"NEW" Military Aircraft Base Pack

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

As I mentioned earlier (within Erik's Previews thread) .... we'll soon be introducing a new base pack to our BOEING military aircraft flight line (which we collectively, and for reasons of general convenience only, internally refer to "HERE" as being our "C-135 TYPE"). This new arrival is the "BOEING RC-135" in P&W J-57 turbo-jet form .... and which will accompany our long established P&W TF33/JT3D fan-jet and CFM-56 turbo-fan engined RC-135 inventory.

So then .... let me tell you all a wee bit about it ....


This new aircraft base pack will be composed of 3 different P&W J57 turbo-jet engine featured models as follows ....

RC-135A


RC-135T


RC-135/KC-135R (earliest form circa 1970)


This new aircraft base pack will be supported by our current B367-80 panel .... this being the only version among our B707 panels that is appropriate for this particular simulation and which features (and requires) the water/methanol injection system (providing a 6% boost to T/O engine thrust but for 3 minutes only) for TO at, or near, MGW, and which is also not TR equipped either.





This new base pack will also be supported by our current B367-80 sound pack .... this again being the sound particular pack among our B707 audio that is appropriate for this particular simulation (best represents the P&W J57 turbo-jet engine) and which doesn't feature TR sound as well.

This new base pack will also be assigned our current and long established B707 version "Heavy Smoke Effects" .... which simulate the dirty/heavy exhaust smoke typically created by the earliest turbo-jet engines when using the water/methanol system for TO.

This new BOEING RC-135 J57 aircraft base pack will also be"the first" among our BOEING military family, and our civil B707 flight line also, to benefit from the new FDE .... and which is a tedious project still currently undergoing its final last minute tune ups.

New FDE, or not, one thing that is not going change is that this new simulation, like like those representing its other P&W J57 turbo-jet engine powered military counterparts, will not, due to its much higher (than the earliest B707's) operating weights and comparatively lower thrust rating, be any easier to fly .... in fact it will continue to be "a challenge" to get airborne

This BOEING RC-135, like its other HGW P&W J57 turbojet engine powered military counterparts, "IS NOT" an aircraft for short or high altitude RWY's .... at least not when simulating operations at, or near, MGW.

At MGW it "is" possible to get it airborne from RWY 16L/34R (some 11,400 FT in length) at the default KSEA airport .... but .... "only just" .... however .... the recommended field length for this simulation/these aircraft is some 12,500 FT (at MGW) .... otherwise download either payload, or fuel, or both, to reduce weight in order to be accommodated by your chosen airports field/RWY length.

All of our pre-release flight testing, undertaken at MGW, has been based out of the default KSEA airport and which, though only just adequate in terms of its field/RWY length (16R/34R), reveals no major problems with regard to getting airborne .... "provided one uses the panel we recommend (for its WI feature) and strictly adheres to/applies a precise TO procedure recommended by us

Here's a few tips in order to prepare/educate one to be able to achieve a successful departure .... the climb to cruising altitude is similarly procedure dependent though and "equally challenging" too, but, is yet another story as well


1. As stated above .... the B367-80 panel "must" be used because it is the only one of our B707 SERIES panels that features the combination of WI system as well as no TR's.

2. The best TO procedure is to sit on the RWY threshold .... lock the brakes "ON" .... then .... run all 4 engines up to "MAXIMUM" power (literally firewall the thrust levers and rev the crap out of the engines .... one can do that with a turbo-jet engine whereas it's not recommended with later fan-jet or turbo-fan engine technology .... not that anything, in these simulations, or in FS, is going to be prone to braking for one's doing so anyway) .... as the engine N2 indications begin to cycle through N2 95% ....



.... then engage each of the 4 WI system switches, but, keep the brakes locked "ON".

3. When all 4 WI lights have illuminated (4 purple lamps to confirm the WI system is engaged) .... one will observe a slight increase in power indications demonstrated by both the EPR and N1 engine gauges .... and only when the engine N2 indications begin to cycle through N2 98% (or greater) ....



.... should one "THEN" release the brakes and commence the TO roll.

4. The entire engine spool up process, prior to commencing the TO should take between 30 and 40 seconds duration (with the brakes locked "ON") .... in order achieve maximum/TO power .... in fact the TO should not be commenced until very high power has been achieved and whilst also "using WI system" too. Failure to engage the WI system, or commencing the TO roll too soon, or if one does not use our recommended panel, may result in there being insufficient RWY length within which to be able to accelerate toward panels computed VR and V2 safety speeds during the TO roll .... and a "PRANG" at the opposite end of the RWY will undoubtedly result

5. TO acceleration will be "VERY SLOW" (the J57 turbo-jet is only rated at 11,200 LBS of thrust "dry" .... and some 13,000 LBS thrust "wet" but for 3 minutes duration only). Even using the WI system .... and at MGW .... one can expect to be rolling onto the last few hundred feet of RWY 16L/34R, at KSEA, as one accelerates toward the V1/VR/V2 safety speeds in order to be able to rotate and get airborne .... and with precious little RWY length to spare .... if any remains at all .... in fact it's "fun" .... believe you me ....









