...Fixed RPM gauge and calibration

light at the end of the tunnel ?   

I'll just keep flying it, and flying it...  That's the best way to see things, and come up with ideas. Not flights so much to be scribbling down performance numbers.. but flights from a piloting perspective... different loads, weather, duration, purpose. THAT'S when the light-bulbs pop up over your head.. 

Jim and I are hard at work on the panel for this.. we are hashing out the original design and seeing if it can be better optimized.

The dome light issue is fixed but it did require I had to make some canges to the FX files.. not my first choice but the model file simply will not run any more than a certain number of light emitters in each FX file.

There have been changes to the main VC and to the sounds although flight dynamics remain as they were and are a done deal.


Repaint may not make it in.. that one is still up in the air but the panels are certainly getting a once over.

Once we get it to a certain point I will package it up and post it for testing

The panel changes are more about organization of controls than than major changes. The VC got a facelift too and looks much better now

I wanna test this new engine !!   

I have managed to fix most of the XML with the exception of 2 gauges/switches at this point. All gauges are calibrated now and correctly reading for the 2 Wright R-3350-30WA engines. They are also direct injected not carb's so that has been corrected as well as the fuel pressure for the system.



I have created and modeled the superchargers which are functioning to spec and perfectly. Fuel supply and flow has been corrected for this system. It will burn based on the real dynamics and will deliver the correct range if flown correctly on full tanks


I have not figured out the fire control yet and that does need to happen because you can now blow the manifold or pistons if the engine is over revved for too long. There is a spec on these engines to deliver the full 3700HP and its only in 5 min bursts (will go 15-20 if coaxed)  and even with that, damage can occur if pushed too far, too fast. They will provide the 15 min of full horsepower before starting to overheat (not full throttle, full horsepower.. full throttle starts countdown to damage immediately )


The original engines were designed to withstand a nominal time on full HP for T/O and emergencies but if pushed too long they will start to blow cylinders one by one. If you catch it in time the engine will still run on the remaining working cylinders but at reduced power based on the loss before it was caught, feathered and cooled down.


A cool down period is also programmed into it... the longer it was run too high before recovery, the longer it will take to come back up


I have corrected the panel lighting problem and also re written the instrument light XML so it works


Once I get everything finished and tested Jim and I will start looking at the overhead layout based on the gauges we need up there.


I may, mind you.. may model the JATO system using a trick in XML by altering the gear ratio to the props. I can do that and mimic the JATO bottle boost, and, also add the rocket flair and thrust on a timed burn. That one I have not decided on yet however I know can be done.


What I will do when I am ready is package everything up and post it for download (too large for email) so Jim and I are on the exact same page and there is nothing different about what I have and what he has. At that point we can look over the rest, make needed changes and then wrap it up with a manual.


I would really love to do a Navy BLUE repaint however I don’t think I am going to have time. I will probably however at the very least do some detail and cleanup work on the original paint.



Once I get the rest of the gauge XML working I will get back with Jim on layout and the manual


Once we get it to where it looks like a winner I will post it to Brett and Bob for review. You guys can let us know if anything is amiss or needs attention before the final packaging



No more full throttle takeoffs.. you must start and use the engines to gauge spec or its POP SPUTTER BANG and if too much..  BOOM and FLAMES

Brett_Henderson wrote on Jul 17^th, 2008 at 5:43pm:



you are going to love this

fully dynamic engine response

you push them too hard too long and they respond based on that.. I have even pushed one to blowing 3 pistons and recovered it, used engine 2 to keep going and managed to get engine1 back 50% after 15 minutes of feathering

I needed it too in order to get over the mountains. E2 kept me going but I had to drop down from 18000 to 7000 to maintain speed and altitude


gauges will read the real torque and man pressure which I calibrated based on the specs

One thing that is different.. back in the day they used a very high octane fuel for these to get the HP out of them.. dang near jet fuel which is no longer available today nor is it modeled in the sim however I compensated by calibrating the supercharger boost so it will power just like the real deal