Romain Lucas (romain.lucas@wanadoo.fr) : exterior visual model, virtual cockpit
(both made with gmax),
textures and graphics,
flight dynamics (AIR file based on
"f14a.air" file by Dino Cattaneo)
Eric Marciano (emarciano@free.fr) : gauges programming and panel configuration.
Thanks :
to Frank Safranek for his help and his support since the beginning of this project,
to Antoine Grondeau for his wonderful photos of the interior of the Mirage 2000,
to Alex Bashkatov for his ADI gauge,
to Nicolas Joubert for his idea of making this aircraft.
Panel and virtual cockpit
-------------------------
Given the lack of information about the true cockpit of the Mirage 4000, many
textures and virtual cockpit and panel elements are based on Mirage 2000 ones. The
panel includes an interception radar which shows planes driven by the IA. It needs
FSUIPC. To get more information about the panel usage, the multi-function display
and the radar, please refer to the other documents enclosed in this zip file.
The panel is optimized for the 1024 x 768 resolution, but to use the HUD (Head Up
Display) in virtual cockpit at zooms under 1.00, you should have a higher resolution
than 1024 x 768 for optimal readability.
History
-------
The original decision was reached in September 1976 to begin construction of a
twin-engined prototype, in parallel with the Mirage 2000 fighter project, which had been
selected by the French Government. One aircraft being in fact technically derived from
the other, design work and construction were arranged at the same time for both, their
first flight being however scheduled with an interval of one year. This 20-ton Mach 2
aircraft was developed and built as a private venture by the French aeronautical industry,
and particularly by Dassault-Breguet, responsible for the airframe and for the complete
integration of all equipment items.
On its first flight, on 9 March 1979 at Istres, it reached Mach 1.2, piloted by Jean-Marie
Saget. It reached Mach 1.6 on its second flight and, on its sixth flight (on 11 April),
it reached Mach 2.04 and flew at angles of attack of up to 25° during a spin analysis.
Its twin SNECMA M53 engines, in the 10-ton thrust class ( 22,000 lbs ) provide a thrust/weight
ratio greater than 1:1.
The Mirage 4000 has reduced drag, combined with the simple and compact design of the
pure-delta wing configuration. Twin "canards" fitted on each side of the air intakes in
front of the wing help a smooth airflow at high angle of attack while substantially improving
maneuverability. All these qualities make the Mirage 4000 one of the rare aircraft which
were comparable to the American F-15 at that time.
By 1980, Saudi Arabia was considering acquiring some Mirage 4000. France's defense
committee ruled that 50 Mirage 4000s should be acquired to replace the Mirage IV. However,
no orders materialized, mainly because of its high cost (and because the Mirage 2000 was a
better value). In 1986, Dassualt re-activated it, it was renamed 'Mirage 4000,' (from
'Super Mirage 4000') and was re-painted with desert camouflage on the upper surfaces. It
was used as a chase plane and a testbed for the Rafale program, researching the behavior
of a canard-delta configuration in turbulence. Finally it was transferred to Paris as a
permanent exhibit outside the "Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace" where it is still today.
Characteristics
---------------
Wingspan....................... 11.93 m
Length......................... 18.72 m
Empty weight................... 13,490 kg
Combat weight.................. 16,100 kg
Max take off weight............ 32,000 kg
Wing loading................... 220 kg/m²
External loads................. > 8,000 kg
Powerplant .................... 2 SNECMA M53 turbofans
Max Mach in level flight....... Mach 2.2
Approach speed................. 140 kts
Climbing speed................. > 1,000 ft/s
Operational ceiling............ 65,000 ft
Range with external tanks...... > 3,700 km
Installation
------------
Extract "mirage4k.zip" file to your "fs2002" folder.
WARNING: To work properly, the radar requires FSUIPC module, version 2.87 or higher.
You can download it on Pete Dowson's web site:
http://www.schiratti.com/dowson.html
Documentation
-------------
See the enclosed images containing all the necessary information for the panel usage.
They are located in the "Doc" sub-directory of the aircraft.
- Panel Doc Main.gif: general explanations for the panel
- Panel Doc AP.gif: specific explanations for the autopilot
- Panel Doc AMF Menu.gif: specific information about the menu page of the MFD
- Panel Doc AMF Radio.gif: specific information about the radio page of the MFD
- Panel Doc HUD.gif: specific explanations for the HUD
- Panel Doc Radar.gif: specific explanations for the radar
Smoke System
------------
The smoke system, usually activated by the 'I' key, works differently on this aircraft.
It works automatically to show vapor trails when the aircraft is under high
acceleration (high G force). Don't try to activate the smoke manually, it will not
work.
Copyrights
----------
The included files have been tested and have been determined not to be harmful.
However, the authors are not responsible for any direct, consequential or indirect
damage these files may cause to you and your computer. Use entirely at your own risk.
Any gauge provided with this panel can not be used in another panel without the
permission of its author.
This is FREEWARE. These files are strictly for your own personal, non-commercial use.
Any redistribution, repackaging or reselling of these files in any form is expressly
prohibited without the permission of the authors.
Websites
--------
Eric Marciano Home Page (Eric Marciano)- http://emarciano.free.fr
Mirage Aircraft (Frank Safranek) - http://www.mirage4fs.com
WingShots (Antoine Grondeau) - http://www.wingshots.net
