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DC-8 50 series update

Will a nicely working INS be implemented as an option? Also the 54JT will be a nice addition, considering it was an extremely popular model until the super sixties came around.
 
It's getting closer. I was sidetracked for a little by graphics corruption due to the complexity of the VC, but that problem seems to have been dealt with. I just finished implementing a custom icing system that will progressively degrade lift and add drag when icing is present. Deicing will gradually eliminate these effects when turned on. I also completed the flip up mirrors on the glareshield which will show the magnetic compass in 3d such that the image will move around on the mirror surface as you move your viewpoint. Work on the flight model is continuing and last night I was able to reproduce the historical test dive past mach 1.0. I'll post some new screenshots soon.
 
Yes. It was either that or flaps but I thought I would try spoilers first and got it to work OK. Both flaps and spoilers were already fairly encumbered with code; there are spoilerons that can only work with the gear down, but I still thought using spoilers would be easiest. Also the spoilers cannot be used as air brakes while airborne which helped.
 
I have almost finished the flight, engine and fuel modeling now and while this is difficult to show in images, I can at least show a sample of the perfomance documentation that will be included with the completed product. Users will be able to fly the aircraft and set power using real world performance charts. EPR has a correct relationship with N1 such that takeoff, climb and cruise power can all be accurately set using EPR as a reference. There will also be real world fuel burn charts for flight planning and a payload loader (now complete for fuel and cargo - still need to add passengers). Here is a sample page of the performance documentation:

30941437945_d8f85b8ed5_o.jpg


The VC is close to finished in terms of modelling and texturing:

30941456875_8a12e7c0b9_o.jpg


One peculiarity of this aircraft is that the whiskey compass is mounted in a kind of pod hanging from the flight deck ceiling. The pilots can view it in little flip up mirrors on the glareshield. While I could have modelled this using a 2d gauge on the mirror, I wanted the compass image to move for track IR users as they move their heads around. So I set up the mirrors like a HUD display to give the illusion of a reflected image:

30941461785_98da8ca7f8_o.jpg


I haven't worked on the exterior model for some time, but it is near completion as well. I still need to complete and texture the parts that move the flaps, add some detail to the landing gear and finish the wing and engine textures. There should also be a cabin pressure relief butterfly valve hanging open in the screenshot below that needs to be added. So there is not much new to see in the exterior model:
30941444825_e9a91770fe_o.jpg


You can see above a little flap droop that results when there is no hydraulic power.

Finally, there is still a fair amount of systems coding to do although much of this is complete including custom INS, fuel, electrical (still need to connect other systems to it), cabin pressure, and deicing systems.
 
In the second picture the windows opening mechanic looks really cool!!!!
Of course everything else also!

Which programming language do you use?
 
The window latches do add some nice detail to the model. Unfortunately, their complexity is the reason the windows are not animated. I operated the latches on the real aircraft and saw that there were many moving parts rotating on many axes and I knew right away I wouldn't be modelling that.

The systems are all coded with XML. I use XML Tools and so there is little need for C++.
 
Amazingly life like.. And having spent time visiting these series -54f cockpits, It brings back a ton of memories..

Great Job!

One minor note from the screenshot, the Co-pilots 'Life Vest' tag on the the seat back is backwards.

Greg
 
The life vest label has been fixed. The seats are mirrored because of the shading on the textures. So I had to cut in a small poly around the one label and flip it horizontally.
 
With XML Tools under the hood, this may be one of the few planes with looks AND (real) brains. I might just go for it, if the pricing is right.
 
XML Tools is great. The first thing I used it for was a custom stabilizer trim system so I could have a realistic rate of trim change with small increments. Once I discovered how easy it is, I used it in any situation where default FSX systems behaviour wasn't going to work.

As for the mirrors, I made them like a collimated HUD as described in this thread: http://www.fsdeveloper.com/forum/threads/fsx-designed-hud-p3d.438338/#post-755646 and the referenced tutorial. You make a sort of cone or in my case pyramid like shape using special materials. Normally there would be a 2d gauge at the base of the pyramid or cone, but in my case I made a 3d animated compass inside the pyramid. The material of the cone is not visibile will only display what's inside it if you look through the opening at the narrow end nearest the viewer. The tutorial shows how its done. The compass will then appear like an image moving on the surface of a mirror.
 
Michael2 said:
XML Tools is great. The first thing I used it for was a custom stabilizer trim system so I could have a realistic rate of trim change with small increments.
Click to expand...

This could come in handy for a 727 that needs a hint of more accurate trimming.
Did you achieve this by adding half a percent of trim in the opposite direction for every percent of (flight stick) induced trim change?
 
Looking back at my code now, I have a hard time deciphering what I did. Some of it has to do with moving the trim handles, which is not what would interest you. But it looks like the essence of it was to create a local variable for the trim. The default key or button presses are captured and used to increment the local variable in the desired amount which is then written to the A variable. The trim indicator in the VC shows the local value as it will move smoothly. The A value might ratchet back and forth. I can post the code if you like. I think I tinkered with the amount of increment until holding the trim key down gave 1' per second or whatever the real value was according the manual.
 
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