FSX Grumman Tracker S2F Firebomber Update

Grumman Tracker S2F Firebomber. A complete update of the cockpit 2D, VC and performance. For use with a single screen and uniquely offers a 2D triple screen 3840 x 1024 resolution cockpit display. Original aircraft design by Emmanuel Geffroy included. Update version 2 corrects the proper installation of gauges and replaces the earlier version. By Emile Lancee.

Notes and installation advice for the Grumman Tracker Firebomber originating from Emmanuel Geffroy.

Installation:

Aim of the game was to create a version that was easier to use and fit for use in FSX.

After that it became more complex and the end is not there yet.

Have a try and tell me where I went wrong.

1. Dependant on the file you downloaded, Unzip and copy the folder Grumman S2FT Tracker FSX Freeware version in the zipfile to your "Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Aircraft" folder.

2. Go now to the new "Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Aircraft\Grumman S2FT Tracker SFX Abacus version folder\Other files" directory and copy the content of the FSX effects file in the FSX \ effects folder.

3. The sound folder includes a simple reference to the standard FS9 Beech King air turboprop sound.For the sound file I however recommend you to find a sound file that is used for the De Havilland Canada Dash 7 that has PT6 engines installed to make things more realistic.

4. The design alerations were mainly concentrated on the aim to get a better Virtual Cockpit. However during the works I decided to go for a new 2D cockpit concept with a Pilot and Flight Officer mainpanel and for the people operating three displays the joy of having a proper 2D flightdeck aswell. Both 2D and VC cockpit were brought in line with each other.

5. There are 3 flightdeck versions

a. Standard version with a 2D flightdeck optimized for displays having a resolution of 1280 x 1024 and VC.
b. Wide view version with a 2D flightdeck optimized for people that like to work with 3 displays having a total resolution of 3840 x 1024 and VC.
c. Wide view version with a 2D flightdeck that has a correction for the correct position of the split between screens and optimized for people that like to work with 3 displays having a total resolution of 3840 x 1024 and VC.

Note: People using only a single 1280 x 1024 resolution screen may opt to eliminate the panel.wide and panel.wide1 folders as they will produce a totally distorted panelview when opened.For the aircraft.cfg file it simply means elimination of the [fltsim.1] and [fltsim.2] entries

Add On

Squeaking brakes.

Where you want to make use of the squeaking brakes designed by Diego Barreto follow the procedure hereafter.

1. Go to the "Grumman S2FT Tracker FSX Freeware version\Other files\FSX Squeaking brakes" folder.

2. From the folder "FSX Sound file" copy the complete folder "squeaking brakes" into your "Flight Simulator X\Sound" folder.

3. Copy the gauge "squeaking brakes_Sound.gau" as well as the complete folder "squeaking brakes" contained in folder "FSX Gauges file" to your "Flight Simulator X\Gauges" folder.

Notes:

1. The excellent proptextures and squeaking brakes are copies of the files created by Diego Barreto.

2. The original Grumman Tracker Firebomber was created for FS9 by Emmanuel Geffroy.

3. The VC flightdeck is created on the basis of the original aircraft from Emmanuel Geffroy of Restauravia and will give only limited detail.

4. You will find icons on the main instrument panel allowing you to select First officer panel, Radio stack, GPS, Pilot and First Officer Control wheel, Overhead panel, Enlarged HSI and ADI Engine management, Retardant Dump Control and the ATC and Crew door opening.

5. The changes made are for the Flightdeck and overall Performance of the aeroplane.

6. Payload release in relation to the aircraft belly is now more realistic.

7. A more elaborate Engine management panel was added to allow better control.

8. The design alerations were mainly concentrated on the aim to get a better Virtual Cockpit. However during the works I decided to go for a new 2D cockpit concept with a Pilot and Flight Officer mainpanel and for the people operating three displays the joy of having a proper 2D flightdeck aswell. Both 2D and VC cockpit were brought in line with each other.

9. For the flightdeck I tried to give you a better view on the outside and sides in a 2D situation. Gauges were used from the standard gauges available with FlightSim and others found with various aircraft having no copywrite on them and where nesecarry modified. Of course I herewith like to thank all gaugedesigners for there excellent work. Thanks go to the FsFan people helping to test these modifications and gauge designers Dennis Seeley, Massimo Taccoli, Andrea Cini,Fabrizio Berretta, Harald Scheidl and Diego S. Barreto. With a special thanks to Don from the FlightSim Panel & Gauge Design Forum helping me out with the dropping gauge sequencing.

10. For the dumping of the retardant one single "DUMP" button is positioned on the glareshield that operates the opening of the doors and simultaniously dumps the load. Operation is by a "single" click of the mouse. After the dump simply push the "Reset" button "once" again and the doors will close and the system is ready for another drop.

11. The performance has been tweaked by adjusting the deceleration rate to allow a better target approach and glidepath control.For dumping your load the recommended speed is around 120 Knots and flaps down fully. So to decellerate to your ideal dumping speed select flap on your decent and dump at the correct speed. Full flaps to be selected for structural and maneouvrability reasons.Both changes were implemented in the air file and aircraft config file

Further the maintanks will be emptied first as the full tiptanks take care for a better wing loading.

12. Brakeperformance has been adjusted aswell as landing distance was excessive.

13. Activation for propellor feathering is by simply shutting the HP Cock or pushing the Feather button on the Overhead or Engine management panel.

When starting the engines it is recommended to use the automatic command from FlightSim ( Control + E ) or the AUTO Start button on the Engine Management panel or the buttons on the Engine Management panel and overdhead panel that can be displayed pushing the icon on the center instrumentpanel. Starting can/will be corrupted when using the buttons on the Engine Management panel or those on the overhead panel. It is not known sofar why this happens.

Relighting an engine after an inflight shutdown requires you to unfeather the engine first.

14. Landingspeed with a low weight will be around 90 knots and you better stick to that. For higher landingweights just try.

15. Cruisespeed is 210 Knots.

DISCLAIMER

I HAVE TRIED TO GET IN CONTACT WITH Emmanuel Geffroy of Restauravia.com HOWEVER UNTILL TODAY NO REACTION HAS BEEN RECEIVED. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK HIM FOR THE FANTASTIC WORK HE DID BY CREATING THE DESIGN. HOWEVER I HAVE TAKEN THE LIBERTY TO MODIFY THE ORGINAL FILES WHERE I FELT IT WAS REQUIRED TO GET A BETTER PRODUCT. I WOULD LIKE TO GET IN CONTACT WITH THE DESIGNER TO COME TO AN PROJECT TO IMPROVE THE DESIGN AND MAKE IT MORE FIT FOR FSX.

THE PANEL HAS BEEN TESTED MANY TIMES TO ENSURE THE PROPER OPERATION OF THIS SOFTWARE, AND ALL IS DONE TO AVOID ERRORS IN THE CONFIGURATION OF THE PANEL.I WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL INCIDENTAL OR ANY SYSTEM DAMAGE DUE TO THE FAILURE OR IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE. THERE IS NOT ANY WARRANTY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED FOR ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.

THESE MODIFICATIONS ARE FREEWARE AND THEREFORE ANY COMMERCIAL USE OF THIS PRODUCT IS FORBIDDEN.

On the wishlist are still a few things i would like to improve.

1. A better resolution for the Virtual Cockpit.

Is there anybody that can give me some help or guidance or clues how to do it.

Have fun.

Emile lancee

The Netherlands

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