This package is a NATOPS-driven modification to the Microsoft FSX default Acceleration Hornet.
The MS FSX: Acceleration Expansion Pack must be installed for the Sludge Hornets to work.
Also included are the ExhaustGasSmoke and F18_NoseVapor residing in the FX_Install folder.
F/A-18A "Sludge Hornet" Modification, Basic Version, without NoseVapor and Exhaust Gas
Smoke Effects. Recommended for use in 2 or more player FSX Multiplayer environment, as the
EGSmoke effect taxes frame rates considerably.
F/A-18A "Sludge Hornet" Modification, FX Version, with NoseVapor and Exhaust Gas Smoke Effects.
Recommended for use in single player free flight or two player FSX Multiplayer environment.
Recommend download/install Orion Lyau's Multiplayer SFCarrier2 multiplayer Mission. As it
compliments the Sludge Hornet and works very well with the PLAT CAM gauge for all potential LSOs.
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Features
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1. New Realistic HUD. Great looking, correllated, realistic VC HUD. Shift-2, opens HUD Control
Panel. Excellent symbology and spacing, along with ICLS needles and TACAN from either the
default, AI Carriers, or Javier's Carriers. Using 47X or 57x for default or Javier's carriers.
2. GPS-9 Panel. Shift-3. Standard GPS-9 for navigation.
3. Beech Bonanza Radio Stack and Autopilot Control. Shift-4. Allows setting all comm/nav radios
w/standby frequencies available for quick switching. Also allows easy autopilot
manipulation on lower portion of the panel.
4.# 2D HUD Indexer. Shift-5. Lower left side of HUD for non-TrackIR, 2D HUD users who
like to fly "meatball, lineup, indexer" on carrier approaches without the physical HUD
brackets getting in the way when flying in VC.
5.# Improved Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System (IFLOLS) gauge. Shift-5. For VC and/or
TrackIR flyers who would like to see the "Meatball" all the way down to the wires. Based on
IFLOLS 12-ball system, w/cut lights and reduced datum lights. Gauge position can be moved.
6. Carrier PLAT Camera Crosshair Gauge. Shift-6. Required for all FSX LSOs.
7. Carrier Trap Gauge. Shift-7. Modified gauge that gives Wire Trapped, Landing Speed, Alpha, and
Rate-of-Descent at carrier touchdown.
8. Refueling Gauge. Shift-8. Allows air-to-air refueling w/internal fuel percentage/status
updated on the HUD.
9. UpFrontController "BlackBox" Gauge/2D Indexer Logic. Shift-9. This Gauge is similar to the
Super Hornet's UFC by look, and has several integrated features. It controls Betty BARO
and RALT warning calls, fuel state is displayed in nearest hundred pounds in decimal form
(ie 5500 lbs = 5.5). Refuel Probe button extends refueling probe and opens Refueling Gauge
(shift-8) for use. Fuel Dump button activates the fuel dump switch. Bingo can be set using
your mouse wheel over the Bingo knob on the Fuel Panel in the VC, and will get accompanied
"Bingo" call from Betty when indicated Fuel State is reached.
2D Indexer Logic. Hook button will toggle between Carrier/Field, and will flash/not flash
Indexer according to real-world NATOPS-based logic if hook is lowered/retracted. Betty will
also call "fuel low" and illuminate the Master Caution when fuel drops below 800 lbs. in either
Left or Right Main Feed Tanks.
10. Landing Light will now auto shutoff when gear raised. User will not be able to activate
until landing gear is lowered. Can be selected AUTO via UFC gauge for automatic activation,
once landing gear is deployed.
11. Lowered landing gear profile and better behavior (ie, no-crashes or spin-outs on even
slighly off-center carrier traps).
12. Higher landing gear and flap drag values. Higher realism lower speed on-approach flight
profile. 85-88 percent N2 RPM on approach p/NATOPS standards.
13. Manual Flaps Modification. Allows manual command of Flaps (Leading Edge Flaps/Trailing Edge
Flaps): Flaps Up (0 LEF/0 TEF), Flaps HALF (15 LEF/20 TEF), and Flaps FULL (30 LEF/45 TEF).
14. Hook force change. More realistic time for hook to slow Hornet to a stop when wire caught.
15. Realistic Sound Pack. Real-life sounds for the Hornet, utilizing FSX Sound Cone
technology.
16.*Newer "Grunge Sludge" VMFA-323, dirty "desert combat tour" paint scheme. Selectable within
FSX in-game menu as the 5th Sludge Hornet paint.
# Only one of these two gauges can be installed, either the 2D HUD Indexer OR the VC
IFLOLS "Meatball" in the shift-5 slot. So the user will have to choose which one to install and
follow the instructions below.
* Both Basic/FX "Sludge Hornets" have 5 paints: NASA (416 FLTS), Aggressor (VFC-12),
USN (VFA-132), USMC (VMFA-314), and USMC (VMFA-323). They are now properly designated and
FSX-selectable by their squadron names. The "Grunge Sludge" will also be selectable from the
default Hornet paints, as it needs to be installed there as well, to work as a Sludge Hornet paint.
