vSkyLabs have updated the F-19 Stealth Fighter to version v1.4. In 1986, as speculation about Lockheed’s Northrop built what it called the YF-17 technology demonstrator to compete with General Dynamics’ YF-16 in the lightweight fighter program. When the F-16 won, the U.S. Navy hired Northrop to base the Navy’s next fighter on the -17, with the result designated F-18. Testors (model kits) assumed that in order to deflect radar waves, the the next F-19 would be sleek and streamlined and would somewhat resemble Lockheed’s other-worldly SR-71.
This VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' F-19 Stealth Fighter Project is an Educational/Research based development effort that "brings to life" and realizes the hypothetical 1980's Testor's F-19 concept in the most advanced flight simulation environment up to date in X-Plane 12 by Laminar Research.
The simulated VSKYLABS F-19 it is not an 'arcade' aircraft...nor a 'generic jet fighter' that only looks like the F-19 externally, it comes with extensive, professional real-world experience and knowledge of jet-fighters design, systems, performance, handling and operation were involved in the making of the VSKYLABS F-19. The result uncovers a scientific, graceful, powerful aircraft that holds a few weaknesses as well... just like any other *real* jet fighter, what makes flying a true-to-life and fascinating experience, especially when exploring the flight envelope and its performance characteristics.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
VSKYLABS 'Cockpit-Builders Heaven Layer': Allows assigning all aircraft switches, knobs, levers, and interactions in a designated, uncluttered section in the X-Plane 12 assignment screen.
Advanced concept aircraft simulation, including detailed, fully functional 3-d cockpit environment with realistic, working systems.
Extensive, professional real-world experience and knowledge of jet-fighters design, systems, performance, handling and operation were involved in the making of the VSKYLABS F-19.
Designed for X-Plane 12 cutting edge flight model environment and presents superb flight dynamics with presumably authentic performance and flight handling characteristics for the hypothetical F-19 aircraft.
Developed for VR: Development was tailored specifically for VR, and optimized for 2D usage.
Engineered and designed as a genuine, default X-Plane 12 aircraft. The VSKYLABS projects are practically show-casing X-Plane, as they are stretching X-Plane default features, systems and flight model to its limits without any dependencies on complementary plugins or software...delivering a very robust simulation model, having maximum compatibility with the ever evolving X-Plane flight simulator.
Comprehensive FMOD sounds for 'As Real As It Gets' experience!
Perfect challenge for beginner and expert pilots: Provides a very wide flight envelope with comfortable control from ~140 knots to Mach 1.1.
Autoupdater based on the Skunkcrafts autoupdater - all updates are being pushed smoothly without the need to re-download the entire base package (base package will be updated every once in a while to minimize the gap).
This v1.4 is a Major Update Release.
Flight Dynamics - Flight model 'Block 1.4' update:
Design improvements for aircraft canard system and empty CG, to include movable canards for increasing pitch management and precision in the low-mid AOA range. This improves takeoff and landing handling in the pitch axis.
Thrust vectoring simulation method has changed, now simulating more accurately the limited-thrust vectoring behavior of the elevator, which is most effective in the elevator-up position, and highly reduced in the elevator-down position (the thrust is positioned above the elevator surface, which results in decreased elevator-down thrust vectoring effect). This is now being simulated more accurately, improving aircraft handling in the pitch axis especially during low-speed/high power setting.
VSKYLABS Cockpit-Builders Heaven was implemented, allowing the assignments of all aircraft switches, knobs, levers, and interactions in a designated, uncluttered section in the X-Plane 12 assignment screen. To use it for key/button assignments, simply type the name of the aircraft in the search bar and select your assignment.
Systems - Update to Fire Detection and Extinguisher system:
When arming the extinguisher system for the selected engine, the fire-warning light will be lit (in addition to the 'Ready/Disch'), indicating that the given engine is 'armed'.
There is now option to disarm the extinguisher for the selected engine by depressing the 'Fire' warning light.
VSKYLABS F-19 Stealth Fighter Specifications:
Country of Origin: USA. Type: Single-seat shipboard and shore-based strike stealth aircraft. Power Plant: Two 11,000 lb st dry and 17,700 lbs st afterburner General Electric F404-GE-100A turbofans. Dimensions: Span, 31 ft 5.4 in; length, 62 ft 3 in; height, 12 ft, 10 in. Performance: (F404-GE-100A) Max speed 750 mph, or Mach 0.99 at sea level ; 655 mph, or Mach 0.99 at 38,000 feet; Max speed Mach 1.2; Service ceiling, 53,000 ft; ferry range (with full internal fuel load, cruise at 28,000 ft, Mach 0.85), 1400 miles. Combat radius (air-to-ground low altitude mission), 550 miles (non-afterburner). Weights: Operational empty, 24,000 lbs; Maximum internal fuel, 14,000 lbs; Max takeoff, 41,300 lbs. Armament: Three internal weapon bays designed specifically to carry two AIM-9X Sidewinder AAMs and a single AGM-158A JASSM low observable standoff air-launched cruise missile. Overall weapon bays carry-weight, 190 lbs*2 + 2150 lbs (max 2600 lbs.).
(Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) All Rights Reserved
comment_25443NEWS! - Aircraft Updated : F-19 Stealth Fighter v1.4 by vSkyLabs
vSkyLabs have updated the F-19 Stealth Fighter to version v1.4. In 1986, as speculation about Lockheed’s Northrop built what it called the YF-17 technology demonstrator to compete with General Dynamics’ YF-16 in the lightweight fighter program. When the F-16 won, the U.S. Navy hired Northrop to base the Navy’s next fighter on the -17, with the result designated F-18. Testors (model kits) assumed that in order to deflect radar waves, the the next F-19 would be sleek and streamlined and would somewhat resemble Lockheed’s other-worldly SR-71.
