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/images/notams/notams22/vsky1028.jpgThe VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': F-19 Stealth Fighter for X-Plane 12 (X-Plane by Laminar Research) was just updated to v1.05-EA. Reminder: The VSKYLABS F-19 Project is currently a EA version(Early Release) - meaning that it is under a lot of WIP 'stress' -meaning that updates are expected to flow-in quite continuously. Update v1.05 is focused on improvements to avionics, autopilotmodes enhancements and minor fixes. Changes in v1.05-EA includes autopilot modes enhancements for NAVand Approach, ILS capability (Manual/Autopilot), refined EFISMap/avionics interaction and more! VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': F-19 Stealth Fighter Project for X-Plane 12 Launch Trailer Source
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VSKYLABS Test-Pilot: F-19 Stealth Fighter Project XP12 Released
Nels_Anderson posted an article in X-Plane
/images/notams/notams22/vsky1024.jpgHigh definition realization of Testor's 1980's F-19 Stealth Fighterconcept aircraft. The VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': F-19 Stealth FighterProject is an Educational/Research based development effort that"brings to life" and realizes the hypothetical 80's Testor's F-19concept in the most advanced flight simulation environment up to date:X-Plane 12 by Laminar Research. Development notice: The development of the VSKYLABS F-19 forX-Plane flight simulator was approved by Testors/ITALERIS.p.A. However, it is an independent VSKYLABS development effort whichis not endorsed and/or affiliated with/by Testors/ITALERI S.p.A. Source -
/images/notams/notams22/vsky0920.jpgVSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': F-19 Stealth Fighter for X-Plane 12 (X-Planeby Laminar Research) - A (very few) interesting facts, referring tothe attached split photo: Canopy:Interestingly, the original Testors F-19 model had a caged canopywith a center-line, similar to the one of the SR-71. However, theMicroProse F19 was equipped with a modern HUD, which was impossible tomount effectively in the caged canopy...The VSKYLABS F-19 v1.0 isequipped with the caged canopy, mainly because it was the authenticdesign and appearance of the aircraft, and one of the advantages isthat it boosts the flying challenge, especially the landings...tobecome the highlights in every flight, both in 2-d and VRenvironments. Intakes:In the original design, the intakes were covered to form aclose-shape with the fuselage. At the time, 'stealthy' was considered'round shape', 'no edges' etc...until the US declassified the F-117Aexistence...and blow all the assumptions to pieces (the F-117 wasnothing BUT sharp edges, corners and non-round shape). As part of the analysis of the 80's concept, it was obvious thatthe narrow slot around the intake covers provides too little airflowfor the engines, giving the fact that it is a jet fighter aircraft,intended for high AOA maneuvers. The 'chin' (the rounded shape aroundthe nose section, similar to the SR-71) provides some lift at highAOA...but it also induces vortexes that makes the air-intakes designeven more troublesome (probable compressor stall with every high-AOAmaneuver). So...the covers were completely removed in the VSKYLABSF-19 realization. In some non-Testors F-19 plastic models, the canards were shifteddown to the chin line. This can be a partial solution to manage highAOA chin induced vortexes and keeping it as far as possible from theintakes. Compressor stall vs AOA is implemented in the VSKYLABS F-19, toreplicate a plausible behavior in certain flying conditions thatinvolves slow speed/high AOA situations. AGM-65 Maverick:Visible in the lower split photo (two of these in a row, the secondis hidden). It was a highly 'popular' weapon in the MicroProse F-19simulation...however...it is not a perfect fit to be carried by astealth fighter aircraft, that was supposed to hit strategictargets. Its range is quite short (~17 miles), and its light warhead(~125 pounds) is aimed for tactical targets as tanks, and ships. TheVSKYLABS F-19 carries the AGM-158 low-observable cruise missile (seenin the other attached screenshot). With a range of ~230 miles and 1000pounds warhead, it could serve as a more 'fit' stealth fighterstandoff weapon. The included manual will cover a thorough analysis of the originalconcept, and of the VSKYLABS realization, in each and every aspect ofa proposed Jet-Fighter aircraft...should be an interesting read! Source VSKYLABS Officially Announces F-19 Project For XP12