** However, anyone who doesnt install the "Grunge Sludge" Hornet paint MAY see a partially drawn
Hornet if they select the VMFA-323 Sludge Hornet. Also, in multiplayer, if not installed, your
selection MAY default back to the default Blues' paint scheme. FSX can be very unpredictable when
handling mismatched installs or unknowns.
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Installation
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TO INSTALL SLUDGE HORNETS:
- Unzip both SludgeFA18 (Basic and FX) folders to desktop or temporary folder.
- Cut/paste both SludgeFA18 folders into FSX\SIMOBJECTS\AIRPLANES folder.
- Go into SLUDGEFA18_FX/FX_Install folder, copy/paste both .fx files into FSX\EFFECTS folder.
- To install newer "Grunge Sludge Hornet" paint, go into SIMOBJECTS\AIRPLANES\SludgeFA-18_Basic\
INSTALL VMFA-323 TEXTURE folder, then follow the README.txt's instructions. You will have to
install this texture onto your default F-18, as the Sludge Hornet's textures are aliased to the
default FSX: Acceleration F-18's textures.
- Now, depending on personal preference, go into both SludgeFA18 (Basic/FX) main folders and rename
either the Panel_2D_Indexer folder to Panel OR Panel_VC_IFLOLS folder to Panel. IE, one who
chooses to fly with the 2D HUD Indexer, would rename Panel_2D_Indexer to Panel, leaving the
Panel_VC_IFLOLS alone, as FSX only uses the Panel folder. Conversely, one who wants the IFLOLS
(meatball) avail in VC would do the same procedure instead renaming the Panel_VC_IFLOLS to Panel.
Once installed, both Sludge Hornets are separately-selectable aircraft (Sludge F/A-18 Basic or FX),
and can be chosen using the in-game FSX Aircraft Selection menu screen.
TO REMOVE CANOPY GLASS:
- Rename FA_18_05_C.dds and FA_18_05_NIGHT_C.dds files in FSX\SimObjects\Airplanes\FA-18\Texture
folder to .bak files.
* This will remove canopy reflections from the default Hornet, as well as both Sludge Hornets.
** As this might adversely affect both the default Hornet and Sludge Hornets, please keep a backup
copy of both above listed files before changing them from .dds to .bak files.
TO INSTALL "MEATBALL" LIGHTS FIX AND BETTER DANTES STROBE/BEACON LIGHTS FOR SLUDGE HORNETS:
- Recommend download/install DFLIGHTS.zip from SurClaro, as the Sludge Hornet uses the beacon/
strobe lights from that modification. And, the included "halo.bmp" helps light definition
as well as using a value of 1.3 on the FSX.CFG light scalars will make the Meatball far easier
to breakout and discern each light individually.
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Statement of Use
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The "Sludge Hornet" modification is simply the culmination of months of effort in a quest
for a more realistic Hornet using all the resources openly available to all FSX simmers. Along
with modifying the original .air files, the aircraft.cfg file, and integrating minor changes
into the "panel" folder within the Hornet, I incorporated two effects found for public use on
FSDreamTeam.com forums. My intention was to add to the experience, realism, and flavor of FSX
by modifying the "default" MS FSX: Acceleration Hornet to a higher level of realism than what
was provided for in the original RTM FSX: Acceleration Hornet.
It was never my intent, nor is it now, to put out this package with the intent of financial
gain or infringement on the copyrights or credits of anybody involved. If I have left out any
person in the credits or any person feels I need to remove a modification/effect/gauge due to an
infringement, notify me and the situation will be rectified quickly and properly.
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Legality
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The "Sludge Hornet" Modification is freeware and is open to any modifications within the bounds
of copyrights and permissions listed below, especially Microsoft Corporation.
The author takes no responsibility for any adverse effects this modification may cause. Use at
your own risk.
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Copyrights and Credits
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FSDreamTeam.com user "Doum76" (actual name unknown). Engine Smoke and Hi-G LEX
Vapor effect. As he had released these files on the fsdreamteam.com/forum, any user was
free to use and incorporate these effects. The Hi-G LEX Vapor was remodelled to correctly
use Hi-G, positive AoA, and high speed for the LEX Vapor.
Orion Lyau. His ideas, proof-reading, and compilation/compression of the Sludge Hornets
into a single downloadable file. Also, for the quick idea to name it the "Sludge Hornet".
Duncan "Razgriz" Lee. Additional compilations and ideas with the "Sludge Hornet".
As well as his idea to change "hook force" for a more realistic carrier landing roll-out.
Joe "Average Joe" Garbrous. Real world Hornet flight test numbers.
Brian "Paco" Filler, Duncan "Razgriz" Lee, and Jivko "Neutrino" Rusev. Inputs on
engine performance and flight dynamics.
Umberto "Virtuali" Colapicchioni. FSDREAMTEAM.COM Administrator and FSX: Acceleration Pack
F/A-18 developer. The FSDreamTeam.com forum, where I am a member, and its many users. Their
many floated, realized, and sometimes unrealized, ideas in FSX modding.
