Feedback Thread - F-4E Phantom II update, August 9th 2024

[IronMike]

Dear all,

we hope you are enjoying a great and hot summer, have plenty of vacation and with that of course time to fly and enjoy life. Below please find the changelog for the latest patch for the F-4. As always we would like to kindly ask you for your feedback and thank you for your continued support!

DCS: F-4E Phantom II by Heatblur Simulations

• CTD: Fixed potential crash when loading the homebase TACAN.
• CTD: Fixed possible crash when ejecting.
• CTD: Fixed potential CTD on spawn. 
• CTD: Fixed CTD when reading compiled Jester LUA files.
   
• JESTER-AI: Removed distance-limit for "nearby-airfields."
• JESTER-AI: Taught JESTER to click the laser code faster.
• JESTER-AI: Fixed bad locks when attempting a lock during a radar range change. 
• JESTER-AI: Added JESTER Boresight Mode and Aspect Controls for Flood Shots:
  • Jester now supports regular Boresight mode (not just CAGE/BORESIGHT), selectable from the Jester Wheel. 
  • He now also supports Aspect Controls for Sparrow flood-shots in regular BORESIGHT and CAGE/BORESIGHT modes, accessible either via Jester Wheel or via Context Action SHORT.
     
• HBUI: Increased the bombing table font weight for more contrast.
• HBUI: Added support for unicode characters in install-path and savedgames-path
• HBUI: Fixed a potential crash in the browser.
   
• Crew Chief: NEW: Crew Chief will now reload the start cartridges if you request him to load new ones while still having the old ones.
• Crew Chief: Added Crew Chief commands to the WSO seat.
   
• Systems: Fixed Pave Spike BIT 3 not working (never fully reaching its test position).
• Systems: Made engine response faster in the upper RPM range.
• Systems: Corrected countermeasures weight and drag.
• Systems: Added logic for TANK 7 warning lamp (tank7 valve stuck despite low fuel).
• Systems: Fixed countermeasures "continuous" modes (now the countermeasures will dispense as long as the dispense button is held).
• Systems: Added automatic speedbrake retraction on power loss.
• Systems: Fixed a bug with the AAR door connection to the utility hydraulic line.
• Systems: Adjusted autostart procedure to follow checklists correctly.
• Systems: Fixed ECM pod not being warmed up during hot starts.
• RWR: Fixed RWR handoff (diamond) audio being stuck sometimes.
   
• Inputs: Made DSCG Night Filter (red) a 2-pos bind to match the clickable.
• Inputs: Changed IFF mode switches initialization to the middle position.
• Inputs: Fixed bugs with some clickables being accessible from the wrong cockpit.
• Inputs: Corrected various input names.
• Inputs: Added 2nd stage trigger keybinds.
• Inputs: Added antenna elevation relative-axis keybinds.
• Inputs: Fixed Radio/TACAN command light brightness binds wrong order.
• Inputs: Added Slow/Fast variants for Target Latitude/Longitude knobs (WSO). (next patch)
• Inputs: Added UHF Repeater brightness control.(next patch)
• Inputs: Fixed Jester Scan Elevation (relative) binds being reversed.(next patch)
• Inputs: Fixed afterburner detent option text and tooltip.(next patch)
• Inputs: Fixed show pilot body keybind.
• Inputs: Added some missing TOGGLE and AXIS binds:(next patch)
  • Antenna Switch(next patch)
  • Anti-Skid(next patch)
  • Pilot & WSO Emergency Gear(next patch)
  • Pilot Hook Handle(next patch)
  • Pilot & WSO Emergency Flaps/Slats(next patch)
     
• Multicrew: Allow PILOT AUTOSTART command also from WSO seat.
• Weapons: Added BDU-33 to inner wing pylons.(next patch)
• Weapons: Fixed bombing table not always updating when the aircraft weight changed.
   
• Navigation: Fixed VOR showing true instead of magnetic bearings.
• Navigation: Fixed INS Reset alignment problems.
• Navigation: Fixed INS aligning to a wrong heading with the nav comp off- now only gyros are heat-up but the gyros erection does not happen until proper Nav Comp signal is provided
• Navigation: Fixed wrong wind direction initialization in the Navigation Computer.
   
• Visuals: Improved controls indicator background.
• Visuals: Fixed navigation lights mesh clipping problem.
   
• Missions: Updated Training Missions. 
• Missions: Updated several missions by Sedlo and Reflected (thank you!)
   