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/images/notams/notams22/vsky0526/vskylabs-f19-1.jpgIn today's post, we will be focusing mostly on the F-19 engines: The original late 80's Testors F-19 Stealth Fighter conceptaircraft was deeply analyzed by VSKYLABS Aerospace Simulation experts,and was re-constructed bottom up, using the most advanced flightsimulation software up to date: X-Plane 12. Reminder: X-Plane is not a combat simulation. The VSKYLABS'Test-Pilot': F-19 Stealth Fighter project orientation is*Test-Flight* simulation of an experimental/concept jet fighteraircraft that allows to explore and challenge its design goals usingX-Plane 12 advanced flight simulation environment (aerodynamics,physics, weather, systems, handling and performance, mission-orientedtest flights and more!). /images/notams/notams22/vsky0526/vskylabs-f19-2.jpgGeneral aircraft specifications of the VSKYLABS F-19 are based onthe original 80's concept specs (which also existed in the 87'MicroProse F-19 Steath Fighter simulations). However, following thethorough analysis and test flights process during development, a fewmodifications/additional systems were added to the basic design,allowing a more probable mission-capable characteristics. One example for such modification is the F-19 engines: The originalF-19 concept aircraft was assumed to be powered by twonon-after-burning F404-GE-100 engines. The F404 engine first flight,btw, was in the 'new' U.S. Navy's F/A-18 fighter/attack aircraft inNovember 1978. In real-life, the F404-GE-100 derivative was flownextensively during the Northrop F-20 Tigershark program (1982 - 1986),delivered 11,000 pounds of thrust dry and 17,000 pounds usingafterburner, along with advanced digital electronic control andimproved reliability. The selection of twin NON-after-burning F404-GE-100 engines in theF-19 80's concept was based on the requirement of reducing the heatsignature of the stealth fighter. The airframe incorporated twosemi-hidden thermal-efficient exhaust nozzles, "hidden" by the largevertical fins, and equipped with an airflow cooling system. /images/notams/notams22/vsky0526/vskylabs-f19-3.jpgThe thorough mission-oriented test flights of the VSKYLABS F-19during development in X-Plane 12 lead to the decision of addingafter-burner capability, to improve its maximum weight take-offperformance, to allow a low-altitude deep penetration profiles withsupersonic capability, and to increase survivability in case ofdetection or interception by enemy fighters. Following this decision, the VSKYLABS F-19 two non-after burningF404-GE-100 engines were replaced by two after-burning GeneralElectric F414-GE-400 (these are powering the F/A-18E/F variants). The change of power-plant increased the dry thrust from ~11,000pounds to ~13,000 pounds. Maximum thrust however increased from~11,000 pounds to ~22,000 pounds...that is twice the power of thenon-after-burning F404-GE-100 engines. Fuel-consumption wise, the F-19 airframe capability of carryinginternal fuel is limited due to its size and shape, and using theafterburners extensively reduces its combat radius significantly. Forthis reason the use of afterburner power in the VSKYLABS F-19 isrestricted-by-system, and to enable after-burners operation duringflight - the pilot must "pass" through two guard switches (one foreach engine). Some complementary information regarding the attached WIPscreenshots: Weapons - Unlike the 87' MicroProse F-19, the VSKYLABS F-19 is notdesignated as a multi-role attack aircraft, and it can carry a verylimited weapons-suit: Two AIM-120 AMRAMM Air to Air missiles, carriedin two separate forward weapon bays, and a single AGM-158 JASSM(cruise missile) carried in the central belly weapon bay. The VSKYLABS F-19, like the F-117A Stealth Fighter, does not carryguns nor heat-seeking missiles for close-air combat/self defense. Theidea behind the weapons selection in the VSKYLABS F-19 was to adaptthe F-117A operational concept (no air-to-air capability, limited airto ground capability for pin-point targeting accuracy), and to fall inline with the plausible capability of carrying payloads in the F-19airframe (mass and volume). The two AIM-120 missiles are intended for intercepting enemy AWACSaircraft (with BVR capability), and the single AGM-158 low signaturecruise missile is intended for deep penetration, pin-point accuracytargeting. External fuel-tanks - Like the modern usage of non-stealthyexternal fuel tanks in stealth fighters (as seen in the F-35/F-22),the VSKYLABS F-19 is capable of carrying two external fuel tanks,extending its combat radius and allowing certain 'special mission'profiles. These are drop-tanks and can be dropped when needed (toreduce drag, to reduce radar signature, to increase maneuverability incase of 'trouble' etc...). The aircraft is also capable