FS2004 Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23A Black Widow II PAV-1 87800 and PAV-2 87801.
Informations:
This is a more complete package than the original aircraft you can find on www.SurClaro.com (file: yf-23.zip, download number 31329, exclusively from Daniel Buechter and Bryan Betts). It adds to the original aircraft many other features (that you can find listed below) to simulate as best as possible the real YF-23A.
Copyrights:
3D Model, Textures and Flight Manual by Daniel Buechter (Daniac@gmx.de).
Flight Dynamics, Sound and Flight Manual by Bryan Betts (slip_1@cfw.com).
Flight Dynamics Mods, Panel, Effects and Package by Simone Pratticò (spratti77@virgilio.it).
Original Effects by JR (resdes@earthlink.net)
HUD and many other gauges by Eric Marciano (emarciano@free.fr).
MFD and many other gauges by Cyril Pioffet (j.pioffet@wanadoo.fr).
Background panel image by Johan Peeters (eurofighter_typhoon@pandora.be)
Features:
-GMAX built 3D model with basic virtual cockpit.
-Detailed, high-resolution, reflective dxt3 textures.
-Transparent reflective canopy and detailed pilot.
-Fully animated control surfaces.
-Fully animated landing gear.
-Afterburner effect that works realistically when AB command is selected.
-Very realistic Flight Dynamics based on virtual wind tunnel data.
-Custom sounds, mixed to be throaty and powerful.
-Condense contrails for wing tips, fuselage and flaps.
-Flight Checklist, Procedures, References and Flight Manual.
-Realistic Panel.
Installation:
Extract the files to your FS2002 root folder. Make sure you have "use folder names" checked in the extraction program.
History:
In 1981, the Air Force developed a requirement for an Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) as a new air superiority fighter. It would take advantage of the new technologies in fighter design on the horizon including composite materials, lightweight alloys, advanced flight control systems, higher power propulsion systems, and stealth technology. Air Force leaders believed these new technologies would make aircraft like the F-15 and F-16 obsolete by the early 21st century. In 1985, the Air Force sent out technical requests for proposals to a number of aircraft manufacturing teams (Boeing/General Dynamics and Northrop/McDonnell Douglas). The Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) project was conceived in the early years of Reagan administration. It was pictured as being the aircraft which would replace the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle in USAF service. The competitors were Lockheed with its YF-22A and Northrop/McDonnell Douglas with its YF-23A. Like the YF-22A team, the Northrop team built two YF-23A prototypes, P[rototype] A[ir] V[ehicle] 1 (s/n 87800, known as "Grey Ghost") and 2 (s/n 878001, known as "Spider"), the first with Pratt & Whitney YF-119 engines and the last whit General Electric YF-120 engines. The first prototype rolled out in June 22, 1990 and began flight testing on August 29. This was 2 days before Lockheed had presented their competitor, the YF-22A. The flight program lasted 65 hours divided into 50 flights, ended by second prototype 18th Dec 1990. Flight testing was very successful, unfortunately the more conventional YF-22A won the competition in 1991. The YF-23A is said to have been more stealthy and faster that the YF-22A, while the YF-22A was more maneuverable and had a better thought out (and already working) missile deployment system. It is rumored that the outcome was partly due to economical reasons, and YF-23A technology might be flying today in more recent, classified developments.
Specifications:
Prime Contractor: Northrop Corp.
Subcontractor: McDonnell Douglas Corp.
Type: YF-23A "Black Widow" II
Year: 1990
Crew: 1
Number Built: 2 (PAV-1 (87-800), PAV-2 (87-801))
Engines: 2 YF-119-PW-100 (PAV-1) or 2 YF-120-GE-100 (PAV-2)
Maximum Speed: 1.6M (No AB), 2.0M (AB)
Cruise Speed: 1.45M at 36000Ft
Service Ceiling: 65000Ft
Take Off Lenght: 3500Ft
Maximum G-Loads: +9/-4 Clean at High Altitude
Combat Radius: 750Nm
Empty Weight: 29000Lb
Normal Weight: 54000Lb
Combat Weight: 62000Lb
Fuel Load: 2400Gal
Wingspan: 43.7Ft
Lenght: 67.5Ft
Height: 13.11Ft
Wing Area: 900sqFT
Weapons Load (Planned): 8+ Short/Mid Range AAM + 1 Vulcan Cannon
Remarks: Lost ATF Program to YF-22A
Notes:
We tried to recreate flight dynamics, visuals and animations as accurately as possible. However some tradeoffs had to be made, as there is very limited information easily available on this unique aircraft and due to some limitations of FS2004. Any reliable information unknown to us is welcome for possible future releases. Also, feel free to contact us if you want to contribute to our project.
Bugs:
As of now, the bay doors sometimes open, sometimes not.
This aircraft package is released as FREEWARE.
DO NOT MAKE MONEY WHIT THIS PACKAGE WHITOUT AUTHORIZATION OF ANY AUTHORS INVOLVED IN IT!!!
Copyright (C) Daniel Buechter, Bryan Betts. All rights reserved.
Further Copyright (C) goes to the respective authors of all the components in this package.
Use at your own risk! (It is highly improbable that this software will damage any computer. However, we cannot be held responsible for any damage that might occur while using this product.)
Please respect the freeware policy and copyright laws.
Please do not distribute this package without prior written consult from the copyright holders, especially on "hard media", e.g. CDs for magazines.
