B-17G Flying Fortress

Current version: 1.0
Production start date: July 2014
Released: May 23rd, 2016

This is a collaborated project between Astral Tek, Adrian Faulkwing, and ZSK.

Special thanks to:

Joe Sparrow  -  Weapon systems
Adrian Faulkwing  -  Original Mesh model/Textures
Colby Everet (assassin4ever) -- Historic information consultant
Julias Joestar (YumikoARKS) -- Crash test dummy
Kimiko լαştςђαηςε (atosuria.daviau) - Multi engine advice
Tom Box - Marketing
Ryona Katsu - The wife who brings me tea
Karl Fredericks and Karl Reisman -- Historic information consultants

Beta Testers:

Colby Everet (assassin4ever)
Julias Joestar (YumikoARKS)
Dexter Church
Tom Box
Bull Hui
Antonio (antoniopaladin)

Any any other BETA testers who participated.

Click here for Texture Templates

I wanted to let everyone know of the story behind this project and why it has been delayed so much over the years.

The B-17 project originally was an Astral Tek project with a ZSK flight core to be added. However, issues were risen to Adrian about the model and the inaccuracy of certain parts. These being; the engines, interior, landing gear, etc.
The modeler, Adrian Faulkwing, requested that ZSK should fix these problems because he was unable continue the production of the model. However, ZSK was only willing to script the flight core and wasn't formally agreeing to produce parts of the model.
Astral Tek and Adrian pushed on the idea onto ZSK that we should complete the model and add the flight physics core because of the quality we could produce with the materials we were given. After this agreement was settled, ZSK was handed the B-17's incomplete 3Ds Max files, and a handful of basic textures.

During the course of the B-17 "restoration", the project was shelved a handful of times, mostly due mental fatigue of fixing the inaccuracies in the model, and the poorly UV mapped textures, as well as my focus on other projects like the PA-38 Tomahawk.

As of November 2015, ZSK set out to finalize the initial build of the model and finally get the aircraft into the air. New engines, wings, landing gear, and tail were added to the model, along with new textures, normal maps, and specular maps.

At the moment, the B-17 is capable of flight and defending itself. Thanks to Astral Tek's weapon scripting knowledge, all 12 x Browing M2 machine guns can be manned and fired. The bomber is capable of carpet bombing with 20 x VICE SMB 100lb bombs which has set a new standard in the combat community.

As of February 18th, the B-17 went through another period of reconstruction. The Landing Gear, Ball Turret, Chin Turret, Tail Gunner, Dorsal Turret, and Tail section were remade. The UV maps have also been altered to make custom textures easier to apply.

The Physics core also went under the knife. Our new Ground effect math was also adding into the aircraft making landings smoother.
The aircraft is capable of using individual thrust levels to control each engine separately. The consequence of using this is that the plane will roll and yaw to the side that has less power.
The throttle can open up to 105%, which we've called turbocharger mode. This emulates the closing of the waste gates on the exhaust and channeling it through the Turbocharger for maximum take off thrust. You will notice flames coming out of the turbo chargers with this enabled.

The Bombardier now has a HUD that emulates the legendary Norden Bombsight. With the systems that ZSK has developed for the HUD, you can accurately bomb a target from 200m and up.

Norden Bombsight HUD Tutorial

Technical information

Crew: 10
Length: 22.65m
Wingspan: 31.17m
Max speeed: 220mph TAS
Cruising speed: 155mph

Bombing speed: 150mph @ 10,000ft (510m)
Stall speed:
- Clean: 102mph
- Full flaps: 92mph
Rate of Climb: 500ft/min

Armament:

13 x 50Cal Browning M2 Machine guns ----    9 LMG rezzers

20 x 100Lbs Bombs ---------------------------  1 SMB dropped 1 per 1/8 second

4 x 500Lbs Bombs ---------------------------   1 MDB dropped per 1/2 second

2 x 1000Lbs Bombs ---------------------------  1 LGB dropped per second

You should of received in your B-17G purchase package:

