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KC-137R family project

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KC-137R family project

Postby J Maverick 16 » Sat Sep 17, 2016 7:52 pm

Hi all,
more than a year ago I started this project based on a experimental fork of the 707TT: the KC-137R, which the author pointed me after talking about it in MP. At that time there where different (also fantasy) models: KC-137R, KC-137R (RT), E-3D, KE-3A and MD-137; I decided to focus only on the first two airframes. Code name: AATARS, Advanced Air-To-Air Refueling System.
Started reworking textures and liveries and a few basic coding changes (I was still a beginner at aircraft development) because I wanted to operate it into an FGUK FlightNight based at RAF Mildenhall, UK home of the 100th Air Refueling Wing.
Anyway, around this period last year I was at a good point with a large quantity of self-made liveries, including fictional ones. But then the project stalled because there were too much bugs.
In January I found again interest in the project and decided to write up in the JWOCKY's forum (can't remember why) if there was someone who could give me a hand with it by improving the cockpit and fixing a few bugs in it. Luckily I found it0uchpods who offered to help me and a few days we started a long "journey" which took us form a basic, old-school cockpit to an upgraded, 21st-century-standard one. In about 7 months we've done loads of things and I've learned a lot about development, coding and other, an opportunity to have a larger experience of how an FG aircraft is made and a lot more. I'd consider it an experience I'd never forget also because we both become good friends, each of us learning from the other a little day by day, improving a plane. A huge thank you Josh! ;)

Currently, from two simple aircrafts we made 6 different airframes which feature (at least try to replicate) the very latest updates the real life aircraft have, probably making the KC-137R the best flying tanker FG has ever seen.
These models are:
- KC-137R Stratotanker base tanker model, CFM engines
- KC-137R-RT Stratotanker, base tanker model, ability to get refueled itself, CFM engines.
- EC-137R Sentry, AWACS model, glass cockpit, IAE engines.
- RC-137R Rivet Joint, Reconnaissance model, glass cockpit, CFM engines.
- E-8R Joint STARS, ground surveillance, command and control model, IAE engines.
- C-137R Stratolifter-Stratoliner, cargo, passenger, VIP transport model, glass cockpit, IAE engines.

All of this can be downloaded here: https://github.com/JMaverick16/KC-137R/ .

But, even if we've done a lot of work on 'em, there's still some stuff to do which me and it0uchpods aren't able to do presently and/or haven't got time for it.
Here's the "famous" TO-DO list which have been with us since months:

UPDATED TO-DO LIST IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE (deadline: TBD):
Italic means that the following are not going to be done.

COMMON:
1) Rework completely and integrate both engines display and systems display and feature an additional nav display to fit the Block 45.
2) update overhead panel. (rework EFB textures, update EFIS controller)
3) Work on new splash screens for all versions (done: KC, RT, E-8, C, EC). JMav
4) Improve Stby-AI instrument for EC/RC to make it more like a PFD.
5) Implement efficient TACAN nav system (replace DME with display).
6) rework engines 3D, UV map and animations (Martien VDP) + sounds (411, JMav).
7) add top tail light and fix AWACS' (Martien VDP).
8 ) Build new AP and AP status panels.
9) Rework completely the EADI.


KC-137R /-RT:
1) improve ATA refueling (create a working refueling code, RT 3D refuel hose) JMav
2) improve the airframe 3D models (Martien VDP)
3) New liveries (JMav)
4) Implement ECM with Northrop Grumman Guardian LAIRCM (RT).

EC-137R:
1) improve a lot the AWACS officer area by adding maps, NDs, upgrade/remove current instruments, reworking 3D, etc. (searching volunteers)
2) Create a new set of liveries. (JMav).
3) Implement ECM.

RC-137R:
1) rework livery texture according to new model + make a new set of liveries (JMav).
2) implement advanced military recon systems. (searching for experts...)
3) Implement ECM.

E-8R:
1) implement ground surveillance systems with targeting and similar. (searching for experts...)

C-137R:
1) Fix/add new textures. JMav
2) brand new livery pack (N-SCOT).


