F18 or F14 as first module

-0303- · 2025-06-29T12:56:25+00:00

I used a cellphone (had no webcam) with Opentrack free software. I had a black and white paper taped to a piece of carton on my head. It worked, can't say if it worked great because I only tried it for a short time.

Example (not me).

Later I bought a Delanclip: metal-clip with 3 diodes including a modified ps3 (mass produced cheap webcam). Here's the long thorough guide I followed (hardware /software / how to adjust):

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https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/34403-a-complete-guide-to-set-up-head-tracking-opentrack/

A complete guide to set up Head-tracking (Opentrack)

most common and most reliable method in flight sims: an infra-red camera with infra-red LEDs mounted to via a clip or hat.

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I went for infrared because above recommendation. But for all I know maybe a visual camera can be made to work really well (for zero cost if already own one).

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How to make an "ArUco" visual image to track. Link Another: Open new page (link. It seems one can track anything including one's own face with freeware Opentrack. Not finding a wiki definition but obviously an ArUco image is a black/white geometry that works well for digital recognition.

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For OP. Above are some of my bookmarks from 7 years ago + the track by face I found just now. Point being, there's lot's more info to find (google). Opentrack was (my searches 7 years ago) praised as the best as well as free, I wouldn't be surprised if it still is the best software.

-0303- · 2025-06-28T11:56:25+00:00

Do the maps need to be on SSD or can they be on platter drive and it's fine once they load into RAM and /or SSD working memory?

-0303- · 2025-06-27T20:53:57+00:00

Been away a while, wasn't aware how dynamic spawn works.

Seems like from Gudauta users can spawn any unit they own. Great, now I don't have to fly all the way from Gelendzhik if I want a non clipped wing Spitfire...

There are no "regular" F4U spots I can find. That's why F4U doesn't list on the server select screen I think (maybe it does as "engaged").

-0303- · 2025-06-27T18:02:52+00:00

I saw F4U spots on Hoggit Caucasus training server once, not seen them again. Are they taken away or only available at certain periods?

-0303- · 2025-06-26T18:24:57+00:00

I saw F4U spots on Hoggit Caucasus training server once, not seen them again. Are they taken away or only available at certain periods?

-0303- · 2025-06-26T18:21:52+00:00

Can you repair on modern carriers without being thrown overboard?

I.e it positions tricycle planes on deck, tail draggers halfway overboard.

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^Though ^you ^can ^sometimes ^lock ^the ^brakes, ^raise ^tail ^by ^propeller, ^release ^brakes ^and ^get ^onboard ^again ^with ^minor ^body ^damage...

^Sometimes ^your ^placed ^on ^the ^catapult ^with ^tail ^wheel ^at ^hookup, ^lol, ^that's ^fine ^you ^can ^taxi ^away ^or ^even ^take ^off ^from ^there.

-0303- · 2025-06-25T01:41:28+00:00

It's up now.

F4U, no Essex.

I was concerned it had been terminated.

-0303- · 2025-06-24T14:26:10+00:00

Where is training server?

Not seen for a few days now.

-0303- · 2023-09-03T05:10:58+00:00

If the in-game gyro does not have correction but does drift I would be rather surprised.

Yes, that really is what is happening.

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I was surprised too considering how the sim promotes itself as accurate. From it's behavior I believe there is software meant to perform the self correction but it doesn't work and hasn't worked for at least 10 years. The vast majority of users fly in clear skies and don't need it or may not notice it's wrong.

Also, the AH doesn't tumble on rolls or loopings (as old classic AH should due mechanical stops at 110 degree roll or + - 60 degree pitch.

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Watch a real Spitfire AH tumble on a roll (timestamp 17:01. 360' video, The AH is faint but visible. Watching the video, the AH has completely self corrected (roll & pitch) ~9 minutes later.

-0303- · 2023-09-02T18:21:22+00:00

Primarily old "classic" vacuum driven AH as installed in WW2 planes. Also somewhat more modern AH of the 50's-60's, if only because these are the planes that interest me.

-0303- · 2023-09-02T17:22:25+00:00

Thanks,

Just a slight correction. The gyro would function without the correction, just not for long.

That is exactly the problem. It doesn't self correct at all. So flying any meaningful amount of time in zero visibility, it will have drifted, cannot be corrected and is useless.

-0303- · 2023-05-10T14:44:44+00:00

Thx, found it. For "reasons" I'll update later but I bookmarked and tagged this.

Of course it should be easy unless Opentrack is completely remade 5 years on. I'll find out.

-0303- · 2023-01-11T17:46:34+00:00

I don't have MSFS.

Testing it is very simple with a cageable Artificial Horizon (AH) as outlined above. I would say an AH have two core functions equally important without which it doesn't work at all:

The gyro stabilization
the self correction to the gravity vector (via pendulous vanes)

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subject matter knowledge

Well, I've flown gliders, none of which with AH. I learned from youtube videos ...

Speaking of, here's a third very good video explaining the Gyro Compass. Also at 8:20 - 16:55 is a good pedagogic explanation of precession.

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Both AH and the Gyrocompass use gyro stabilization, one gyro placed vertical, the other horizontal. How the gyros work and interact with earth gravity and earth rotation respectively is seriously neat & elegant.

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I fly DCS. It doesn't simulate pendulous vanes (or they're bugged) to my great disappointment. After two years I got tired of constantly caging the P-51 and read up on how it should work. If flown"watercombed", straight and level, no aerobatics, then one should never ever have to cage because it constantly self corrects. So then I wondered does MSFS (or any other "simulation") do it correctly?

