Too weathered

[ivo]

This is only my personal opinion but the F-14 cockpit seem too weathered.:cold:

[shagrat]

Hmm, 1974 (F-14A built) to 1991 (upgrade to A+ renamed B) would be 23 years. My Warthog stick after some 10 years with not much use, looks the thing...

Just my two cents ;)

[brettmccl]

When I was in the air force we would spend hours in the cockpit with cleaners and touchup paint.

[ivo]

However, too much.

Just my one cent :lol:

[Redglyph]

Hmm, 1974 (F-14A built) to 1991 (upgrade to A+ renamed B) would be 23 years. My Warthog stick after some 10 years with not much use, looks the thing...

Just my two cents ;)

 

The date in DCS is obviously not 2019 either, apart from a few 30-something Tomcat still flying in the Middle East, the others were retired. See also the current terrains, and the QFU of some runways. Finally, nobody is using QFE anymore :D

 

For a few of those modules, I also wish I had a brand-new shiny cockpit sometimes, weathered cockpits are a bit overrated.

[shagrat]

The date in DCS is obviously not 2019 either, apart from a few 30-something Tomcat still flying in the Middle East, the others were retired. See also the current terrains, and the QFU of some runways. Finally, nobody is using QFE anymore :D

 

For a few of those modules, I also wish I had a brand-new shiny cockpit sometimes, weathered cockpits are a bit overrated.

What I meant was it looks pretty much ok, with the heavy weathering, considering the 20+ year in heavy use.

My Warthog stick after ten years is pretty worn, like in the Heatblur F-14B currently... It looks pretty much ok, to me for a plane in use for so long. :)

[Redglyph]

Got you, but what I meant is that they don't need to be 20+ year in DCS :)

[mr_mojo97]

Well presuming all F-14B airframes were just updated A’s then it’s maybe about right. Maybe when the A model comes out it’ll be less worn. I know HB did say that the A would have its own cockpit so presumably different seat cushions, so possibly different wear and tear etc.

[shagrat]

Got you, but what I meant is that they don't need to be 20+ year in DCS :)

There is a chance some texture artists from the community take care of this. Usually it is the other way round. Cockpit mods with heavier weathering, but who knows? :)

I really don't mind the look, but an optional "factory fresh" mod does not hurt anyone...

[Redglyph]

Oh, maybe we're not talking about the same thing :D I see your point now.

 

But I'd agree that from 1974 to 1987-1988 (first upgrades), even if that's 14 years and not 23, there could still arguably be some tear & wear... if they were all built in 1974. Not all converted A models were built in 1974 (I'm not even sure any of the first A made it that far).

 

Also, and unless I'm very wrong, there was a good share of newly-built A+ from 1987 on.

[shagrat]

Oh, maybe we're not talking about the same thing :D I see your point now.

 

But I'd agree that from 1974 to 1987-1988 (first upgrades), even if that's 14 years and not 23, there could still arguably be some tear & wear... if they were all built in 1974. Not all converted A models were built in 1974 (I'm not even sure any of the first A made it that far).

 

Also, and unless I'm very wrong, there was a good share of newly-built A+ from 1987 on.

According to Heatblur "our" F-14B is one of the earlier builts that's converted to the strap on LANTIRN mod, without the FCS, sparrowhawk HUD and PTID upgrades. I guess that puts the airframe at a minimum of 10-15 years... but as I said, maybe Heatblur or the community will come up with a cockpit mod.

[Redglyph]

We're getting old cats :O I didn't know that, thanks for the detailed info Shagrat!

 

But after all, Heatblur has spent many, many years working on it, it's only fair there is some amount of weathering :D

 

It's no big deal to me, they're obviously going beyond what we usually see in DCS, I was mainly wondering why people were so eager to get worn-out cockpits in most modules. You must be right, we'll surely see cockpit mods, hopefuly with an option to stick a girl-at-home picture ;)

[shagrat]

We're getting old cats :O I didn't know that, thanks for the detailed info Shagrat!

