FastCargo

It isn't out yet. FC

Well, so far, we've got weapons, aircraft ported over...what's remaining? FC

It's not a V-tail! The fins are just canted out.... A V-tail is something like on a YF-23. Upon closer inspection, it looks like the vertical stabs are otherwise the original shape...even the horizontal stab looks the same (dogtooth and everything). You know, it's interesting also that the internal bay carriage (with trapeze rails yet) is removeable...I'm not sure how often that's been done. What's kind of surprising is the research done on the ACTIVE wasn't added to this design. Even if you didn't want canards because of the gun, I would think the 3D nozzles could be added with little to no change to frontal RCS. FC

And me with my craptastic computer! Darn it! FC

This wouldn't be too hard to implement in game...I'd be curious as to what the tails look like...the pics really don't show it that well. Interesting, the missile bay appears to be a pass through... FC

The 'cockpit within external model' thing I think has always been a matter of personal taste and abilities. The essential problem is that cockpits are simply hard to do. Period. Ask anyone who has built them, especially excellent ones like TMF, Zur, Julhelm, Bobrock, bongodriver to name just a few, and I don't think anyone would disagree with that. Most other things on a model can reach a decent release level within a few weeks (note, not necessarily a real NICE level) for each item (model, skins, FM, etc). Enough detail is left out because of scaling issues (not replicating the springs on a landing gear for example) that work can proceed quickly. A cockpit on the other hand, is the absolute pinnacle of detail. Knobs, switches, displays, bezels, dials, needles, triggers, petals, etc. The list goes on and on. In addition, say on the external model, you pull the stick back. All you see actually move on the model is the elevators, maybe some manuver flaps. But in the cockpit, you'll see several things move around and they all have to be detailed, not just in proper movement, but proper scale...VVI and altitude increase, ADI rotates, speed decreases, stick moves back, HUD slides down...you get the idea. The textures also have to be accurate down to the smallest detail...like real life. Yep, you need to see those zippers on the G suit...etc. It isn't hard really, but it's tedious. REALLY tedious. Mind crushingly tedious. So that's why you see so few. So what if you want to fly aircraft that don't have a cockpit of their own. Well, we have to adapt one. And therein lies the rub. Basically, it's a matter of what you consider more immersive...a absolutely proper cockpit with the totally wrong view outside...or a less proper cockpit, but the view outside is more accurate (although with lower polys). Personally, for the models I've built or adapted, I always try to set it up that a cockpit can be put 'inside' with very little fuss using the 'OpenCockpit' method. The external model 'cockpit area' can be setup as not visible from the inside...so there is a nice closed mesh 'hole' that an cockpit can be put in, and yet still have the fuselage, wings, canopy surrounding the player. For me, I find that more immersive. Also, to me, cockpits are simply an interface for getting the job done. If the cockpit can convey the relative difficulty or ease that the real pilot would have had to deal with, that's good enough without having the 10/10ths detail necessary (try flying the F-103 in cockpit view only...that job would have sucked...big time). I will never consider myself fully immersed in any sim...for the simple reason that I do this sort of thing in real life, so because I can live with that, I can live with a cockpit not being the real thing. Not to say that a nice cockpit is worthless...hardly! I just don't have the patience to build one anymore...external models are fun...cockpit models are work. FC

Jeez, I didn't realize that Cd0 can be down that low and be realistic. I've been tweaking the F-107 and F-103 to get them closer to their actual (F-107) and projected (F-103) speeds. Though I don't think the F-103 would have ever actually gone to Mach 3 in real life... Now if I can just get the F-108 to be faster... FC

That EF-111 picture is cool! FC

Can't do the tail chute (requires that to be part of the model) but it's funny you mention the I-Beam racks because when I went to the USAF Museum back in July 08, I took several pictures of those very racks for that very purpose. I just need to: A) Get my computer back up and running B) Get some time FC

Rugg, Thanks for the excellent review! Though it has a silly name, I've heard nothing but good things about these products. Interesting how it transmits even the subtle sounds/vibrations in proportion...it isn't a pure on/off type setup. FC

Quite idiotic. I'll believe when I see it. There are SO many pitfalls to this scheme I don't know where to start. FC

I was wondering why you were getting JSOWs and I wasn't... Sheesh, and I brought the SH into game and built the JSOW. Can't see the forest for the trees sometimes... FC

Can't get anything past you guys! Yep, that was Vought's (actually LTV) submission for what later became the F-14 (V-507). They progressed all the way to a full mockup stage. Photoshopped? Pffft...please. FC

Did you patch? FC

Hahaha! I didn't even notice that until you said it there Fates! Talk about thread from the dead! So whatta think about ol' HarryMeade...either he was REALLY bored, or it's a spam bot. Based on the grammer, time he 'joined' and time he posted, I'd say ban, ban, ban, ban, baked beans and ban... FC

Oh that's just WRONG! FC

Exactly...I call these folks canonistas... Seriously, does anyone really think 1960s costumes and sets are going to cut it in the 21st century? Also, ST has always been about the future...so it should look the part methinks. Finally, the ST universe has always been a little too utopian for me since TOS. DS9 was the first serious effort away from this sanitized version of the future. My wife enjoyed DS9 more than I did (she's always been into the political intrigue stuff...) but you should hear the howls from those who didn't like DS9. Anyway, the more stuff I see about this flick, the more hopeful I am. Bring it on! FC

What the man said... Worship = creepy. A sincere thanks = cool. FC

Yes, it is if you want weapons NOT in a weapons pack. If you do not know how to add weapons manually, future releases that have weapons with them will not be accessable. Example is the Super Hornet...you will NOT have the aircraft specific fuel tanks, buddy pod or ATFLIR if you do not know how to add weapons. FC

I can neither confirm nor deny that statement. FC

"I'm not saying anything. I didn't say anything then, and I'm not saying anything now." FC

Okay, next question, which version of the sim do you have, and which version of the weapons editor do you have? FC

Yea, amateur. Landing with part of a wing on all your gear and still have a running engine...pffft! Easy stuff. BTDT. Landing without one or both of your main gear (and NOT being on HARD mode or using a ini 'skid')...then talk to me. FC

Well, when it's done, it's done. Until then, we do other things...it's not like TK doesn't know people want it. FC