JonBuck Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 I just installed SOH's early version Flying Fortress, the B-17D model. Good looking in most respects, both in bare metal and OD finish. When you load it, all 4 engines are runng nicely. I encounter a problem when I shut 'em down and then attempt a re-start. They won't start: props won't turn at all but the starter sound plays...over and over with no result. Just won't crank! Doesn't matter whether I try to start it from the keyboard or joystick. I'm using FS9 in Win 10 and have never experienced this problem with any of my sim aircraft. I understand the model was originally created for an earlier version of Flight Simulator and later converted to FS9 (2004) so I can understand why there are no exit doors or engine cowl flaps: probably didn't have them in the early Flt Sim versions. Has anyone run across the same problem with this B-17 D model, or is it someting I'm doing wrong? Can't help wondering if there are some different engine-starting steps for this particular aircraft that I'm missing. No clue in the Readme, either. Got me frustrated and puzzled!! :confused: JonB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrzippy Posted December 22, 2019 Share Posted December 22, 2019 It did the same thing for me, Jon, in my Sim. I greatly increase the engine starter torque by several points in the aircraft.cfg under [piston engine]. The props now moved with the starter cranking. I noticed none of the fuel on/off switches or carburetor cover switch worked. That's probably causing the engines not to start. Still thinking about a new flightsim only computer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonBuck Posted December 24, 2019 Author Share Posted December 24, 2019 Thanks for the response Zippy. I followed your advice; made changes to the torque like you did and got the props to turn after upping the torque to 0.5000 but the engines wouldn't start, just props turning and dying to a stop. Got frustrated and copied over the "piston engine" and "prop" segmets from a FDG Donationware B-17E..and they started up and ran normally! Surprise, surprise, I didn't think it would work!! I have two other annoying things about this model I wish I could correct ..one is the smoke on startup. those R1820s on B-17 really put out the smoke on startup...mainly from oil that collects at the bottom of the cylinders after standing for a couple of hours. That's why they had to pull the props through by hand before starting, to try to suck some of the oil out, but could never get it all. Hence all that impressive startup smoke! Do you happen to know what controls the startup smoke smoke on sim models? The other thing lacking on this D model is a controlable tailwheel. You have to use differential breaking and it's a pain in the butt, to say the least!! You know one helluva lot more then me about these sim models so let me ask...do you think there is a way to change the fixed tail wheel to a steerable one? I have no idea at all!! Once again you have saved my 'bacon," so to speak, and I"m very gratefull for the time and effort you have taken to help me out! Many thanks again, and since I'm writing this on Christmas Eve...let me wish you and yours a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!!! JonB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrzippy Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 (edited) I'll tackle the easy one first. steering. The change is going to be in the [Contact Points] section: The new number is in red. The old number was 180.00 [contact_points] point.0=1.00,-32.50,0.00,-5.60,1574.80,0.00,0.60,65.00,0.40,2.50,0.95,5.00,5.00,0.00,0.00,0.00 point.1=1.00,3.166,-10.50,-10.40,1574.80,1.00,0.96,0.00,1.076,2.50,0.32,5.00,5.00,2.00,0.00,0.00 point.2=1.00,3.166,10.50,-10.40,1574.80,2.00,0.96,0.00,1.076,2.50,0.32,5.00,5.00,3.00,0.00,0.00 point.3=2.00,6.916,-34.500,-0.833,1574.803,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,5.00,0.00,0.00 point.4=2.00,6.916,34.500,-0.833,1574.803,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,6.00,0.00,0.00 point.5=2.00,-21.250,0.00,-2.416,1574.803,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,9.00,0.00,0.00 point.6=2.00,7.50,0.00,-4.166,1574.803,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,0.00,4.00,0.00,0.00 The engine startup smoke is usually done in the [effects] section of the aircraft.cfg and I don't see that! I will look to see if I find an FS2004 startup smoke effect in another B17 and will report back here. Edited December 24, 2019 by mrzippy Still thinking about a new flightsim only computer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrzippy Posted December 24, 2019 Share Posted December 24, 2019 Found something in the first FS2004 B-17, add it to your aircraft.cfg file. [effects] startup=fx_DC3_MinStartup //fx_DC3_MaxStartup //choose one Does your default DC-3 show any engine startup smoke? you would have to have fx_DC3_MinStartup or fx_DC3MaxStartup in your Main Effects folder. Still thinking about a new flightsim only computer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonBuck Posted December 27, 2019 Author Share Posted December 27, 2019 It Worked!!!! Both tips worked. Tailwheel swivels like it should--no more diferential braking. I found I already had fx-b17maxstartup in my main effects folder so I just replaced the startup smoke with one in my B-17E and now I get more smoke than I bargained for. Looks great! As I guy who grew up with piston engines, I truly love the smoke, noise and blur of turning props of a radial engine startup and even the pop and crackle of a Merlin'e exhaust when you throttle back for landing. For a true lover it's almost enough to make you wet your pants in excitement!!! This model is acting better and better...thanks to your knowledge of how things work. The model itself looks pretty darn good in spite of a few minor things like the oversized windows, twin 50s in the belly 'bathtub' (only had a single one), lack of working exits and teardrop gun blisters which are a little small and placed too high. Can't do anything about those at this point but it's the best available in FS9. Now am looking forward to setting up a flight of Ds and Es departing Hamilton Field at dusk for Hawaii on December 6th, 1941. I'll be in the player "D" which I'll call the "Mary Ann" after the 1943 star of the "Air Force" movie, a B model converted to C configuration which was used throughout the film. Went on a bond drive tour after the filming then assigned to crew training until scrapped at the end of the war. There's only one "D" model left today, the "Swoose" which is undergoing restoration at the Air Force Museum in Dayton. I hope to see her on display someday. She will seem so much smaller than her sister E model "Memphis Belle" which was longer and a bit bigger. Anyway, I'm happy with what i now have and want to thank you again for all your help. I would have given up on it, otherwise. Thanks again Zippy and a very Happy, & healthy New Year to you!! JonB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrzippy Posted December 27, 2019 Share Posted December 27, 2019 (edited) Glad to hear it is all working (at least as good as it can)! Have a great New year. Good to know my "magical fixin' hammer" still works! :D Looks like only the bomb bay doors are animated. Shift+E says "main exit opening/closing" but no animation. Edited December 27, 2019 by mrzippy Still thinking about a new flightsim only computer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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