Thunderbird 1 simulator version 2.0 (March 2003) by Ken Bertschy (Kentop@dakotacom.net) and Brian Douglas (bgadouglas@tiscali.co.uk)

Flight Dynamics Copyright Jim Atkins.

Thunderbird 1 version 2.0 contains the following enhancements:

Vertical take off and landing
All new flight dynamics
Animated vtol belly rocket

Installation

Unzip file TB1 into your aircraft directory.


Controls

F5 - Forward thrust
56 - /\
F7 - \/
F8 - Vertical thrust

Variable Wing geometry - Assign key(s) of your choice in "assignments" to the tailhook command.

The flight dynamics are the star of this release. Thanks to Brian Douglas, TB1 now actually
flies like TB1. He adapted the excellent Harrier Air file (used by kind permission of Alejandro Villa)to fit the special needs of TB1.
He also animated the belly rocket ( for effect toggle smoke (I) key for take off/landing),and has tweaked the wing animation.

The swing wings are now assigned to the Tailhook raise and lower command. This way, you can fly horizontally with the wings open without messing up the flight dynamics.

Taking off- F8, (no need to disengage parking brake) then apply full throttle, and as the craft rises apply horizontal thrust either F5 or incrementally - F6.

Landing TB1 is a bit tricky, as is landing the Harrier, I essentially cut power, glide down to
runway, stall it, and drop down with varying degrees of flaps. There's probably a better
to land it, but it works for me.

Everybody who has watched the original Thunderbirds TV shows knows that no two models
of TB1 are alike. They're all different scales and designs and if you watch carefully,
you'll see changes in the landing gear, lettering, and wing shapes from scene to scene!
For the purposes of this model. I used the TB1 seen the the episode "Terror in New York".
This is because you can see the craft from all angles in that episode.

A virtual cockpit by Brian Douglas is in the works and will be posted seperately.

This file is (c) Ken Bertschy/Brian Douglas 2003.

Thunderbirds is copyright of Carlton International Media Ltd.
No infringement of any commercial rights is intended. The authors wish
to promote a favourite TV show via this model.

This Thunderbird Model may be freely distributed so long as
this text file remains attached, but copyright remains with the
creators. The authors shall not be held liable for any loss of data,
down time, loss of revenue or any other direct or indirect damage or
claims caused by this model. No commercial use of any kind is allowed.

I am currently modeling Thunderbird 2 in GMAX. Email me at the above address for comments, ideas, gripes or encouragement.

Ken Bertschy