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[hello]

I don't really care how it would be done, I care if it can be done and if it will be done. This project is too import to fail or to be abandoned (IMHO).

Stainless, did that mighty brain of yours come to any sort of conclusion?

[Stainless]

Ok .... I have actually started coding.

I have decided that the first stage will be the flight model.

I am writing my own using the best bits from the open source world, with a few enhancements of my own.

This will be packaged up into a flight model design tool.

So you can create an engine and get graphs of the various parameters, most importantly power output at speed and altitude but not limited to that.

You can get graphs of every parameter for every system I can think of and compare them to the real world data. I'm even putting in a CofG display which takes into account weapon loadout.

Once you are happy with your flight model, you can save it in formats compatible with IL2, FlightGear, and possibly FSX. ( as well as my own format)

I will then drop the code into my mod tool and use it to run the instrumentation when in cockpit mode. So you will get all the instruments responding as you would expect when playing IL2.

(Except radar of course, that will come later)

I am including modules for propeller engines, jet engines, and rocket engines. I am even considering SCRAM jet, though that will be theoretical at best.

My atmospheric model is very sophisticated. It's loosely based on MSIS with a few updates that have come out since it was published. Almost finished now.

If the trains run on schedule, I should have something to show people in about three weeks.  ( I work on it on the train to work)

[Herra Tohtori]

Is the flight modeling going to use parametrized FM file per aircraft, or are you planning a more physically oriented system such as using blade element theory, like X-Plane?

[sniperton]

If the trains run on schedule, I should have something to show people in about three weeks.  ( I work on it on the train to work)

That's only 'two weeks' if the trains are running late...   

Good luck! 

[spooky_machine]

Hey that's awesome! Actually I have absoutely no clue what's going on that deep inside the files and flight models, I really salute that kind of black bit'n'byte magic you're doing there!
BTW, you're hellish fast

Good luck from me too, and keep it up!

[Stainless]

Is the flight modeling going to use parametrized FM file per aircraft, or are you planning a more physically oriented system such as using blade element theory, like X-Plane?

it's parameterised by system.

So you you can build up a library of engines, actuators, weapons, rockets, propellers, etc.

Then you bolt them into an aircraft and add parameters for the aircraft itself.

So doing an engine upgrade involves swapping out the engines, that's it.

[Stainless]

If the trains run on schedule, I should have something to show people in about three weeks.  ( I work on it on the train to work)

That's only 'two weeks' if the trains are running late...   

Good luck! 

The UK rail network is a classic example of chaos theory.

It can be bound by an equation (I get on at Southampton and get off at Guildford), but the variables inside the equation are infinitely variable.

The time taken for the journey, current min 65 minutes, max 145 minutes, average 90.
The route taken (min southampton-woking-guildford , average southampton-winchester-woking-guildford, max southampton-london-guildford)

Trains running late does not mean the journey takes longer, I have several cases of trains running 60 minutes late. That means the train I catch from woking does not stop at basingstoke and hence I get home 10 minutes earlier.

I think the odd's of predicting the national lottery numbers are lower than the odds of predicting any journey on the UK rail network.

   

[Stainless]

Actually you guys could help me out here.

At the moment I'm modeling fuel tanks as a point mass. I.E. I keep track of the amount of fuel, the mass of that fuel, the inertia of that fuel, but at the CofG of the tank.

In combat maneuvers, the fuel will move about in the tank. I know that baffles are fitted in modern planes to stop this affecting the flight behavior, but I don't know when this started or how effective they are.

Any of you want to dig around on the web and see what you can find out?

[VF111Sundowner]

 
Anything with an integral tank would have the baffles I would assume. I work with Large airliners and everyone of them has baffles in the wings.

The B-17 and C-47 had bladder style wing tanks, I watched the Yankee air museum install them into their aircraft , they didn't have any internal baffles.

I'll try to do a little more research when I can.

[Stainless]

Thanks,

I think it's the heavies that will have a noticeable effect, don't think the effect will be noticeable on fighters.

[rockdoon]

stainless i can also verify that the tanks on the B25 are bladders as well and do not have baffles

[Stainless]

Ok first bit of progress to show.

My atmospheric model is complete.

This shows the test app which allows you to select any point on the world, at any time of the year, and simulate the atmosphere. (Very accurately !  ) I account for chemical reactions, all the atmospheric ingredients and the angle of the earth relative to the sun.

I'm only plotting the basic variables, I have a lot more calculated.

At least it's progress.