ofair-refueling. Landing gear - The F-19 is a carrier capable aircraft. Noticeable is the tail-hook and the carrier-capable landing gears which are designed following the NAVY carrier based F-18 aircraft landing gears. Using the F-18 landing gears design in the F-19 was part of the original late 80's concept (as well as the F-18 engines). Leading edge slats - Shown extracted in one of the screenshots. Theoriginal F-19 concept did not incorporate leading edge slats. Thesewere implemented into the VSKYLABS F-19 airframe as part of deeperexploration of high angle-of-attack performance and aircraftmaneuverability once the thrust to weight ratio exceeded more than 1:1with the use of after burners. A fascinating insight was with regardsto the small-span elevator flap - where the elevator flap, which ispositioned close and straight in line with the exhaust nozzles, actedas a thrust vectoring vane at high power settings. This configurationallows flying the F-19 at high angle of attack during certainmaneuvers, and the leading edge slats were implemented to explorethese flight envelope regimes. They are not required for takeoff orlanding. Cockpit screenshots - By concept, the VSKYLABS F-19 cockpit designand general systems are based on the F-18 aircraft, which shares a lotin common with the original F-19 80's concept. The VSKYLABS F-19 is afully featured aircraft simulation, includes all aircraft systems suchas pressurization, fuel, oxygen, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulics,engine management, avionics and so forth. Some of the systems aresimilar/identical to the ones to be found in the F-18 (electrical,pressurization, oxygen, hydraulics...), and some are unique, designedspecifically for the F-19 (fuel system, controls, avionics, andother). The result is a highly plausible aircraft design that is beingoperated as a conventional modern jet-fighter. Due to the unique flight model aspects and other simulation relatedaspects, the VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot': F-19 Stealth Fighter project isbeing developed for X-Plane 12, and will be released exclusively forX-Plane 12. The project is in advanced development stages and is aimed to bereleased as soon as possible after upcoming X-Plane 12 will bereleased. Source
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/images/notams/notams20/vsky1105.jpgHi all! Attached is another screen shot of the evolving VSKYLABSF-19 Stealth Fighter Project (X-Plane 11 / Coming Soon). The project,which is an extensive remake for the VSL 2015 F-19 Project, will be infact a FREE update to all former VSKYLABS F-19 buyers! More detailswill be released soon! Here is an interesting 'Look Back' article about the F-19 StealthFighter simulator which was released by Microprose back in the late80's, early 90's. The article was written by Dominic Smith(FlightSim.Com) and covers the 80's software with a nostalgicoverview. A recommended read for sure! Here is the link: FlightSim.Com - A Look Back at F19 Stealth Fighter by Microprose The VSKYLABS Aeroprakt A22LS Foxbat LSA Project - Development updateBack in May 22, 2019, VSKYLABS announced the development of theAeroprakt A22LS Foxbat LSA for X-Plane 11. The project has been underdevelopment in the past year+ and has reached advanced developmentstages. It is scheduled for release within several weeks! Development notice: The development of the VSKYLABS Aeroprakt A22LSFoxbat LSA Project for X-Plane 11 was approved by'Aeroprakt'. However, it is an independent VSKYLABS project which isnot affiliated and/or endorsed with/by 'Aeroprakt'. Here's a link to the main Aeroprakt web site: http://aeroprakt.kiev.ua/ Stay tuned for more exciting news from VSKYLABS! Source VSKYLABS Updates R44 And R66 Helicopters VSKYLABS F-19 Stealth Fighter Project For X-Plane 11 VSKYLABS Icon-A5 Project for X-Plane 11 News
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/images/notams/notams20/vsky1023.jpgMeanwhile at VSKYLABS...Last preparations before taking off toanother exciting test flight in the (Work In Progress) VSKYLABS F-19Stealth Fighter (X-Plane 11). The 2015 project, which was initiallydeveloped for X-Plane 10, is being heavily re-designed and re-modeledso that it will fall in line with the latest VSKYLABS developmentstandards, and with the latest X-Plane 11 features sets. At the time, the F-19 was a fictional aircraft which was based onspecialists and experts insights and estimations. A few years after itwas introduced as a plastic kit-model and in the classic 80's 'F-19Stealth Fighter' flight simulator game, the real stealth fighter, theF-117A was exposed to the public eye, and it was found that theenvisioned F-19 concept was quite close to the *real thing*. The VSKYLABS F-19 project is a fascinating scientific journey intothe plausibility aspects of the aircraft, and although it represents afictional concept, several real world fighter pilots are deeplyinvolved in the making of it, bringing the most authentic andplausible characteristics to life, in X-Plane. Stay tuned for more exciting VSKYLABS F-19 Stealth Fighter Projectdevelopment news! Source VSKYLABS F-19 Stealth Fighter Project For X-Plane 11 VSKYLABS Icon-A5 Project for X-Plane 11 News
