Dev Blog #44
Hello, comrades!
Today, we continue the topic of the first American mass-produced jet fighter, the F-80C-10 Shooting Star, which we began a year ago in our Dev Blog #5. Back then, we showed you the aircraft’s exterior and told you about its history and main characteristics. Viktor =FB=VikS Sechnoy provided more details, including various features and interesting facts, in Dev Brief video #6. Today, as promised, we will show you its cockpit and tell you about it. It is almost complete and is currently being brought to life by our engineers. You can see the impressive results of our artists' work in the screenshots—we hope you like it!
Today, we continue the topic of the first American mass-produced jet fighter, the F-80C-10 Shooting Star, which we began a year ago in our Dev Blog #5. Back then, we showed you the aircraft’s exterior and told you about its history and main characteristics. Viktor =FB=VikS Sechnoy provided more details, including various features and interesting facts, in Dev Brief video #6. Today, as promised, we will show you its cockpit and tell you about it. It is almost complete and is currently being brought to life by our engineers. You can see the impressive results of our artists' work in the screenshots—we hope you like it!
The F-80C cockpit is noticeably different from the later Sabre and Thunderjet models, even at first glance. This is an aircraft from the World War II era, which first took to the skies back in January 1944. The equipment is not as rich and varied, but it is functional and sufficient for combat missions - clearly a wartime design.
Let's start our examination of the cockpit with the K-14C gyroscopic collimator sight with a device for adjusting the tilt of the primary reflector for attacking ground targets. This modification of the sight has a mechanism for locking the gyroscopic system with a control button located on the engine control lever. This was necessary to eliminate vibrations and drift of the sight after active maneuvering - the pilot, when commencing his attack run, caged it for a while, then released it and performed aiming and firing.
Let's start our examination of the cockpit with the K-14C gyroscopic collimator sight with a device for adjusting the tilt of the primary reflector for attacking ground targets. This modification of the sight has a mechanism for locking the gyroscopic system with a control button located on the engine control lever. This was necessary to eliminate vibrations and drift of the sight after active maneuvering - the pilot, when commencing his attack run, caged it for a while, then released it and performed aiming and firing.
On the left side of the cockpit, in the front, are the booster control, cockpit pressurization, and throttle levers. The throttle has buttons for controlling the flaps, gunsight, and radio.
On the right side, at the top front, there is a switch for the electric actuator that opens the canopy.
In front of the pilot is the B-7 aircraft control stick, under the index finger of which is a single firing button for shooting all six .50 caliber machine guns. The red button on the left, located under the thumb, is for launching rockets and dropping bombs. To the right of it is a 4-position hat switch for controlling the trim mechanisms.
In front of the pilot is the B-7 aircraft control stick, under the index finger of which is a single firing button for shooting all six .50 caliber machine guns. The red button on the left, located under the thumb, is for launching rockets and dropping bombs. To the right of it is a 4-position hat switch for controlling the trim mechanisms.
In the middle on the left there are two rows of red buttons for switching radio channels, and below them is the fuel system control panel. At the rear are the weapon system switches. At the bottom, near the seat, is a fuse block.
At the bottom front on the right, there are electrical system switches with a fuse block underneath them.
On the right are the pressure (altitude) and cockpit temperature gauges, as well as the landing light switch. In the rear is a small control unit for the friend or foe identification system. The cockpit is equipped with an ejection seat of original design.
There are three compasses on the front panel: on the left is the B-16 backup magnetic compass, while on the right are the V-2 gyromagnetic and AN/ARN-6 radio compass indicators. Below the compass indicators on the right is a group of instruments for monitoring engine parameters (temperature and RPM, fuel pressure). On the left side of the panel is the group of main flight instruments (speed, altitude, vertical speed). At the bottom of the central panel, located at an angle, are the instruments and controls for the fuel, hydraulic, and oxygen systems, as well as the gunsight mode switches. At the very bottom on the left is the G-load indicator. In the center at the bottom is a large radio compass control and adjustment panel.
Earlier, in Dev Blog #35, we mentioned that you'll be able to learn more about the aircraft's instrumentation directly in the game, in the Museum game mode. There, you will be able to learn and see many additional details about the Shooting Star, which will nicely complement this DD.
Earlier, in Dev Blog #35, we mentioned that you'll be able to learn more about the aircraft's instrumentation directly in the game, in the Museum game mode. There, you will be able to learn and see many additional details about the Shooting Star, which will nicely complement this DD.