General MDL Question

[Skua]

Not looking for anything specific here (yet!). But as a non-designer, I was wondering about something. Does the MDL file have any bearing on how the aircraft flies? The impression I've gotten from reading the forums is that the MDL's function is to provide the shape required for the visual model, but is there only for appreance's sake. It is the AIR file and certain entries in the aircraft CFG file that define the aerodynamics of the aircraft. Is this right, or do I have things mixed up? Also, if you could direct me to a source for answering such basic questions as this, I'd be grateful. Thanks!

Skua

[Sterk]

Yes,you'r absolutely right.

[Skua]

Thanks, Sterk.  So, just as an example (and no, I'm not thinking of doing this!), If I substituted in the MDL and textures for a Bensen autogryo into the folders for a Citabria, I would be presented with the visual model of an Autogyro, but it would fly like a Citabria. Right?

[Felix/FFDS]

If you want perverse fun, pop the visuals of a 747 into a Spitfire ...  apart from the fact that you will be marmaladed to death by a certain moderator, ....

[Brian_Gladden]

there is one thing that will change how a plane flies related to the model is the location of the center of the model. if the designer does not when making the plane set the center of the model near the real center of gravity, flight dynamics will be very hard to make since the plane will be tail or nose heavy, no matter what you tweak in the cfg. I ran into this when I did the flight dynamics for Greg Peper's old Grumman Albatross.

Brian