 

But after all, Heatblur has spent many, many years working on it, it's only fair there is some amount of weathering :D

 

It's no big deal to me, they're obviously going beyond what we usually see in DCS, I was mainly wondering why people were so eager to get worn-out cockpits in most modules. You must be right, we'll surely see cockpit mods, hopefuly with an option to stick a girl-at-home picture ;)

I think most people like the weathered used look, as most pictures from combat aircraft in operational use or when you see them live on airshows are usually worn and weathered specimen with a history to them. A wave of nostalgia... ;)

[fl0w]

This is odd. I am in no means an aircraft preservation expert, but this had been already discussed by Cobra himself. I can't find the link itself, but if anyone can, it would greatly help to back it up with this:

 

" ... we saw cockpits where they had layered coats of paint from the chipping of the paint. So we [believe] it is realistic." Somewhere along these lines.

[Robert31178]

Not to mention the paint is on aluminum and other not steel metals.....paint doesn't stick to it fer shit!

[Flia]

This is the only thing what i dont like about F-14. Indeed cockpit is too much weathered. Looking like old aircraft parked on the graveryard :(

[umkhunto]

I've always preferred the look of weathered cockpits. I find the ones that don't look weathered, feels more artificial to me, even look a bit plastic.

[fl0w]

I'm not sure why we're now allowing dirty exteriors to be accepted and not cockpits... Aircraft are not squeaky clean and especially with the conditions the Tomcat was in with the Cold War, maintenance was not the best.

[ac5]

This is only my personal opinion but the F-14 cockpit seem too weathered.:cold:

 

INDEED! FAR too much weathered! :cry:

This has prevented me from buying it.

 

I don’t quite understand this obsession of making utterly worn-out, almost damaged cockpits.

At some stage, ALL planes and cockpits were new and in pristine condition.

And that's why I did this:

 

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3302617/

 

Let's hope they don't do it for the F-16 too. Otherwise I will be obliged to retouch it,

like I did it for the F-18.

[fl0w]

I honestly must disagree. As much as I see your point, it just doesn't feel right at all. And realistically, it isn't right to keep it clean. Even at places where the F-14 cockpit + body are preserved and kept on maintenance, there is still exposure and you can see the wear on it.

 

You can see the wing sweep handle here and landing gear lever with this showing, and even the labeling.

 

 

There is also chipping of the paint, which (as was said by Robert) did not get placed on steel, but aluminium.

 

[ac5]

I honestly must disagree. As much as I see your point, it just doesn't feel right at all. And realistically, it isn't right to keep it clean. Even at places where the F-14 cockpit + body are preserved and kept on maintenance, there is still exposure and you can see the wear on it.

 

You can see the wing sweep handle here and landing gear lever with this showing, and even the labeling.

 

 

There is also chipping of the paint, which (as was said by Robert) did not get placed on steel, but aluminium.

 

 

Strongly disagree.

At some stage, ALL planes and cockpits were new and in pristine condition.

Let's say it was day one for the F-14. No chipping, no wearing, no dirt. period.

[Nealius]

I like my planes with character. Sea air and heavy use tends to build that. Virgins are boring.

[fl0w]

Strongly disagree.

At some stage, ALL planes and cockpits were new and in pristine condition.

Let's say it was day one for the F-14. No chipping, no wearing, no dirt. period.

 

So what you're suggesting is an F-14B that came from the factory line. :D And, as I see it, many 3rd parties are shifting to this trend of dirtiness because you're quite frankly not going to get your hands on a very clean aircraft from the production lines. (Not even our AV-8B will survive it with the impending cockpit update)

[BoneDust]

I can't believe with all the various bugs and issues in DCS that's what your complaining about. I guess it could be called a first world problem. :)

[Ala12Rv-watermanpc]

This is only my personal opinion but the F-14 cockpit seem too weathered.:cold:

 

Agree...just your personal opinion. Its just greatly weathered and spot on for an embarked fighter, LOVE IT!