DCS: F-16C Viper Release Update
Dear all, we are very sorry for the confusion regarding the release date which was registered on Steam. Since we started the pre-order, we stated that the early access release would be sometime in early Autumn 2019. On Steam, we were requested to enter a best estimate date in order to make the product available for pre-order. This happened months ago and at the time our best estimate was 25 September 2019. However, on the store page, we indicated early Autumn 2019 which is the official project release plan and this has been reflected in almost all videos, updates, and other news on this project. We will announce the actual day of release next week.
DCS: P-47 Turbocharger Development
Our FM designer, Dmitry “Yo-Yo” Moskalenko, shares some insight into the development of the P-47, specifically the turbocharger unit.
The P-47, in my mind, will be one of our most interesting aircraft from an engine handling point of view. We believe that it will be very challenging for users. It is one of the most interesting planes for developers from an engineer's point of view.
Let’s start from the point that this plane has no automatic boost control for manifold pressure, so it’s very easy to have it under or over-boosted during a dogfight. The automatic turbo governor of A-13 type (the most popular type) is far from perfect as the MP rises during climb and requires the pilot’s attention. Besides that, the pilot must watch the turbine speed and reduce boost not to over-speed as well as watch the carb temperature to avoid detonation.
Modelling the turbocharger, on the one hand, was new for us, but on the other hand, it represented an expansion of our existing thermodynamics method of modelling gas turbines and piston engines. So, we just added two existing parts: a turbine and a compressor coupling with a shaft, as we did for a gas turbine engine. The waste gate – a nozzle with a variable area – was used in our gas turbine engines and even in the War Emergency Power system for FW190A8 (waiting for its red button in the cockpit). The standard P&W R2800-5 engine with two-stage single speed geared supercharger receives fresh air not from the ram inlet but from the turbo supercharger – compressed and warmed through the intercooler which lowers its temperature. The exhaust gas flow feeds the turbine for compression.
Our system of equations, based on mass conservation law for airflow through the engine and gas parameters at each station, is now much heavier than with simple supercharger but remains robust. An automatic governor maintains the backpressure controlling the waste gate area. As nobody knows the exact parameters of the turbine and the charger, research was conducted as usual to determine their parameters from the data contained in several available test reports.
After calculations, the turbocharger was tested using the same schedule as for the real flight test profiles. The results are shown in the graphs. The first graph is a result of the “hands-off” test showing the backpressure kept at the same level as was set on the ground to generate 52” of Manifold Pressure and thus engine power increases with altitude gain. The second graph represents the test with MP kept constant manually, similar to the real test.
Damage Model Development Update
As we draw closer to the release of the new damage model, we would like to share some more of the small details that we think are really going to make this exciting for users once they get to try it themselves.
In modelling the different systems on the aircraft, we also focus on many aspects of the undercarriage. Now you can lose brakes on a specific wheel, suffer hydraulics failure on particular piston, and even damage the drives for the gear themselves. In addition and as shown in the images below, you can take damage that would cause the up or down locks to fail. This means you could suffer gear droop or gear collapse on landing.
As always we appreciate your patience and support as we prepare this radically new damage system for you. We are very excited for you to try it out for yourselves.
Reflected Simulations Screenshot Contest
Celebrating the release of his 3rd WWII campaign, Reflected Simulations announced a screenshot contest. The 2 best submissions will be rewarded with a key to his upcoming F-86F Sabre campaign, or one of his WWII campaigns. You can apply until October 31st by posting your screenshots in this thread.
As always, we highly appreciate your support!
Yours sincerely,
The Eagle Dynamics Team