• Mission Editor: Adjusted the description of TGP laser code setting in ME (this setting doesn’t affect weapons settings, only the default TGP code).
• Mission Editor: AGM-12C, replaced GBU31 Pictogram with AGM-12 Pictogram.
• Mission Editor: Support absolute pitch trim (iCommandPlaneTrimPitchAbs):(next patch)
  • Mostly meant for mission makers(next patch)
  • Send values -1 to +1 for -5 to +5 units nose trim, i.e. -0.4 to -0.6 for takeoff trim(next patch)
  • Can in theory also be used for user made custom binds(next patch)
     
• Localization: l10n fix for missing special options section TIP labels.
• Liveries: TuAF-67-0285-SEA updated by Aqil - thank you!
• Liveries: Added fictional Spanish Air Force livery by Reise_Caparzo - thank you!

Edited August 12, 2024 by IronMike
crossed out items that were put in the changelog prematurely, these will be in the coming update, our apologies

[Arecibo]

Ah, I was hoping basic free flight / cold start / takeoff / landing would be added for the instant action on the Afghanistan map in this update. Maybe next release?

[IronMike]

16 hours ago, Arecibo said:

Ah, I was hoping basic free flight / cold start / takeoff / landing would be added for the instant action on the Afghanistan map in this update. Maybe next release?

As you know, we eventually populate all maps with a plethora of instant action missions. But first I want to get to know the map a bit better, read up on real life examples of aerial combat in the area, etc. Unfortunately post release duties and some long needed vacation got in the way of it a bit, but we'll try to put them in the next update, also for F-14 and Viggen.

[DaWu]

where is the paintkit?

[Zabuzard]

8 hours ago, DaWu said:

where is the paintkit?

In development. Cheers

[Zabuzard]

Hey guys, it appears that there was a confusion and the above patch notes list some items that are actually not included in this particular patch. We will try to include them in a hotfix or make them available in the next patch instead. Sorry for the inconvenience and confusion caused by this.

Items not included are:

• Inputs: Added Slow/Fast variants for Target Latitude/Longitude knobs (WSO).
• Inputs: Added UHF Repeater brightness control.
• Inputs: Added some missing TOGGLE and AXIS binds
• Inputs: Fixed Jester Scan Elevation (relative) binds being reversed.
• Inputs: Fixed afterburner detent option text and tooltip.
• Mission Editor: Support absolute pitch trim (iCommandPlaneTrimPitchAbs)
• Weapons: Added BDU-33 to inner wing pylons.

Also, it appears that the introduction of the 2-stage trigger binds for the Flight Stick unintentionally broke the existing trigger-bind. Which means that you will likely have to map the trigger to your hardware again.

Edited August 12, 2024 by Zabuzard

[IronMike]

Edited the original post.

[ebabil]

what is this "JESTER-AI: Added JESTER Boresight Mode and Aspect Controls for Flood Shots:" ?

[Zabuzard]

33 minutes ago, ebabil said:

what is this "JESTER-AI: Added JESTER Boresight Mode and Aspect Controls for Flood Shots:" ?

It is explained here: https://f4.manuals.heatblur.se/jester/combat/radar.html#dogfight

Essentially, you can now (additionally to CAGE/BORESIGHT) enter the regular BORESIGHT mode as well (via Jester Wheel, or if you bound the command directly). Regular Boresight is like CAGE/BORESIGHT, just that it supports theoretically the full range of the radar, instead of only 5nm.

In BORESIGHT modes (regular or cage) you can lock targets by putting them on your pipper and pressing Jester Context Command LONG. I should mention that chances of obtaining a good lock generally increase with decreasing range. You likely wont have much luck obtaining solid BST locks at 25nm or more. But 10nm should work quite well.

Should you find yourself in a situation where obtaining a radar lock is difficult or not feasible (for example look-down, heavy clutter or low level flight), you can use Context Command SHORT to toggle the ASPECT KNOB setting (or select it directly via Jester Wheel or if you bound the commands directly) and then attempting a no-lock shot (shooting the Sparrow without radar lock). The Sparrow will then fly ahead and filter any return that doesnt fit into the selected Aspect (by limiting its speed gate). The difficulty here is that targets often dont hold the same aspect for multiple seconds. But if they do, this technique can give you kills in situations in which you would not be able to obtain a proper lock otherwise.

To clarify, these modes and techniques existed already, its just that Jester did not support it natively yet. So some players came up with fancy temporary solutions making the Radar Mode or Aspect Knob accessible to their Pilot binds.

Edited August 13, 2024 by Zabuzard

[SgtPappy]

Being able to command boresight and aspect is way more immersive than commanding it all myself. Thanks for improving Jester bit by bit every patch.

