Simviation Forums

I've been working on this F-4 for a few days now.  I got the source file from FlightSim.com.  I've just started animating it after tidying the model and scaling to the correct size.  I've ran into a problem with what I believe are called 'elevons'.  A quick look in the MakeMDL.doc showed that was such a thing.  So I labeled them 'elevon0L' and 'elevon5R'.  Well, knowing my luck...they didn't work.  Can anyone give me the correct name to use?

Oh, yeah, here's the screenshot:



Thank you.

Label them as elevators and link them to tiny boxes labelled as ailerons...or do it the other way around.

Make sure you get the rotation axis aligned correctly so they rotate in the right plane.

If the two surfaces were in the same plane you would name them as ailerons and use a common box labelled as an elevator to rotate them together.

As you have discovered...elevon names don't work a damn.

Ah, thanks Steve.

Got it working after a bit of experimenting and pivot point moving.  This thing's really coming on.  I think we'll finally have a good (freeware and gMax) Phantom for FS2002.  Although all the credt has to go to the dude who made the source file...'cos I can't model to save myself...

Hey whitey, V.nice model
Can't wait to have him, repaint it, and finally have a good IAF F-4E. who knows, maybe I'll also make him a
F-4E 2000 panel

Good luck dude, and thanks

Whitey. That looks great but I think you should make sure those are elevons. I'm no expert on the F-4 but always assumed they had the more conventional all-flying tailplane.  I found this reference to modifications made to the original prototypes.

After much wind-tunnel testing, it was found that the new McDonnell fighter would encounter severe stability problems at high speeds and would as a result probably be limited to speeds below Mach 2. In order to correct these problems, several important changes had to made. One of these was the application of 23 degrees of anhedral to the all-flying tailplane, which became known as a *stabilator*. This gave the necessary degree of stability but still left the tailplane free of the jet exhaust.

If this applied to the production versions they should be animated as elevators.  ::)

Wow, that F4 looks cool...I hope you can make different model configurations for it (payload, etc.) and make some really nice textures, and a DVC  :D

IIRC they are like many carrier planes...elevons at low speed and stabilators at high speed.

Might be hard to get that to work in GMax though...how do you access the variables from within GMax to setup the required display conditions?

In FSDS 2 it would require a little thought...but I have a fair idea on where to go with it without even trying.

OK...all that just scared the hell out of me!

Hmmm...that means a problem then...maybe I should try a F-4 website and enquire on their forums?  Bound to be some experts there who'll know.

Wow, that F4 looks cool...I hope you can make different model configurations for it (payload, etc.) and make some really nice textures, and a DVC    

Last night I got the canopies opening and closing in FS too...and the tailhook.  I'll have to model my own engines, as they're not in the model, but I don't mind doing that.

Wait a second

What model is this F-4 will be? F-4B or F-4E? or even RF-4E? why not all?

Right now, it's either a F-4J or a F-4K, although the noses for other variants are included.  These include the F-4C and the F-4E.

PS:  Look at the engine nozzles...looks like the ones on the F-4K to me.  The rest of thema re longer and there diameter becomes less as the extend outwards.  Can be easily changed with soft selection, though...

[quote]OK...all that just scared the hell out of me!

Hmmm...that means a problem then...maybe I should try a F-4 website and enquire on their forums?

My cousin is a F-4E 2000 and RF-4E technician, and he says that the Phantom will go out of service at least at 2008 in Israel.
And Hagar, there is another civil registered F-4E . It was the F-4E of the IAI, known as the "Super Phantom" that had  PW1120 engines, which are powerful and similar (in dimensions) to the J-79, only shorter and more fuel efficient. This engine was supposed to be a part of the F-4E 2000 plan, but with the cancellation of the Lavi, the only jet fighter to use this engine, this plan was cancelled and the engine was no longer manufactured.
It is now at the IAF museum.

Here you can see the PW1120 engine and the civil registration:

http://www.b-domke.de/AviationImages/Rarebird/0142.html

Thanks Erez. That's very interesting. Your cousin would be just the person to confirm if they're elevators or elevons.  ::)

This is the Collings Foundation F-4D I was referring to. http://www.collingsfoundation.org/tx_f-4dphantom_pics.htm

All for the Lady Hagar
Though I doubt I can meet him at this time, for he is very busy......
BTW Whitey, I would greatly appreciate if after the F-4E variant will be ready, you can add the PW1120 engines to it, and we'll improve him with a better speed and agility, and I'll take care of the paint