We would need some help with the bold points. So if there are some people out there who could help us or give some useful tips we'd be very glad about it.
We dedicated days on this project and I'd like to finish it soon.
Will post some screenshots soon.
Regards, Maverick
Last edited by J Maverick 16 on Tue Mar 21, 2017 6:39 pm, edited 10 times in total.
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Re: KC-137R family project

Postby J Maverick 16 » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:41 pm

Cockpit comparison between the very first KC-137R and the latest version:

Image

Image

Image

Image

But yet there's a lot of work to do! ;)
So I hope some of you guys can help us with it!!
Cheers, Maverick
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Re: KC-137R family project

Postby Octal450 » Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:58 pm

The radios look weird without Rembrandt... I better check it out.
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Re: KC-137R family project

Postby J Maverick 16 » Sun Oct 30, 2016 10:42 am

It's alive and here! The ultimate E-8R!

Image

Image

Greetings, Maverick
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Re: KC-137R family project

Postby abassign » Wed Nov 02, 2016 10:23 am

Image

1. The engine is too low, because the engine nacelle has been profoundly changed, as clearly shown by the picture of a real airplane.
2. The boom is completely different, if you're interested I can create a 3D model in .ac with my cad.
Image
3. This antenna is missing
4. The cabin of the refueling officer is totally different (even inside ...), I think it's due to the fact that you have taken as a basis the original 707-200.

Anyway congratulations, it's a really nice project a plane so important and special!
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Re: KC-137R family project

Postby J Maverick 16 » Wed Nov 02, 2016 1:34 pm

As stated before, the models yet need a lot of work. Works have been finished on the E-8R and now are proceding on the C-137R. When we arrive to the KCs there will be surely an improvement regarding these facts that are already known.
Anyway thanks for it and your help would be welcomed.
Regards, Maverick
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Re: KC-137R family project

Postby Octal450 » Wed Nov 02, 2016 2:05 pm

Yup. If you send a photo of the correct boom office, maybe I can work on it.

We will correct the CFM engine model

Glad you are enjoying!
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Re: KC-137R family project

Postby Johan G » Wed Nov 02, 2016 7:59 pm

It looks like those aircraft have different engines, like as if the real one have been reengined, possibly with turbofan engines instead of the older turbojet engines. I might be wrong though.
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Re: KC-137R family project

Postby Octal450 » Thu Nov 03, 2016 5:22 pm

Yup. Some models have the CFM56s like real, the others (like E-8R and C-173R) have IAE V2500 cause jmav wanted more thrust... :D
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Re: KC-137R family project

Postby J Maverick 16 » Thu Nov 03, 2016 5:35 pm

it0uchpods wrote in Thu Nov 03, 2016 5:22 pm:...the others (like E-8R and C-173R) have IAE V2500 cause jmav wanted more thrust... :D

It wasn't a matter of thrust, I like their shape!
Then you told me they were powerful and that was even nicer. At first you wanted to place IAEs in all models when I suggested you to add them at the AWACS! ;)
Regards, Maverick
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Re: KC-137R family project

Postby wlbragg » Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:40 pm

First off, thank you to the both of you (and any others that contributed) for all your hard work! Military aircraft are some of my favorites. When I was a young boy my father used to build military aircraft models. He had an enormous collection of military aircraft models, I guess it stuck.

[quote="]a long "journey" which took us form a basic, old-school cockpit to an upgraded, 21st-century-standard one[/quote]
The first question I had when I saw the comparison pictures was, the original "old-school" style, was that realistic to the time (as in accurate style gauges) or piecemeal as compared to the modern style equipment version?

If it was accurate to the period, I suppose it to late to easily give the user the option of which period visual to use?
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Re: KC-137R family project

Postby Johan G » Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:41 pm

I think it could be possible to have various variants based on various upgrades done during the aircrafts long lives that have the right engines, cockpits and systems for that era.

Those are way too clean cockpits. ;) Sometimes when seeing cockpits of military aircraft I start wondering if the flight gloves are more for temperature comfort or more for hygienic reasons. :P
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Re: KC-137R family project

Postby Octal450 » Thu Nov 03, 2016 10:32 pm

lol

We built an upgrade model, that is why 137 instead of 135 :D
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Re: KC-137R family project

Postby Johan G » Fri Nov 04, 2016 10:33 am

I totally did not notice that. :oops: :lol:
Low-level flying — It's all fun and games till someone looses an engine. (Paraphrased from a YouTube video)
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Re: KC-137R family project

Postby J Maverick 16 » Fri Nov 04, 2016 4:16 pm

it0uchpods wrote in Thu Nov 03, 2016 10:32 pm:We built an upgrade model, that is why 137 instead of 135 :D

Which should be as close as possible to reality ;) .
Regards, Maverick
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