SOH P-61 project

[txnetcop]

why is this taking so long? youve been at it for months...why isnt it done..sheeesh yall are slow...

runsssssssssssssssssssssss

[N2056]

[N2056]

I finally got the drop tanks put back on...

Attachment 24062 Attachment 24063

[OleBoy]

Attachment 24065

Hey gang. The Ole P-61 is really taking shape. As you can see from Robs posts, he is hard at it behind the scenes. The ole girl is looking better every day. Pam is hard at work dialing in the FDE so the widow flies as realistic as FSX allows. From what I've seen in Pam and Rob over the last week has been excellent progress to a great warbird.

We've all been talking about things the P-61 needs so it's as realistic as possible. Like the turret to rotate, all the guns to fire with flash/bang effects, and radar animations.

I won't beat around the bush. The P-61 project needs someone with the excellent XML skills who can bring this ole girl to life. Are you that person?

Please help if you can!!

[warchild]

Ok Guys.. I've come up with the starting lineup for paints to include besides your personal Favorites..

1. Lady in the Dark ( made last two kills of world war two: without firing a shot )
2. MoonHappy ( Shot down four Betty bombers in 1944 )
3: Borrowed time ( The first crew to shoot down a V-1 buzz bomb, five kills and two probables )
4. Lady Jen ( Shot down 5 enemy plus 1 V-1: Lady Jen was an A model, but i believe an important part of history)
5. Project Thunderstorm ( as the first all weather Severe weather research aircraft )
6. Hard to get ( overflew Cabatuan enabling US rangers to free the survivors of the Bataan Death March )


The are a ton more of course, and all of them gorgeous, but from a purely historical viewpoint i believe these six to be the most important.. There was also an unpainted all metal P-61A Flown by Gen. Earl Barnes of the 13th fighter command. Apparently, the general liked the plane so much he made it his personal plane..

Pam

PS.. Just checked in Squadron Signal and found a pic of Lady in the dark.. Even on the real plane, the artwork doesnt have much detail..

[Cag40Navy]

Dang Robert, sweet stuff right there!

[N2056]

Thanks for the comments!

Regarding the gun turret...I am capable of animating it, the question is how do we want to control it? We have plenty of time to ponder that. Today I finally broke down and played with creating a full material set for the right wing. Here's my first round entry...compare the wing to the boom, which is still just a lonely diffuse texture.

Attachment 24097

[warchild]

that looks awesome Robert.. .. she's beginning to look like a real bird ...
like you said.. lots of time to think about turrets.. but i wouldnt mind getting someone in here to help you out either..

[jankees]

that's beginning to look very nice indeed, well done, Robert!

[2Low]

We are all behind you, go team!

[stansdds]

Thanks for the comments!

Regarding the gun turret...I am capable of animating it, the question is how do we want to control it? We have plenty of time to ponder that. Today I finally broke down and played with creating a full material set for the right wing. Here's my first round entry...compare the wing to the boom, which is still just a lonely diffuse texture.

Attachment 24097

If the turret is animated, will the flight model reflect the turbulence created by the turret being out of its forward pointing position?

[calypsos]

If the turret is animated, will the flight model reflect the turbulence created by the turret being out of its forward pointing position?

It will be if the turret animation is linked to the rudder, if not I doubt if FSX will cope!

[AckAck]

Regarding the gun turret...I am capable of animating it, the question is how do we want to control it?

Just animate it with an unused axis, like prop pitch or mixture...






Brian (can we get the animated guy to run right instead of left?)

[warchild]

::chuckles:: Actually, prop pitch is used.. It controls the rpm of the props. As fir the buffetung, the answer is no. Sadly the only thing that would happen with linking the turret to the rudder would be a very small yaw to one side. Withut some very fancy xml coding such as accu-sim theres no way tto make it work. We've asked severa times over the last few months for volunteers to help in that area, but everyone is busy working on other projects, and there have been no replies..
As for the buffeting itself?? Well, that was mostly a problem in the early A models. by the time the P-61B-15 models came out with the turrets reattached that had changed the design of the turret and most of the problem had disappeared....

[Stan V.]

why is this taking so long? youve been at it for months...why isnt it done..sheeesh yall are slow

runsssssssssssssssssssssss

Sometimes, enjoying the journey is just as important as arriving at the destination....

[warchild]

I wanted to show off some of Roberts work.. Noo, not the numbers or decals,, but the lines .. he's been doing a fantastic job and really deserves to be recognized for it..
Enjoy ...

[PRB]

Holy crap, that looks so awesome. Is it done yet?

[Dangerousdave26]

SOON!

[warchild]

:::LOL:; Patience ::LOL:::..
theres a long way to go internally first, and Roberts been focusing on the outside for a few weeks now in order to let the painters get a head start on the liveries.. Also, i ran into a problem today that I thought was in my fde, with not being able to get above 12000 feet using fsx real time weather. Itd get up there and the speed would fall off and down i'd go.. Tuurns out it also happened with my WOP B-17 and mt L-749.. Something weird with fsx i guess.. I'm also developing Sorceress more. Shes being made into a hybrid p-61B/C model with C model engines installed and a top end of 456 mph specifically for racing here at SOH ... Shes fun ..

[crashaz]

WooHoo! Racin'!! Now you are talking.... if we can get this qualified for the RTW(Must have internet for racin') that would be awesome!

Just some fine work you all are doing.

[jankees]

looking good, Robert!

[warchild]

I couldnt resist.....

[warchild]

WooHoo! Racin'!! Now you are talking.... if we can get this qualified for the RTW(Must have internet for racin') that would be awesome!

Just some fine work you all are doing.

Thats what i'm hoping for too ... with its top speed and extended range with external tanks, she'd be right up there with the best of them...

[Kowalski65]

if it was a 1 off in real life, then it wont get approved

[PRB]

From US Army Air Force Fighters, Part 2, pg 53:

"Testing of the P-61C began in July 1945 but the aircraft was found to be sluggish and difficult to handle, with a tendency to 'wallow' in flight, at weights above 35,000 lb, whilst a clear take off distance of at least three miles was needed at a weight of 40,000 lb. Only 41 P-61Cs had been built when further production was terminated on V-J Day."

Hmm...