DP Tool Club 12/CD_ASCQ_12_0294.iso/news/4510/xp55.doc

Text File | 1993-11-07 | 15KB | 316 lines

The RUSSAIR collection of planes for Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0b.
Documentation
(Updated November 7, 1993)
Copyright 1992-1993 by Russell Mueller
Member of the Association of Shareware Professionals
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      --|       |    |-------------------
    |   ____|__  |  Association of
    |  |       |_|  Shareware
    |__|   o   |    Professionals
      -----|   |   |---------------------
       |___|___|    MEMBER

"AAF version of Curtiss XP-55 Ascender"
(1st Edition) by Russell Mueller 1992
An add-on aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Created with Mallard's Aircraft & Adventure Factory
(AAF not required)

MODEL AND MANUFACTURER:
    XP-55 Ascender (1943)
    Curtiss-Wright Airplane Division
    St. Louis, Missouri
    USA

FILES:
    XP55____.    Copy this file to your \FS4 directory to fly
    XP55____.SIM    Copy this file to your \FS4 directory to fly
    XP55____.DOC    This documentation file


GENERAL INFORMATION:
        Since I first discovered my Dad's collection of Model Airplane News
   magazines (dating back into the early 40's) 25 years ago, I've been
   fascinated by the Curtiss XP-55 Ascender and the canard configuration.
   The reference used to build this model is from an article in the
   July, 1945 issue of Model Airplane News, written by Earl Stahl with
   3-view drawings by L.H. Wiedzorek.  Because of the time period, information
   in this article is sketchy at best, and no performance data (it was still
   war-time!).
        The XP-55 was Curtiss' design built in response to the U.S. Navy
   Air Corps Circular Proposal R-40C which was intended to promote radical
   new fighter designs.  It used a laminar flow wing, and was powered by an
   Allison V1710 engine.  The propellor was a Curtiss constant speed 3-blade
   unit that was jettisonable, in event of bailout, so that the pilot would
   not bail out into the spinning prop. (Ouch!)  Initially, the design was
   turned down due to poor stability and poor stall characteristics seen
   in wind tunnel testing.  According to one source, the center of gravity
   was inside the the limits of the rear wing's Mean Aerodynamic Chord,
   and contributed to the poor flying properties.  A flying mock-up was
   completed in October 1941, the Model 24B, powered by a 275 hp Menasco
   engine.  The first test flight was on December 2, 1941.  Limited success
   with the flying mock-up inspired the U.S. Army Air Force to order three
   flying all-aluminum prototypes.
        On June 26, 1943, the first prototype was rolled out from the hangar,
   unpainted, but ready for engine testing.  First flight came on
   July 13, 1943 piloted by Harvey Gray.  In later testing, stall tests were
   done with flaps deployed.  Under this condition, the wing root stalled
   first, causing a severe pitch-down with the plane ending up on it's back
   in a vertical descent - no spin.  This plane was destroyed.  Fortunately,
   the pilot was able to bail out, in spite of a malfunction in the explosive
   device to eject the prop.
        The remaining XP-55 is at the National Air and Space Museum in
   Silver Hill, Maryland, USA.


FLYING:
        The flight model is based on the Experimental Prop
   Aircraft from ASD/FS4, using design parameters from the SGA P-51.
   I did not wish to model the poor stall behavior of the real XP-55,
   and considering the engine used, and the intent of the design, this
   seems a reasonable alternative.  After all, we have enough trouble
   making good flying planes with ASD and AAF.  I would like that this
   plane be enjoyed by its FS4 pilots.


LANDING:
        No special requirements.  Throttle down to 25%, drop flaps,
   and execute a normal landing.  If you're new to FS4, you
   should spend some time with an easier plane to fly, such as
   the Cessna in FS4 or one of the similar planes available on
   Compuserve.
        I prefer sensitive aircraft in FS4, and so some folks may
   find the plane a little "touchy", especially in pitch, dependent
   on your joystick.