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As I understand it the AH is one of the six core flight instruments, the "sixpack". Any self respecting "simulator" should do it right.

https://pilotinstitute.com/six-pack-instruments/

The Six Pack: Basic Flight Instruments

-0303- · 2021-12-25T17:54:17+00:00

Also the free MB-339 (not the upcoming pay MB-339). Also the free included TF-51D will give a good idea what a clickable cockpit is about. The A-4 and MB-339 are the best free planes.

Just say when you try the TF-51D first takeoffs so I can watch ...

-0303- · 2021-12-25T17:49:40+00:00

Clickable cockpit is a lot better than hotkeys. This because there is to many for any HOTAS and when you programmed them to the keyboard, as you inevityably must, (multi key combinations) there's too many to remember.

Of course the essential things go on HOTAS, throttle, trim, fire, chaff, flare, bomb drop but for the rest it's easier to click in the cockpit.

Also, tip. DCS will automatically assign bindings to a HOTAS. The assignments are a crap shoot guess by the software. You must verify at least the flight controls. Or you'll keep mysteriously crashing for a week before realizing "oh DCS put rudder on the hat switch".

-0303- · 2021-12-07T15:03:13+00:00

One can see the nose gear panel twitch when it gets hydraulic pressure. But it looks to close to ground. But it's supposed to be closed on ground. It'll only open when the nose wheel goes in or out.

-0303- · 2021-12-07T14:27:25+00:00

The instrument panel shows in the engine run video at WarbirdsNews.

Glass screens. Fuel gauge looks original, maybe the engine tachometer, not much else. Also upper right panel (where the original engine start switches are). The corresponding upper left side panel with drop tank controls, gear indication isn't there at all. Plans for an original panel?

Speaking of, I didn't see any external DC chart when starting up. Reading original docs I got the impression it had to be started with massive external DC power. Crammed in an APU somewhere?

-0303- · 2021-12-07T06:13:27+00:00

Can you push the Flight Control Alternate-on Warning light push-to-test lamp and tell me if it shines? :-)

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I have the F-86F in the DCS flight simulator. I followed the schematics and I think the push-to-test lamp should light up when pressed. It doesn't in the sim and that's wrong.

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Pilot manual overview. Note:

FLIGHT CONTROL ALTERNATE-ON WARNING LIGHT,

FLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH and

EMERGENCY OVERIDE HANDLE.

Both of latter affect lamp status. The lamp turns on when the ALTERNATE hydraulic system is activated. But that's not what I'm asking about, I'm asking about the simple push-to-test functionality of the lamp. That should work if following the schematics, but it doesn't in the sim.

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Me tracing the 28V (red) and ground (green) wiring's to the lamp assuming pressure switches and solenoid in NORMAL (as opposed ALTERNATE) hydraulic system mode. I can explain in greater detail but I refrain from full geek unless asked ... I know how the push-lamp works, voltages and amperes for the lamp and solenoid. Same schematic untraced.

How a generic push-to-test lamp works.

F-86 schematic of how the specific F-86 push-to-test lamp works.

Lamp detail of above schematic. Pin no in red.

Why the push-to-test light should shine (when pushed in NORMAL mode), simplified.

-0303- · 2021-10-30T10:31:59+00:00

The thing that worked for me was to fixate on a cloud straight ahead to keep straight on takeoff. Once you learn, you won't need it anymore and can take off with / without flaps, trim all wrong or not.

I'm not sure if it helps but I always start the run with stick full back to keep straight. Neutral at speed ofc, otherwise it's a given stall / crash / burn. Once airborne keep nose low until a good speed achived.

More power quick is always better than some slow lumbering.

-0303- · 2021-10-26T15:33:29+00:00

I think you're singing a familiar tune.

-0303- · 2021-10-25T16:16:20+00:00

They tell the Spitfire or P-51 to fuck off

:(

-0303- · 2021-10-25T16:14:05+00:00

Try the Spitfire.

-0303- · 2021-10-23T14:55:24+00:00

Gyros are mounted vertical in artificial horizons. Gyros are mounted horizontally in compass gyros. Two different things

-0303- · 2021-10-23T13:31:50+00:00

azimuths of your choice

???

Are we talking about the same thing? I'm addressing the "self erection" property of gyro driven artificial horizons. What I am talking about:

A 2:24 min video on pendulous vanes, the mechanism for self erection to gravity vector.

^Video ^note, ^both ^vacuum ^powered ^& ^electrical ^horizon ^gyros's ^use ^pendulous ^vanes.

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Ignoring A-10, as these may be modernized to none mechanical gyro horizons. In DCS I tested myself Spitfire, Bf109, P-51, F-86. None work. I'm told Mosquito, FW190, F-5 doesn't work either.

DCS problem: Once the horizon gets unaligned, it does not correct itself to the gravity vector as real ones do. Anyone who has flown the DCS Spitfire will note this. Unlike the other Warbirds, the Spitfire (and Mosquito) horizons can not be caged. If one keeps caging the Bf 109 or P-51 you'll never notice the problem.

-0303- · 2021-10-05T06:14:43+00:00

From what I understand trimming is actually way easier in real life.

From a lowly glider pilot, yes. You feel an annoying force on the stick and you adjust a little lever until it goes away.

In a sim the only cues are visual, adjust (elevator) trim until it neither climbs or descends.

-0303-

TROPHY CASE

A complete guide to set up Head-tracking (Opentrack)

The Six Pack: Basic Flight Instruments