Why is my T-45 exploding at the end of the cat shot?

[Guest BeachAV8R]

Probably not a maintenance write-up often seen on a real carrier huh?

 

I'm using Wrench's awesome T-45 trainer for some of my missions and I've just moved it onto a carrier but I've run into a problem. I'm trying to make a mission for carrier qualifications but for some reason the T-45 can't survive the catapult launch..! It reaches the end of the catapult track and pitches up violently and crashes. I've tried varying the flap and loadouts, but it seems to happen every time. Am I doing something wrong or is there something to tweak in the INI file or something? I asked Wrench and he suggested I post the question in here since he doesn't know what would cause that...

 

Wrench's update to Russo's T-45: http://combatace.com/files/file/11915-t-45a-goshawk-for-sf2/

 

Any ideas? Going to be hard to do carrier quals if I keep blowing up at the end of the cat stroke..

 

 

Thanks..

BeachAV8R

Edited August 1, 2011 by BeachAV8R

[Wrench 9,855]

ok... I had some ideas, and made some changes. I guess I didn't do enough research when I did the conversion. To be sure, however, the entire FM needs refining....

 

in the FlightData, add these lines:

 

FlapSettingForLanding=2

FlapSettingForTakeOff=1

FlapSettingForCatapult=2

 

in AircraftData, change the weight (it's too heavy)

 

EmptyMass=4460.0

 

(note: empty inertia will need recalculating, and I don't know how to do that)

 

I also upped the thrust a bit (may slightly too much)

In the Engine section:

 

SLThrustDry=37809.9

 

(again, not a real good guess -used A-4E engine spec)

 

edited one of my old test missions; the aircraf still does that oddball pitch up (ie: flys with the nose pointed straight up, and the belly going forward!!)

 

Here's the mission to test; requires full-4 merged, VietnamSEA terrain

 

copy/paste the text below into a blank notepad sheet, and 'save as...' T45_CV_Take0ff.msn

 

 

[MissionHeader]

AircraftType=T-45A

MissionMap=VIETNAMSEA

MissionType=RECON

StartTime=13:45:00

StartDate=05/08/1991

NavalMission=TRUE

 

[MissionData]

FriendlyAirActivity=1

EnemyAirActivity=1

FriendlyAirDefenseActivity=0

EnemyAirDefenseActivity=2

PlayerMissionID=1

PlayerPositionID=1

MissionNumber=5123

GeneratedMission=FALSE

AdjustStartPosition=FALSE

AdjustBaseWaypoint=TRUE

CreateStaticAircraft=FALSE

CreateHelpFlight=FALSE

 

[Weather]

WeatherType=SCATTERED

WeatherAlt=2438.400146

WeatherThickness=304.800018

HasHighLayer=FALSE

FogAmount=0.550000

ContrailAlt=7924.800293

StartWindDirection=119.999992

StartWindSpeed=10.803324

WindGustingAmount=7.202216

 

[AircraftMission001]

