[2.9.11.4686] Various issues related to WRCS offsets

[Stickler]

First issue

According to the RL F-4E 34-1-1, in MAP PPI mode, the offset cursor is displayed in the 10 and 25 mile ranges (and 50 mile on DSCG).

In the game, the offset cursor is also displayed in the 100 and 200 mile ranges.

Second issue

According to the RL F-4E 34-1-1, the range cursor becomes a bombing range strobe when the delivery mode knob is in any position except OFFSET or TGT FIND and the MAP PPI or BEACON PPI (NAR or WIDE) radar mode is selected.

If I interpret the 3TFW Radar Bombing and Navigation Guide correctly, this bombing range strobe can be used during "Bomb Strobe Deliveries".

In the game, no bombing range strobe as defined above exists. Since the bombing range strobe is not mentioned in the 34-1-1 of 15 March 1970, Change 9 - 26 January 1973, it is possible this was a more recent feature that didn't exist in all blocks of the F-4E.

Third issue

According to the game manual and the RL F-4E 34-1-1, the maximum navigation range for TGT INSERT is 180,000 ft or 30 nm.

There is no information in these manuals on what happens if that range is exceeded. The 3TFW Radar Bombing and Navigation Guide, however, states the following:

In the game, the limit of the navigation range of the WRCS is 1999 nm and steering seems to be accurate up to that range.

It is of course possible that the 30 nm limit was removed after 1981 when the Guide was written, however the fact that Change 20 of the 34-1-1 from 15 December 1986 still mentions the 30 nm and 180,000 ft seems to indicate that the limit still existed at that time.

That being said, the Guide contains the following information:

This behaviour cannot be seen in the game.

The fact that the offset cursor was only displayed until the 50 mile setting of the DSCG corroborates the 30 nm limit; there is hardly a need for the offset cursor in any higher scale than 50 nm if the along track cursor cannot be moved past 25 nm and cannot register a value greater than 30 nm.

Fourth issue

According to the RL F-4E 34-1-1, the along track cursors must be moved first to enable cross track cursor movement.

In the game, either wheel may be moved first.

Edited December 31, 2024 by Stickler