Developer Blog #356: IAR 80 and Spitfire IXc updates, career mode, flight model, and control input improvements

[LukeFF]

Dev blog #356 is now available here: https://il2sturmovik.com/news/836/dev-blog-356/

[BMA_FlyingShark]

Looking good.

 

Have a nice day.

 

[Sandmarken]

Cool! Cant wait for updated P47 and P40

[percydanvers]

I've said it before but I'll say it again - I love that they are adding new mission types to career. They've already made it a lot better. 

[LukeFF]

BTW, one other new set of commands that should be in the update is "supercharger next gear" and "supercharger previous gear."

[BubiHUN]

how about an emergency gate switch for throttle?

 

[=621=Samikatz]

The controls search change is such a huge QoL improvement, please give endless praise to whichever employee pushed for it

[tattywelshie]

Wow, a juicy DD indeed! I know it’s probably been asked a million times, but what is the difference between the Spit IX and the IXc?

[LukeFF]

6 minutes ago, BubiHUN said:

how about an emergency gate switch for throttle?

 

What do you mean?

 

1 minute ago, tattywelshie said:

Wow, a juicy DD indeed! I know it’s probably been asked a million times, but what is the difference between the Spit IX and the IXc?

 

As built, the IXc was armed with .303s instead of M2 .50s and featured a different tail section. There were other engine types fitted, but AFAIK those are not going to be part of this update, as the plane is being modeled per 1944 specs.

[FTC_ChilliBalls]

I love the P47 and P40 FMs being worked on, 

the IAR sounds pretty dope as well.

 

I just can't see myself buying the Mk IXc, as it just doesn't add anything to the game.

It's literally the same plane as the MK IXe, with a different wing and tail,

the former of which could have been added as an option to the MK IXe like on the Mk XIV.

 

If it had a different Merlin variant like the 61 or 63, then yes, sure, but the same old Merlin 66? 

No thank you.

[JG4_Moltke1871]

Do I see it right?????

Can set feathering separately? Without using engine selection?

Do I understand right this will also be possible with with the cooling systems for twin engines like p38 and mosquito??

 

If the answer is yes, am I dreaming?

[LukeFF]

1 minute ago, JG4_Moltke1871 said:

Do I see it right?????

Can set feathering separately? Without using engine selection?

Do I understand right this will also be possible with with the cooling systems for twin engines like p38 and mosquito??

 

If the answer is yes, am I dreaming?

 

Yes, engine feathering will be much more straightforward - no more need to select the engine first. 

Radiators are planned to have their own separate inputs for those on an axis but not for fixed-position ones like on the Bf 110 or Mosquito.

[BubiHUN]

15 minutes ago, LukeFF said:

What do you mean?

Even with full throttle there engine will be only on full combat setting until a "Gate switch" is pressed. 
Thats how it was for 109s at least and 190s.

8 minutes ago, LukeFF said:

Radiators are planned to have their own separate inputs for those on an axis but not for fixed-position ones like on the Bf 110 or Mosquito.

what about implementing such feature to 109s too?

Edited January 26, 2024 by BubiHUN

[JG4_Moltke1871]

2 minutes ago, LukeFF said:

Radiators are planned to have their own separate inputs for those on an axis but not for fixed-position ones like on the Bf 110 or Mosquito.

I assume it’s too difficult? After all these fantastic improvements I hear about today this would be one of the last gaps…

After today’s surprises I will not give up see it somewhere in the future ?

[357th_KW]

It’s exciting news that the P-40 and P-47 are getting some love.  Is it just me, or does that Mk. IXc have an e-wing with clipped wingtips?

[blockheadgreen_]

@LukeFF Quick thing to note, the Mk IX shouldn't have the aerial wire between the mast and rudder, it used the TR1143 set which was wireless. It should be the same as found on the existing Mk IXe already in-sim.

 

The wired aerial of the TR9 radio set is of Battle of Britain Mk I/II vintage and was already replaced by 1941.

 

 

1 minute ago, 357th_KW said:

It’s exciting news that the P-40 and P-47 are getting some love.  Is it just me, or does that Mk. IXc have an e-wing with clipped wingtips?

Yep, it appears the E wing is a modification, so we can have the E wing and small rudder combo.

[Charon]

Quote

Quite a bit of improvements are being added to the input subsystem: most importantly, it will be possible to search for a command assigned to a button by pressing it or moving a control axis or search for a command by its name. To make mapping a HOTAS controller easier, several command bindings were duplicated as separate on/off or open/close pairs: bomb fuses, bomb doors, air brakes, Ju-87 siren, canopy, prop feathering (all, 1st engine, 2nd engine).