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/images/notams/notams20/vsky1009/f19-1.jpgThe project, which is not available at the present, was initiallydeveloped for X-Plane 10 back in 2015. It is now going through amassive update for X-Plane 11 to include a complete rework of allcomponents, FMOD sound pack, PBR textures and full VRcompatibility. The VSKYLABS F-19 Stealth fighter was designed following the F-19Stealth Fighter specifications and documented that were publishedduring the late 80's/early 90's by various aviation specialists. TheVSKYLABS F-19 project is allowing a fascinating opportunity to testand evaluate the concept as it was originally envisioned, using theamazing world of X-Plane 11 and its advanced flight dynamicssimulation. /images/notams/notams20/vsky1009/f19-2.jpgHow it handles? Is it really capable of aircraft carrieroperations? How maneuverable it is? How its thrust, weight and dragcharacteristics are working together during the various phases offlight, including combat? Can it carry fuel and payload to theestimated operational radius? So many questions to ask...but only one way to find out...TheVSKYLABS F-19 Stealth Fighter Project for X-Plane 11. More detailswill be posted soon! Source VSKYLABS Icon-A5 Project for X-Plane 11 News VSKYLABS Previews XF-85 Flying Over The Mojave Desert FlightSim.Com - A Look Back at F19 Stealth Fighter by Microprose
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A Look Back at F19 Stealth Fighter by Microprose Written by Dominic Smith This is an article I've wanted to write for some time but for one reason or another, it just ended up not happening. However, I've now managed to lock the door and superglue myself to the office chair, so this time I have no excuse! I also have the dog looking on expectedly...so I can't disappoint! With that said, let me begin. Being passionate enthusiasts of flight simulation, we all have our favourite modern flight simulator; be it FSX, X-Plane, P3D, FS2004, you name it... we have one. It's our go-to world, and we love it! When we're not working, walking the dog, or being told what to do, we're flying high. That's now, but what about before... at the beginning? What brought us all into this fascinating world of flight simulation? We all have our own story about how it all began, so indulge me if you will, so that I may share with you my own little journey of how I fell in love with flight simulation. It was Christmas 1990 and I was 15 years old, a mere nipper. Excitement filled the air, in anticipation of the presents we would soon receive; something traditionally done after returning from Mass. After pouring my mother a generous glass of sherry (anything to speed up the process), we settled down in our usual positions eager for the unwrapping to begin. On this particular year, I had a sneaking suspicion that my big present was going to be something very special, mainly due to the guilt my parents felt from the previous year (an electronic encyclopedia, whilst useful, isn't exactly...fun). After my dad had rather animatedly passed around a few presents (his usual job at this time, performed exceptionally well this year due to alcohol levels), he knelt behind the chair and brought out a rather large wrapped box. 'To Dominic,' he read, 'love from mummy and daddy' Encyclopedia forgotten, and the love for my parents restored, I took the present and started to unwrap the box. Letters began to emerge as I tore at the paper - first an 'A', then a 'T', then another 'A' - until in front of me I saw the magic words...Atari STe Discovery Pack! I could hardly contain my excitement. Thanking my parents (and secretly God), I rushed upstairs only to be told to come back down as there was one more present for me to unwrap. Sitting back down again, a bit impatiently this time, my dad passed me the present. It was the size of a book but was rather heavy. I was intrigued as to what it might be. I unwrapped it and as I did, a reddish box came into view and the words... F19 Stealth Fighter I looked at the screen shots on the back and was blown away. They were all fully 3D, (not just wireframe), with masses of detail and colour. Well...16 