gospadin Beta Tester

Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: 'Murica Posts: 1,948

August 2016 Update





Hi everyone. It's been another month so we're posting another update on the progress of our A-4E.



First and foremost, we decided to redo our cockpit, both model and texture. A new base model and geometry was integrated into DCS, and then we migrated our existing gauges and animations from the old cockpit to the new one. In the process, we fixed a lot of small indicators and gauge needles to improve readability and accuracy, as well as prepping the way for instrument lighting (both backlight and flood) in the future. On top of the ported gauges, we've added many new gauge animations that are just waiting on systems programming.



Second, we've implement the Aircraft Weapon Release System. This is used to configure the modes for rocket and bomb delivery, and has a number of features:

Quantity selector, from 2 to 40

Drop interval, from 10 millseconds to 2 seconds between releases

Step single, step pairs, step salvo for manually-timed delivery

Ripple single, ripple pairs, ripple salvo for computer-timed delivery

The AWRS allows for a wide variety of weapon deliveries, whether bombing a column of trucks with Mk-81 Snakeyes, launching a salvo of 40 rockets at a SAM site, or dropping a single Mk-83 on an enemy bunker.



Third, with a bunch of modeling and programming trial and error, we have the dynamic clipmask for the adjustable gunsight working. It still requires calibration per the pocket tactical manual drop tables, but we'll try to achieve as much accuracy as possible. Additionally, brightness and day/night configuration of the gunsight are implemented too.



From a systems perspective, we have a bunch of small features and improvements since last month:

Emergency power is now provided by an external generator (ram air turbine) with a placeholder model and animation. This is deployed from the cockpit via a T-handle.

Low Altitude Warning System (LAWS) altitude indexer and on/off knob is implemented, along with proper behavior on emergency power and at high bank angles or altitudes.

Spoiler now behaves correctly on emergency power.

Emergency speedbrake control now properly allows deploy/retract without DC electrical.

Gear overspeed damage is now modeled.

Adjustable projected gunsight and animated reflector glass with dynamic clipmask is implemented. This includes gunsight day/night switch and brightness control.

Emergency weapon release T-handle w/ 7-way function selector (WING,1,2,3,4,5,ALL)

Master test switch behavior is implemented, to test warning lights, oxygen and fuel gauges.

Pilot shoulder is now implemented correctly to fix over-the-shoulder view angles.

Some caution lights are implemented: speedbrake, spoiler, LAWS, WHEELS

Adjustable mach/airspeed indexers.

Adjustable standby attitude horizon.

Canopy modeling improved, to include seal lever animation.

Cabin pressure altitude and liquid oxygen remaining are now modeled and reported on the appropriate gauges per NATOPS.

Simple engine start is implemented.

From a weapons perspective, we're currently integrating a number of weapons from the SAC.

Mk-77 mod 0/mod 1 napalm bombs are fully modeled, though coded as dumb bombs

Mk-81 Snakeye has a placeholder model, though is fully-coded in-game.

SPPU-23 and UPK-23 pods are functioning placeholders for the Mk-4 gun pod

M257 parachute flares act as placeholders for the SUU-40/44 flare dispenser

Thanks to Jack Jewell, we have a head start on modeling a number of WW2-era bombs, which would have been used in training missions or early in the Vietnam War: AN-M30A1 100 lb GP HE AN-M57A1 250 lb GP HE AN-M65A1 1000 lb GP HE

We also have planned the AN-M66A2 2000 lb GP HE bomb, AN-M81 260 lb fragmentation bomb, and the AN-M88 216 lb fragmentation bomb, though they just have code at this time.

Lastly, I made a short video to demonstrate the use of AWRS.







I'm sure there's more improvements we forgot to list that you can see in the above video, but I'll leave those as a surprise for viewers or next month's update. =P



Thanks everyone for your support, we appreciate it a ton!



--gos Hi everyone. It's been another month so we're posting another update on the progress of our A-4E.First and foremost, we decided to redo our cockpit, both model and texture. A new base model and geometry was integrated into DCS, and then we migrated our existing gauges and animations from the old cockpit to the new one. In the process, we fixed a lot of small indicators and gauge needles to improve readability and accuracy, as well as prepping the way for instrument lighting (both backlight and flood) in the future. On top of the ported gauges, we've added many new gauge animations that are just waiting on systems programming.Second, we've implement the Aircraft Weapon Release System. This is used to configure the modes for rocket and bomb delivery, and has a number of features:The AWRS allows for a wide variety of weapon deliveries, whether bombing a column of trucks with Mk-81 Snakeyes, launching a salvo of 40 rockets at a SAM site, or dropping a single Mk-83 on an enemy bunker.Third, with a bunch of modeling and programming trial and error, we have the dynamic clipmask for the adjustable gunsight working. It still requires calibration per the pocket tactical manual drop tables, but we'll try to achieve as much accuracy as possible. Additionally, brightness and day/night configuration of the gunsight are implemented too.From a systems perspective, we have a bunch of small features and improvements since last month:From a weapons perspective, we're currently integrating a number of weapons from the SAC.Lastly, I made a short video to demonstrate the use of AWRS.I'm sure there's more improvements we forgot to list that you can see in the above video, but I'll leave those as a surprise for viewers or next month's update. =PThanks everyone for your support, we appreciate it a ton!--gos

My liveries, mods, and missions for DCS:World

M-2000C English Cockpit | Extra Beacons Mod | Nav Kneeboard | Community A-4E __________________ Last edited by gospadin; 09-30-2016 at 03:26 AM .