ABOUT JOYSTICKS:
        I like to fly with a ThrustMaster FCS or FCS Pro
   joystick, and set the sensitivity to maximum (4-E-B-8-ESC-ESC)
   for most planes.  You may wish to compensate by lowering the
   sensitivity.  In my flying using other joysticks, (Suncom TAC 1,
   CH Flightstick), I set sensitivity to mid level (about 5 or 6).
   I have found that the Thrustmaster flys best at the high sensitivity,
   and teaches the arm-chair pilot to fly gently with the stick instead
   of wrestling the joystick full-throw.  In an informal experiment using
   non-computer users, non-flight simulator 'lab rats', whose only
   joystick time was using arcades, in using the TAC 1 or Flightstick,
   they had a tendency to over-control.  None of the 'volunteers' were
   able to successfully land *ANY* plane in FS4 with the TAC 1 or
   Flightstick, but were successful using the Thrustmaster with maximimum
   sensitivity.  I hope that explains why I am using max sensitivity.
   It was not an attempt to improve performance artificially.

MAX CRUISE:
        It may take some work to set up trim, but I have
   trimmed it for level flight at 10,000 ft and attained 367 knots (427mph)
   with fuel fuel, and max power.  I use the 747 panel from SGA to take
   advantage of the digital readout of airspeed.
        The easiest way to check max cruise is to set up Autopilot,
   and let the plane fly and stabilize, perhaps as long as
   15 minutes to get an accurate reading of the airspeed.

AAF Notes:
    Parts:    176 (Yes, there's room for more details, but not much!)
    MP:    227% (Not Multi-Player Compatible, in fact not even close!)

NOTES:
        The dimensions of the plane were taken from drawings in:

Model Airplane News, "Story of the XP-55 Ascender" by July, 1945, p.19

Additional information from:
    "Canard: A revolution in Flight", by Andy Lennon
    AViation Publishers
    1 Aviation Way
    Lock Box 234
    Hummelstown, PA  17036

There is a nice color shot of the XP-55 on the cover of:
    "Airpower" magazine, Volume 7, No.3, May 1977
    Sentry Books Inc.
    10718 White Oak Avenue
    Granada Hills, CA  91344
    USA


DEFINITION OF SHAREWARE

Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue
using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs
differ on details -- some request registration while others
require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
registration of RUSSAIR, you get the most recent revision of
the airplane files for use with Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0b,
and source code for use with Mallard's Aircraft and Adventure Factory.

Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software,
and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific
exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished
programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are
of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs
and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of
distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy
and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a
specific group. For example, some authors require written
permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their
Shareware.
Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You
should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes
fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.
And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware
has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the
product, you don't pay for it.

DISCLAIMER - AGREEMENT

Users of RUSSAIR planes must accept this disclaimer of warranty:
"RUSSAIR planes are supplied as is.  The author disclaims all
warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation,
the warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose.
The author assumes no liability for damages, direct or conse-
quential, which may result from the use of RUSSAIR planes."

RUSSAIR  is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge
to the user for evaluation.  Feel free to share it with your
friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of
another system.  The essence of "user-supported" software is to
provide personal computer users with quality software without
high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to
continue to develop new products.  If you find these program files
useful and find that you are using RUSSAIR planes and continue to use
RUSSAIR after a reasonable trial period, you must make a reg-
istration payment to Russell Mueller for each RUSSAIR set.
The registration fee will license one copy of the collection for use
on any one computer at any one time.  You must treat this software just
like a book.  An example is that this software may be used by any
number of people and may be freely moved from one computer
location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it
being used at one location while it's being used at another.
Just as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the
same time.


Anyone distributing RUSSAIR planes for any kind of remuneration must
first contact Russell Mueller at the address below for authorization
and licensing agreement.

You are encouraged to pass a copy of RUSSAIR along to your
friends for evaluation.  Please encourage them to register their
copy if they find that they can use it.  All registered users
will receive a copy of the latest version of the RUSSAIR
system, software support via mail for 3 months
from date of registration, and the source code for use with
Mallard's Aircraft and Adventure Factory for modifying the
planes for your own personal use.  The planes may not be used
in a commercial, shareware, or other retail program without
a license from the author.