to be exact. By modern standards, they were basic to say the least, but for a 15 year old kid in 1990, they were jaw dropping! I thanked my parents, more than a few times, and once again rushed upstairs. Hastily clearing a space where my trusty ZX Specrum 128+ had been (nicknamed 'The Toaster' due to the hot heat-sink on the side), I carefully took the Atari STe out of its box. Inside was a manual, a collection of disks (I was now entering the modern era of computing) and most importantly of all...a mouse! After setting it all up and connecting it to my 13 inch colour TV, I turned on the power. A few moments later, and not a minute too soon, I was looking at Atari's famous GEM desktop (similar to Apple's early OS), which, compared to my Spectrum's tape loader screen, looked space age. However...I hadn't turned this fabulous machine on just to marvel at a green screen. No sirree! I was here to play games and one game in particular... F19 Stealth Fighter. I slid the red game sleeve back and opened the weighty black box. Inside was a manual, a keyboard reference chart/overlay, and three disks. The manual was particularly impressive as it was almost 200 pages thick. After reading the loading instructions, I inserted disk 1 and double clicked on the icon. A menu came into view asking me to select my preferred control method (keyboard), and once done, I was rewarded with an impressive introduction to Microprose's F19 Stealth Fighter. With the copy protection out of the way (simple aircraft identification), and a new pilot created, I was ready to choose my 'Region of the World' and 'Level of Conflict'. For the region, there was a choice of four: Libya, Persian Gulf, North Cape and Central Europe. Being European, and living in the last year of the Cold War, there was only one logical choice to make so I selected the latter. For the Level of Conflict, I had three options: Cold War, Limited War or Conventional War. As I wanted my mission to reflect the current climate, I decided on the Cold War setting. Task completed, I was promptly taken to the mission planner. Laid out in front of me was, to my young eyes, a highly authentic map of Central Europe, complete with radar sites, air bases and missile ranges. As well as the incredible map detail, I could also review my mission objectives. Having read through my orders, the next step was to arm my aircraft. This took me to another menu screen, this time with a silhouette of the F19, and it was here that I could decide on my weaponry. A total of four different weapons (from a large inventory at the bottom of the screen) could be selected for each mission. For this particular operation, the loadout consisted of: MK82 bombs (both Snake Eye and Slick), a 135MM camera, plus a bunch of Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Not a bad selection for ground targets. It was later when I would learn that the AGM-650 Maverick made for a better choice. With everything now set, I was ready to begin my mission. A momentary blank screen rewarded me with a view I will always remember; instead of the limited colours and low resolution wireframe graphics my dear old Spectrum had kindly provided me with over the years, a far more impressive image now came into view. In front of me was a totally believable cockpit of an F19 Stealth Fighter! When looking at the image above it, of course, looks incredibly dated, but you have to realise that this was pretty much the cutting edge of computer home entertainment back then (especially on the 16-bit Atari ST). Apart from their incredibly realistic simulators of the time, another area in which Microprose excelled in was their software documentation. F19 was no exception, and one of their most useful/handy pieces of documentation was the Keyboard Overlay, complete with all the commands needed to enjoy the game. With this placed over my computer keyboard, I was finally ready to take to the skies. After engaging full throttle and releasing the brakes, I gradually gained speed, with the engine roaring in the background. Of course, all this roaring was simply my imagination going wild. The reality was that it sounded more like a 50cc moped! A few moments later though, I was airborne and on my way to my primary target. In order to maintain the correct altitude and heading, I selected the very basic autopilot. With the aircraft now pointing in the right direction (whoops), I decided to have a look at the external camera view. Again, compared to today, it is indeed primitive, but there is full 3D on offer (filled too), plus plenty of other animated objects, most notably NATO and Soviet aircraft. When you consider that this was on a machine running at 8 MHz and with