The same recommended basic TO procedures will apply to our other P&W J57 turbo-jet powered military flight line too .... each of which are also similar HGW/low power configurations.


Here's a few images showing each of the liveries associated with this new P&W J57 powered BOEING RC-135 aircraft base pack ....


























Just as an aside .... I'm going to seize this opportunity to also explain, for the benefit of those whom are still unaware (since we have been asked a number of times previously), how the refueling boom animation associated with each of our BOEING military flight line that are so equipped actually works .... one of which is aircraft is also featured among our new BOEING RC-135 J57 liveries/textures.

The aerial refueling boom associated with some our military flight line "IS" animated .... and it "DOES" work as follows ....

1. Boom stowed/retracted. This is the default configuration for each of our simulations which are so featured ....





2. Boom extended/animated. PLEASE NOTE: This aerial refueling boom animation functions per FS 2004 "TAIL HOOK" keyboard commands. PLEASE NOTE ALSO: These TAIL HOOK commands must me manually activated within the "FS OPTIONS/CONTROLS/ASSIGNMENTS" list.






And this then concludes my brief introductory/presentation of our new BOEING RC-135 P&W J57 simulation .... and associated service notes/advisories

I want to thank my colleagues Erik INGRAM, and Mike MONCE, for their RW knowledge and FS expertise that has allowed this new BOEING RC-135 P&W J57 simulation to come to fruition .... here at HJG

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[mzoe]

Wonderful news here! Looking forward to nice flights with one of my favorits in the HJG List!

Appriciate very much the renovations of the FDE and model changes for this "older" Downloads!

Thank you to alle involved in this nice project.

Michael

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

Appriciate very much the renovations of the FDE

Just to clarify at this early stage ....

The revised FDE, to which I refer within my above presentation, is for this "new BOEING RC-135 P&W J57 simulation only" .... it doesn't cover any other aircraft versions among our military flight line.

This FDE revision is "specific to this simulation only" and can't be used with any of the others.

The intention is, and has always been, to revise "THE LOT" .... both our civil B707/720 and military C-135 SERIES .... and this has in fact been started, last year, and "IS" still in progression as personal time permits it being attended to

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

Mike and I finished the FDE work for this one (the P&W J57 powered "RC-135A/T/KC-135R" yesterday.

We've now fine tuned it to the stage we're confident/satisfied it's performing as authentically as can be achieved .... given the limitations of FS of course.

An issue that's molested both our B707/720 and C-135 flight lines in the past is their "static ground pitch" .... which has resulted in these simulations appearing cantered down/toward the nose. Although this, to some extent, is accented by the manner in which payload and fuel are distributed per the FUEL and PAYLOAD adjustment facility within FS.

As may be evidenced per the following images we feel we've successfully addressed this particular issue (as well as we can) .... and which is a solution we also hope to be able to apply to each of our other military C-135 and civil B707/720simulations in due course.


STATIC GROUND PITCH AT MGW


STATIC GROUND PITCH AT MLW



The new static ground pitch. as evidenced above, is about as fine as we can things/as we dare go without risking other undesirable characteristics. I think most will agree that what we've achieved is "a dramatic improvement" .... although what's ultimately realized will continue to be influenced by the way in which one distributes both fuel and payload within the simulation

Incidentally the above 2 images were made "after" those appearing in my posting which launched this thread.

This's a "particularly tiresome" edit .... as it's a case of EDIT and TEST, then EDIT and TEST again .... and Again .... and AGAIN .... and a'bloody'gain .... and as many times as is necessary until we feel we've got it "right/as fine as we can", only this becomes even more time consuming considering this sort of editing often needs to be "different" for each individual simulation by virtue of the fact each/most are composed of different weights and load distributions, and which ultimately influence how each individual simulation sits on the ground .... and also flies too.

Once again I want to thank Mike MONCE for his "brilliance" which has assisted my FDE tuning of this new simulation .... AND .... Erik INGRAM for convincing me to represent this new simulation also .... "THANKS" guys

Again I also want to remind everyone this particular simulation is, for the moment, "the only one" to benefit from these latest FDE edits. These edits are specific to "this particular simulation only" .... they "can't/shouldn't" be applied to any of our other military or civil B707 flight lines.

Each of these other simulations will be similarly addressed, as time permits .... bearing in mind the impact of COVID upon some of our personal, family, and professional lives has really disrupted a lot of our FS intentions, but, that's the way it "is".

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[alex94]

YES! Thank you mike, mark, and others. I always felt the 707/C-135 line sat funny. but this new pitch adjustment is perfect!