This is a really excellent change, one that's been long awaited. Separate feathering commands especially will be tremendously helpful.

 

If I may suggest, it would also be great to add 'tail wheel lock' and especially 'switch engine boost on/off'. 

 

Would it also be possible to get a 'Switch Engine Boost On (hold)' binding, specifically for use with the P-47? The WEP button went through several iterations, with one version being push-and-hold only, and later an extension was attached which allowed the pilot to either push and hold, or to push and slide to lock it down.

[-250H-Ursus_]

Why the clipped E wing?

Spitfire IXc will have Merlin 61/63 as it first variants had in 1942 and 1943?

[MAJ_stug41]

"Quite a bit of improvements are being added to the input subsystem: most importantly, it will be possible to search for a command assigned to a button by pressing it or moving a control axis or search for a command by its name. To make mapping a HOTAS controller easier, several command bindings were duplicated as separate on/off or open/close pairs: bomb fuses, bomb doors, air brakes, Ju-87 siren, canopy, prop feathering (all, 1st engine, 2nd engine)."

 

I am a big fan of these types of improvements

[[CPT]Crunch]

Nice improvements, can finally make logical use of all the controllers at our disposal, better late than never.

[354thFG_Leifr]

Great news on the controller updates, and especially the P47 and P40 revisions - these are the sorts of updates I like to see.

No idea about the Spitfire MkIX.c, it strikes me as a bit of a dud when it could really just have been packaged in with the prior Spitfire MkIX many of us already own.

[Letka_13/Arrow_]

Great update, will the IXc contain both wing options - clipped/non-clipped?

Edited January 26, 2024 by Letka_13/Arrow_

[Regingrave-]

14 минут назад, Letka_13/Arrow_ сказал:

Great update, will the IXc contain both wing options - clipped/non-clipped?

Yes.

[Charon]

37 minutes ago, Charon said:

Would it also be possible to get a 'Switch Engine Boost On (hold)' binding, specifically for use with the P-47?

 

BTW, here is 01-65BC-114 describing the flashlight-type WEP switch installation on the P-47:

Spoiler

 

 

 

From https://www.aircorpsaviation.com/august-september-dakota-territory-air-museum-p-47-update/

Edited January 26, 2024 by Charon

[Jaws2002]

Thank you very much for the update!

 

Oh so sexy...?

 

[LukeFF]

1 hour ago, BubiHUN said:

Even with full throttle there engine will be only on full combat setting until a "Gate switch" is pressed. 
Thats how it was for 109s at least and 190s.

what about implementing such feature to 109s too?

 

Well, the 190s are already like that, unless I'm missing something. Why it's different for 109s I dunno. @Gavrick may be able to explain it better than me. 

 

What's wrong with the 109 manual radiator controls right now? 

1 hour ago, JG4_Moltke1871 said:

I assume it’s too difficult? After all these fantastic improvements I hear about today this would be one of the last gaps…

After today’s surprises I will not give up see it somewhere in the future ?

 

It's a combination of it being a mountain of commands to add and that they aren't considered emergency controls, unlike the feathering commands. 

1 hour ago, Lythronax said:

Quick thing to note, the Mk IX shouldn't have the aerial wire between the mast and rudder, it used the TR1143 set which was wireless. It should be the same as found on the existing Mk IXe already in-sim.

 

The wired aerial of the TR9 radio set is of Battle of Britain Mk I/II vintage and was already replaced by 1941.

 

Thanks, I'll let our researchers know. ?

1 hour ago, Charon said:

If I may suggest, it would also be great to add 'tail wheel lock' and especially 'switch engine boost on/off'. 

 

Would it also be possible to get a 'Switch Engine Boost On (hold)' binding, specifically for use with the P-47? The WEP button went through several iterations, with one version being push-and-hold only, and later an extension was attached which allowed the pilot to either push and hold, or to push and slide to lock it down.

 

Tail wheel lock on/off is already in. I'll ask about the engine boost on/off requests. 

[Mtnbiker1998]

Hell yeah! P-47 and P-40 fixes in the pipeline!! Looking forward to making some QOL changes to my hotas mapping too with the new options it sounds like we're getting.. 

 

Pretty disappointed about the lack of engine Mods for the Spitfire, PWCG early war campaigns could have really benefited from the variety. That was really the only reason I had even the slightest interest in another Spitfire. Maybe down the line these can be added?

[162nd-YU-Trajce]

Hi guys.

About the controls... When will we have recognition of more control inputs from one control?

Most controlers now have up to 128 buttons/controls, thr IL-2 can recognize only 32.

