Cockpit view angles

[dazako]

While head turn was increased for certain aircraft in patch 003 I feel there's the broader issue of inconsistency in lateral head movement across all aircraft.

Simply put some aircraft present a greater freedom to 'lean' the players' POV forward and to either side, while others 'rebound' against an invisible wall.

 

Using standard FOV and trackir zoom axis it's possible in some fighters to lean forward or sideways while turning, giving a wider rearward FOV around the headrest / armor plate / canopy structure etc. As one would move in a real space. Also with the canopy open it's possible to move the line of sight outside the cockpit and turn rearward to view the rudder. However some aircraft have invisible walls that limit such movement.

 

Even within the same a/c type there's inconsistency - the Kittyhawk for eg has a superior range of head movement over the Tomahawk.

Lean forward in a Hurricane or Spitfire and turn aft - the seatback is further away. Do the same in the Martlet and the seatback seemingly comes with you. A much smaller cockpit or less depth of field ?

 

Maybe trackir z axis exaggerates the depth of field to compensate for peripheral vision ? 

I assume those not using trackir z axis don't notice this at all, as their POV is a fixed position ?

 

Anyway I've no knowledge of 3D models and how any of this works, I just enjoy it. It'd be beneficial to users of all aircraft if they shared at least a similar range of freedom in pilot-view parameters. Maybe there's less limitations of movement in a 3D VR rendering ? No idea, I've not tried it. 

 

I've only checked out a limited number of aircraft so far. So many to choose from ! Others may have found similar observations.

 

Daz   

Edited September 1, 2020 by dazako

[Wolfstriked]

Turn around in your seat and you will notice your head and even your whole body moves forward to check six.In a flight simulation though your head swivels on a pivot and so actual head position in the cockpit is very important.Take as example the BF109 E1 which has a forward head position and when you turn around you don't feel restricted.Jump in a hurricane though and your view point is right up against the rear head armor plate and when you turn around your blinded.

 

What about just moving head position forward in planes that are really bad in regards to rear view?

[dazako]

6 hours ago, Wolfstriked said:

Turn around in your seat and you will notice your head and even your whole body moves forward to check six.In a flight simulation though your head swivels on a pivot and so actual head position in the cockpit is very important.Take as example the BF109 E1 which has a forward head position and when you turn around you don't feel restricted.Jump in a hurricane though and your view point is right up against the rear head armor plate and when you turn around your blinded.

 

What about just moving head position forward in planes that are really bad in regards to rear view?

 

Agreed, there's always been an inconsistency in head position and movement even with original stock aircraft. Regarding the Hurricane for eg in reality the pilots' head is not positioned at the rear of the cockpit against the armor plate, it's much further forward. It's understood FOV and peripheral vision are something of a compromise dealing with a flat screen.

Perhaps it's that these 3D models are built by different people, or how their input is rendered in a 3D space. Way beyond my comprehension. It'd be great for users of all aircraft types to have a similar level of ability, and for all aircraft to benefit from it. Otherwise those aircraft that seem 'handicapped' will be avoided for those that offer better results. Then we lose the benefit of having so many types to chose from.

 

 

Daz

Edited September 9, 2020 by dazako

[9./JG52_J-HAT]

In the 109 you can move your head forward (usually I reset my TrackIR farther back, more against the headplate), then turn around and pretty much see all around the armor plate. Just leaning to the side and trying to look over your shoulder won‘t work because you hit the canopy with your pilot‘s head.
 

Didn‘t know this wasn‘t possible in all aircraft.

I too think this is an important thing to standardize in all planes. After all, why shouldn‘t it be possible to lean forward and look back in every plane?

[LLv34_Flanker]

S! 

 

At least concerning Hurricane the Finnish pilots regarded rear view nonexistent almost. Only with canopy open you could see better to rerr hemisphere. So in that regard the Hurricane seems to be some what in line with pilot accounts. 

 

But the movement should be more uniform across the planes. In Ju-88 pilot can barely move around in that roomy cockpit. In Spitfire you can look down the fuselage behind the cockpit like having a Linda Blair neck.. ? 

 

A pilot in his flight gear and strapped into the cockpit can not move too much. At least that was the case when I sat in the backseat of a jet fighter, had to put in some effort to see even past the shoulder line. Pretty much why some flew like "snakes" so they could check the rear hemisphere by weaving and banking the plane. Mirror only helped that much. 

[dazako]

1 hour ago, LLv34_Flanker said:

S! 

 

At least concerning Hurricane the Finnish pilots regarded rear view nonexistent almost. Only with canopy open you could see better to rerr hemisphere. So in that regard the Hurricane seems to be some what in line with pilot accounts. 

 

But the movement should be more uniform across the planes. In Ju-88 pilot can barely move around in that roomy cockpit. In Spitfire you can look down the fuselage behind the cockpit like having a Linda Blair neck.. ? 

 

A pilot in his flight gear and strapped into the cockpit can not move too much. At least that was the case when I sat in the backseat of a jet fighter, had to put in some effort to see even past the shoulder line. Pretty much why some flew like "snakes" so they could check the rear hemisphere by weaving and banking the plane. Mirror only helped that much. 

 

The Hurricane / Spit / 109 are the best examples of head movement laterally and in turning. The most popular types have the best range in motion. Go figure ! Head-turn in these aircraft is further than one would be able in real life when strapped in. However in a Stearman I could turn enough to see the pilot behind me due to movement and peripheral vision. So there's the compromise between reality and a flat screen that some Cliffs aircraft make to our advantage. Others don't, and as new types are added the difference of ability between them expands. The worst examples are very limited with ones head bouncing back off an invisible box. Definitely a distraction when moving between types. Those that don't use Trackir 'Z' axis won't see anything but armor plate in the Hurri for eg, and will fly Spits anyway.

 

Daz