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

this new pitch adjustment is perfect

It's as fine as can be achieved, at the moment, and for "these models" without risking other potential problems .... but .... the way in which one distributes both payload and fuel, for each simulation, will a;so continue to have some influence/the final say in regard to static ground pitch .... as I mentioned within my earlier brief

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

Since we're nearing the time of our "MID YEAR MEGA RELEASE" (website update) .... and given we speculate some of it's content may spark a resurgence of interest in our military C-135 TYPE simulations .... I'm going to hijack this thread (of my own) to indulge in a couple details concerning the animations among these models (the aerial tanker/refueling versions of these simulations in particular) as queries regarding these animations have been raised previously and during times when I (personally) was far less familiar with these subjects than is currently now the case.

We've often, in the past, been asked ....


Q: "Does the rear fuselage aerial refueling boom and wing probes (among our tanker models equipped with these) work" ?


A: "YES".


Here's a few images to demonstrate these animations .... as apply to our KC-135R model/s .... those with ARR and MPRS probe features at least ....

1. Clean with both the wing probes and rear fuselage boom stowed/retracted ....





2. Wing probes (only) extended. This particular animation works on the basis of the FS2004 CONCORDE Visor command (which must be manually assigned within the FS "OPTIONS/CONTROLS/ASSIGNMENTS" menu) .... SHIFT+F6 to deploy the wing probes .... and SHIFT +F5 to retract the wing probes ....





3. Rear fuselage boom extended. As demonstrated in an earlier reply posting within this thread .... this particular animation works on the basis of the FS2004 TAILHOOK command (which must, once again, be manually assigned within the FS "OPTIONS/CONTROLS/ASSIGNMENTS" menu). Selecting this assignment extends the rear fuselage boom .... and repeat selecting this same assignment then retract the rear fuselage boom ....






4. Once assigned within FS any combination of the above animations may be employed at any time .... either both wing probes (only) together .... or .... the just rear fuselage boom only .... or .... both wing tip probes together as well as the rear fuselage boom also ....






PLEASE NOTE: The CONCORDE VISOR commands referred to above relate to "the FS2004 assignments only".

Be aware that as the FSX version CONCORDE VISOR commands are represented by "a different combination of key strokes .... the animation/s of any FSX portable simulation dependent upon the FS2004 version CONCORDE VISOR commands "cannot" function within FSX whilst the simulation otherwise can .... IN THIS CASE MEANING .... FSX users of these particular simulations will be denied the wing probes animation (there's no resolution for this short of a separate FSX specific model rebuild, but which, for a variety of reasons, is not possible) .... HOWEVER .... the TAILHOOK governed rear fuselage boom animation in these simulations (again those featuring such) should continue to animate/function "in FSX" .... "so far as I am at this moment aware".

I may present a little more concerning some of our military C-135 simulations .... "IF" time permits.

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[Nathan Ford - HJG]

These aircraft are looking amazing, thank you so much to everyone working on this project.

Cheers,
Nathan 😉

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

Been indisposed lately .... and are still "scarce"

When discussing the animations relating some of our C-135 models, some weeks back (refueling booms and probes in particular), I forgot to make reference to those associated with our E-3D model ....





Some might not be aware, but, this particular model features an upper forward fuselage refueling probe (the big, long, thingy sticking out the front and above the flight-deck) .... and which extends, and retracts, in response SHIFT+W keyboard commands being applied .... just as is depicted per the following imagery ....











PLEASE NOTE ....

"IF" .... your HJG supplied E-3D simulation suffers "Erectile Dysfunction" .... then .... you've either been using the wrong combination of keyboard commands, or, you've otherwise cocked-something-else-up and in which case a visit to your HJG clinic should be "beneficial"

The upper mid fuselage "Pizza Oven On Stilts" on this/our E-3D model is also animated too .... it "rotates" (as does that associated with each of our E-3C and EC-137D models too) .... on the basis of the wing and strobe lights (using the appropriate HJG supplied B707 panel) being selected "ON".


Once again and just for the record ....


All of the following-linked and recently presented B707 and C-135 FDE updates (a project that's required some 6 months .... or "more" .... of work) .....


B707 FDE UPGRADE
tonymadgehjg.proboards.com/thread/9822/b707-720-modifications


C-135 FDE UPGRADE
tonymadgehjg.proboards.com/thread/9817/135-modifications


.... have now been "COMPLETED" and are essentially ready for release, so, you'll be able to access these "SOON" .... as soon as we announce their availability I mean.

Once again also I want to acknowledge the collaborative expertise of George CARTY, Erik INGRAM, Mike MONCE, and Benoit PLAMONDON .... which has made these soon to be released improvements (and some other surprises associated with them) possible .... "THANKS" guys

Mark C
AKL/NZ