***ASP Ombudsman Policy********************************************
"This program is produced by a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP).  ASP wants to make sure that the shareware principle
works for you.  If you are unable to resolve a shareware-related problem with
an ASP member by contacting the member directly, ASP may be able to help.
The ASP Ombudsman can help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP
member, but does not provide technical support for members' products.
Please write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon, MI  49442
or send a Compuserve message via Compuserve Mail to ASP Ombudsman
70007,3536.
     The OMB may be contacted by FAX by sending to the ASP FAX number:
[phone].  In communication with the OMB, please include a
telephone number and/or FAX if available."
*******************************************************************
INSTALLATION of the RUSSAIR collection of planes:

1. You must first have installed Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0b on your hard drive.
     If you do not have Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0b, contact Microsoft for an
     upgrade to 4.0b.
2. Copy all the files from the floppy and unarchive them if necesssary.
3. Copy the files for each plane to your \FS4 subdirectory.
4. Start Flight Simulator 4 and select a new plane from the menus using
    "1, E" and scroll through the planes listed using the "6" key.
     Information on each plane can be viewed using the "7" key.
     For further information on using different planes in Microsoft Flight Simulator,
     consult the manual from the game.


All my AAF creations are original works and not modifications of another's
AAF work.  They are copyright by Russell Mueller and may not be resold
or used in any commercial, retail, or shareware program without arrangement
with the author.

BBS sysops may not charge for the distribution of this file.  Free access type
BBS's may include the RUSSAIR collection in their libraries for distribution.


The following is a list of planes that are available on the Flight Simulator forum
on Compuserve.  GO FSFORUM and browse in Library 5.
They are available directly from the author/creator in three sets:

Each set is $ 5 U.S.
Two sets for $ 8.00 U.S.
All 3 sets for $10.00 U.S.

RUSSAIR SET #1
1. GLASRG.ZIP            Glasair Retractable
2. GLASFT.ZIP            Glasair Fixed Trigear
3. GLASTD.ZIP            Glasair Tail Dragger
4. VARVIG.ZIP            Rutan VariViggen
5. SOLITR.ZIP            Rutan Solitaire
6. VOYAGR.ZIP            Rutan Voyager
7. QUICKI.ZIP            Quickie Homebuilt
8. X-29.ZIP              Grumman/NASA X-29 FSW
9. LONGEZ.ZIP            Rutan LongEZ
10. XF5U-1.ZIP           Vought Flying Pancake

RUSSAIR SET #2
11. B100.ZIP             Beech King Air B100
12. P3.ZIP               P-3 Orion Anti-sub/recon
13. SKIPPR.ZIP           Beechcraft Skipper
14. XP55.ZIP             Curtiss-Wright experimental canard (WWII)
15. SHINDN.ZIP           Shinden, Japanese Experimental canard (WWII)
16. BD-5J.ZIP            Bede 5 Jet
17. BD-5.ZIP             Bede 5 Prop version
18. C310.ZIP             Cessna 310 twin
19. STRSHP.ZIP           Beechcraft Starship
20. STAGGR.ZIP           Beechcraft G17S Staggerwing

RUSSAIR SET #3
21. POND.ZIP             Rutan/Pond Unlimited Racer
22. MOONEY.ZIP           1961 Mooney Mark 21 M(20B)
23. FOKDRI.ZIP           1917 Fokker Dr.I Triplane
24. HOOVER.ZIP           Bob Hoover's yellow P-51D/Rockwell
25. STS.ZIP              The Space Shuttle Orbiter
26. P-51B.ZIP            North American P-51 B/C model
27. BD-10.ZIP            Jim Bede's BD-10 Supersonic Homebuilt
28. P51DRM.ZIP           North American P-51D Mustang
29. JN4DRM.ZIP           Curtiss JN-4D Jenny biplane trainer
30. HK-1RM.ZIP           Hughes HK-1 Flying Boat, "Spruce Goose"

BONUS PLANES (When ordering all 3 sets)
31. C205RM.ZIP           Cessna 205
32. PORTER.ZIP           Pilatus Turbo Porter

If you wish to have these sets of my AAF models, including the AFX source
file and flight reference SIM files, then just send a check
or International Money Order or International Postal Money Order
(payable in U.S. dollars) plus shipping and handling charges for shipping
outside the USA to:

Russell Mueller
507 Washington Gdns
Washington, NJ  07882-9205

If ordering from outside the U.S., then please use an International
Money Order (payable in U.S. dollars) available at most banks and
post offices around the world.  Include $3.00 U.S. for postage and
handling.

Specify disk size desired, and which set of RUSSAIR planes that you would like.
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