EC-135C Aircraft Base Pack Update .... "PLUS"
Aug 25, 2020 4:32:44 GMT
mzoe, alex94, and 1 more like this
Post by aerofoto - HJG Admin on Aug 25, 2020 4:32:44 GMT
I've been trying to attend to this presentation for more than a week, but, with so much development work going on behind the scenes "here" following this also having been bumped by recent RW priorities .... I've simply not been able to do so before now
The "BOEING EC-135C" is no stranger to HJG's virtual C-135 (as we collectively refer to these aircraft) flight line. It was produced by Gary CARLSON around 2004/5 and is one of the military flight line that's been offered by HJG ever since.
This base pack .... when originally released .... was composed of 5X individual 3D models representing the "EC-135C, EC-135E, both EC-135H and EC-135H v2, and the EC-135J" .... along with its supporting FDE (both CFG and AIR data) which, prior to now, has been the let-down of these simulations given how desperately they've been in need of an FDE "make-over/upgrade" and for such a long while.
Thanks to a recent proposition by Erik INGRAM (he's our expert in regard to all things C-135 related) .... we've completed a "much needed/long overdue" FDE upgrade for this particular simulation (in fact our entire military C-135 SERIES simulations are currently undergoing FDE upgrades that'll also ultimately benefit our civil B707/B720 SERIES as well). This project was started a little while back, but, is one that can only be attended to as personal time has permitted given that unfortunate model misunderstanding (early last year), a funeral not long afterward, and which was also then followed by my living abroad for a lengthy period and at very short notice last year too .... all of which conspired to delay progress until now.
In addition to this FDE upgrade we're also adding another 3D model to our new EC-135C aircraft base pack .... this addition representing the "EC-135K" .... so .... this base pack will now be composed of a total of 6X 3D models as follows ....
MODEL (representing the basic EC-135C)
MODELC-135E (representing both the C-135B and EC-135B .... numerous sub designations apply to many of these military aircraft)
MODEL.EC135H.
MODEL.EC135Hv2 (representing another version of the EC-135H as well as the EC-135P).
MODEL.EC135J (representing the basic EC-135J as well as the KC-135B).
MODEL.EC135K .... the latest 3D model addition.
Neither of these models are identical. All feature different details, but, Erik may like to explain these later .... if he wishes (since some of the differences among these models may not be so conspicuous per the above images) and in response to anyone's asking.
Prior to the FDE upgrade currently being applied to our entire C-135 flight line (some 17X of our 22X or so examples of these simulations have already been completed/"enhanced" so far .... with just a few more remaining to be attended to) these simulations really flew like virtual pigs .... and it's (perhaps) hardly surprising this's been the case considering the FDE supporting each hasn't been subjected to any enhancement/s, at all, since the day of their original release .... at least not beyond what was deemed necessary in order for George's B707 panels to be able to work properly with these simulations. Let's just say there was a lot we didn't know how to do back in 2006 .... that we've since learned how to do now .... and to the benefit of much of what we've offered since. Having now been subjected to this "long overdue" FDE enhancement .... each of these so far upgraded simulations are now climbing, flying, descending, and landing beautifully .... in fact compared to how these all handled previously they're now each "a pleasure to fly" .... as has indeed been my own pleasure during the past 3 months of this overhaul process.
Our EC-135C base pack is supported by our B707-120B panels .... either George's B707-120B 1959 or B707-120B 1965 panel versions (the latter version being the most appropriate for this particular aircraft subject) can be used with this simulation as follows ....
B707-120B 1959 PANEL
B707-120B 1965 PANEL
A new/revised B707 PANEL GAUGES/CORE FILES (V1.7) package has also been developed by George for our entire B707 panel line too (this .... along with some of the recently applied FDE enhancements too .... will resolve a previous minor audio related issue that's existed for quite a while and that we onblt recently discovered) and will also be offered as part of the above mentioned release. This new Panel Gauges/Core files package is "ESSENTIAL" in order for everything to be able to work/gell together properly/as intended. When released it'll therefore be "obligatory" to replace one's current B707 Panel Gauges/Panel Sounds (only) for all of our B707 Panels, but, it "WILL NOT" be necessary to replace any of the actual Panel files
One of the other issues that's previously impaired these C-135 simulations (and also adversely affected our B707/720 simulations too) has been their tendency to fly the approach to landing with "way too high a pitch attitude" and which impairs RWY visibility throughout almost the entire approach to landing .... unless one elevates the panel scenery horizon view, but, only at the risk of then staring at a large expanse of virtual concrete upon de-rotating these simulations after landing. As the above panel imagery should clearly demonstrate .... RWY visibility is now no longer an issue throughout the entire approach to landing .... as the result of some of the applied FDE enhancements .... but .... only so long as one flies the approach to landing "sensibly". Landing weight is critical .... so 20% total remaining fuel should never be exceeded, and the correct landing V-speeds in conjunction with both flap and landing gear deployment/s, must also be flown .... otherwise potential still exists for one to one to get into trouble
Another past irritation that's mostly been successfully addressed now as part of this FDE upgrade is the previous static ground pitch demonstrated by each of these C-135 simulations (and also replicated in our B707/720 simulations too). During this upgrade process we discovered "a number of longstanding errors" which likely contributed to this/what might best be described as "an excessive nose down pitch" attitude whilst on the ground. Again this's been largely corrected now (subject to some minor limitations that can't be entirely overcome short of a complete model rebuild, but, which simply isn't practical) .... as may be evidenced per the following images ....
"NEW" Static Ground Pitch at/near MGW ....
"NEW" Static Ground Pitch near/below MLW .... below MLW there's still a tendency for these simulations to "dip slightly toward the nose", but, nowhere near as pronounced as previously noted ....
Once again .... and despite "certain ninor limitations that can't easily be overcome" .... what's evident (as presented above) "does" represent significant improvement/s and which are similarly being applied to the remainder of our virtual military C-135 and civil B707/720 flight lines.
There "IS" yet another part to this C-135 (and B707/720) enhancement project, but, that's "A SURPRISE" which won't be announced, or demonstrated, until later .... although intelligent/observant members of this community should be able to "guess" what this "IS" given most of the essential elements required to support any completed simulation are already mentioned above .... barring just this "one only other element". We'll let you try'n "guess" among yourselves as to just what this other "SURPRISE" might be
I want to thank Erik INGRAM for his motivation, influence, encouragement, and terrific support .... which is really what's prompted this upgrade
In addition to this I also want to thank George CARTY, Mike MONCE, and Benoit PLAMONDON for their expertise and exceptional support assisting my fixing what's for so long been broken and ultimately "IMPROVING" these simulations .... and which is really what's made this upgrade possible
Below are a few more images relating to the model content of what will become our new EC-135 package .... each of which were produced during recent testing and re-development ....
Mark C
AKL/NZ