This VSKYLABS 'Test-Pilot' F-19 Stealth Fighter Project is an Educational/Research based development effort that "brings to life" and realizes the hypothetical 1980's Testor's F-19 concept in the most advanced flight simulation environment up to date in X-Plane 12 by Laminar Research.
The simulated VSKYLABS F-19 it is not an 'arcade' aircraft...nor a 'generic jet fighter' that only looks like the F-19 externally, it comes with extensive, professional real-world experience and knowledge of jet-fighters design, systems, performance, handling and operation were involved in the making of the VSKYLABS F-19. The result uncovers a scientific, graceful, powerful aircraft that holds a few weaknesses as well... just like any other *real* jet fighter, what makes flying a true-to-life and fascinating experience, especially when exploring the flight envelope and its performance characteristics.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
VSKYLABS 'Cockpit-Builders Heaven Layer': Allows assigning all aircraft switches, knobs, levers, and interactions in a designated, uncluttered section in the X-Plane 12 assignment screen.
Advanced concept aircraft simulation, including detailed, fully functional 3-d cockpit environment with realistic, working systems.
Extensive, professional real-world experience and knowledge of jet-fighters design, systems, performance, handling and operation were involved in the making of the VSKYLABS F-19.
Designed for X-Plane 12 cutting edge flight model environment and presents superb flight dynamics with presumably authentic performance and flight handling characteristics for the hypothetical F-19 aircraft.
Developed for VR: Development was tailored specifically for VR, and optimized for 2D usage.
Engineered and designed as a genuine, default X-Plane 12 aircraft. The VSKYLABS projects are practically show-casing X-Plane, as they are stretching X-Plane default features, systems and flight model to its limits without any dependencies on complementary plugins or software...delivering a very robust simulation model, having maximum compatibility with the ever evolving X-Plane flight simulator.
Comprehensive FMOD sounds for 'As Real As It Gets' experience!
Perfect challenge for beginner and expert pilots: Provides a very wide flight envelope with comfortable control from ~140 knots to Mach 1.1.
Autoupdater based on the Skunkcrafts autoupdater - all updates are being pushed smoothly without the need to re-download the entire base package (base package will be updated every once in a while to minimize the gap).
This v1.4 is a Major Update Release.
Flight Dynamics - Flight model 'Block 1.4' update:
Design improvements for aircraft canard system and empty CG, to include movable canards for increasing pitch management and precision in the low-mid AOA range. This improves takeoff and landing handling in the pitch axis.
Thrust vectoring simulation method has changed, now simulating more accurately the limited-thrust vectoring behavior of the elevator, which is most effective in the elevator-up position, and highly reduced in the elevator-down position (the thrust is positioned above the elevator surface, which results in decreased elevator-down thrust vectoring effect). This is now being simulated more accurately, improving aircraft handling in the pitch axis especially during low-speed/high power setting.
VSKYLABS Cockpit-Builders Heaven was implemented, allowing the assignments of all aircraft switches, knobs, levers, and interactions in a designated, uncluttered section in the X-Plane 12 assignment screen. To use it for key/button assignments, simply type the name of the aircraft in the search bar and select your assignment.
Systems - Update to Fire Detection and Extinguisher system:
When arming the extinguisher system for the selected engine, the fire-warning light will be lit (in addition to the 'Ready/Disch'), indicating that the given engine is 'armed'.
There is now option to disarm the extinguisher for the selected engine by depressing the 'Fire' warning light.
VSKYLABS F-19 Stealth Fighter Specifications:
Country of Origin: USA.
Type: Single-seat shipboard and shore-based strike stealth aircraft.
Power Plant: Two 11,000 lb st dry and 17,700 lbs st afterburner General Electric F404-GE-100A turbofans.
Dimensions: Span, 31 ft 5.4 in; length, 62 ft 3 in; height, 12 ft, 10 in.
Performance: (F404-GE-100A) Max speed 750 mph, or Mach 0.99 at sea level ; 655 mph, or Mach 0.99 at 38,000 feet; Max speed Mach 1.2; Service ceiling, 53,000 ft; ferry range (with full internal fuel load, cruise at 28,000 ft, Mach 0.85), 1400 miles. Combat radius (air-to-ground low altitude mission), 550 miles (non-afterburner).
Weights: Operational empty, 24,000 lbs; Maximum internal fuel, 14,000 lbs; Max takeoff, 41,300 lbs.
Armament: Three internal weapon bays designed specifically to carry two AIM-9X Sidewinder AAMs and a single AGM-158A JASSM low observable standoff air-launched cruise missile. Overall weapon bays carry-weight, 190 lbs*2 + 2150 lbs (max 2600 lbs.).
Design by VSKYLABS © 2022
Support forum for the F-19 by VSKYLABS
Images are courtesy of vSkyLabs...
The F-19 Stealth Fighter Project v1.4 by vSkyLabs is now available from the X-Plane.OrgStore, or update via the Skunkcrafts Updater.
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Yes! - F-19 Stealth Fighter by vSkyLabs is NOW available from the X-Plane.Org Store here :
VSKYLABS F-19 Stealth Fighter
Current Price is US$26.36 You Save $6.59(20%)
Retail Price is US$32.95
Requirements
X-Plane 12 - Not compatible with X-Plane 11
Windows, Mac or Linux
8 GB+ VRAM Recommended
Current version: 1.4 (November 15th 2024)
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News by Stephen Dutton
18th November 2024
Copyright©2024: X-Plane Reviews
(Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions) All Rights Reserved