I would like to ask a special favor....

[NickN]

...Fixed RPM gauge and calibration

[NickN]

Just so you guys know I took a bit of a break from all the FSX dev work for the holiday weekend and will get back to this next week


I am still waiting for a another set of textures from Anthony at GEX so I have a few free days left to work with her


Brett, the flight dynamics are outstanding.. You really got her to a point I did not think was possible and without your critical input in experience we could not have gotten her where she is now.


I did make a few more changes to the sound files after the last update was sent out.. mostly low idle sounds. Jim sent a very cool PDF file on the panel and I will get a close look at it this week along with attack the dome light issue.

As for a repaint.. I dont think I am going to have time to squeeze that in before I must go back to GEXn production. I did collect the color palet information though. At this point I think the focus should be on the panel and VC and anything that can be done to clean that up a bit better like the window frames, etc.. another area I will look at this week


Once we get to a finished product everyone can give her a spin for final test with any changes


I will try for the paint but I dont want to release anything that ends up looking like a 'rush job"

[Brett_Henderson]

light at the end of the tunnel ?  

[NickN]

LOL!

As for flight dynamics I think we have a rap but dont be a stranger to this thread.. as Jim and I get closer on the panel we will probably need some input from a pilots perspective on the design.

Its really a shame we are limited on the VC or I would have likes to make a mockup of the original with Bobs images and a few others

I think I may resize the overhead and make it visible with the VC.. not sure yet. Too bad about the AP and its location. If the original developer had put a bitmap space in for that we could have used it for the AP in the VC.. may have a few ideas about that one yet too.. I may fudge the cockpit panel and see if I can make that work still.


At this point the cockpit and the few minor lighting bugs is the primary focus with repaint last on the punch list.

[Brett_Henderson]

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..  :D

[NickN]

I had a few very long days with the launch of FSWC and one which lasted almost 38 hours so I had to take a break on everything..

Will be back in the saddle with this tomorrow!

[NickN]

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.

[Brett_Henderson]

Excellent  :)

The 707 has been released, so I'm spending my free-sim-time puting the Marlinr through some "pilot piont of view" flying situations..

I'll report back soon.

[NickN]

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

[NickN]

The Marlin now has a fully functional supercharger calibrated to model the original design (found the specs on it) which if over-revved for too long, will blow the manifold with full fire and smoke FX

It will also allow the user to back off the throttle if they catch it in time and the engine will recover as it cools down however it will lose a percentage of horsepower depending on how long it was throttled too high... too long and its a dead engine with no return

Backlit VC is not possible due to the model maker not providing the lightmap in the VC

Ligting is now fixed along with a few other system issues whereby the gauges were not reading correctly or were not associated correctly

The original engine start now works and a full cold and dark start sequence which requires the right series of events take place.. ie; power, fuel pump, mag, engine select, mixture, crank... and after crank for correct period, engine then starts and generators kick in

Some corrections and changes to the VC panel were made and as soon as I finish getting the XML fixed on the existing gauge package a final layout of gauges will take place and last the manual to operate.

repaint is still not in the 'definite' scope because of the time needed to fix what was/is needed to have a fully functional and dynamic aircraft but its not completely out of the loop quite yet. It will depend on how fast the gauge work can be completed and the aircraft tested... and when the next dump of textures for GEXnEU comes my way

[Brett_Henderson]

I wanna test this new engine !!  

[NickN]

he he he

Its the same engine just supercharged and it is working correctly. The only thing about it I have not decided is if I will leave on an automatic rev as throttle is increased, or, place a switch on it to enable or disable the supercharger

If I do the "switch" I will also need to adjust fuel burn ratios in XML too. The correct ratio is enabled with the automatic system and I do not think the real Marlin had the ability to shut the SC down as it was integrated into the system for the USN but I could not locate data on that.

Bob may know that information


As soon as Jim and I get the panel to the point where its time for testing, you will get it

I am also moving everything to the Marlin panel and sound folder too. The only thing that will live outside the SP-5B aircraft folder is the FX so once this is ready for testing you will need to delete everything you currently have except the model folder. The changes to the FX files will overwrite themselves.

[NickN]

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)

[Brett_Henderson]

This sounds like some really neat stuff..  You already now my desire for modeled engine management, and consequences for mis-management  ;)

Can't wait to be a test pilot  8-)

[NickN]

[quote]This sounds like some really neat stuff..