Crusader Update?

[Tantobot 0]

I downloaded the Skin for the F-8D and I was wondering what type of upgrades the French put into the Crusader to make it last as long as it did in their service. I have looked everywhere online but the best I could come up with was that they added an Threat Warning receiver. Any help would be appricated

 

Thanks

[+Gocad 26]

Actually the French Crusader was never much different than the Navy Crusader, except for some minor chnages, like certain modifications to carry French missiles.

 

Informative webpage about the Crusader (and many other warbirds)

[+Corktip_14 0]

And don't forget the new wing wich was a bit different from the one on the other Crusader's. They had new hypersustentating (not sure of the word in English, sorry) devices, because of the smaller size of the French carriers, auto-throttle for carrier approach, stall warning, the capacity to load the Matra R530 missile, and some other small avionic things.

[+Crusader 2,083]

same wing as the USN F-8J

[Redddevil911 0]

It was never used in combat, it's lighting fast speed was used to run away and surrender to the attacking forces.

[+Corktip_14 0]

Even if I'm not French, that's the kind of comment you can keep for yourself Redneckdevil.

 

French Crusaders never saw air to air combat, even if it was sometime very close (thinking about a Mig-21 interception that nearly gone bad), but I think they made some CAS for the French troop in Africa.

[FastCargo 412]

Gentlemen, do not derail the thread with political commentary.

 

I was wondering about the CAS thing...I couldn't find anything specific that French F-8s did any air to mud. I've got French F-8s in my 1979 and 1993 WOE campaigns, but especially in 1993, they are severely outmatched. It would be nice if they were able to do some air to mud stuff...

 

FastCargo

[Wrench 9,801]

Yes, please, let's keep the political carp out of it, shall we???

 

Now, back to the Crusader, the 530 was mounted on the fues rails, just like the winder, IIRC. What I don't remember is, if it was a 'split' loadout...530 on one side, Sidewinder/Magic on the other. Isn't there an IR 530 version as well???

Like FC, said, it should be a pretty easy conversion using the E model (wish we had the J!!!)

 

I've not seen any skins for the AN versions, are there any out there???

 

FC, I'd love to see you ini tweeks!!! :yes:

 

Wrench

kevin stein

[FastCargo 412]

FC, I'd love to see you ini tweeks!!! :yes:

 

Not a problem. Here are weapon stations for my 1979 version of the F-8FN...which is just the stock TW F-8E modified:

 

[sidewinderStation1]

SystemType=WEAPON_STATION

StationID=1

StationGroupID=1

StationType=EXTERNAL

AttachmentPosition=-1.09,2.68,0.15

AttachmentAngles=0.0,0.0,135.0

MissileRollAngle=0.0

EjectVelocity=0.0,0.0,0.0

LoadLimit=91

DiameterLimit=0.17

AllowedWeaponClass=IRM

AttachmentType=FRANCE

ModelNodeName=missile_rocket_tree_left

PylonMass=56.70

PylonDragArea=0.01

 

[sidewinderStation2]

SystemType=WEAPON_STATION

StationID=2

StationGroupID=2

StationType=EXTERNAL

AttachmentPosition=1.09,2.68,0.15

AttachmentAngles=0.0,0.0,-135.0

MissileRollAngle=0.0

EjectVelocity=0.0,0.0,0.0

LoadLimit=91

DiameterLimit=0.17

AllowedWeaponClass=IRM

AttachmentType=FRANCE

ModelNodeName=missile_rocket_tree_right

PylonMass=56.70

PylonDragArea=0.01

 

[sidewinderStation3]

SystemType=WEAPON_STATION

StationID=3

StationGroupID=1

StationType=EXTERNAL

AttachmentPosition=-1.11,1.44,-0.28

AttachmentAngles=0.0,0.0,0.0

MissileRollAngle=0.0

EjectVelocity=0.0,0.0,0.0

LoadLimit=194

DiameterLimit=0.27

AllowedWeaponClass=IRM

AttachmentType=FRANCE

ModelNodeName=missile_rocket_tree_left

PylonMass=56.70

PylonDragArea=0.01

 

[sidewinderStation4]

SystemType=WEAPON_STATION

StationID=4

StationGroupID=2

StationType=EXTERNAL

AttachmentPosition=1.11,1.44,-0.28

AttachmentAngles=0.0,0.0,0.0

MissileRollAngle=0.0

EjectVelocity=0.0,0.0,0.0

LoadLimit=194

DiameterLimit=0.27

AllowedWeaponClass=IRM

AttachmentType=FRANCE

ModelNodeName=missile_rocket_tree_right

PylonMass=56.70

PylonDragArea=0.01

 

