Air Refueling Lights

[CyberNV]

Could we get better Tanker lights on the KC Tankers? Or am I just blind?

[sirrah]

17 minutes ago, CyberNV said:

Could we get better Tanker lights on the KC Tankers? Or am I just blind?

Hi mate, this has been discussed (and wished for) a lot of times. You'll find several threads about it on this forum.

 

Brief summary:

No, it's not (just ) your eye's; The tanker lights are actually quite dim irl. Especially during daytime they are difficult to see, but on the other hand, they are less important then, as the pilot will just use his/her visual reference to the tanker.

 

So, the tanker lights aren't "wrong" per se in DCS. Though, given how often this is requested, I suppose ED could give those who want/need it the option for brighter lights.

[BomberEW]

Sirrah that is actually not entirely true.  The tankers have external lights on the belly and engine pylons that illuminate the underbelly.  So its more than just the position lights.  DCS did not model any of the external lights outside of the navigation and position lights.  So the tankers appear way darker than they actually are at night.  You almost require NVGs for night AR and that isn't true or recommended for real life AR at night.

[sirrah]

3 hours ago, BomberEW said:

Sirrah that is actually not entirely true.  The tankers have external lights on the belly and engine pylons that illuminate the underbelly.  So its more than just the position lights.  DCS did not model any of the external lights outside of the navigation and position lights.  So the tankers appear way darker than they actually are at night.  You almost require NVGs for night AR and that isn't true or recommended for real life AR at night.

Fair enough. I assumed the OP was talking about the position lights (just like 99% of the other threads on this subject )

[Rolds]

I agree that the tankers are unreasonably difficult to find at night via their lights.

[Rolds]

Also I am not sure this is entirely an issue of the draw distance of the lights being too short, I swear they seem to only turn their lights on when you come within about .5 miles of them.

[Rolds]

Yes, at least the KC135 does not turn on its lights until you are very close, within 1 mile. It seems like an easy fix would be to find whatever line sets the distance at which tankers turn on their lights and increase it to at least 5 miles.