<ZSK & A-T> B-17G Flying Fortress [VICE]              ~ (No Modify, No Transfer)
<ZSK & A-T> B-17G Flying Fortress                        ~ (No Modify, No Transfer)
<ZSK & A-T> B-17G Flying Fortress [DISPLAY]         ~ (No Modify, No Transfer)
<ZSK & A-T> B-17G [TARGET]                                 ~ (No Modify, No Transfer)
<ZSK & A-T> B-17G [GROUND TARGET]                   ~ (No Modify, No Transfer)                          
<ZSK & A-T> B-17G Flying Fortress Desk Model     ~ (No Modify, No Transfer)
<ZSK> Cyclone 1820 Display Engine with mount     ~ (No Transfer)
<ZSK> Cyclone 1820 Run Up Engine mount              ~ (No Transfer)
<ZSK> B-17G CPAT HUD                                         ~ FULL PERM
<ZSK> B-17G CPAT                                                ~ FULL PERM
<ZSK> B-17G Texture Applier Script                       ~ FULL PERM
B-17G Flying Fortress HUD                                      ~ (No Modify)

DISCLAIMER

All mesh objects/constructs, textures/graphics and scripts are copyright of ZoraSlade Karu, Adrian Faulkwing and Joe Sparrow. These people do not take responsibility for:
~ Anything displayed on this product which isn't official ZSK or A-T.
~ Inventory or asset loss of any kind.
~ Any breach of TOS that the User or Owner is involved in with this product.



Features:
    - High detailed Mesh model at only 98 Land impact (10 LI physics), and high quality textures with Normal/Specular mapping.
    - Smoothly animated control surfaces and functioning objects such as; Ailerons, Rudder, Elevator, Flaps, Propeller, Landing gear, and doors.
    - Fully functioning touch activated Cockpit and instrument panel with dials reading accurate scaled information on the aircraft's behaviour; Artificial Horizon, Turn and Slip coordinator, indicated airspeed, Vertical speed indicator etc.
    - 10 seat-able positions; Pilot, Co-pilot, Bombardier, Navigator, Dorsal Gunner, Radio Ops., Ball Gunner, Waist gunners, and tail gunner.
    - VICE 1.2.0 AHA sensor 200hp.
    - Operational guns; Chin turrent, cheek turrets, dorsal turrets, ball turret, waist turrets, and tail turret.
    - 3 Payloads; 20 x 100lb bombs (SMB), 4 x 500lb bombs (MDB), 2 x 1000lb bombs (LGB). Has to be rearmed on the ground.
    - Engines can be damaged  and catch fire from VICE bullets and explosives.
    - Crash behavior; Bent propeller on striking an object and water landing/ditching. Complete aircraft destruction if showdown or if crashed from a hard impact.
    - Aileron, Elevator, and Rudder trim control via chat command and HUD
    - Individual engine control via command and HUD. (Turn on/off each engine, and throttle control for each engine)
    - Fuel system with each engine having it's own fuel tank to drain from.
    - 6 Camera positions to choose from for Pilot and Co-Pilot.
    - Pilot and Co-Pilot controls and animations. Seat adjustment system is also available.
    - Pilot and Co-Pilot HUDs
    - Landing lights, Cockpit lights, Navigation lights, and Formation lights with projected lighting sources.
    - 6 External liveries with system for custom add-on textures. CPAT HUD included.
    - Update system for free instant updates.


 

CONTROLS 

Pg Up/down ------------------------------- Throttle increase/decrease/WEP/wheel brakes
↑↓ up/down ------------------------------ Pitch Up/Down
←→ left/right ------------------------------ In air: Roll Left/Right   On ground: Yaw Left/Right
SHIFT + ←→ left/right ------------------------------ In air and on ground: Yaw Left/Right

Left MB --------------------------------------------- Hold  and tap ↑↓ up/down to Adjust Elevator Trim                                              
Left MB/Mouselook + ←→ left/right ------------------------------ In air and on ground: Yaw Left/Right

FLIGHT RECOMMENDATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

The B-17 is a BIG plane and so it'll feel like one in the air.

- Don't pull straight up if your Airspeed is too slow otherwise the plane will stall.
- Pushing the nose down will make you gather speed quickly. Use flaps and reduce power to control your decent.
- Judge your climb and approach by your airspeed and throttle setting.
- Expect the aircraft will feel heavy and slow when trying to bank or pitch. You will need to add a tiny amount of counter input when ending a roll the aircraft because of the built up momentum.
- Adding a Payload or enabling the Fuel system will add weight to the aircraft. As the fuel is used up the aircraft will feel a little lighter.
- Only use full flap when established on Final Approach.
- When landing, try to flare with the nose slightly high. This way you will make nice smooth landings. The new Ground effect engine will make landings smoother.
- Use Auto Level for cruise, and use the elevator trim controls for further refinement.
- Don't try to fly underwater. Cuz... Fizicks

GETTING TO KNOW THE B-17G

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). Competing against Douglas and Martin for a contract to build 200 bombers, the Boeing entry outperformed both competitors and exceeded the air corps' expectations. Although Boeing lost the contract because the prototype crashed, the air corps was so impressed with Boeing's design that it ordered 13 more B-17s for further evaluation. From its introduction in 1938, the B-17 Flying Fortress evolved through numerous design advances.

