FS2004/FSX Boeing F4B-2 naval biplane fighter
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The Boeing F4B biplane served as the primary carrier based fighter aircraft for the US Navy in the early 1930s, remaining in service in various support and training roles until the early 1940s. It was the last wooden-winged, biplane fighter produced by Boeing and used by the US Navy. The large quantity of F4Bs built helped to establish Boeing as an important aircraft manufacturer and to keep the firm in business during the hard economic times of the Great Depression.

Two prototypes aircraft designated XF4B-1 were first flown on June 25, 1928, and delivered to the Navy for evaluation. After extensive trials by the Navy, an order for twenty-seven production aircraft was placed with Boeing. The first F4B-1 aircraft were delivered in the summer of 1929 to the Red Rippers of VB-1B on the USS. Lexington. The new fighter was capable of reaching speeds of more than 175 mph, and could carry five 24 lb bombs under each wing and one 500 lb bomb or a 41-gallon auxiliary fuel tank beneath the fuselage. Armament on the F4B-1 consisted of two .30-caliber machine guns synchronized to fire through the propeller arc.

In June of 1930 the Navy contracted for forty-six additional improved versions, with deliveries beginning in January of the following year. The F4B-2 differed from the original design by having a redesigned ring cowling which covered the radial engine, an improved split-axle landing gear, and Friese ailerons. Maximum air speed was increased to 186 mph, and the airplane could carry four 116-lb wing mounted bombs.

While production of the F4B-2 was in progress, Boeing began development of a new version. Instead of the bolted, alloy-tube fuselage of the earlier design, the F4B-3 had an all-metal semi-monocoque fuselage. The two-spar, fabric-covered wings with corrugated metal control surfaces were retained. The engine was replaced by the Pratt & Whitney R-1340-10, which was fitted with a drag ring. The Navy contracted for seventy-five F4B-3s. The first airplane was delivered on Christmas Eve in 1931

The fourth and final version of the F4B series was the F4B-4. Essentially an F4B-3 with a broader chord fin and a larger headrest for an inflatable life raft, the F4B-4 was first ordered in April 1931, and the last of ninety-two aircraft were delivered on February 28, 1933. Twenty-one of these airplanes were assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps. The F4B-4 maintained the good flight characteristics of the earlier versions despite greater weight and increased power. Only when overloaded and at maximum speed did the F4B-4 exhibit any instability.

Total production of the F4B (and the Army version P-12's) reached 586 aircraft, 210 of them delivered to the Navy.

Effects
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-On startup there is automatic engine smoke.
-Guns with flash, smoke and falling cartridges can be triggered with the standard Strobe key (O).
It is much nicer however if you put the FS2004/FSX standard Strobe key (O) to the trigger from your joystick.You can change this in the Key menu.
It is a good idea if you replace the standard (L) key for lights by the L+CTRL, (normaly activating the landing lights only). This avoids you having to have all lights on when pulling the trigger.
-The droptank appears/disappears by using the spoiler key.

Installation:
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-Unzip " Boeing F4B-2" into a temporary file and move the "Boeing P F4B-2" folder into the main Aircraft directory.
-With slight mods the plane flies in FS2002 and CFS2 (Use MDLC program)
-Leave the PW-9.cab in your panelfolder.
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-Read instructions carefully when installing the gauges , say YES...when asked if the gauges sources should be trusted. If you say no....most of the gauges are not going to work !
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-Copy the effects into the Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator X\effects folder.
-Add the 20can.wav in your Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator X\sound folder.
ATTENTION :
-For FS2004, change the FS9_Wing_Guns.fx into fx_Wing_Guns.fx
-For FSX change the FSX_Wing_Guns.fx into fx_Wing_Guns.fx


Flying the plane:
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Remember...this is an early fighter biplane ! Manoeuvrability is very good, it rolls fine and is responsive to rudder and elevator. Nice flying aerobatics close to the tower !
Gather as much speed as possible for a loop. On top of it, cut throttle, or the Gs will breakup the plane. Wing over, knife edge, segment rolls are all possible.
- Hold up elevator to start the engine, you have no brakes and the tailskid must firmly be on the ground to stop the plane.
- Take off at about 80, correct with right rudder
- Climb at 115, level at altitude, speed slowly builds up to 160 kts.
- Landing approach at 100, over the fence at 90, touchdown at 75. You need some up trim for a threepointer.
- Hold up elevator for the tailskid to brake the plane when taxying.


CREDITS
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Special thanks to :
-GMAX for the drawing program and Microsoft for their makmdls.mdk.
-To Edouardo Fadul whose F-11 fuselage and wing textures were used as a starting point for these new textures.

LEGAL:
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The project is released as freeware. You may modify it and repaint it. You may upload this file to another website as long as it is not for profit.
You need the written permission of the original authors to use any of these files for commercial purposes, otherwise a simple credit would be nice. Non commercial repaints-remakes from the original file are welcome but I would appreciate very much receiving a copy of your model.
This file should not cause any problems with your computer, but I accept no responsibility if you think it does.


Happy Landings!!

A.F.Scrub
August 2008
Email: af_scrubbypc@hotmail.com