Sim Skunk Works - Lockheed Martin TF-104G MSFS

The Lockheed F-104G Starfighter is a single-engine, supersonic interceptor aircraft which was extensively deployed as a fighter-bomber during the Cold War.

MODEL

• Highly detailed model, fully animated, both front and rear cockpit
• Highly detailed 3D cockpit, fully animated and working
• Complete 3D-lights systems both internal and external

TEXTURES

• Multinational liveries
• A complete paintkit will soon be available for painters (upon request)

SYSTEMS

• Almost all real systems have been modelled and working as the real thing
• Flight dynamics modelled 99% close to the real aircraft
• Fully tested and validated by qualified real-world F-104 pilot
• Aerodynamic pitch up, inertia coupling and BLC system reproduced
• Payload drop actually changes aircraft weight, balance and drag as well
• Inertial navigator Litton LN-3 fully implemented
•  Fully functional and close to real NASARR R-15, A/G and A/A mode with:
  • STT (Single track target)
  • LOCK-ON
  • ATTACK
  • GROUND MAP PENCIL
  • GROUND MAP SPOILER
  • CONTOUR MAP
  • TERRAIN AVOIDANCE

DDI (DYNAMIC DRAG INDEX)
The SSW F/RF-104G uses the Dynamic Drag Index concept; i.e. when you load/drop external loads not only is the GW changed but also the drag coefficient is affected and the model aerodynamics change accordingly. This is particularly important in the F-104 where external loads affect greatly the dynamic behaviour of the model.

SOUND SET
A custom sound set has been developed from scratch, using live recording to give you a full immersion into the Zipper environment. If you are a Zipper fan,you will enjoy staying outside and 'playing' with the throttle, listening to it's unique voice.

USER BENEFITS
The model comes with complete docs including:

• Three pilot checklists (normal, emergency,weapon procedures)
• Zipper hints (a doc that help the pilot to use it effectively)
• NASAR R15A simple user guide
• Original 700-page Flight Manual in PDF format
• User support help desk at help-desk@simskunkworks.it

Awards/Reviews:

Fazit aus dem FS Magazin 3-2022:
"Kaum ein Pilot, der von der F-104 nicht angetan wäre. Die Maschine sieht ästhetisch aus und erfüllt die Voraussetzungen für eine ernsthafte Simulation.

Mit dieser Maschine haben virtuelle Piloten viele Möglichkeiten an der Hand, ihre Fähigkeiten in der Flugsimulation zu erweitern.

Den Tipp der Redaktion für dieses tolle Flugzeug!"

Fazit aus dem FS Magazin 4-2022:
[..] Weil die SSW-Dokumentation dieses Thema nur oberflächlich behandelt und die Redaktion mehrere Anfragen dazu erhalten hat, gibt es hier eine ausführliche Anleitung für das Erstellen und Laden eines Flugplanes für die TF-104G. Sie gilt auch für die Anfang April erschienene Einsitzer-Version F/RF-104G.

Gemessen an den technischen Möglichkeiten der 1950er Jahre, in denen die F-104 entwickelt wurde, hat Lockheed dem Starfighter ein erstaunlich leistungsfähiges bodenunabhängiges Navigationssystem mitgegeben. [..] Die Flugplanerstellung für dieses System in der TF-104G von SSW erfordert allerdings mehr Aufwand, als wir es gewohnt sind.

Doch das sollte der Simmer verschmerzen können. Schließlich war in der Zeit des Starfighters nicht nur das Fliegen viel mehr „Handarbeit“ als heute, sondern zusätzlich das Vorbereiten einer Mission: Viel Spaß beim Fliegen!

