...If someone who is versed in panel/ aircraft.cfg work would like to take on a little project, I have one for you.



Simviation has a freeware P5 available but it is for FS2002/04

FS2004/2002 Martin SP-5B Marlin located on this page:

http://simviation.com/fs2004vintage96.htm


Bob70 who also flew with this aircraft in the Navy found this model and it works in FSX

http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1213055568


unfortunately the panel gauges will not work in FSX and the aircraft needs some FSX love to get it up to snuff..

1. Edit the provided panel and replace FS8 gauges with (correct as possible) FSX versions

2. Edit the sound config to alias to the DC3 with instructions on how to alias to another sound if the user so desires

3. Edit the aircraft.cfg to comply with FSX and change the FX calls for FSX FX files

4. Edit the aircraft.cfg for contact points so the bow spray and wake FX work correctly and in the right location on the aircraft in FSX

5. Edit the aircraft.cfg for proper engine idle and torque and if you are versed in flight dynamics, a bit of work in that area as well. Some FD work would really be great and especailly on the correct lift/drag and drag in water TO/LDG

It looks to me to be a few days work with flight testing. The glass, animations and props are all working fine. it just needs a little FSX love to give it a rebirth.


I would do this and post a FSX update to go with the aircraft however I am very tied up with GEXn EU right now. I would not mind having this plane in my personal hangar and I know old salts like Bob70 would like to have it functioning correctly in FSX too.  Phil Taylor is another who collects these vintage Navy boats and has expressed his desire to see this plane upgraded.

If someone here who thinks they can really make that plane shine in FSX would like to take this little project on, please post and let me know.

I'm heading out the door in a few hours...  weekend flight around Lake Michigan.. If this has not been addressed by the time I return, I'd be happy take it on..

Nick , I didn't said anything ,because I'm not too good in aircraft.cfg in fact Is Brett who's making all my dynamics in my latest model..he's very good in this ..
in my earlier models before meet Brett ,my models, geometry , dynamics were exactly as the default models came ..only few changes in dynamics ..

You deserve all the help ,you been very nice with FSX users myself included..

Cheers

Alex

I can probably mod some gauges from the grumman goose and take flight dynamics from that since it seems like a close match. And then tweak them from there maybe. Would be a good start? I can show you some screenshots afterwards.

I tried to match the gauges in the panel.cfg the best I could and I used the sound folder from the Grumman goose.  You can try this out for fun.  

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=B26XI4EP

The texturing resolution in the VC is a bit low. But let me know what you think. Victor

merculiv@gmail.com

NickN wrote on Jun 19^th, 2008 at 2:29pm:


Hi Nick

Happy to see this project taking off. Like I said I was not a pilot but part of the crew for awhile during my Navy days about fifty years ago. She was big and slow. Seems like it took forever to get airborne. You had to get her up on the step to get enough speed to lift off. Also on calm days in the early morning  when the water was like glass we had to use jato rocket assist to break the surface tension of the water on the aircraft otherwise we couldn't take off. It was said she would barely fly on one engine.    We never lost one I'm happy to say. If I think of anything else I'll let you know.  Looking forward to It. Would like to have  a livery in the Navys "Navy Blue"

Bob

PS. I remember at times when we didn't have jato we use to high speed taxi in big circles to get the water stirred up.

The Warrior I'm taking (the one I bought into), had to be pulled into the FBO to have the prop taken off and the hollow crankshaft inspected. I will go into its 100 hour inspection time limit on this flight. Since it won't used for instruction, that's OK.. except that DARN crankshaft has and Airworthiness Directive that HAD to be taken care of before taking it cross-country. Needless to say, I won't be leaving until early Friday.

Good thing is that I got to come back here and see the enthusiasm about this project. I'm itching to dive in right now, but I'm up to my web-page-ears in weather/flight planning  

Weather permiting, I'llbe back by Monday, noonish, and will check in to see the progress..

Brett_Henderson wrote on Jun 19^th, 2008 at 5:03pm:



Sounds good Brett

I will see if I can locate tech info on this boat...  If not I am not sure where we can get the correct info for the aircraft geometry section except from a publication like this

http://www.aviationbookcentre.com/__12_product_info3_asp2_5_prdID4_58365_usrID1_...'


The Oswald on those boats as I recall will be low.. and if I remember my E factor inviscid/viscous drag math on those old wing mounted engine aircraft one must subtract somewhere between 4 to 6% from solve 'E' due to prop down-wash. Cant remember exactly but I do remember the wing mounted engines cause a drop in eff. E is probably somewhere around 68-72 on that monster @ 1,406 ft² and 118ft span but according to what Bob reported I would not be surprised if it calc'd out to be lower than the space shuttle, like in the 55-65 range to take into account the sim fight model and how it tends to render a bit too much lift, torque and Pfactor with some planes. From what Bob says it drops quickly without both engines running, just like the shuttle without its 18-22 degree approach angle, but it does not weigh 215K lbs.