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The
Red
Arrows package for Microsoft Flight Simulator FS2002
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Parts of this package:
REDPACK.ZIP Includes everything below. No further download is necessary.
REDPACK1.ZIP Single T.MK1 A Hawk aircraft with panel and specific internal/external views
REDPACK2.ZIP Flyable formation "Gypo Section" - four Hawk aircraft with panel and specific
internal/external views
REDPACK3.ZIP Flyable formation "Diamond Nine" - nine Hawk aircraft with panel and specific
internal/external views
REDPACK4.ZIP Gauges, Effects (and Documents) REQUIRED by any/all of the above
REDPACK5.ZIP Soundset for the Hawk aircraft
Future developments or upgrades will be numbered sequentially for ease of reference e.g. REDPACK6.ZIP. Other developers: please don't poach this zip name without permission, thanks!
When properly installed - either as the full package or in its parts - these different configurations will appear as SIX separate aircraft within your FS2002/AIRCRAFT directory, under the listing for BRITISH AEROSPACE (manufacturer), T.MK1 A Hawk (type), as follows:
BRITISH AEROSPACE/T.MK1 A Hawk/'Red Arrow' XX307 Single
BRITISH AEROSPACE/T.MK1 A Hawk/'Red Arrow' XX307 Single (lite)
BRITISH AEROSPACE/T.MK1 A Hawk/'Red Arrows' 4 Display
BRITISH AEROSPACE/T.MK1 A Hawk/'Red Arrows' 4 Display (lite)
BRITISH AEROSPACE/T.MK1 A Hawk/'Red Arrows' 9 Display
BRITISH AEROSPACE/T.MK1 A Hawk/'Red Arrows' 9 Display (lite)
The 'lite' aircraft have no internal/external views, only a main panel view, but in other respects are the same as their full counterparts. This option is given in consideration of those with slower computer hardware.
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These virtual models of the "Red Arrows" have no official affiliation with the real thing, although members of the team have kindly given assistance. For everything you could ever need to know about the real "Red Arrows", the British Royal Air Force's internationally famous Aerobatic Team, visit:
"Red Arrows" Official Website
http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/
SkyFlash "Red Arrows" Page
http://www.sky-flash.com/reds.htm
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INSTALLATION:
Either, the easy way:
Simply unzip any of the 'REDPACK' ZIP files directly into your main FS2002 directory (FS2002 installs by default to C:/PROGRAM FILES/MICROSOFT GAMES/FS2002).
Aircraft will be installed automatically into your AIRCRAFT folder, gauges will install to your GAUGES folder and smoke effects files will be installed in your EFFECTS folder. The RED ARROWS DOCUMENTS folder (with notes on panel operation) will install under your main FS2002 directory as a new folder.
Sound files will install as FS2002/AIRCRAFT/FSFSCONV/sound.hawkreds/ and will be 'aliased' from your individual aircraft. If you do not wish to use to download and use this recommended soundset, you will need to open your individual aircraft SOUND folders and make a simple change to each SOUND.CFG file to 'alias' it to the default 'Lear' sounds, as shown.
Please note that although panel and aircraft-specific views are included within each aircraft ZIP, Gauges, Effects and Sounds are not (except in the Full Package). Thus to complete any given aircraft download, these must be downloaded and installed separately.
Finally, select your single, four or nine aircraft formation from the AIRCRAFT menu in the usual way within FS2002.
Or, you can install files the manual way:
Unpack any of the 'REDPACK' ZIP files to a temporary folder. After checking that folder names are intact, move:
Any folder within the AIRCRAFT folder (e.g., the folder 'BAe Hawk 'Red Arrows' T.Mk1 A') to your main
FS2002/AIRCRAFT folder
The contents of the GAUGES folder to your FS2002/GAUGES folder
The contents of the EFFECTS folder to your FS2002/EFFECTS folder
The RED ARROWS DOCUMENTS folder to anywhere you wish to keep it for reference
The contents of AIRCRAFT/FSFSCONV - the folder 'sound.hawkreds' - to your FSFSCONV folder under FS2002/AIRCRAFT. If you do not have this folder by default, then move the entire folder FSFSCONV to FS2002/AIRCRAFT. Alternatively, move all the files within 'sound.hawkreds' to any individual aircraft's SOUND folder and overwrite.
