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
.... this has by no means been an easy project .... I know !
stand to be most satisfied by what is being prepared. Those whom are content with less variation will also be adequately catered for too .... and .... everything will be clearly defined per future support notes yet to be written by me.