F-15 ACTIVE for the ThirdWire Series

F-15 ACTIVE readme for the TW series.

Version 1.0

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If you have my old F-15 Active mod (using addon canards) this will totally replace that directory. I would recommend deleting the old F-15 ACTIVE directory so as to not cause conflicts.

Though this has a lot of stuff from the Mirage Factory, it is NOT a Mirage Factory product as it doesn't meet their standards. If there are problems, it's my fault, not theirs.

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Thanks to the following folks:

TK - For the ThirdWire series of sims.

The Mirage Factory - For the nice F-15D MSIP aircraft...in particular Flying Toaster, wpnssgt, and Dave for making the F-15D MAX file available for me to play with.

Kei Nagase - For the awesome skins for this aircraft...you rock!

To my fellows at Combatace and the Mirage Factory for helping me beta test and work out bugs.

Any errors or mistakes are entirely mine.

What you will need first:

This archive file (duh!).

Copy of SFP1/WOE/WOV/WOI patched to the latest standard (as of 06 Sep 08)

The Mirage Factory MSIP F-15 Eagles (you will need them for the cockpit): http://forum.combatace.com/index.php?autom...p;showfile=5865

The WeaponEditor appropriate for your install. You NEED to know how to use it to get the properly colored external tanks.

Notes and limitations.

The F-15 ACTIVE (originally the F-15 S/MTD) is a modification of a preproduction F-15B used to test various technologies to increase short field abilities, manuverability, and enhanced flight control systems.

More information can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-15S/MTD

Two LODs are included, the F-15a.LOD (in use) and the F-15ad.LOD, which is for those computers that can run it...it's mainly used to smooth out any decal issues if you decide to customize later. But be warned, it can crash computers that can't handle it.

This model was modified from wpnssgts F-15D, which in turn came from Flying Toaster's original F-15 model. As such, it also means that the skins for the MF F-15D will pretty much work normally, except for the canards. I'll leave it to you to figure out where the mappings are for those.

The following modifications have been made to the visual model:

1) Canards

2) Movable nozzles for thrust vectoring

3) Drooping ailerons when flaps are extended

4) Minor cosmetic changes

5) I did NOT add the pitot boom...mainly because that's a test aircraft thing only...and I can see future mods coming from folks showing the ACTIVE in service. Plus, I just didn't like it.

The flight model incorperates the following:

1) Independent thrust vectoring (NOT pitch linked). Range is 20 degrees nose up to 2 degrees nose down. Done this way due to limitations of sim and AI.

2) Canards, including increased pitch up authority and increased yaw ability (symmetric and asymmetric movement)

3) Drooping ailerons with flaps for better short field performance.

As of right now, the AI will not take advantage of this increased ability, mainly due to my relative newness to the FM world.

The handling is overall similar to the F-15D Eagle, however, your alpha and yaw abilities at low airspeed are significantly better. However, that also means that you can put yourself into a corner if you are not careful. Also, in Hard mode, a low to high rapid alpha pull will induce a right bank...this does not happen in Normal mode. Yaw (rudder) must be applied with discretion...the aircraft will depart if you leave it in too long.

Finally, because the aircraft has increased alpha ability, it will happily stay at 60 degrees pitch below 100 knots all day...right into the ground. Don't be thinking you can do a loop on immediate takeoff and just keep the stick back the whole time...

This is FREEWARE only, NO money is allowed to be made on the contents of these files, in whole or in part.

Because this file has a lot of stuff that is not mine, it is not currently freely redistributable. This is an exception to my normal policy. I hope to change that condition soon...in the meantime, please honor the requests of the folks who contributed to this mod to not redistribute it without getting permission first.

FastCargo

06 Sep 08