FS Magazin

• Microsoft Flight Simulator (Version 2020)
• OS: Windows 10 or later (suggested version 21H or later)
• CPU: Intel i5 at 3 GHz or higher
• RAM: 16 GB or higher
• 4 GB available on community folder
• Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1060 or higher

Version: 3.3.12:

• Minor bug fixes and enhancements

Version: 3.3.11:

• Minor bug fixes

Version 3.3.10:

• Tacan channels selection fixed
• Afterburner and throttle out of syncro, fixed Afterburner stages has been separated (core+anulus)
• Airbrake rumbling cut under 180 kias
• Tip tanks fluttering fixed sincerely

Version 3.3.9:

• No major changes,mainly made to adapt the TF-104 G to run under XBOX platform

Version 3.3.4.1:

• Fix of a bug in wasm module

Version 3.3.3:

• Implemented both native TACAN and fictional using VOR's frequencies
• When using VOR's frequencies use table tacan-vor-pairs.bmp (at .\simskunkworks-aircraft-tf104g\SimObjects\Airplanes\simskunkworks-aircraft-tf104g\panel) to match VOR's frequencies with TACAN channels To switch between native and fictional mode use "Fixed Frequency" reset button on right up console
• Native mode is set by default

Version 3.3.1:

• White smoke cloud under some conditions (TF-104G)
• Incorrect pilots view on some view index (TF-104G)
• EPU can't be removed manually (TF-104G)
• Other minor bug fixes

Version 3.3.0:

• Fixed fuel flow bug above 10K feet when afterburner is ON, users may want set/reset throttle axis extremity dead zone to 0
• Restored native Asobo afterburner
• Revised and better engine and flight modles
• RADAR OPERATIONS
  • Need to have WebSimMSFS.icon.exe working to connect to our server
  • It can be downloaded from: Dropbox - WebSimMSFS.icon.exe - Simplify your life (https://www.dropbox.com/s/vtsqc670tvr1qo8/WebSimMSFS.icon.exe?dl=0)
  • And set on: /.\simskunkworks-aircraft-frf104g\html_ui\Pages\VCockpit\Instruments\NavSystems\SSW/ and/or /.\simskunkworks-aircraft-tf104g\html_ui\Pages\VCockpit\Instruments\NavSystems\SSW/
  • This program must be launched in order to have radar working, coloured redpanda icon on notiication bar indicates program working and connected. Recall not all world zones are covered by radar maps, refer to /docs for further

Version 3.1.2:

• Fixed a bug cutting fuel over 10k feet (resulting from SU 9)
• Fixed an abnormal consumption bug
• Fixed a bug showing a thick cloud of white smoke coming into the aircraft (resulting from SU 10) It is recommended to set a dead zone of 3-4% at the end of the throttle axis

Version 3.1.1:

• Sim update 9 introduced a code break or bug related with afterburner, fuel flow and throttle position.
• This results in a fuel flow cut above 10K feet when afterburner is lighted and throttle above 99%, reducing RPM down to idle.
• It affects also models that do not use the new fuel system and also even if they do not use afterburner.

Important:

• The code break or bug was partially fixed restoring an old engine model without native afterburner, this does not affect flight envelope that remains still valid as before.
• It has been necessary modify both engine and flight model to achieve such result.
• It has been reported that the fix does work for majority of joysticks but not all however.
• Therefore issue should be considered mitigated but not fixed at 100%.

Note:

• It may happen that users should set a +1% up to +3% of dead zone on "upper extremity dead zone" of joystick L-AXIS Z to completely solve the issue, this should be done to avoid throttle to reach 100% that triggers the issue.

Version 3.1.0:

• New sounds (internal)
• Kneeboard added
• Gunsight, ground speed error readout, simple HUD  added as easter eggs
• Q7 Martin Baker seat added on 2 new liveries
• Documentation revised
• Fixed bug on throttle axis
• Fixed bug on TAL NUMBER customization

Version 3.0.0:
BUG FIXES:

• Antiskid light behaviour corrected, light goes on with landing gear down, if it's on ground means a failure
• APC reading corrected with a new schedule
• Mitigated (not completely corrected) VR Asobo bug that makes pilot avatars visible under some circumstances (ie: chase view), however using top menu should restore correct visualization
• Altimeter Kholsman window bug fixed
• APC kicker late intervetion
• Fixed wrong fuel/cit test switches initial position
• Fixed wrong rudder trim switch initial position

NEW/CHANGED FEATURES:

• Added afterburner pilot flame
• Added characters to startup diorama
• Removed engine reverse, not more used to simulate dragchute
• Take off pitch trim position fine tuned to 0.28
• MASTER CAUTION Press-to-reset implemented
• Added a new core afterburner flame