Diesel_Thunder

^^^ This ^^^ Part of my routine for a cold and dark startup (A-10, F16, F18) is to move them from normal range back into the OFF position once I load in to the cockpit. The OFF position has a momentary switch that is engaged when the throttle handle is there. Works as intended every time once I got into that habit.

Shooting from the hip here, but that looks like a deviation table for the direction finder. When DF’s are calibrated, a table is made against a known transmitter bearing (the actual known bearing versus what the DF is telling you the bearing is). That way the navigator knows that if his DF is showing a signal source at say 20 degrees, he then adds or subtracts the deviation and gets the corrected bearing to the signal. During my time in the Coast Guard, this was checked at least annually on DF sets and the deviation table updated accordingly. Much more accurate (and easier) to find someone in distress when you have a corrected bearing to thier radio.

Not sure if there is a shrapnel effect in DCS or not. I imagine that the blast radius is different between the two bombs, but don’t know for sure. In real life shrapnel was a big part of a bombs lethality in general use. It also gave strength to the bomb at impact so it would stay intact long enough to detonate. You don’t want it to rupture and splatter itself apart prior to detonation (like a watermelon), and that is a risk when using thinner cases. The trade off was a larger blast radius and shock wave which worked well against softer targets (wood structures, unarmored vehicles, etc).

I got pretty close last night and was hands off for a while. Seems easier trimming this bird than the Jug or Mustang, at least to me anyway. I always get the rudder trim first to get rid of any slip, and then deal with pitch/roll trim to maintain level.

The Medium Capacity bombs essentially had thinner cases and more explosive filler than the General Purpose ones. Made a bigger boom at the expense of less shrapnel from the thinner case. The High Capacity bombs had even thinner cases and more explosives. Not sure if we’ll get those ones.

I mapped my pedals so that they are rudder control, with the left pedal as the brake. Took a moment to get used to it, but it works well.

A nice touch is using the mixture control on the rear of the throttles, it makes the flame effect more or less intense as you adjust it.

Before I got my pedals, I used the right hand slider on the throttle for rudder control. Though I stuck with jets in that time as trying to fly a warbird that way was a bit awkward. Mostly used it so I could have nose wheel steering.

Just to add to that, it’s usually not good for N2 turbine (gas generator) to stay in a hung start condition for too long. Usually leads to thermal damage (similar to a hot start, also bad) and at least an engine inspection.

I took the Mossie up last night and noticed that during startup, the starter would stay latched on. I pushed the starter button with the LMB and the then the boost coil with the RMB. Letting go of the RMB would release the boost coil button, doing the same with the LMB would not release the starter button. Whether or not the engine started, the starter would stay engaged until I clicked the starter button again and/or closed the cover. Here's a track showing this: mosquito 1.trk

Took the new Mosquito up last night (awesome module!), and noticed the generator warning light on the right hand panel was lit in an odd way. If I was looking forward with the light more on the side of the screen (peripheral vision), it would be lit. If I turned my head to look its direction, it would turn off (I have Track IR). This happened while the aircraft was turned on and before the engine startup. Here's a few screenshots and a track showing this issue. mosquito 2.trk

Fantastic app, thank you very much! Are there any plans to expand on the F-14 RIO panels, such as the ALE-39, ARC-182 radio, sensor control panel, DDD panel, and datalink? Also for the F-16 the external lighting control panel, test switch panel, and the audio/ECM panels? Really enjoying this app, thanks again!

I'm really hoping for a C-130 as well! I grew up on Little Rock AFB (home of the Herky Bird) and always heard E’s and H’s flying overhead. Such a distinct sound. I think it would be a good fit for DCS as it spans a wide timeframe, since it's been in service for 65 years now. Would fill a variety of roles as it's a versatile aircraft. Can be used for cargo transport (of course), airborne assault, refueling (MPRS), and the loitering pylon turn of death (AC-130 gunship). I'm also hoping it's a classic E or H model. The J is nice, and more capable, but you sure can't beat the classic with the Allison engines and 4 blade props. Also nice seeing all of the steam gauges on the instrument panel! My speculation is that ED would likely have an easier time sourcing official documentation on an E or H model than they would on the current J model.

