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FSX Rockwell XFV-12A_v1 // by UENOSHING_Japan / Sep 8, 2021

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/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Overview ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

This Rockwell XFV-12A is the third aircraft I built in 2014 with FSDS v3.5.
This is the most memorable model of my FS model.
This XFV-12A was one of my early models, so it has some rough parts.
I didn't build a VC model.
And I was years away from the XFV-12A, because I couldn't set up a VTOL.

Recently, I came up with the release of the XFV-12A.
I didn't want to abandon my model like the actual XFV-12A.
I thought about fixing the rough part of my XFV-12A and building a VC.
However, this method requires more than half a year.

So I throw away my narrow mindset and release what was built 7 years ago without any changes.
Because I can release the XFV-12A faster.
As a result, the VC uses the cockpit of an external model, so it's simple and not cool.
I don't know when it will be, but later I will rebuild the XFV-12A and release version 2.

The Rockwell XFV-12A is a Mach 2 class VTOL fighter built in 1977.
The "thrust augmented wing concept" that guides engine exhaust from the duct to the wing has been adopted.
However, the XFV-12A did not provide the expected thrust and was unable to take off vertically.
In 1981, the XFV-12 project was cancelled.

The XFV-12A was a very attractive aircraft for me, who loves prototypes and aircraft that couldn't fly.
When I was in high school, I first encountered the XFV-12A in an aircraft magazine.
The coolest thing is style.
Sharply pointed A-4 Skyhawk nose, large F-4 phantom air intake, canard wing.
Dark blue stripes on white paint.
The exhaust nozzle, which is somehow blocked by the cap, looks like a sci-fi movie space fighter.
And the wings transform like a robot in a TV animation.
I was fascinated by the XFV-12A.

I started building an FSX model using FSDS v3.5 around 2012, and my goal was to build this XFV-12A.
I built the already released XF-103 (v0) for the first time with FSDS v3.5.
Since the XF-103 has a simple design, I thought it was a suitable aircraft for learning FSDS.

In 2013, when I got used to FSDS, I started making the long-cherished XFV-12A.
However, the XFV-12A has few reference materials.
Therefore, I don't know the details, but there are some parts I imagined.
The article in the aviation magazine I bought 40 years ago was the most helpful.
And the most difficult problem is the deformation of the wings.
The wings of the XFV-12A are very complex and have many moving parts.
To represent the deformed wings of the XFV-12A, use some animated parts to stack the parent parts on top of each other.
When I converted the overlapping parent parts to the FS model, the axes of the parent parts were off and it looked like a bumpy wing.

I tried again many times, but I thought this was a feature of FSDS.
Therefore, in order to make it look smooth in FSX, it was necessary to shift the axis of the parent parts and fix it.
I compiled the FS model dozens of times through trial and error.
In this case, the wings look uneven on the FSDS screen.

And finally my XFV-12A was completed.
The next challenge is to set the flight dynamics of VTOL.
In the early days when I was enjoying FSX, I liked changing the default FA-18 and other add-on aircraft to VTOL aircraft.
I converted the aircraft carrier to VTOL and enjoyed the flight of the aircraft carrier.
VTOL can be set by increasing the FLAP angle (for example, 90 degrees or more), but it was actually VSTOL.

Using flight dynamics edits such as "Airwrench" and "AAM", I was able to enable vertical takeoff at about 10 knots.
However, it was difficult to maintain a horizontal attitude in the air, and delicate operations were required.
It is really difficult to enable VTOL just by changing the flaps and flight dynamics.

The VTOL function used Mr. Rob Barendregt's VTOL gauge.
His VTOL gauge was also difficult, and I couldn't do VTOL at first.
Through trial and error, I finally got the hang of VTOL gauge.
I got permission from Mr. Rob Barendregt to use the VTOL gauge.
Earlier I also got permission to use his afterburner gauge.
His VTOL gauge is really great.
I am grateful.

Seven years have passed since my XFV-12A was completed, and the development period has been as long as a real jet fighter.
The joy of completion resets all the hardships.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Take off ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

This XFV-12A VC does not have a switch.
Use a 2D panel.
With full flaps, the aircraft will rise vertically.
At that time, do not fully open the throttle.
Because of the afterburner effect, it doesn't look good.
The needle of the N1 tachometer takes off vertically at about 85%.
About 75 to 80% is just right for VTOL landing.
Have a fun flight!

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// References ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

I searched a lot of material to make the XV-12A.
However, there was no information at all.
I only relied on the 40-year-old aviation magazine I had.
Japanese aviation magazine "The KOKU JOHO (AIREVIEW) "June 1979 issue XFV-12A color photo page, and “The KOKU JOHO (AIREVIEW) " XFV-12A special feature (issue date unknown) .
After that, I got a little information on the WEB.
In particular, the color photographs of "AIREVIEW" were clear and useful.

The XFV-12A FSX model was built using "Abacus FS Design Studio V3.5".
The air file was set in "Airwrench 2".
These are great tools to embody my ideas.
Gauges and textures are all my work.
Afterburner effect, VTOL gauge, I am using it with the permission of Mr. Rob Barendregt.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Spec //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

-Rockwell XFV-12 -

Length: 43.93 ft (13.39 m)
Height: 10.33 ft (3.15 m)
Wing span: 28.54 ft (8.70 m)
Wing area: 401 sq ft (27.20 ㎡)
Empty weight t: 13,800 lb (6,260 kg)
Maximum takeoff weight: 24,250 lb 11,000 kg)
-Engine: Pratt & Whitney F401-PW-400
Maximum thrust: 30,000 lbf-afterburner
Maximum speed Mach 2.2 or higher
Onboard fuel amount / 730 gallons

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Install /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Unzip the downloaded "zue_xfv12_v1.zip" file.
Copy the "Effects" and "Sim Objects" folders inside the "zue_xfv12_v1" folder and paste them into the FSX folder.
You will see the "FSX Rockwell XFV-12A_v1" folder inside the Airplanes folder.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Copyright ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

1: Developing a flight simulation model has many years of time, knowledge and technology accumulated. I hope you understand that point.
2: This package is freeware.
3: The copyrights of models, panels, textures belong to me.
4: No one can copy this file and upload this model to any website on the Internet without my explicit permission.
5: I do not permit commercial use and paid distribution of this package.
6: To modify the specification of the model or to distribute texture repaints, my permission is necessary, please contact me.
7: I made this model for FSX ACCELERATION. I haven't checked for work other than FSX.
8: I haven't had any problems with my computer using this package.
9: This model was created for my personal enjoyment. Please use at your own risk. I accept no responsibility in case of problems.

☆If you have any comments, please email me.

+UENOSHING+ Kanagawa Japan
: uenoshing@gmail.com
: http://uenoshing.hatenablog.com/
: https://uenoshing.wixsite.com/mysite/home