Installation in this manner, although more laborious, allows you to ensure that no file overwrites an existing file on your disk without your knowledge.
PLEASE NOTE: The internal/external cockpit views are different for each aircraft configuration, so don't mix them. All aircraft are configured to be flown 'lite' if you wish, with open views.
Please also note that this new package supersedes the previous 'formation four' upload, REDSGYPO.ZIP. If you installed that version, you may delete it safely unless you have made no personal changes to it that you wish to retain. Any "Reds" enthusiast will also have Mikko's earlier version of the single aircraft; the new version has minor texture improvements, with Mikko's kind permission, and a new panel and internal/external views.
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COMMENTS:
The beauty of FS2002 is the detail of its landscape, and many a former virtual 'heavy' pilot - who, perhaps, only used to notice Cessnas when they became caught up in his wake turbulence - is now happily flying smaller aircraft VFR all over Microsoft's wonderful world.
I was so impressed with Kari Virtanen's Finnish 'Midnight Hawks' formation four package (midhawks.zip) and how they looked and behaved in FS2002 'SPOT' view, that - as someone who grew up within earshot of the Red Arrows' former base at RAF Kemble, England - a version for the 'Reds' had to be an exciting prospect. Kari kindly gave permission for the original repaint, and his friendship - and that of Mikko Maliniemi - has now led to the creation of the full "Diamond Nine" display configuration for FS2002. Most of the work here is theirs. There'll be more exciting developments in the future, too.
Necessarily, the individual aircraft within the formation "models" cannot be as complex as single aircraft available today; but I have been careful to be as accurate in repainting Kari's Hawks as was possible within the model's limitations, so that they look as good as possible. The "Reds" livery is complex, and there are one or two minor texture issues: these were unavoidable, but should not bother pilots unduly. The extra fuel tank which, on the real aircraft, provides diesel for the display smoke is to be found on Mikko's single aircraft but is missing from the formation versions. Also, because of the hull position of the aircrafts' identification, only two registrations could be used: I chose XX260, a founder aircraft, and XX308, which 'plane joined the squadron in 1985.
The real "Red Arrows" squadron is broken up into Enid section (five aircraft) and Gypo (four), Kari's formation four model fits neatly into the latter category. These aircraft have most expected animation. The formation nine, however, is pushing the limits of what can be achieved within FSDS and FS2002, and so animations and internal detailing (such as the pilots!) have been removed. If you're that close in 'SPOT' view to notice, then you're not having fun! The nine formation is fully landable, but there is no animated gear. So take off in 'COCKPIT' view (you'll see your formation around you using your 'hat' switch on your joystick, as you climb), switch to 'SPOT' or 'TOWER' view when performing your display and revert to the cockpit on landing again for the most realism. It helps, actually, to be in the cockpit on landing ...
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PANEL:
Before you ask, there's no virtual cockpit, I'm afraid. All in good time ... I like the open view myself! Particularly, when you're trying to find your formation in multiplayer ...
To me, a good FS panel makes or breaks an aircraft, and I hope you like this special "Reds" version of the Hawk panel. The panel is a new one and is reasonably close to the real thing, within the restrictions of FS2002 and the need to have controls on the main screen that would normally be "off camera". I take little credit for it, however; the panel is a careful, hybrid rework of already excellent panels by Tony Smith and Mikko Maliniemi. The internal/external views are mine, though. Depending on the configuration you fly, you will see all side, quarter and rear views appertaining to that configuration. All panels have a 90' "Up" view too, which is pretty important to know about when you're spending half of your time upside down.
I've taken a little liberty with the forward view angles from the pilot's perspective, to avoid the cockpit coaming interfering too much with forward vision; without the peripheral view a real pilot would have, it's best avoided. However, it's there, and I think you'll like my discreet treatment of it. The forward quarter view angles are photoreal but, in time, will be improved, as the angles are not everything I would like them to be; but they'll do for now until I can clamber into a "Reds" cockpit myself and take some of the specific pictures I need for an improved panel.
I am no gauge designer and, although I can account for most of the gauges used, if I have used any in error without due recognition please let me know; I will either give credit or replace them in future uploads.
