G'day Pilots!
Today we're excited to announce that the latest major update for the Spitfire is now available from our website! This update is the culmination of several months of working with the RAF's Battle of Britian Memorial Flight (BBMF) team. The BBMF have 6 Spitfires in their impressive collection of Warbirds, with thousands of hours of flight experience in the cockpit between them. We've been fortunate enough to work closely with the team; collecting feedback and observations from them as they put our Spitfire simulation through its paces.
Thanks to the expertise of the BBMF, we have been able to finetune our simulation to the highest degree possible - no aspect of the flight envelope has been left untouched! We are happy to say with full confidence that our Spitfire is flying just like the real thing, as confirmed by active Spitfire pilots using it for training! The flight model, engine & ground handling have all been refined to meet pilot feedback, with several of our custom aerodynamics systems being reworked & expanded to increase realism. To succinctly paraphrase BBMF pilot 'Disco' - "Power is on point, ground handling is also ... overall, well chuffed!"
It's been a blessing to work with the BBMF and a fantastic feeling to be able to finetune our sim and have it validated by the team.
Alongside Flight Model improvements, this update features a few major refinements, including the addition of authentic differential braking (via the wheel brake lever & rudder), new cockpit lighting and a major sound overhaul with significantly improved engine sounds and authentic flyby processing.
Take a look at the BBMF flying our Spitfire sim here:
You can also see a sample of the flyby improvements below!
Note that this was captured before final release and some refinements have been made since
NB: As always, the update is available for our website now and will hopefully be available for Marketplace users in the next week or two.
Full changelog 1.4.0:
Flight Model
- Flying under a bridge detected, now prevents destroying the prop
- Increased rudder authority in flight
- Tuned prop drag
- Adjusted static height
- Adjusted MP power at 2000RPM to meet RAF target
- Increased flap deploy pitch down effect
- Increased yaw forces
Ground Handling
- Added authentic rudder-controlled differential braking
- Increased wheel brake power
- Improved gear suspension
Sound
- Complete overhaul of Merlin engine sounds. Exterior now has 3 unique sound cones (rear, prop & left/right).
- Interior cockpit sounds updated
- Remade prop sounds. Added exhaust sounds.
- Complete overhaul of flyby sound processing.
- Remade pitch curves and transitions for all engine tracks to be smoother and synchronised across tracks.
- Added new engine start sounds (exterior exhaust + interior canopy open)
- Added new distance attenuation models (cockpit + exterior)
- Updated cockpit + exterior reverb models
- Updated AI/Multiplayer sounds with the new sounds
- Fixed AI/Multiplayer Spitfires not audible from inside cockpit
- Rebalanced & improved wind sounds
- Corrected wing creaking volume spike
- Fixed fuel pump attenuation
- Rebalanced all sounds
- Pitch trim foley adjusted
Systems
- Added optional accelerometer
- Increased coolant temp rise
- Added oil & coolant initial temperatures for hot starts
- Updated Instrument Cam #9
Visual Model
- Redesigned cockpit spot lighting
- Low Fuel Pressure and Gear Indicator lights now emit a subtle ambient light
- Redesigned exterior lighting
- Fixed oil temperature gauge face
- Added throttle lever vibrations
- Widened ASI needle
Tablet
- Added ASI MPH/KTS toggle option
- Added accelerometer gauge toggle option
It’s now been four months (on XBOX) since this update which causes error, and thus end of flight, with open canopy during takeoff/landing. Even though many others have commented, and no doubt like myself, emailed you, the same problem still exists.
Will you at least have the decency to acknowledge us?
Spitfire will not take off with canopy open 2020 sim??
I bought the FIS Spitfire back when it was at changelog 1.1.0. At the time I was quite disappointed and had compared the FIS Spitfire to the DCS Spitfire Module with regards to flight model and overall quality. I had felt that the DCS Spitfire was far superior in every regard except in the exterior modelling dept.
SINCE THEN – Flying Irons has faithfully kept updating this aircraft and since 1.4.0 release I am here to admit the flight model and ground handing model with regards to tail dragger a/c physics are second to none in MSFS. Thank you Fly Irons for your dedication to quality and authenticity. As a real life pilot I rank your team as one of the best contemporary flight sim developers on the market. Keep up the great work. Congratulations on your success and best of luck with your future products. M
Hey, love this plane and have had it for some time now. But this new bug(?) where opening the canopy and/or door immediately causing an overstress/crash is pretty ridiculous and breaks all immersion (as someone who plays in VR).
Most early Spitfire pilots would have canopy and door open on take-off in case of mishap, and users shouldn’t have to turn off damage/realism to use basic feature that worked in the past. Really, really, disappointed since last update.
I bought my Spitfire as a Christmas present to me, from me. since buying it I have flown over 100 hours, very few hours in anything else. It is a childhood dream come true. Thank you.
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