Post by George Carty - HJG on Aug 1, 2009 17:27:29 GMT
Hi there!
Although Stellan Hilmerby's panels are the best freeware DC-9 panels currently available, I still thought they could be enhanced in several respects. Cosmetically they were in need of improvement, perhaps because Mr Hilmerby (not being acquainted with C programming) relied on the EasyGauge tool to produce his gauges, and they relied on an external module for the second ADF radio (due to their FS2002 origins). Only the DC-9-20 and DC-9-40 were covered (while at HJG we already have a DC-9-50, which used a completely different instrument for determining correct engine EPR values).
In addition I also wanted to use a different flight director style (similar to that featured in our 727 panel series).
Therefore I decided to do major modifications to these panels - many of Stellan's original gauges have been replaced. Although the screenshots here only cover the DC-9 marques currently available at HJG, panels have been prepared for all DC-9 marques.
DC-9-20 taking off in the rain
This shows the windscreen wiper in action.
DC-9-50 on the ground
This shows the new EPR computer along with the five fuel tank gauges found on this model.
DC-9-50 with radio and radar popups shown
As with the 727 panels, these DC-9 panels have a weather radar set included, which uses FSUIPC for its functionality.
Some things have not changed though -- I was sadly unable to contact Geir Olson to get the source code for the "server gauge" (this means that I couldn't make these panels FSX-compatible, or replace the default GPS with my own INS code from the 727 panel series).
In addition I have not changed the code to set switches to "ON" appropriately when loading the panel with engines running - I estimated that this would add at least another week's work to the panel, and I felt already that panel design for HJG was taking over my life!
Credits for these panels should go to:
A release at HJG is probably several months away, but I just thought I'd give some samples to suggest what will be to come!
George
Although Stellan Hilmerby's panels are the best freeware DC-9 panels currently available, I still thought they could be enhanced in several respects. Cosmetically they were in need of improvement, perhaps because Mr Hilmerby (not being acquainted with C programming) relied on the EasyGauge tool to produce his gauges, and they relied on an external module for the second ADF radio (due to their FS2002 origins). Only the DC-9-20 and DC-9-40 were covered (while at HJG we already have a DC-9-50, which used a completely different instrument for determining correct engine EPR values).
In addition I also wanted to use a different flight director style (similar to that featured in our 727 panel series).
Therefore I decided to do major modifications to these panels - many of Stellan's original gauges have been replaced. Although the screenshots here only cover the DC-9 marques currently available at HJG, panels have been prepared for all DC-9 marques.
DC-9-20 taking off in the rain
This shows the windscreen wiper in action.
DC-9-50 on the ground
This shows the new EPR computer along with the five fuel tank gauges found on this model.
DC-9-50 with radio and radar popups shown
As with the 727 panels, these DC-9 panels have a weather radar set included, which uses FSUIPC for its functionality.
Some things have not changed though -- I was sadly unable to contact Geir Olson to get the source code for the "server gauge" (this means that I couldn't make these panels FSX-compatible, or replace the default GPS with my own INS code from the 727 panel series).
In addition I have not changed the code to set switches to "ON" appropriately when loading the panel with engines running - I estimated that this would add at least another week's work to the panel, and I felt already that panel design for HJG was taking over my life!
Credits for these panels should go to:
- Stellan Hilmerby and Geir Olsson (authors of the original panel)
- Peter Binamira - the main panel bitmap which I used was based on his Lipad Nuwebe mod for the Philippine Flight Sim Group.
- Steve Weiher and Richard Probst (as some gauges from the original panel which I felt could be improved have been replaced with gauges used in the HJG DC-8 or 727 panels)
- Plus myself, of course, for putting the package together
A release at HJG is probably several months away, but I just thought I'd give some samples to suggest what will be to come!
George