A major addition to this new panel has been Eric Marciano's marvellous new HUD, first used in his Mirage 4000, which is used with his generous permission. This has four levels of brightness; it can be turned on and off, and the centre section (attitude) can be toggled off for a clearer view. The controls for this are just to the right of the VSI. Eric may find the time to produce an exact replica of the Hawk HUD in due course; we have the reference material already. Thanks, Eric.
There are Master Alternator and Battery switches to the right of the autopilot and above the Standby AI. A back-up Master Switch and Avionics Switch below it are on the very left of the panel. Note also an Control Surfaces/Elevator Postion Indicator to the left of the Turn Coordinator: you may refer to this often. There are DME readouts both digitally under the autopilot and as expected on the RMI. I think most other gauges are self-explanatory, but please e-mail me if not. This panel is fun to fly with Mikko and Kari's great flight model, so I hope that you enjoy it.
I have added a simple autopilot, just below the HUD, in clear view. Although you may not use this often, I recommend it for setting up formations in multiplayer and for plotting some exciting low level activity which you can sit back and watch in 'SPOT' or 'TOWER' view. A jaunt through the Scottish mountain peaks, for example ...
In the formation four and nine panel folders, you will find an extra bitmap named REARalt.bmp. Use this if you only want to see aircraft behind you but not your co-pilot as well, by backing up REAR.bmp and renaming the new file to REAR.bmp. However, the "Reds" do fly in tandem pilot configuration, so it's up to you. Most will prefer things as they're set up now but this option is open to you.
I originally used 'true colour' bitmaps for all the views, but the file sizes were silly. I have reworked them all, therefore, as 256 colour images, with the exception of the forward quarter views where there was unacceptable bleed-through. An effect is a slight loss of original quality by doing this, but they load faster and you're going to be too busy avoiding hitting things to notice any difference. Perhaps when everyone has a 2GHZ computer, I'll upload the 'true' colour versions.
For those who would like to use it, the panel is fitted with the MS GPS. All other navigation and communication equipment - including the all-important ADF for display work - are on the main panel. You'll find the ADF useful for locking into multiplayer aircraft and for keeping yourself somewhere near England when you're up in the blue yonder.
Toggles:
SHIFT/1 Open cockpit view with HUD (SHIFT/3 removes HUD)
SHIFT/2 GPS (icon also on panel, together with 'map view' and 'ATC')
SHIFT/3 HUD off/on
SHIFT/4-6 Different HUD brightness settings
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SMOKE:
The 'Reds' default smoke, when activated from the extra tank aboard, is white. The pilot can switch in red or blue dyes from cockpit switches as desired. By default, your packages are set up for the following smoke configurations, activated with the "I" key within FS2002:
Single aircraft: BLUE
Formation four: RED
Formation nine: WHITE
If you wish to alter the smoke colour on any given aircraft/formation, open the AIRCRAFT.CFG file (within the relevant aircraft folder in your FS2002/AIRCRAFT directory) and scroll down to the [SMOKESYSTEM] section. You will see a section something like this (this is the formation four, as an example):
[SMOKESYSTEM]
smoke.0=0.00, 0.00, -39.70, fx_redssmoke_red
smoke.1=0.00, -30.00, 0.00, fx_redssmoke_red
smoke.2=0.00, 0.00, 40.00, fx_redssmoke_red
If you would like to have, for example, RED, WHITE and BLUE smoke trails, then you would simply change the colour entry to this:
[SMOKESYSTEM]
smoke.0=0.00, 0.00, -39.70, fx_redssmoke_red
smoke.1=0.00, -30.00, 0.00, fx_redssmoke_white
smoke.2=0.00, 0.00, 40.00, fx_redsmoke_blue
Save your AIRCRAFT.CFG file, and reload the aircraft in FS2002. Note: if you are not familiar with editing AIRCRAFT.CFG files, back up your AIRCRAFT.CFG first.
For your convenience, sample smoke replacements are included in every aircraft's folder entitled "SMOKE replacements", which you can simply copy across. You have a choice of white, red or blue colour, as do the real "Reds".
Have fun! I will expect your screenshots to win every competition going!
