A4 Skyhawk

Yeah, I left a bit before you (1964). I did my time walking guard duty in the A-4 Squadron areas. We has three A-4 Squadrons there at the time. VMA-121 (my outfit), VMA-211, and VMA-223. Guard Duty was the most boring task I ever had, but one never wanted to let their guard down, especially as the OOD or Duty Sargent were always trying to see if they could penetrate the guards area. Ah! The memories. Semper Fi!

Some more photos for you Jaz

Some more of the cockpit coming shortly

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how thick is that front windscreen ? from the frame, It appears to be much thicker than the one we have modeled.

you got the pics, you got the support, you got the knowlege, the question is, are you going the distance and do all the bells and whistles.

you got the pics, you got the support, you got the knowlege, the question is, are you going the distance and do all the bells and whistles.

Absolutely…!, I don't do anything halfway, that's not my style.:smilewink:

how are you going to go about with flight model tuning? Do you have access to former skyhawk pilots . Is there performance and handling qualities flight test data available for model correlation? :)

if he does not have it i do. at last some of it. i don't know how to model or write code but i do searches pretty good got lots of pics for every model. natops for E,F and TA-4. drawings to. just don't know if there good enough for useing.

how are you going to go about with flight model tuning? Do you have access to former skyhawk pilots . Is there performance and handling qualities flight test data available for model correlation? :)

I'm sure we can wrangle so ex RNZAF pilots (or even some current RAAF who transferred from the RNZAF) to help out if need be.

That is my understanding as well. screen AO was used in the past to show shading and make up for the shortcomings of the earlier graphics cards light rendering capabilities. I believe New cards though, really don't require it if the geometry is there for the light to play off of.

 

I hope DCS moves to a PBR system. in the future

There is absolutely no real time graphics situation where baked AO/GI into your diffuse is not a necessary technique, bar for top tier stuff that relies heavily on real-time techniques and discourages built in lighting information. (and even then, a subtle pass is recommended)

Basically: Always bake AO, especially for aircraft which maintain relatively static structures both internally and externally.

EDIT: As for the "texture tricks" statements; I can't say any professional artist would ever agree. There is no way to reproduce the look and feel

of an authentic, real-life surface without spending significant time on detailed textures. There is absolutely no way to simulate varying states of specularity or glossiness in a material with geometry, nor can you influence the albedo (colour) of a surface.

Normal Mapping is used in place of geometry because it is easier on performance. It attains the same effect as using millions of polygons: Subtle ripples in aluminum, bezelled corners, jutting panels or deep holes; it allows for all of it. There is a reason every artists' workflow involves building a high poly mesh to bake down onto the low one.

All in all, good stuff!

how are you going to go about with flight model tuning? Do you have access to former skyhawk pilots . Is there performance and handling qualities flight test data available for model correlation? :)

all I can say is, I've got it covered. :-)

just so we understand you, this is going to be a full modual with clickable switches and radar scopes. Dropable stores, and carrier capablity.

just so we understand you, this is going to be a full modual with clickable switches and radar scopes. Dropable stores, and carrier capablity.

I wish I could say more, but all I can say is I have over 4000 files of research on this aircraft and all its models.

Stay tuned…

Just stumbled across this via the Pit Builders area, nice to see an A4 under development.

If you do a Kahu I will bear your child in some kind of deVito/Arnold type arrangement.

BTW heaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaps of data in this book, I'm sure they'll send it overseas. Last time I contacted them they still have quite a few copies left. If nothing else it is an excellent book for the bookshelf.

http://www.willsonscott.biz/catalogue/military/skyhawks-the-history-of-the-rnzaf-skyhawk/

Good luck.

Great Addition

Can't wait for this.........

How many A-4s?

Been following this thread with much interest as JazAero proceeds with his development of the A-4 he did for another sim, this time for DCSW. Now I read about the development of an A-4C that was mentioned along with the Duxford Show information. Lots of positive response to that announcement and I am now curious if these are two completley separate ventures and just which one is going to get DCS's blessing. Anybody know whats up?:noexpression:

Yes just say the post that VEAO are working on the A-4C Skyhawk...

Means that the Kahu should be the prime focus then! :D

We are more than happy to confirm that we are working in collaboration with VEAO to bring the Skyhawk to DCS. For Obvious reasons I cant go into details for the module and appropriate announcements and confirmations will follow from the guys at VEAO in due course. Watch this space!

great news

Excellent news, great to know that your efforts won't go to waste!

GTG

Good to go, JazAero. I look forward to an A-4 with much anticipation.