Name=SHOWTIME

AircraftType=T-45A

Size=2

Alignment=FRIENDLY

RandomChance=100

MissionType=RECON

TargetArea=Vinh

ObjectiveID=5

RatingForSuccess=100

CarrierBased=TRUE

Position=592000.000000,618000.000000,0.000000

Heading=-64.486855

Speed=244.075012

StartTime=0.000000

BaseArea=

Waypoint[01].Command=TAKEOFF

Waypoint[01].Position=591913.397453,618049.999992,0.000000

Waypoint[01].Size=100.000000

Waypoint[01].Speed=189.880005

Waypoint[02].Command=DEPART

Waypoint[02].Position=583718.906882,622362.531297,3048.000000

Waypoint[02].Size=1500.000000

Waypoint[02].Speed=189.880005

Waypoint[03].Command=WAYPOINT

Waypoint[03].Position=525753.650518,618834.924943,3000.000000

Waypoint[03].Size=1500.000000

Waypoint[03].Speed=244.075012

Waypoint[04].Command=INITIAL_POINT

Waypoint[04].Position=492705.143471,643623.291498,3000.000000

Waypoint[04].Size=1500.000000

Waypoint[04].Speed=244.075012

Waypoint[05].Command=OBJECTIVE_POINT

Waypoint[05].Objective=TRUE

Waypoint[05].Position=483438.000000,669812.000000,500.000000

Waypoint[05].Size=1500.000000

Waypoint[05].Speed=215.416870

Waypoint[06].Command=WAYPOINT

Waypoint[06].Position=509626.706846,679079.146782,500.000000

Waypoint[06].Size=1500.000000

Waypoint[06].Speed=215.416870

Waypoint[07].Command=WAYPOINT

Waypoint[07].Position=549684.351138,668977.075057,3000.000000

Waypoint[07].Size=1500.000000

Waypoint[07].Speed=244.075012

Waypoint[08].Command=APPROACH

Waypoint[08].Position=591394.331383,596981.017202,1524.000000

Waypoint[08].Size=1500.000000

Waypoint[08].Speed=139.554001

Waypoint[09].Command=LAND_LINEUP

Waypoint[09].Position=600019.393991,613369.998344,762.000000

Waypoint[09].Size=1500.000000

Waypoint[09].Speed=79.643829

Waypoint[10].Command=LAND_TOUCHDOWN

Waypoint[10].Position=592043.301273,617975.000004,0.000000

Waypoint[10].Size=25.000000

Waypoint[10].Speed=64.860001

Nation=USMC

FormationType=USFighter

PilotTrainingStandard=EXCELLENT

Loadout=RECON

AmmoPercent=100

FuelPercent=100

TracerMixRatio=6

Texture=USNGrey1

Squadron=VF211

AircraftNumber=0

KillMarking=0

 

[GroundMission001]

Name=USS Constellation

GroundObjectType=CVA-63

Nation=USN

RandomChance=100

ObjectiveID=0

RatingForSuccess=100

Size=1

FormationType=

NavalObject=TRUE

Carrier=TRUE

Position=592000.000000,618000.000000,0.000000

Heading=300.000000

Speed=18.000000

StartTime=-503.430542

Alignment=FRIENDLY

PilotTrainingStandard=NORMAL

Waypoint[01].Command=WAYPOINT

Waypoint[01].Position=582646.924805,623399.999023,0.000000

Waypoint[01].Size=1546.212891

Waypoint[01].Speed=18.000000

Waypoint[02].Command=WAYPOINT

Waypoint[02].Position=584193.137451,620721.879639,0.000000

Waypoint[02].Size=1546.212891

Waypoint[02].Speed=18.000000

Waypoint[03].Command=WAYPOINT

Waypoint[03].Position=602899.287842,609921.881592,0.000000

Waypoint[03].Size=1546.212891

Waypoint[03].Speed=18.000000

Waypoint[04].Command=WAYPOINT

Waypoint[04].Position=601353.075195,612600.000977,0.000000

Waypoint[04].Size=1546.212891

Waypoint[04].GotoWaypoint=1

Waypoint[04].Speed=18.000000

Texture=USMCGrey

ShipNumber=4

 

[Callsign]

GroundCallsignID=1

FACCallsignID=1

TACCCallsignID=1

 

 

it really DO act strange!!

[Guest BeachAV8R]

LOL..when I get home I'll give that a shot. It was funny because the AI T-45s could actually make it off the end of the carrier with this radical cobra-like maneuver to get airborne, but apparently the pitch caused a tailstrike or something for the human flown aircraft.. :D

 

Thanks for checking that out.. I'll report back later!

 

[Guest BeachAV8R]

Hmm.. Despite the changes I'm still exploding at the end of the cat stroke.. :(

[+EricJ 4,249]

Are you pulling the stick as soon as you clear the deck? Or are you letting it fly on it's own, pulling stick and then explode?

[Wrench 9,855]

under pure autopilot control, even with the Radical Cobra ™, both birds make it off the deck in the mission above (with the data ini tweeks)

 

Just wish I know WHAT was causing that pitchup!

[Guest BeachAV8R]

LOL..I hadn't thought of using the autopilot. Indeed, with the autopilot on both aircraft (mine and the wingman) make it off the deck with a bit of a funky pitch up at the end of the stroke:

 

 

Without using the autopilot, but without touching the controls, this is what happens:

 

 

 

 

At this point..my wingman is wishing he joined the Air Force..

 

 

The wingman makes it off the end and does his Cobra departure..

 

 

 

 

I can certainly just use the autopilot to get airborne..so no worries with finding the cause. Just never thought to use the autopilot (guess I could consider it training for the F-18 right?)..

 

Thanks for the help..

 

BeachAV8R

[Wrench 9,855]

well, I'm kinda lazy that way....

[+EricJ 4,249]

Looks like it needs an FM tweak... The Mirage Factory A and the E,F, and G models don't have an issue, just let it ride until the script ends and you have control of the aircraft.