[JG1_Vonrd]

it will be possible to search for a command assigned to a button by pressing it or moving a control axis or search for a command by its name

 

Others have already given thanks for this and I want to add mine. IMO, this is the best part of the update.

[S10JlAbraxis]

Thanks - really appricate the continuous improvment to so many parts of the sim.  Especially the changes to the carreer missions.

[JG1_Vonrd]

4 minutes ago, 102nd-YU-Trajce said:

Most controllers now have up to 128 buttons/controls, thr IL-2 can recognize only 32.

(I think the limit is currently about 64 buttons).

An increase to 128 would be the next quality of life improvement that would be most appreciated. The section on this in the Q&A video was confusing and seemed to imply that nothing could be done or that use of third party software is the acceptable option.

[LukeFF]

14 minutes ago, 102nd-YU-Trajce said:

Hi guys.

About the controls... When will we have recognition of more control inputs from one control?

Most controlers now have up to 128 buttons/controls, thr IL-2 can recognize only 32.

 

Probably not until the new project would be my guess.
 

16 minutes ago, Mtnbiker1998 said:

Pretty disappointed about the lack of engine Mods for the Spitfire, PWCG early war campaigns could have really benefited from the variety. That was really the only reason I had even the slightest interest in another Spitfire. Maybe down the line these can be added?

 

The thing about adding earlier engines is that it would also involve external 3D model changes, including the air scoop, changes to the elevator, and some cockpit changes as well. FM changes would also have to be coded to account for the different engine types. Nothing impossible but not in the scope for this release.  

[Avimimus]

1 hour ago, -332FG-Ursus_ said:

Why the clipped E wing?

Spitfire IXc will have Merlin 61/63 as it first variants had in 1942 and 1943?

 

According to LukeFF it'll be 1944 standard - so it'll lack the earlier engine (and some of the other details from earlier production IXc)

[Rjel]

I’m all in for the Spitfire MkIX. It’s always been the best looking version to my eyes. 

[Charon]

1 hour ago, LukeFF said:

Well, the 190s are already like that, unless I'm missing something. Why it's different for 109s I dunno. @Gavrick may be able to explain it better than me. 

 

I think what @BubiHUN refers to are features like safety wires or gates that must be bypassed. I'm away from my gaming machine at the moment, but, just going from memory, the P-39, and some of the P-51 variants have a safety wire in the 3d model. But it's not interactive -- the player doesn't need to take any positive action to unlock the upper portion of the throttle's motion, even though the real pilot would need to use some force.

 

Some throttles also move in tracks that are jagged or bent. From memory, the Tempest is one: the pilot can push both the RPM and Throttle forward until the RPM hits its stop. The throttle track continues but is angled to the left. Why? I theorize that in real life pushing the throttle to the RPM stop gets +7 boost, and so emergency power (+9, or +11) is only accessed if the pilot chooses to push the throttle forward and left. But in game, the player gets no feedback (and with a split throttle, it's quite easy to accidentally push past +7, since RPM will be at 100%).

 

IIRC the La-5 and Fw 190 have some jagged offsets in their throttle track, too.

[DD_Arthur]

Great updates with lots of long awaited features.

The a.i. becoming more aggressive in frontal attacks?

A bit surprised by this. One of the hallmarks of GBS a.i. is it’s willingness to go for ludicrous, suicidal head ons…..

 

[Charon]

6 minutes ago, DD_Arthur said:

A bit surprised by this. One of the hallmarks of GBS a.i. is it’s willingness to go for ludicrous, suicidal head ons…..

Hm, that hasn't been my experience. Maybe in older versions, but currently I find the AI will break off a head-on readily so long as you open fire first and are at least somewhat accurate.

[-250H-Ursus_]

3 hours ago, Avimimus said:

According to LukeFF it'll be 1944 standard - so it'll lack the earlier engine (and some of the other details from earlier production IXc)

In essence will be the same Spitfire Mk IX we have now. 

It has type E wing and the clipped one as well, despite the fact that is the type C wing variant, with the Merlin 66, and Merlin 70 engine i presume. With 66 engine allowed to use 150 octane fuel i presume to, because its for the LF variants which used Merlin 66.

The only is different is the early rounded tailrudder, which comes from the original designs of the Spitfire Mk IX, and is inherited from older Spitfires like Mk V which was replaced with the latest one added on Mk VIII variants, because of the increment of power which came with the Merlin 61, 63, 66.

I don't see how standard is for 1944 then... Even in Normandy there was a lot of Spitfire Mk V flying alongside Mk IX.

[Noisemaker]

Wait, you guys could read any of that?

 

[LuftManu]

Great! The controls update is going to be great! Thanks! 

And of course love for the American warbirds!

Can't wait.