SpaceEnthusiast Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 Hi, I know that the Hornet version simulated in DCS isn't really meant for the CF-18, but it would be wonderful if some of the small modifications below could be added to properly resemble the CF-18 1. Night identification light. The CF-18 has a large light on the left side, right in front of the cockpit, fitted to the gun loading access hatch. I read somewhere that its purpose is to identify aircraft at nighttime intercepts. 2. ILS in the place of the ACLS Makes sense because Canada doesn't have carriers (anymore at least, the Bonaventure was the last one but decommissioned in 1970). Might be especially useful in DCS for missions that don't involve the use of a carrier. I assume this would be the easiest change to implement. 3. LCD displays As part of a modernization project, the left and right DDI's have LCD displays. In addition, from this image, I don't think the AMPCD is an AMPCD at all. Some of the buttons are also in different places. 4. Sniper XR I'm pretty sure it's already being developed for the F-16 and I assume RAZBAM's F-15E, it would be nice to be able to use the Sniper XR on the Hornet. Canada chose to use it for the CF-18. 5. Other small gauge and button differences. Again from this photo, we can see that some switches are in different places, like the HDG and CRS switches. The IFEI also looks older, and there seems to be a knob in place of the "MODE" button. Otherwise, the CF-188 and the F/A-18C are pretty much the same. They even kept the carrier equipment, so in theory CF-18's land on carriers but RCAF pilot aren't trained to land on them. With time, the CF-18 has gotten a JHMCS, Link 16, AN/APG-73 radar, and a ton of other upgrades making it much more of an F-18C rather than an F-18A. I'm sure I, as well as other DCS players would really enjoy something like this, we'd be able to simulate the RCAF's entire fighter fleet for the foreseeable future ED I sincerely hope you consider this, thanks for all the work you've done already Link to post Share on other sites
reece146 Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 (edited) Never noticed/knew about the ID light. Interesting. Could this be implemented as a mod I wonder? For ILS there are mods to place ACLS on runways so from an operational point of view you can achieve it even if the technical details are different. For the LCD screens there are mods to modernize the cockpit also - I haven't tried them yet. The Sniper would be good. ED's tact has been only to model what was on the current in-game version of the Hornet and not deviate at all. As an example, in the past they have stated they will not do ILS on the Hornet (IIRC). Maybe this could be added as a mod a well. For the rest I doubt ED would want to go down the rabbit hole of forking their code base and adding the inherent maintenance/support work load to add those changes for such a small audience. Edited January 16 by reece146 Link to post Share on other sites
SpaceEnthusiast Posted January 16 Author Share Posted January 16 2 hours ago, reece146 said: Never noticed/knew about the ID light. Interesting. Could this be implemented as a mod I wonder? For ILS there are mods to place ACLS on runways so from an operational point of view you can achieve it even if the technical details are different. For the LCD screens there are mods to modernize the cockpit also - I haven't tried them yet. The Sniper would be good. ED's tact has been only to model what was on the current in-game version of the Hornet and not deviate at all. As an example, in the past they have stated they will not do ILS on the Hornet (IIRC). Maybe this could be added as a mod a well. For the rest I doubt ED would want to go down the rabbit hole of forking their code base and adding the inherent maintenance/support work load to add those changes for such a small audience. Oh wow I didn't know about the ICLS mod, thanks. It would still be nice to have a proper ILS, at least to be able to choose it from the "Special" settings menu, but I guess it will do for now. As for the LCD's, I've used the LCD mod and it works really well, but the AMPCD isn't really changed by it. You're probably right about the small audience, I don't think there are many Canadians here Link to post Share on other sites
razo+r Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 Police Light and colored MFDs can also be ported over for finnish and swiss hornets. Allthough that wouldn't make it the proper country versions, those two features can be used in more Hornets than you think. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Swiftwin9s Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 Also it likely has a completely different OFP to the lot 20 USN hornet. Meaning its more than just these superficial visual changes. 1 476th vFG Public Discord| 476th vFG Website Link to post Share on other sites
SpaceEnthusiast Posted January 16 Author Share Posted January 16 40 minutes ago, Swiftwin9s said: Also it likely has a completely different OFP to the lot 20 USN hornet. Meaning its more than just these superficial visual changes. Are you referring the the Canadian Hornet or the Finnish and Swiss ones? Link to post Share on other sites
Swiftwin9s Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 31 minutes ago, SpaceEnthusiast said: Are you referring the the Canadian Hornet or the Finnish and Swiss ones? Specifically the Canadian ones, but it can probably apply to all of them. The CF-18s were very very early Buno FA-18As, so they forked out very early on. Maybe we could draw a comparison to the EF-18s that Spain use, look how different the software is on those. 476th vFG Public Discord| 476th vFG Website Link to post Share on other sites
SpaceEnthusiast Posted January 17 Author Share Posted January 17 17 minutes ago, Swiftwin9s said: Specifically the Canadian ones, but it can probably apply to all of them. The CF-18s were very very early Buno FA-18As, so they forked out very early on. Maybe we could draw a comparison to the EF-18s that Spain use, look how different the software is on those. Ah right, at the very least it would be nice to have the option to equip some of this stuff, perhaps an option in the Special menu in settings for the LCD's and the same JHMCS/NVG mechanic except for the identification light/ground ILS. Link to post Share on other sites
hotrod525 Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 (edited) On 1/16/2021 at 7:09 PM, Swiftwin9s said: Specifically the Canadian ones, but it can probably apply to all of them. The CF-18s were very very early Buno FA-18As, so they forked out very early on. Maybe we could draw a comparison to the EF-18s that Spain use, look how different the software is on those. They went trought several update and most likely got "canadianized" as hell and have nothing to see with either the A nor the C version. And they will once again be... "Among the upgrades included in this potential package: 50 Sidewinder AIM-9X Block II tactical missiles; 38 APG-79(V)4 active electronically scanned array radars; 38 APG-79(V)4 AESA radar A1 kits; 46 F/A-18A wide-band RADOMEs; upgrades to the Advanced Distributed Combat Training System; and technical assistance to support the upgraded jets." https://www.defensenews.com/global/the-americas/2020/06/16/canadian-cf-18-upgrade-package-okd-by-us/ Edited January 18 by hotrod525 Link to post Share on other sites
ST0RM Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 The vertical tails are different as well. Link to post Share on other sites
Megalax Posted February 6 Share Posted February 6 (edited) The details can easily be done through textures. The night identification light is also on Finnish, Swiss and Kuwaiti Hornets. Unfortunately nothing can be done about the extra sensor bumps on the fins. Edited February 6 by Megalax 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Megalax Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 On 1/16/2021 at 12:25 PM, SpaceEnthusiast said: Again from this photo, we can see that some switches are in different places, like the HDG and CRS switches. The IFEI also looks older, and there seems to be a knob in place of the "MODE" button. Just noticed this. That photo is OLD. 2004 thats pretty much pre-modernization. The newer cockpits have updated screens. Link to post Share on other sites
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