[+ravenclaw_007 7,633]

i did have the exact same thing on my Buccaneer there where 2 things that causes this

 

- i had to remove the tailskid

- i had to change the ShockStroke

 

the shockstroke should be the the same as on the 3D model , if the stroke length is to long you have this catapult effect with some possible flip over

 

[NoseGear]

SystemType=LANDING_GEAR

Retractable=TRUE

DeployTime=5.0

AnimationID=1

DragArea=0.25//0.10

HideGearNode=FALSE

ModelNodeName=NoseGearStrut

InsideNodeName=

ShockAnimationID=7

ShockStroke=0.256_____________________________________check this value

SpringFactor=0.4--------------------------------------this can cause it to

DampingFactor=0.90

WheelNodeName=FrontTire

RotationAxis=X-AXIS

RollingRadius=0.335

CastoringWheel=TRUE

CastoringNodeName=Front_Steering

CastoringAxis=Z-AXIS

Steerable=TRUE

MaxSteeringSpeed=41.15

Locking=FALSE

MaxSteeringAngle=60.0

InputName=YAW_CONTROL

ControlRate=1.0

HasBrakes=FALSE

RollingCoefficient=0.05

MaxDeploySpeed=99.61

MaxLoadFactor=9.0

Edited August 2, 2011 by ravenclaw_007

[Slartibartfast 153]

Scrap the T-45 and go with an A-4... Scooters are great fun...

 

Sorry no answers on how to fix this problem...

[Wrench 9,855]

Interesting ... have to check with Russo as to what the stroke length is on the model. The spring/damping seems a bit high imho:

 

[NoseGear]

SystemType=LANDING_GEAR

Retractable=TRUE

DeployTime=6.0

RetractTime=6.0

AnimationID=1

DragArea=0.35

ModelNodeName=Nose_Gear_Strut

InsideNodeName=Nose_GearWell

ShockNodeName=FrntWhlHousing

ShockAnimationID=6

ShockStroke=0.25

SpringFactor=5.0

DampingFactor=4.0

WheelNodeName001=NoseTireL

WheelNodeName002=NoseTireR

RotationAxis=x-Axis

ReverseModelOrientation=FALSE

RollingRadius=0.17

CastoringWheel=TRUE

CastoringNodeName=

Steerable=TRUE

MaxSteeringSpeed=41.15

Locking=FALSE

MaxSteeringAngle=45.0

InputName=YAW_CONTROL

ControlRate=5.0

HasBrakes=FALSE

RollingCoefficient=0.05

MaxDeploySpeed=130

 

[LeftMainGear]

SystemType=LANDING_GEAR

Retractable=TRUE

DeployTime=7.0

RetractTime=7.0

AnimationID=1

DragArea=0.35

ModelNodeName=MainGear_Strut_L

InsideNodeName=Main_GearWell_L

ShockNodeName=MainGearR_Axles

ShockAnimationID=6

ShockStroke=0.25

SpringFactor=5.0

DampingFactor=4.0

WheelNodeName=MainTire_L

RotationAxis=x-Axis

ReverseModelOrientation=FALSE

RollingRadius=0.275

CastoringWheel=FALSE

HasBrakes=TRUE

BrakingCoefficient=0.80

RollingCoefficient=0.05

MaxDeploySpeed=130

 

[RightMainGear]

SystemType=LANDING_GEAR

Retractable=TRUE

DeployTime=7.0

RetractTime=7.0

AnimationID=1

DragArea=0.35

ModelNodeName=MainGear_Strut_R

InsideNodeName=Main_GearWell_R

ShockNodeName=MainGearR_Axles

ShockAnimationID=6

ShockStroke=0.25

SpringFactor=5.0

DampingFactor=4.0

WheelNodeName=MainTire_R

RotationAxis=X-Axis

ReverseModelOrientation=TRUE

RollingRadius=0.275

CastoringWheel=FALSE

HasBrakes=TRUE

BrakingCoefficient=0.80

RollingCoefficient=0.05

MaxDeploySpeed=130

 

Slarti makes a good point ... we DO have a TA-4 Scooter, but I don't know if it'll take 'winders

Edited August 2, 2011 by Wrench

[+ravenclaw_007 7,633]

reduce the spring factor to 4 and try it

[+russouk2004 6,958]

Im looking for the model as I type this

[Wrench 9,855]

would it be too much to ask to fix the shadow stuff??? (asking sheepishly and politely)