign is on every Hornet, however the sign I'm looking for is next to that sign. It is larger and has more text on it. Yes, DefaultFace, A21-20 has the sign on it too - it's a shame the images aren't high enough to make out a few words. Anyone else have some high res images? Here is another angle:

Circled in red in the below image. I can't find high resolution reference of this sign. It only appears on certain Hornets, at certain times - namely A21-35 and A21-32. Does anyone have some high resolution imagery, or any idea what it reads? The small sign to the immediate left reads: "WARNING - Pyrotechnics installed under structure do not cut" The larger sign below that (just below the canopy fairing), reads: "WARNING - This aircraft contains a cartridge actuated emergency escape system equipped with explosive charges. See applicable maintainence manual for complete instructions".

VR is like pulling a stocking over your head, followed by a balaclava. I mean, I get it, I’ve tried DCS with my rift. The immersion of sitting in the cockpit is brilliant, but in a practical sense, it’s slow and bloody awful. Physical buttons are useless beyond your hotas, it’s energy sapping and eye strain inducing, and then there’s the resolution - beyond a few hundred metres the value of depth is lost, as it is in real life, and instead you are left looking at a pixelated smudge of a horizon. I’ll take my 3440x1440 gsync monitor any day of the week. However ask me again in a few years, as I think I’ll come around ;)

Can't the same be said of the trainer aircraft? Heck even the A-10 is pretty limited. We have the Viggen, Harrier, and A-10, which all perform similar roles. The 117 would offer something we haven't seen in DCS yet.

Do you have any more information on a release of the template, SkateZilla? It looks like they've locked down the 3D model, considering how many skins they're pumping out now.