[sAHMStation1]

SystemType=WEAPON_STATION

StationID=5

StationGroupID=1

StationType=EXTERNAL

AttachmentPosition=-1.11,1.44,-0.28

AttachmentAngles=0.0,0.0,0.0

MissileRollAngle=0.0

EjectVelocity=0.0,0.0,0.0

LoadLimit=194

DiameterLimit=0.27

AllowedWeaponClass=SAHM

AttachmentType=FRANCE

ModelNodeName=missile_rocket_tree_left

PylonMass=56.70

PylonDragArea=0.01

 

[sAHMStation2]

SystemType=WEAPON_STATION

StationID=6

StationGroupID=2

StationType=EXTERNAL

AttachmentPosition=1.11,1.44,-0.28

AttachmentAngles=0.0,0.0,0.0

MissileRollAngle=0.0

EjectVelocity=0.0,0.0,0.0

LoadLimit=194

DiameterLimit=0.27

AllowedWeaponClass=SAHM

AttachmentType=FRANCE

ModelNodeName=missile_rocket_tree_right

PylonMass=56.70

PylonDragArea=0.01

 

Notice I eliminated the wing stations...I couldn't find anything showing that the F-8FN ever carried anything at those stations.

 

Now here is my late model F-8FN for my 1993 WOE campaign, which is the F-8D by column5 (I think). The reason I use the F-8D is because someone did the late F-8FN model textures for only the F-8D lod. So if I want to have a F-8FN in the last paint scheme, I have to use the F-8D. Anyway, here are my weapon stations:

 

[LeftSidewinderStation1]

SystemType=WEAPON_STATION

StationID=1

StationGroupID=1

StationType=EXTERNAL

AttachmentPosition=-0.89,2.94,-0.15

AttachmentAngles=0.0,0.0,0.0

LoadLimit=91

DiameterLimit=0.17

AllowedWeaponClass=IRM

AttachmentType=FRANCE

ModelNodeName=F_hardpoint_L

PylonMass=25.0

PylonDragArea=0.03

LaunchRailNodeName=YR_L

MinExtentPosition=

MaxExtentPosition=

 

[RightSidewinderStation1]

SystemType=WEAPON_STATION

StationID=2

StationGroupID=2

StationType=EXTERNAL

AttachmentPosition=1.01,2.94,-0.08

AttachmentAngles=0.0,0.0,-36.5

LoadLimit=91

DiameterLimit=0.17

AllowedWeaponClass=IRM

AttachmentType=FRANCE

ModelNodeName=F_hardpoint_R

PylonMass=25.00

PylonDragArea=0.03

LaunchRailNodeName=YR_R

MinExtentPosition=

MaxExtentPosition=

 

[LeftSidewinderStation2]

SystemType=WEAPON_STATION

StationID=3

StationGroupID=1

StationType=EXTERNAL

AttachmentPosition=-1.00,4.16,0.33

AttachmentAngles=0.0,0.0,-36.5

LoadLimit=91

DiameterLimit=0.17

AllowedWeaponClass=IRM

AttachmentType=FRANCE

//ModelNodeName=F_hardpoint_L

ModelNodeName=YR_L

PylonMass=25.0

PylonDragArea=0.05

LaunchRailNodeName=YR_L

MinExtentPosition=

MaxExtentPosition=

 

[RightSidewinderStation2]

SystemType=WEAPON_STATION

StationID=4

StationGroupID=2

StationType=EXTERNAL

AttachmentPosition=0.93,4.16,0.37

AttachmentAngles=0.0,0.0,19.0

LoadLimit=91

DiameterLimit=0.17

AllowedWeaponClass=IRM

AttachmentType=FRANCE

//ModelNodeName=F_hardpoint_R

ModelNodeName=YR_R

PylonMass=25.0

PylonDragArea=0.05

LaunchRailNodeName=YR_R

MinExtentPosition=

MaxExtentPosition=

 

Also, if you're interested, I can show you my settings to activate an RWR in the F-8FN...I placed it where the UHF radio head is at. It's a kludge, but it works...

 

FastCargo

[+Crusader 2,083]

Marcfighter has 3 French skins for the F-8D, one grey and two blue ...iirc

[Tantobot 0]

I would be interested in how you placed the RWR in the Cockpit as I have wondered if Gauge placement can be done through Code.

 

Thanks

[FastCargo 412]

You're correct, but that doesn't do me much good, because there are no French blue skins for the F-8E...only for the F-8D.

