FIREFLASH for FS 2002/4 GMAX model by Brian Douglas, FD/repaint/effects by Martyn Becker. Thanks to Rob Barendregt for his afterburner effects.
As featured in the 1960s TV series 'Thunderbirds' where it appeared in 4 episodes.
The aircraft in the programme was capable of speeds in excess of Mach 6 at 250,000 feet. With the restrictions of FS, the normal stable cruise parameters of the model are M3.20 at FL700, with normal crash detection set.


On the ground:
Use the Virtual Cockpit view for taxi - this is the most impressive view on the ground. If you've never seen the TV programme - the cockpit is in the tailplane, hence the high viewpoint.

__________________________________________

Take-off and ascent:
Fireflash is very powerful and only needs around half power for take-off. Because of the efficiency of the wings, no flaps are necessary.

The dynamics are designed for use with the autopilot. Fireflash can be flown manually also but will need frequent attention to the trim so that she doesn't become unstable. She flies best with autopilot engaged and like this, will achieve a safe cruise of M3.20 at FL700 without having to disable FS' crash detection systems to do it.

Vr is 190 kts, no flaps. Fireflash will climb at 9,000 fpm subsonically if necessary but the passengers might feel a little like astronauts! Half of that ascent rate should be fine for normal flying.
__________________________________________

Cruise:
Throttle control is controlled by autopilot at cruise speed of M3.20. It is not recommended that you do this manually at this speed, as small changes in throttle level can potentially have a noticeable (and usually disastrous) effect on stability and speed. Normal cruise altitude is FL700, with a ceiling of FL750. (Fireflash starts to get a nose-up attitude over FL720-750.) Once stable, increased simulation rate can be used to take you long distances in short periods of time (x8 is approximately equivalent to real-world escape velocity!). Note that with 16x simulaton rate, the speed at which you are flying causes the plane to move away from the set GPS course, so you occasionally need to reduce to normal rate and let the GPS catch up!
__________________________________________

Descent:
Begin powered descent at around 500 miles from destination. Fireflash can decelerate more quickly, but the passengers would not like it! Aim to cross FL450 at Mach 2, FL350 at Mach 1. You can use the autopilot for this.
__________________________________________

Landing:
For deceleration down to <10,000 feet, use the airbrakes (around 30% should be sufficient). Fireflash uses flaps for landing, approach speed being around 145 to 155 knots with no airbrake and full flaps. Again, because of wing efficiency, airbrakes may be necessary down to around 220 knots depending on vertical speed. Don't extend the flaps beyond 230kts, or flap damage may occur. Airbrakes can be gradually retracted as the flaps are extended in increments. Decrease speed in good time, as she does not slow quickly at approach speeds.
__________________________________________


The safe range is around 10,000 statute miles in its current FS configuration. In 'Thunderbirds' the six Atomus engines are atomic powered - although the various Fireflash models in the show had either two or three exhaust vents compared with three intake vents. (Two are modelled here.) As atomic engines are not mirrored in FS(!), traditional jet fuel is used. The aircraft is configured for two engines (two pods of three engines each) so that a two-engine jet panel works best for flight. Make sure that the panel has airbrake/spoiler controls and a mach readout that will display up to Mach 3.20, this model's safe cruising speed. (A gauge like this is available in the original FS2000 Concorde gauge (concorde.gau) file.)

Reheat is fitted but is only necessary to be used over the acceleration period from M1.2 to M2.5 to counter trans-sonic drag. After this, reduction in thrust is necessary as efficiency increases with altitude.

Fireflash has a very wide track because of its design. She is therefore best operated from major airports with wide enough runways!