only 512K of memory...it really is quite something! To put it into perspective, how big was your last JPG file from your camera or phone? As I continued on my way, mountains came into view, or more appropriately, textured 3D triangles. To clear them I would have to gain height, but this would leave me vulnerable to the SAM missile sites dotted around the area. The only alternative would be to disengage the autopilot and manually fly around them. This I carefully did and after a few tentative minutes of stick flying, I was back on target. A few moments later, my primary target, the tank farm at Liberec, came into view on the MFD. At just under 50 km away, it was close, but not that close, so I took a few moments to familiarize myself with the keyboard commands needed to complete the task in front of me. With my MK82 Slicks selected (how I wish I had the long distance Mavericks), and with my finger poised to open the bay doors, I watched the distance meter slowly count down. As I reached the final few kilometres to the target, I opened the doors, the tracking beam beeping wildly in response to my increased radar footprint. Heartbeat racing, I hit the key to release my payload... A reassuring boom, and a destroyed tank farm on the MFD, provided me with proof that my primary objective had been completed. Feeling pretty good and confident about my flying abilities (Tom Cruise, eat your heart out), it was now time to concentrate on my secondary objective: photographing the sam radar site at Wittstock. Praying that no dramas were going to unfold as I neared my target, I waited until the radar site was completely filling the MFD forward view. When it did, I quickly opened the bay doors and took a series of photographs; the last one being key. Checking that the objective had indeed been completed, I closed the bay doors and headed in the direction of home. With a maximum of 16 colours being displayed at any one time (from a pallet of 512 or 4096, depending on the ST model), it meant that the developers at Microprose had to be savvy about how they were used. A good example of this usage is in how they managed to represent different depths of water. In the image below, it's clear to see which areas are the shallows and which are the deeper areas of the water. All these little details, while seemingly trivial by today's standards, really helped create a believable, albeit primitive, world to fly in. The resources available to developers at the time were miniscule, compared to the modern equivalents we have in front of us today, which makes games like F19 Stealth Fighter all the more remarkable! If you had to ask me what I thought was the hardest thing to learn with regards to F19, I would have to say, without a shadow of doubt, landings! This wasn't due to any lack of control, it was more to do with the low frame-rate of the game, coupled with the low resolution graphics. It meant (for me, anyway), that landings were always something to be feared. This is probably why I flew with 'no crashes' on most of the time! Anyway...I digress. As Leck Air Base came into view, I reduced both speed and altitude, whilst at the same time, lowering my flaps and gear. With the runway jerking its way towards me, I watched as my altitude went below 200 feet. A few moments later; 50, 40, 30, 20, 10...touchdown! Reducing power and applying the brakes, I carefully brought my trusty aircraft to a halt...phew! As the enthusiastic camera crews raced towards me, I opened the canopy and gave them the biggest, cheesiest grin I could muster... After my moment of fame, it was off to see the CO, and view a rundown of the mission. When my mission briefing was over it was time to relax with the boys, and what better way to do it than at the officers bar (something my dad would have been proud of). As you can probably tell, F19 Stealth Fighter made quite an impression on me, and it's one that has stuck with me through the years. Yes, it was simple by today's standards, but what it did, it did well, and that's something the developers should be proud of. A few years later, I was lucky enough to own a PC (386SX 33 MHz), and one of the best things I remember about owning it wasn't the fact that it had a hard drive and a VGA monitor; it was the fact that I could enjoy all the fantastic titles developed by Microprose! Some of these included: Gunship Gunship 2000 Silent Service II F117A Stealth Fighter 2.0 Formula One So there you have it; F19 Stealth Fighter was my introduction to flight simulation, and what an introduction it was! But that's my story; what about yours? Dominic Smith Purchase Micropros - F19 Stealth Fighter
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