 

FastCargo

[Tantobot 0]

Hmm also the FAS website says that the French Version could carry the 530 but the pylons are only stressed to 91kilos so how could they mount the 530 if the pylons could not carry that amount of weight

[Wrench 9,801]

how could they mount the 530 if the pylons could not carry that amount of weight

 

The same way we do things in the automotive industry: duct tape and hose clamps

 

how you placed the RWR in the Cockpit

 

See my post on the Hun and Zipper cockpits (probably on page 3 or 4 by now)

Simple text edit of the cockpit ini, once the nodeneame is known

 

Wrench

kevin stein

[+Corktip_14 0]

You're correct, but that doesn't do me much good, because there are no French blue skins for the F-8E...only for the F-8D.

 

FastCargo

 

Yup, modified one to use with the F-8E_GF for my personnal use though, not hard at all in fact!

[Tantobot 0]

Which Forum is the RWR Adding in the General or MODs?

 

Thanks

[Wrench 9,801]

 

The only thing I dislike about these skins is no textureset.ini (which takes all of 35 seconds to create/edit), and painted on numbers. All these old skins (not just Marcelo's) need some updating in the decals region.

 

Little bit of strangeness with the loadout...had to up the max weight to 195 to get the 530 to load (station 1 & 2). Sometime in the mid-80?? they disapper, and Magic's start to show up. You can't quite see it in this shot, but the lower inner fins are stuck in the fues about a foot or so. Most pics I looked at over the last few hours show Magics, so it's not too far off.

 

As for the RWR, there dosn't seem to be a 'node' to steal, so FC, probably gonna need that kludge of yours.

BTW, wouldn't the E pit (either the 3rdWire or GF model) be a better be a better pick for the AN version?

 

Wrench

Kevin Stein

[+Hinchinbrooke 36]

What we need are Foch and Clemenceau............. something to land on.

[FastCargo 412]

What we need are Foch and Clemenceau............. something to land on.

 

Something like this? :)

 

 

Wrench, if you look close at my loadout for the F-8FN using the stock TW F-8E, you'll see you can load the heavier missiles. What I did was have the missiles load on the missile 'tree', thereby giving the fin clearance needed...though it looks a little odd.

 

Here are a couple of pictures:

 

 

 

Okay, as far as the RWR kludge, this is what I did using the stock TW F-8E cockpit. Added these lines to the avionics.ini file:

 

[RWR]

Type=3_RING

AirSearchTexture=RWRair1.tga

AirTrackTexture=RWRair2.tga

AirLockTexture=RWRair2.tga

GroundSearchTexture=RWRground1.tga

GroundTrackTexture=RWRground2.tga

GroundLockTexture=RWRground2.tga

SearchPosition=0.90

TrackPosition=0.55

LockPosition=0.15

SearchSize=0.075

TrackSize=0.075

LockSize=0.075

SearchFlash=FALSE

TrackFlash=TRUE

TrackFlashRate=0.2

LockFlash=TRUE

LockFlashRate=0.1

TrackSound=RWRTrackSound.wav

LockSound=RWRLockSound.wav

 

Added this to the cockpit.ini file:

 

Instrument[xxx]=RWR

 

and this:

 

[RWR]

Type=RWR

NodeName=gauge_UHF

 

Then I grabbed a RWR bmp from another jet and renamed it F-8E_UHF.BMP

 

I think that's all I did to get an operational RWR. Uploaded what it looks like.

 

 

FastCargo

[Tantobot 0]

Nice fix and I like the Crusader Skin there.

[Tantobot 0]

Do you think that RWR fix can be applied to the F-8D at column 5's site?

[Tantobot 0]

Hmm for some reason I got the Dots to show up but the RWR Gauge did not...

[Wrench 9,801]

Ok, that's what ya did...used the LOWER station!!!

 

I looked in the cockpit LOD for 'uhf', but all I found was Weird Al!!!

 

That's the same thing I did with the Hun and Zipper, excepting I used the 'ADI2' node.

No different a 'kludge' than I used!!! Hell, it works, don't it???

 

Wrench

kevin stein

[Tantobot 0]

How do you look in to the LOD files?

[FastCargo 412]

Do you think that RWR fix can be applied to the F-8D at column 5's site?

 

Not really, the problem is that the LOD nodes for the F-8D cockpit are named different. So you'd have to find out what the 'name' (NodeName=) of the area you want to put the RWR is called. I was able to find the one for the F-8E cockpit by using a hex editor. There are several free hex editors out there on the net. Just be VERY careful using one...you screw something up and you could destroy the file you're looking at.

 

As far as the problem with the BMP file, make sure that the file you grabbed, you put it in the cockpit folder, and that it's renamed F-8E_UHF.BMP.

 

FastCargo