@TexasThunder I'm interested, as I've been flying as RIO for quite a bit lately with a close friend of mine. He may be interested in joining as well, though as a pilot (he much prefers the front seat). Would there be room for both of us, or are you soley looking for RIO's right now?

I agree, the Tomcat is well worth full price. Certainly is fun, especially with a friend. The multicrew aspect is very immersive, more so when you have two people that enjoy their respective roles in the plane. While not cheap, it is worth it!

Yes, would absolutely love an H model C-130! I grew up on Little Rock AFB (home of the Herky Bird) and always heard E’s and H’s flying overhead. Such a distinct sound. I think it would be a good fit for DCS as it spans a wide timeframe, since it's been in service for 65 years now. Would fill a variety of roles as it's a versatile aircraft. Can be used for cargo transport (of course), airborne assault, refueling (MPRS), and the loitering pylon turn of death (AC-130 gunship). If it is the C-130, I would really like for it to be a classic E or H model. The J is nice, and more capable, but you sure can't beat the classic with the Allison engines and 4 blade props. Also nice seeing all of the steam gauges on the instrument panel! Wouldn’t mind seeing a C-47 either, as that would help expand the WWII assets. It also saw long service, from WWII through Vietnam, though the C-130 has much more time in service. The Gooney Bird did a respectable 34 years in USAAC/USAF active service (1941-1975)

If I’m not mistaken, the master arm switch up front needs to be on first before RIO can jettison stores.

@Spiceman On the 2/2/2 patrol load out, was it Phoenix on 3 and 6, Sparrow on 4 and 5, Sidewinder on 1 an 8? For the ACM loadout, I imagine the Sparrows were in the tunnel and Sidewinders on the gloves?

What he said. That also works for any multi seat aircraft. The Huey has more than two seats, so number “3” and “4” (top row of keyboard, not the number pad) will put you in the left or right door gunner spots.

@AdrianL Thank you!

Starting to get tight on my hard drive, a 250 GB that only has DCS on it. I would like to get the Channel map, but would like to know how much room it takes on the drive. I've searched and couldn't find the answer. Anyone know how big the Channel map is?

I agree, I don't hear missiles leaving the aircraft. I play RIO a lot as well and my pilot likes to hand off missile launch control to me on long range hostile targets. I have to watch the missile counter on the TID to know when to let go of the launch button.

Thanks! My friend that I fly with is pretty good at flying and absolutely loves the Tomcat. I've always been an engineer/systems guy (I'm a retired U.S. Coast Guard Electronics Tech), so learning the backseat systems and operations was right up my alley. Definitely love the multicrew aspect of this aircraft. Too make sure I have this correct (current pylon weights in DCS not withstanding) The Phoenix pylons are 500 lbs and only go on stations 3, 4, 5, and 6. The Phoenix adapters are 200 lbs, and only go on the gloves (stations 1 and 8). The fairings are the missing link for me. I know they are 100 lbs. Where they go and how many is thing I'm missing. They do not appear to go with the adapters, only the pylons. And it also seems that they go on stations 3 and 6 (I think). The diagram below is how I think it's arranged. Can someone please verify that I have this correct?

Thanks @BreaKKer! I imagine that is for each station? Are there any difference between stations? I think I read that 3 and 6 have the cooling system for the missile while 4, 5 and glove stations do not? I ask because that document mentions an AIM-54 adapter/launcher that weighs 200 lbs.

I’ve been flying a lot as RIO with a friend of mine, we’re working real well together, and I really enjoy the RIO role. Since I run nearly all the checklists for us, I had a question about landing weights. I know 54k is max trap weight, and with an empty Turkey weighing 42k, that gives me 12k of fuel and ordanance I can bring home. Fuel is easy (totalizer is right in front of me). Weight of Sidewinder, Sparrow, and Phoenix missiles are known. What is unknown to me is how much the Phoenix pylons weigh. I’ve searched a lot for this number, never found a published weight for this item. I’ve anecdotally read that they weigh 250 lbs each, 1,000 lbs each, and various numbers between. What is the correct weight of a Phoenix pylon?