INSTALLATION (please take a moment to read this section carefully, so as to avoid installation errors):
A. EXPERT INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS:
Make a fresh install from the original zips or move across whichever Reds you wish to have from FS2002. If you do the latter, don't forget gauges and smoke effects files. FSDS single and teams will work fine in FS2004; you do not even need to find the FS2000 'concorde.gau' as was neccesary with FS2002, as it is a default gauge in FS2004. All aircraft will need the new PANEL.CFG files, enclosed here, which correct HUD and GPS. Ignore any error messages on loading, do not disable animations. You'll need FSSound.dll in MODULES and an [OLDMODULES] section in FS9.CFG. Note that the GMAX four startup situations are redone for FS2004 and should be installed under MY DOCUMENTS/FLIGHT SIMULATOR FILES/.
B. DETAILED INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Any or all of the original FS2002 files must be installed to ACOF/FS2004/FS9 first. They can be installed straight from the ZIPs as per the original download instructions to the path .../PROGRAM FILES/Microsoft Games/Flight Simulator 9/
The original packages (which can all be found at flightsim.com, simviation.com or at the "Red Arrows" own site at
www.raf.mod.uk/reds/downloads.html) are as follows:
REDPACK.ZIP The initial FSDS Reds package. Standalone, but enhanced by the addition of REDPACK6.ZIP
(or its parts 1-5, which some users may wish to install individually:
REDPACK1.ZIP Single T.MK1 A Hawk aircraft with panel and specific internal/external views
REDPACK2.ZIP Flyable formation "Gypo Section" - four Hawk aircraft with panel and specific internal/external views
REDPACK3.ZIP Flyable formation "Diamond Nine" - nine Hawk aircraft with panel and specific internal/external views
REDPACK4.ZIP Gauges, Effects (and Documents) REQUIRED by any/all of the above
REDPACK5.ZIP Soundset for the Hawk aircraft [also recommended for REDPACK7, below])
REDPACK6.ZIP Extra Views for "Gypo" and "Diamond" and generic panel Upgrade Pack for all FSDS versions
RED1UPD.ZIP Updates lights and textures on the single Hawk, above.
REDPACK7.ZIP Flyable formation "Gypo Section" in GMAX - four Hawk aircraft with display animation & voice commands, and a new panel. Does NOT supersede previous versions as features are different.
RED7UPD.ZIP Numerous panel and other modifications for REDPACK7.ZIP including additional display voice callouts
If you have already installed these packages in FS2002 and prefer to move them manually across to ACOF/FS2004/FS9 rather than reinstalling from scratch, note that you'll need the AIRCRAFT, GAUGES, EFFECTS, MODULES and DOCUMENTS that you installed originally. Forget the FLIGHTS that shipped with REDPACK7, they have been redone in this new update.
2. Unzip REDS_FS9.ZIP to a temporary folder. All PANEL.CFG files should be replaced with the respective files to be found in this download. If you have installed all the 'Reds' and move the folder AIRCRAFT from this download directly to your ......./Flight Simulator 9/ path, this will happen automatically. Allow overwriting.
These files are not so much amendments for the new sim as a correction of an error in the FS2002 version that did not show in FS2002 but made itself known in ACOF/FS2004/FS9. I have corrected the anomaly, and a benefit is that the HUD is now switchable on/off with a new icon in the stack on the left side of the panel. Brightness and Pitch Ladder on/off controls remain on the right of the HSI. Whilst fiddling about, I also added a Radio Audio Panel just under the HUD, as I had several requests for one.
A further change is that the new Garmin295 GPS is now referenced. In the older panel that shipped with the FSDS aircraft, it pops up in the centre when required. This is appropriate to the real aircraft which carries a portable GPS (each pilot has his own personal unit) in this position. It is triggered by the usual toggle. On the GMAX aircraft, it will appear at the bottom in the middle. A second toggle on the left side panel (which was always there) is available to you to close the GPS when the side panels are open and the first toggle is blanketed. Even with all this open, you still have a reasonable view.
Eric Marciano's TCAS Radar gauge is now accredited for the latest FS2004 versions of FSUIPC, but to date Eric has not updated it. I have sat on this 'Reds' update for a month in hope, but decided to upload now anyway. This means that until he updates this particular gauge, the TCAS will appear to function but you will see no AI aircraft unless you have a registered version of Pete Dowson's FSUIPC.DLL. If you do not intend to register FSUIPC for FS2004 and intend only to use this DLL with the limited functionality that the freeware version provides, then look out for Eric's updated gauge in due course.
3. You will find is that the first time you load each of the respective model formats (there are three altogether) you will get the following error message:
"The aircraft you are attempting to load is not fully compatible with Flight Simulator. The incompatibility may cause Flight Simulator to become unstable, the aircraft to function incorrectly, or both. Do you want to disable unsupported features on this a (model name)"
You will have a choice of YES or NO. Choose NO: the aircraft should load successfully in each case with no adverse effects and no loss of animation. This has worked for me without any problem (I have installed/uninstalled/installed again to be sure) and for several beta testers; but please note that you take this step at your own discretion. I will not be held responsible for people saying afterwards that their computer fell off its perch or whatever.
Even if you have the whole "Reds" collection you will only see this message three times. Thereafter, your decision will have been logged into your FS9.CFG file as follows:
[FrameCallNoWarn]
BAe Hawk Red Arrow=1
Red Arrows4=1
Red Arrows9=1
You will not see the error message again.
One small point here: the original single aircraft had a period after the "T" in it's individual aircraft folder name that caused an error message every time the aircraft was loaded. Remove the period and all will be well. The folder should now read "BAe Hawk 'Red Arrows' T Mk1 A", as with the one enclosed in this download.
4. The start-up situations for the GMAX 'planes have been modified to reflect new airport and runway positioning in Microsoft's latest sim. The format has now changed: the contents of the folder "Flight Simulators Files" in this download should go to your ".../My Documents/Flight Simulator Files/" folder.
5. Finally, and importantly, you need to make a change to the FS9.CFG file (if you have not done so already) to reflect the addition of FSSound.dll to your MODULES folder; otherwise, the voice callouts for the GMAX four will not work, and neither will the radios. At worst, your simulator may crash.
Find the FS9.CFG file. It is located in your personal "Application Data" folder. On Windows 2000/XP systems, this is located in "...\Documents and Settings\
\Application Data\Microsoft\FS9\FS9.cfg". For Windows 9x users the path is "...\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\FS9\fs9.cfg". The Application Data folder is hidden, so you will need to enable viewing of hidden files/folders under the Folder Options in your Explorer.
Back up your FS9.CFG file. Then open the file and add the following section, somewhere near the top:
[OLDMODULES]
FSSound.dll=1
Save the file. That's it. Fly "Reds"!