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RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL DOWNLOADS:
Sounds: The most exciting soundset I have found for the Hawk is by Martin Schwanke. It is repackaged in conjuction with these "Reds" offerings as as REDPACK5.ZIP; and, is part of the Full Package.
There is also a very good BAe Hawk T.Mk1 A "Red Arrows" soundset for FS2000 available from Aaron R. Swindle (baehwksn.zip), originally packaged for Owen Hewitt and Mikko Maliniemi's single aircraft. It's compiled in stereo with all new rpm transition dynamics and is also suitable for various single engine jet trainers. Find it at flightsim.com.
Panels: There are a number of other Hawk panels available, although the one you have now is a hybrid of several good works and is about as close as you're going to get to the real "Reds" layout at this time. Please note that this panel will not work with gmax Hawk aircraft with virtual cockpits without removal/modification of the external views and changes to the panel.cfg file, so you can't just copy it across. Given appropriate modification, it can be used, however.
Scenery: The "Reds" are currently based at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire, U.K. John Young has produced a marvellous scenery package for RAF Scampton which includes the Red Arrows Line and other gems. This is a 'must have' for your new formations. Look for EGXP_2k2.zip (see also EGXP_R1.Zip, EGXP_V1.Zip).
Active Camera Module: By Andy Newman and Serge Baye, this is a small but wonderful add-on for FS2002 that makes your 'TOWER' view come alive. Find 'activecamerafs2002.zip' at Avsim.com. With this gizmo enabled, The "Diamond Nine" loaded, Martin's soundset installed, display smoke toggled on and using 'TOWER' view in FS2002, the experience is almost unbelievably realistic. Just make sure you toggle SHIFT/Z as well to get your coordinates to show at the top of the screen or you may come to a sticky end ... and Hawks are expensive!
Other aircraft: A download worth finding in the archives is Brian Franklin's exquisite FS2000 Folland Gnat in "Red Arrows" colours (the "Reds" previously used Gnat trainers). The file names are GNATLITE.ZIP or GNATFULL.ZIP at flightsim.com. They convert well into FS2002 with FS Edit.
Other non-"Red Arrows" Hawks: David Brice at DSB Design has produced some wonderful aircraft with virtual cockpits. Visit his site at www.dsbdesign.net
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LEGAL STUFF:
Please be sure to read the original README included in the single aircraft package and in the Documents folder. All parts or the whole of the REDPACK file/folder package are freeware and must remain so. No part of individual packages or their entirety, or modifications, or alterations to individual packages or their entirety may be uploaded to the Internet in any shape or form without the express permission of the authors.
Copyright 2002
"Red Arrows" repaints:
Mark Beaumont
MABeaumont@aol.com
See my collection of Cathay Pacific aircraft for FS at:
http://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitak.html
with thanks and respect to ...
Warrant Officer John May, Squadron Adjutant/Display Co-ordinator
of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows
The "Red Arrows" photographers, for our wonderful "REAR" view stolen from the 2002 brochure
Formation package:
Kari Virtanen
kari.virtanen@dlc.fi
http://www.kuntke.fi/kari
Original plane:
Mikko Maliniemi
mmniemi@hotmail.com
http://www.flightsimnetwork.com/mmniemi/
Owen Hewitt
ohewitt@charter.net
Panel reworked, with gracious permission, from originals by:
Mikko Maliniemi
mmniemi@hotmail.com
http://www.flightsimnetwork.com/mmniemi/
Owen Hewitt
ohewitt@charter.net
Tony Smith
tony.smi@btinternet.com
Not forgetting:
Eric Marciano for the HUD
emarciano@free.fr
Massimo Taccoli and Paolo Zamprano for gauges originally used in their Aermacchi MB-339 panel
Any gauge developers whose gauges may have been inadvertently included
John May for his assistance and arrangement of panel photography
Internal/external views:
Mark Beaumont
MABeaumont@aol.com
"Red Arrows" sounds:
Martin Schwanke
adolpho10@hotmail.com
RAF Scampton:
John Young
john.young@btinternet.com
Microsoft and the FS2002 team for making all this possible (roll on, FS2004!)
and all of you wonderful FS enthusiasts who responded so positively to the first "Reds" formation that Kari was encouraged to develop the "Diamond Nine"! Thank you!
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Packaged by:
Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumont
August 1, 2002
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