Hi All,
Just uploaded the textures.  Use TR's F-80C, already uploaded, as it corrects all the missing parts.  Thanks to him for his time and effort.
Any questions or problems, you know where to find me.
Have fun,
Bub

Slats,
The tint on the F-80 is built in.  I don't know how it can be done.  Maybe through the source file.  There are some textures that have "glass" textures.  You might be able to use something like that.  I remember the P-40B, converted by Bearcat, had the bitmap redone so as not to show as much tint.  I'm sure it could be done in reverse.  Sorry for not being as helpful as I could.  I just never involved myself with that aspect.
Bub

The use of 'transparent' textures on canopies and windows is usually seen only on much older CFS2 models.   Parts in the model can be 'tagged' by the designer to 'use transparent textures'.   About the only place you will see this used in current models is in the creation of the DVC panel. 

These days, the designer creates a 'transparent material' that composes the glass parts.   The degree of transparency, reflectivity level and the tint of the material can easily be controlled by the designer within the design program...in my case that's FSDS.   

I've always disliked two things about MT's F-80.  First is the 'milky' canopy and second is the use of his old T-33 tip tanks.  Some day one of those infamous 'converter' dudes is going to hex-edit that MDL file and modify the canopy material...or perhaps we will find the source file laying about somewhere.   And if I was worth my salt, I'd make a new set of proper tip tanks for her.   

oldwheat wrote on Apr 29^th, 2010 at 2:04pm:



With the canopy cleared-up, half the project is done.   Very Nice.....now what's your ETA on the completed tip tanks?   

Oh, I see....you think I'm gonna do the tanks?  Did I say that?  Are you sure?   Do you have it in writing? 

Almost sounds like a Bar...........

Slats,  Wasn't trying to make anyone look silly, that's my job around here.    I was going to point you toward SC's post, but you beat me to it.

TANKS,  Which one?  Both?  Let me know if I can help.

Bub wrote on Apr 29^th, 2010 at 9:14pm:



  Definitely the top one.....it's the only way to fly.   Go for it!   I hate doing weps BGLs anyhow.

Besides Larry's ignoring me again! 

Slats wrote on Apr 29^th, 2010 at 8:01pm:


Larry used Martin Wright's utility program called MDLcolor, which is one of many available at MW Graphics. 

The current tiptanks on the F-80C (Taccoli originals) are in fact historically accurate, though they are not as pleasing to the eye as the stock tiptanks.   Here's the story on the so called Misawa Tanks:

Misawa Tanks and the F-80

Due to a lack of jet-suitable runways in Korea, the F-80 flew its missions out of air bases in Japan. The long distance to the combat area meant that increasing the range of the aircraft was a necessity for pilots. Shortly before the war, FEAF maintenance personnel, Lieutenants Edward R. Johnston and Robert Eckman, increased the capacity of the 165-gallon fuel tanks to 265 gallons by adding two additional center panels to the original tanks. These enlarged tanks were labeled “Misawa tanks” after the Japanese air base where the idea was conceived. Although FEAF pilots stressed that the unauthorized modification doubled the range of the F-80, AMC requested that the Misawa tanks not be used until stability tests could be conducted.1

In mid-to-late 1950, Engineering Division conducted flight tests with the 265-gallon wing tip tanks installed on an F-80C. According to flight test pilot James D. Kelly, the F-80 began experiencing serious pitching motion after some of the fuel in the tip tanks was burned off. That was just the beginning of Kelly’s thrilling flight.


The long torpedo shaped tanks were twisting the wing tips as the fuel sloshed fore and aft in the unbaffled tanks. . . . I was looking at the left tank when it suddenly collapsed and, in one smashing motion, the nose half of the tank folded back over the wing tip and the end of the aileron. The immediate result was a violent yaw to the left and a slow but uncontrollable roll to the left. . . . The aircraft was beyond my control. . . . I pulled the tank release cables but nothing happened. Such abnormal forces kept the shackles from releasing. . . . I was running out of altitude and considering my ejection routine, when the left tank ripped out the mounting lugs and fell away. The improvement in control allowed me to recover and dispose of the right tank. The return to base after that was normal. . . .2

Kelly’s flight test proved that the tanks were unsafe, and AMC demanded that they be removed from the F-80s in FEAF. General Earle Partridge, commander of the Fifth Air Force, overrode the AMC decision and demanded that all F-80s be equipped with the new tanks. AMC airlifted 6,000 center sections to FEAF and then initiated a study for the development of a safe higher capacity tank that would not overstress the wings and bomb shackles of the aircraft.3

The Misawa tank episode propelled engineers into designing higher capacity fuel tanks for other aircraft as well. The Aircraft Laboratory in 1951 conducted studies on accessory fuel tanks that could be attached to the F-86 and F-84. These jettisonable tanks, ranging in capacity from 110 to 220 gallons, functioned successfully in tests.4 The biggest problem with external tanks, however, was that they produced extra weight and drag on the aircraft, and as of 1953, an alternative solution had not been developed and put into production.

Here is the first draft of the new tiptanks (top shot).....these are the ones originally used on the aircraft.  Not sure whether I like them any better than the Misawa tanks (bottom shot), but they're the ones I'm accustomed to seeing on this wing....and they do have that certain look.

Many hands make small work!

I must have missed Pete's upload deadline, so I guess the new MDL file will be delayed until tomorrow morning.

The tank will be finished sometime this weekend....gotta get paint and all.   

The teardrop 165 tanks are accurate for use in any period.  The cigar or torpedo 265 tanks are appropriate from 1951 on....more or less.

Glad you like the new tanks, Bill.   I just finished the tank package with BUB's BMP and uploaded it, tomorrow morning there should be two downloads for the TR_F-80C, the new canopy MDL file by Oldwheat and this new tank pack from me. 

That should breath some new life into the old girl! 

oldwheat wrote on Apr 29^th, 2010 at 11:20pm:


  Amazing....I would have guessed you used MDLmat.  Whatever it takes....nice looking glass.

Great work you guys. The old girl certainly looks great with all these mods and Bub's artistry.

She's surely come a long way from Massimo's old original......

- Oldwheat's canopy fix
- New original tanks...which I'm still not happy with and tweaking.
- Great textures from Bub
- CaptMercy's DVC upgrade

One more update of the tiptank and tank texture coming shortly.   I can live with the pilot's scale being off.