This is an update for FSX of the SU-33D Flanker.  At least it was billed as the carrier version by the person who uploaded it, even though it has no working, or seeable, tail hook.  There is no readme file or any other file with the download that tells who uploaded it.  I updated the flight dynamics and gave it a second 2D panel with American type gauges so people like me can fly it easier than trying to learn to read metres above the ground, etc.  I added a tail hook light to each of the panels so you can tell when the invisible tail hook is down, changed the size of the GPS on the Russian panel. and wrote new burner and flame effects for the aircraft.  No virtual cockpit.

Unzip to a folder of your choice.  Copy the aircraft to the main FS airplanes folder.  Copy the gauges and effects to the main FS gauges and effects folders, no need to overwrite anything already there.

The aircraft is set up to use the American panel; if you want to try the Russian one, open the Aircraft.cfg file and remove the 27 from the panel= line.  To switch back, just put the 27 back on the panel= line.

The tail hook light is just to the left of the air speed gauge on the Russian panel and just under the flaps gauge on the American panel.

[Reference Speeds]
flaps_up_stall_speed= 134.0
full_flaps_stall_speed= 101.0
cruise_speed= mach 1.30		//at 45,000 ft. (370 indicated)
max_indicated_speed=1687.00
max_mach=2.40
max_level_speed=1340		//knots over the ground at 33,000 ft. (mach 2.3)

The cruise speed and altitude are ones I picked without knowing the real cruise speed or altitude of the aircraft.  Either, or both could be wrong.  I know that the aircraft has more range than it is supposed to.  If this bothers you, go into the aircraft.cfg file to the [general engine data] section and change the: fuel_flow_scalar= 1.0; to something like 1.50, or whatever makes you happy with the range.

The reason I wrote new burner and flame effects can be seen if you look at the picture named photo (4).  It is a picture of the real aircraft taking off from a carrier.  Besides showing the color of the flames, this picture, and another one I saw while looking up info on the SU-33, showed me that the aircraft does not use a catapult to take off of a carrier.  The carrier in the picture is the type used by harrier type aircraft that do not need a catapult to take off; so the bow of the deck is curled up to assist with a short take-off run.

That is why I did not add a restraints section to the aircraft.cfg file so it could use a catapult to take off.  I have landed on, and taken off of a carrier with this model so I know it will take off of a moving carrier if you are anywhere behind where the catapult starts. Just hold the brakes untill the engines spool up or the aircraft starts to move in spite of the brakes being on.

I have included a flight for carrier practice with the SU-33.  From feedback from other updates, I know that the flight might not work for you, in that the carrier may not be there. I don't know why that happens to some.  If anyone does know, I would appreciate them sending me the information.

For those who find the carrier there, it would be best to do a 360 degree turn to lose some speed and altitude to have a more normal approach.

The place to put the three files in the carrier practice folder is:  C:\Documents and settings\Your Name\My Documents\Flight Simulator X Files.

There was a virtual cockpit section with the panel that came with the aircraft, but no virtual cockpit showed.  This could be because the model file does not include a virtal cockpit, or it could be because the picture name after the texture= part of the virtual cockpit section has the wrong name.

If you have not already done so, copy the .cab files from all the default aircraft panel folders that have them to the main FS gauges folder.  For some they will be zip files as .cab files are a type of zip file.

Anyone:  You have my permission to use any of my updates with the following conditions:  One, you don't try to make money with them.  Two, you don't try to hurt, or take something from anyone by using them.


Bob Chicilo.

bchicilo@bell.net