Sludge Hornet Modifications

[trent]

Trent,
Is your video based on a mission?  I noticed after your carrier landing you got a verbal LSO grade.  How did you get that?

The missions can be an absolute bitch to find online, so I've thrown them up here for the time being:

http://wind.teleri.net/~trent/TGS-Day_Traps.zip
http://wind.teleri.net/~trent/TGS-PracticeTrap.zip

[trent]

‘Speed & Angels’ would be one of the great NavAv documentaries. An excellent storyline, well told about how it all comes together with many hiccups along the way - real life. "FOX 2" in that high voice must be chilling when heard - what a great character she is - "Just watch me". :-)

Yeah I loved Meagan, she's a champ.  The bit at the end is amusing when they're both like "Yeah, I'm single.", followed by their e-mail addresses, heh.  I would have preferred some more HUD footage from their dogfighting with the Angels.  And my favourite scene had to be Jay re-capping when he got called in to provide ground support, with accompanying narrative and HUD footage -- chilling stuff!

Another good doco is the recent ‘CARRIER’ series from your US PBS network. How it all works on a Hornet squadron is well told especially when the CO takes over the tanker mission from the nugget on a bad night. No one expects that a newbie can handle everything on their first cruise.

Funnily enough I just nailed that series last week.  Well, granted, I fast-forwarded through almost all the bits that weren't related to the Hornets/pilots ;-)  I *loved* that scene you're referring to -- night landings on a wildly pitching deck.  What was it like 8 or 9 bolters in a row by different pilots?  The CO taking over from the nugget was just good dramatic television -- if all reality TV was that gripping I'd be hooked.  I love the fact he had a sublime trap, first go, after the steady stream of bolters all night.

My all time favourite is Discovery's Jetstream (http://www.discoverychannel.ca/jetstream/).  I've lost count how many times I've watched and re-watched those episodes.  Then Speed and Angels, then Carrier.

[SpazSinbad]

USAF?: "My all time favourite is Discovery's Jetstream". Oh No!  Probably non-USians cannot easily see this video but I'll try. Anyway there are some 'good' USAF F-15 Videos around with the pilots grunting and groaning, slamming the throttles in dogfights. Trouble is they don't carrier land. 

And thanks for the missions - I'll check them out. Soon there will be 'night FCLP' missions to test the unwary. 

[Sludge]

Spaz...

Jetstream is about Hornets.  Granted they are canadian airforce CF-18s and student pilots w/IPs but still the same Hornet dogfighting and mentality.  Its on Y/T, at least the "preview episodes", where you can see enough of the Hornets doing their thing.  You are right though, they land the Hornet airforce style (glide down and a little flare) and dont ride the glideslope down carrier landing style.

Nothing more satisfying than seeing a Hornet doing FCLPs with the constant engine changes, the smoke poofs, hearing the engine whine change as power changes.  Then that B-E-A-U-ti-ful all-important hitting the deck at a set spot and the climbout to get back in the pattern for another.

Later
Sludge

[Sludge]

Fellas...

Here's an update to the Sludge FX that will be incorporated into the Sludge Basic (panel reworking) depending on your inputs.

Just copy/paste the appropriate files into their respective folders... I would recommend copy/pasting the files directly (ie. open the update \BLACKBOX folder fully, "select all", then copy/paste into your FX\BLACKBOX folder) instead of "overwrite" copy/pasting folders.  Its a bit more tedious, but more reliable.  For some reason, sometimes copy/pasting folders will NOT overwrite single files within those folders.  Doesnt make sense, but it happens... dont ask me why.

If you have any problems with the install, let me know, and I will do my best to get you squared away.  If the install goes well, let me know your opinion of the new EG Smoke (activates when "off the deck" and below 700 AGL for 3 secs max, "poofs") and EG DARK Smoke (activates above 15 kts and at 91% N1 or higher).  The MedG (most common) vapor is more opaque, p/several user requests.  Will work on lengthening when I get a chance.  And please keep in mind, for the smoke effects, especially the EG Dark Smoke, I'm also balancing "playability" and frame rates along with realism.

Reference Videos for both smoke effects.

Patrick's Aviation Link for DARK smoke effect reference.
http://www.patricksaviation.com/videos/zimolaviation/4989/

The panel file has been massively re-worked.  The 2D HUD has a permanent Indexer and Carrier Trap Gauge.  The UFC/Blackbox and Refueling gauges have been combined.  Also, the UFC Refuel button has been recoded so that it deploys the physical refueling probe and turns the Refueling gauge ON (you see the fuel percentage on the HUD).  Also the IFLOLS has been incorporated, eliminating the need for the Panel_VC_IFLOLS folder.

Later
Sludge

[SpazSinbad]

Sludge, Many thanks for your hard work. Was just looking at an old APPROACH cover showing two Squadron Hornets in formation landing with those 'wisps'. I'll put pic here soonish. From APPROACH (USN Safety) magazine cover sep-oct 2004 I think.

[Herbie]

Hello Sludge!
In your SludgeFXPanelFolder is a Zip-file in there too. SludgeFXandPanelUpdates I open it and that has older files in it. Could you let me know what to do. Herb

[Sludge]

Herb...

Good catch.  Yes, you can simply just delete the extra .ZIP file, as there is nothing of importance in there.

Also, here's my x52 standard profile.  It sets up the x52 in a pretty vanilla state, so along with disabling the "clutch" keys, you get a very flexible flight controller to program with FSX in-game controls menu.  Make sure to correctly configure your x52 deadzones.  Do a few control wipeouts, then do a few "banks/rolls", "climbs/descents" while the Game Controllers\x52 is running, so you can see where to set the deadzones, so no cross-controller contamination happens (ie, upstick/downstick inputs when you are left/right stick turning or vice versa).  I would also advise turning the in-game AILERON and ELEVATOR SENSITIVITY at most to the first N and have a very low NULL ZONE.  But keep throttle where it is by default.  This will help with over sensitive flight controls but still give the necessary control in the throttle region.

Hope this helps.

Later
Sludge

[Sludge]

Fellas...

Here's a new effect, let me know if Im heading in the right direction.

Later
Sludge

[SpazSinbad]

IF the trails were extended and less dense and bright then that would be a better look? I have no idea how difficult that may be to achieve though. Good luck.

[Sludge]

Spaz...

Yes, they can be extended... made thinner, and brighter... not difficult at all.  Will work on it when I get home tonite.

Later
Sludge

[Razgriz]

They should be what Spaz said, but for the coolest effect, have them curve into the engines.  This was something I never noticed/knew until I saw an A-10 TACDEMO. 

Check out this video at 0:45

[Sludge]

Raz...

Yeah, I noticed that too.  Was just heading to work when I typed that reply this AM, so I was unable to really elaborate.  But in watching several videos (including the Red October, F-18 v. german MiGs), you can clearly see the wing vapor is longer, thinner but brighter and they turn IN towards the engines a little bit and they go up ALOT MORE.  Sorta reverse of what the LEX Vapor does, just not as extreme.

Will play around with that effect more.

Later
Sludge

[SpazSinbad]

Sludge, maybe it is your screenshot and my monitor but I think the initial 'fog' is TOO BRIGHT. Probably need to see it in action and may be just an artefact of screenshot. Whatever.

[Sludge]

Spaz...

Initial FOG?  You mean the LEX Vapor?

Later
Sludge