Wishlist: Windshield Rain Repel

[Nealius]

The new raindrop effects like to pool on the windscreen at approach speed and cause more distortion than the old effects do, making linup difficult or sometimes impossible. Previously there wasn't a need for the windshield air rain repel function to actually work, but with the new rain effects we need it to help clear the windscreen for safe lineup in rainy CASE IIIs.

[r4y30n]

I’ve always wanted to see those systems in action on any of the relevant airframes.

[Nightdare]

  On 11/13/2024 at 4:21 AM, Nealius said:

pool on the windscreen at approach speed and cause more distortion than the old effects do, making linup difficult or sometimes impossible

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Not only approach

Just simply setting up for hookup on the cat, I had to use outside view to see the crew signal 'Halt'

[JupiterJoe]

Would love this for the F- 14:

 

[draconus]

The rain on windshield effect is probably standard DCS function implemented by ED but HB should work it out with them to make it more realistic and implement the relevant systems to actually work.

[Ghostrider142]

It is frankly a terrible implementation and looked far better before this change. I now have to avoid any missions with rain on the carrier or use the outside view to navigate around the deck, can't even see the new plane directors signals clearly and it is not even raining hard. 

[JupiterJoe]

@BIGNEWY posted this earlier.  What they're doing with rain effects may have an effect on what we're seeing currently, at least until HB model the rain repel system (if they intend to at all):

 

 

Edited December 17, 2024 by JupiterJoe

[RustBelt]

Sounds like they have to now actually define the wetting contact angle of surfaces which is kind of odd since it’s only ever Lexan, Acrylic, glass, and rubber since it’s only a transparent “surface” effect.

perhaps the surface just needs a LUA call out for what flavor of “wettable” it is.

[Rhrich]

I’ve been critical in the past about things that destroy the gaming experience, like excessive wear making it hard to read instruments in the cockpit.  But it’s not unrealistic that ground operations is slowed and complicated by rain, sleet and snow. Especially for older fighters. 

I don’t know how it is on boats.  But on land we had many «solutions» some by the book, some very much not according to the book. Even so patience, caution, slower speed and bigger safety margins is required. 
 

(Having said that, I haven’t tried the Tomcat in IMC after the updates, so I’m not defending the status quo, just making a general point)

[Nightdare]

  On 12/19/2024 at 3:44 PM, Rhrich said:

(Having said that, I haven’t tried the Tomcat in IMC after the updates, so I’m not defending the status quo, just making a general point)

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Well, @Ghostrider142's screenshot is out the side canopy, from the front it's even worse

Trying to line up for the cat from inside the cockpit is an exercise in futility, the track is impossible to see, and the instructor has no recognizable features

[RustBelt]

  On 12/19/2024 at 3:44 PM, Rhrich said:

I’ve been critical in the past about things that destroy the gaming experience, like excessive wear making it hard to read instruments in the cockpit.  But it’s not unrealistic that ground operations is slowed and complicated by rain, sleet and snow. Especially for older fighters. 

I don’t know how it is on boats.  But on land we had many «solutions» some by the book, some very much not according to the book. Even so patience, caution, slower speed and bigger safety margins is required. 
 

(Having said that, I haven’t tried the Tomcat in IMC after the updates, so I’m not defending the status quo, just making a general point)

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Water shouldn’t look like that on lexan.  Really pitted dirty glass maybe, but it should bead up and run off a lot more on clear plastic. 

[Rhrich]

  On 12/21/2024 at 1:51 AM, RustBelt said:

Water shouldn’t look like that on lexan.  Really pitted dirty glass maybe, but it should bead up and run off a lot more on clear plastic. 

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But no, water will not bead off, and speaking as a yacht man, it definitely won’t do that when the surface has been exposed to the salt sea air. 

As I said, I make no comment on the current situation in DCS, but IRL you would expect significantly degraded visibility in ground ops. (Though the description does not sound ok when airborne at speed.)

Edited December 21, 2024 by Rhrich

[Nealius]

How often does your yacht go 130kts?

[Rhrich]

My English might be as good as it once was. It’s something that occurs in many when they reach my age, we loose our professional English skills and hone our language skills by ordering beer in Spanish. 
 

But to make myself crystal clear: The description of what it looks like in the air seems wrong, then the water should bead and be blown off. 
However, that’s not the case with ground ops when stationary. 
 

its close to 20 years since I sold my yacht, she did best in the 4-7 kts range.

[RustBelt]

  On 12/22/2024 at 9:27 AM, Rhrich said:

My English might be as good as it once was. It’s something that occurs in many when they reach my age, we loose our professional English skills and hone our language skills by ordering beer in Spanish. 
 

But to make myself crystal clear: The description of what it looks like in the air seems wrong, then the water should bead and be blown off. 
However, that’s not the case with ground ops when stationary. 
 

its close to 20 years since I sold my yacht, she did best in the 4-7 kts range.

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Remember, the carrier steams at around 20-25kts into the wind during launch and recovery. 
 

Growler Jams video:

shows significantly better visibility even in a thunderstorm, with distinct tight beading of rain on the canopy while on deck. 
 

I can believe a sun damaged boat window or old Museum plane’s canopy may look like that after a time. But these fighters are serviced DAILY the canopy being clean and fresh is vital for flight. Between polishing, replacing, and rain repellent coatings, it should never look as bad as DCS shows. Hell most of the 172’s I’ve flown had pretty tight beading that didn’t destroy view ability like that.

[Nightdare]

  On 12/23/2024 at 7:37 AM, RustBelt said:

Remember, the carrier steams at around 20-25kts into the wind during launch and recovery. 
 

Growler Jams video:

shows significantly better visibility even in a thunderstorm, with distinct tight beading of rain on the canopy while on deck. 
 

I can believe a sun damaged boat window or old Museum plane’s canopy may look like that after a time. But these fighters are serviced DAILY the canopy being clean and fresh is vital for flight. Between polishing, replacing, and rain repellent coatings, it should never look as bad as DCS shows. Hell most of the 172’s I’ve flown had pretty tight beading that didn’t destroy view ability like that.

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Front canopy still looks pretty bad when the rain really hits, but you also see the director moved to the side of the launch rail, most probably for better visibility

(unfortunately, our DCS directors aren't nearly as precise as the real guys anyway)