But this also made me notice it's hard to see targets with the 25 nm scale because of my crappy eyes lol. Can I request another thing in addition to the gain change with IFF check? It would be great to have Jester choose the 10 nm scale for boresight by default or maybe have the ability to ask him to set a range scale.

[Oesau]

13 hours ago, Zabuzard said:

It is explained here: https://f4.manuals.heatblur.se/jester/combat/radar.html#dogfight

Essentially, you can now (additionally to CAGE/BORESIGHT) enter the regular BORESIGHT mode as well (via Jester Wheel, or if you bound the command directly). Regular Boresight is like CAGE/BORESIGHT, just that it supports theoretically the full range of the radar, instead of only 5nm.

In BORESIGHT modes (regular or cage) you can lock targets by putting them on your pipper and pressing Jester Context Command LONG. I should mention that chances of obtaining a good lock generally increase with decreasing range. You likely wont have much luck obtaining solid BST locks at 25nm or more. But 10nm should work quite well.

Should you find yourself in a situation where obtaining a radar lock is difficult or not feasible (for example look-down, heavy clutter or low level flight), you can use Context Command SHORT to toggle the ASPECT KNOB setting (or select it directly via Jester Wheel or if you bound the commands directly) and then attempting a no-lock shot (shooting the Sparrow without radar lock). The Sparrow will then fly ahead and filter any return that doesnt fit into the selected Aspect (by limiting its speed gate). The difficulty here is that targets often dont hold the same aspect for multiple seconds. But if they do, this technique can give you kills in situations in which you would not be able to obtain a proper lock otherwise.

To clarify, these modes and techniques existed already, its just that Jester did not support it natively yet. So some players came up with fancy temporary solutions making the Radar Mode or Aspect Knob accessible to their Pilot binds.

 

Do you exit BST mode the same as you would with cage? I can't seem to exit it and get into regular scan mode so any help is appreciated 

[SgtPappy]

4 hours ago, Oesau said:

Do you exit BST mode the same as you would with cage? I can't seem to exit it and get into regular scan mode so any help is appreciated 

No, you would tell Jester to return to search. You can do this by double tapping the context button.

[Glide]

Thanks again for this work of art.  The sounds, the fingertip-light trim, the graphics of course, wonderful, wonderful stuff!

[Nealius]

Now that the auto-pre-contact is working, it seems to be trigger happy. After hailing the tanker from observation positon, auto-pre-contact fires. When sliding into actual pre-contact position, it does not fire since it already fired while in observation. When falling off the boom and setting up for another plug, it fires again when it's not needed. 

Edited September 2, 2024 by Nealius

[Zabuzard]

39 minutes ago, Nealius said:

When falling off the boom and setting up for another plug, it fires again when it's not needed. 

This is temporarily done on purpose to overcome the bug with the tanker where a full com-cycle is needed to get him to cooperate again.

[Nealius]

What conditions trigger that bug? I can't say that I've ever come across it in hundreds of plugs. At any rate, any way to turn it off? The checkbox in special settings for it is now gone.

Edited September 2, 2024 by Nealius

[Wood]

You guys are able to fly this. For the past 3 months its been unplayable and single digits.. 

[felixx75]

7 hours ago, Wood said:

You guys are able to fly this. For the past 3 months its been unplayable and single digits.. 

I fly the Phantom since release without problems. Why is it unplayable for you?

[westr]

I’ve noticed I have no rain effects on the canopy like other modules, is it yet to be added to the F4 yet? 

[Wood]

21 hours ago, felixx75 said:

I fly the Phantom since release without problems. Why is it unplayable for you?

EDIT:

Your guess is as good as mine. I fly in VR and every other aircraft I fly with the settings is constant 50fps. As soon as I try this beast its a slide show. This is all stemming from the performance killers from the last few updates from ED. Every time, a update was released it killed the performance and you would have to find settings again that would work. 

When the initial release came out it was sweet and working great until the darn DSC updates. One of the many fixes from the updates was to tweak the max FPS down to 50 from originally where I had it set to 90FPS. That 90FPS would give me 45-70FPS consistently. When I changed it to max 50FPS, as indicated every AC was solid at 50 except for the F-4. Soooooo, saying that. Tonight,  I decide to changed my max FPS back to 90 and thought Id try it again. No slide show and 30-40fps and other AC 50-70fps.

Go figure. 

 

Edited September 18, 2024 by Wood

[Zabuzard]

11 hours ago, westr said:

I’ve noticed I have no rain effects on the canopy like other modules, is it yet to be added to the F4 yet? 

They are missing due to technical issues. They will eventually be added, yes.

[westr]

5 hours ago, Zabuzard said:

They are missing due to technical issues. They will eventually be added, yes.

Thanks for clarifying