DCS: F-4E episode 2 video talks flight model

2–3 minutes

Heatblur have released episode 2 of their multi-part video series in advance of the release of the DCS: F-4E. This episode is focused on the flight model with a closer look at the work that Heatblur have gone through to make this F-4E fly in DCS World. Let’s have a look!

The “soft wing” F-4E

I’d never heard the term before but today I have learned something new. The F-4E, with leading edge slats, is apparently known as the “soft wing” version. Offering increased stability over earlier models, this version of the wing came later in the F-4’s development. The tradeoff being that the type had slightly higher drag affecting the overall performance of the type.

Heatblur go into some detail mentioning both the control systems for the F-4 as well as their work modeling all aspects of the F-4E’s engines from inlet to fuel injection system to the afterburner. There’s also discussion about failures with systems such as the “bellows inlet” (do I have that right?) freezing at high altitudes causing control issues. In short, Heatblur have modeled the F-4E’s systems intricately down to the usual fine details. No surprise for veterans of DCS World and Heatblur’s development.

No mention for release just yet

Speculation is rife right now on when the F-4E will finally go from its current pre-order status to launch. I have no idea when Heatblur intend to release this module but it’s certainly getting close and the launch of this new episode is further proof that we’re almost there.

With the current patch for DCS World out ad the next one likely to be 6-weeks away (if they adhere to the new cadence) it seems a bit questionable if Heatblur will hit their proposed launch window. The window they gave us was December to March. There’s still four weeks ahead of us so its quite possible that we’ll see the F-4E launch then. If it doesn’t, it’s quite possible that it’ll launch in the next six weeks hitting a mid April launch and missing the launch window by a week or two. In the grand scheme of things… not a big deal for one of DCS World’s most anticipated launches since the F-14 Tomcat. The wait for that one was worth it and so will the wait for this one.

12 responses to “DCS: F-4E episode 2 video talks flight model”

  1. oesau Avatar
    oesau

    Yes I nice video covering off a few new details about the level of detail they are going with this module albeit its still very high level isn’t it – not quite the cold and dark start ups and actually operating the aircraft (though to be fair they are layering the information to build towards that).

    As you noted – if DCS stick to the 6 weeks cycle its going to miss the release date they put forward which is going to annoy more than a few people as it keeps on getting pushed out.

    Regardless of the date – I’ve got my hands full with flying the Mirage F-1 (trying my hand at the older school aircraft) and the Hornet (because its been one of my fav aircraft in RL – outside the A-4K 🙂 )

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    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      I’m sure tutorial videos are on their way. Likely a good indicator that we’re almost there when they start up.

      Liked by 1 person

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  2. CanadaOne Avatar
    CanadaOne

    I better watch that video. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      It’s enjoyable!

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      1. CanadaOne Avatar
        CanadaOne

        …and expensive. 🙂

        But this thing really looks like you’ll get some serious flightsim tech for your hard earned dollar.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. busdriver Avatar
    busdriver

    FWIW I never heard the expression “soft wing” either. When I was in the RF-4 (80-86) my generation referred to the C, D, and the early E (prior to the LES mod) as “hard wing” jets. When it came to the E with LES I only heard guys say “L-E-S” rather than “soft wing.” LES along with TISEO became a mod in ~1972. It was introduced in SEA when the guys in the Rivet Haste program went to Udorn RTAFB in Nov 1972 and simply took over as the new 555th TFS (Triple Nickel) displacing the resident 555th crews into other squadrons on Udorn. There were no MiG kills with LES jets.

    Your takeaway? It’s pronounced L-E-S and not “less”, it’s pronounced “Tizzeo” and not T-I-S-E-O. The RF-4C was a lighter and aerodynamically cleaner jet that the F-4E with LES. When we were “3 bags full” (off the tanker with a full 600 gallon centerline and two full 370 gallon wing tanks) we were limited to the low 30 thousands. With 6 years in basically the same jet, I can’t recall being nervous or aware of a bellows inlet malf/failure.

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    1. ShamrockOneFive Avatar
      ShamrockOneFive

      Thanks Busdriver as always for the background information. Yeah a few of these terms I’d never heard of before and it’s not likely I hadn’t read at least some about the F-4.

      As always. Fascinating!

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    2. TORT Avatar
      TORT

      Very interesting! Certainly Ell-Ee-Ess is less of an affront to crew dignity than “soft” anything, but still, the mispronunciation risk is significant. The way I heard it (ahem), TAC eventually insisted on the formal engineering nomenclature for the improved wing configuration (“Mod, Operational, Wing, High Alpha”)…thus replacing LES with MOWHA. 

      But, I wasn’t there and it is quite possible I am making all this up.

      Mr. Busdriver, you seem very familiar. Is it possible that you were a regular fixture on a certain usenet flight-sim newsgroup twenty-five…I mean, just a couple of years ago? Just this last weekend I installed Falcon BMS 4.37, and I thought of a former Juvat from those golden days who never failed to entertain…

      Hm, that makes me feel old. It wasn’t usenet, it was, uh, Tiktok, yeah, and we were in the Taylor Swift fan club. I am young! Young I say!

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  4. bfr Avatar
    bfr

    I’m liking that there is a “if you keep doing this I might try and kill us all in a moment” alarm if you overcook the AoA. The actual controlled flight departures look pretty wild too if you do force it to do things it doesn’t want to.

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  5. Urgent Siesta Avatar
    Urgent Siesta

    It’s looking better and better. And by “better”, I mean “harder to fly”! 🙂

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  6. David Stewart Avatar
    David Stewart

    So many clocks and watches to watch, and why are they shaking so much…..red line it that long and it’ll become 30k rivets,bolts&panels, departing your formation. Embarrasing to say you were flying a stick, a seat, but the aircraft had disintegrated…..hell of a debrief. I’ve flamed out the Viggen a couple of times, if the flight model is anything like that I’ll never get checked out on it! My money is on Late March,BTW. It also looks a big more ‘steel girder’ like that the nice FBW aircraft

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  7. _BringTheReign_ Avatar
    _BringTheReign_

    The videos are great, the wait continues… but we are closer than ever before. Remember the Belsimtek F-4E announcement? The amount of joy I feel with this jet being around the corner is only tempered by the fact that I’m not already flying it!! Cheers

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