The B-17 was primarily employed by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in the daylight precision strategic bombing campaign of World War II against German industrial and military targets. The United States Eighth Air Force, based at many airfields in southern England, and the Fifteenth Air Force, based in Italy, complemented the RAF Bomber Command's nighttime area bombing in the Combined Bomber Offensive to help secure air superiority over the cities, factories and battlefields of Western Europe in preparation for the invasion of France in 1944. The B-17 also participated to a lesser extent in the War in the Pacific, early in World War II, where it conducted raids against Japanese shipping and airfields.

From its prewar inception, the USAAC (by June of 1941, the USAAF) touted the aircraft as a strategic weapon; it was a potent, high-flying, long-range bomber that was able to defend itself, and to return home despite extensive battle damage. Its reputation quickly took on mythic proportions, and widely circulated stories and photos of notable numbers and examples of B-17s surviving battle damage increased its iconic status. With a service ceiling greater than any of its Allied contemporaries, the B-17 established itself as an effective weapons system, dropping more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in World War II. Of the 1.5 million tonnes of bombs dropped on Germany and its occupied territories by U.S. aircraft, 640,000 tonnes were dropped from B-17s. In addition to its role as a bomber, the B-17 was also employed as a transport, antisubmarine warfare platform, drone controller, and search-and-rescue aircraft.

As of May 2015, ten aircraft remain airworthy. None of them are combat veterans. Additionally, a few dozen more are in storage or on static display. The oldest is a D-series combat veteran with service in the Pacific and the Caribbean.
~ extract from Wikipedia

DISPLAY AND TARGET MODEL INFO

The B-17G DISPLAY model included in your package is a static model for display purposes.
Clicking the model will bring up a menu in which you can customize the current paint job, open or close Bomb bay doors, display Shadow or chocks, display the playloads of 100lb, 500lb, and 1000lb bombs or without a payload, and remove the script inside of the DISPLAY.

The TARGET models are only compatible with VICE 1.2.0 and have 200 hp with a re spawn time of 1 min after destruction.

TRIM SETTINGS

Trim allows you to add a consistent input of control to keep the aircraft in the desired direction without having the Pilot or Copilot consistently correcting the aircraft's direction. The use of trim is used if an engine has failed and the aircraft is leaning to one side, or to control the pitch of the aircraft during decent or in a climb.
You can adjust the all 3 flight Axis of trim by using the HUD, or by typing in commands "at ,"et", and "rt" followed by the number of degrees of deflection. Additionally, you can control the Elevator trim by holding the Left Mouse button and tapping or holding Up or down. There is a maximum of 10° of up or down pitch.

ENGINE CONTROLS

All 4 engines on this B-17 can operate together or independently. Each engine can be started/stopped, throttled, and failed. (See commands below)
NOTE: The Pg Up/Pg Down throttle operates independently from the Individual throttle control. It is suggested to throttle all engines up to approx. 50% before using the HUD throttle controls.

By manipulating individual engine power you can achieve "Asymmetric thrust".
This means that there is an imbalance of thrust on one side of the aircraft, which leads to the aircraft leaning towards the wing with the lesser power applied.
This can be used on the ground and in the air to help the aircraft turn faster by powering up the wing on the outside of the turn.

Also to note that you will loose power and speed if an engine has a lesser power to the others, has been shut down, or has failed.
The B-17 will climb slowly on 3 engines, but can only be flown level with 2, and fly in a shallow decent with only 1. It is possible to glide the B-17 with no engines.

With VICE enabled, your engines become vulnerable. They can be shot out and fail on you.
Each engine has 10 hit points. Below is a damage table for the engines.
LMG = 1hp
HMG = 2hp
CAN = 5hp
CMB, SMB, MDB, LGB = 10hp (instant failure)
You'll be very aware that your engine has failed because it will be on fire!
Type in the engine shut down command for the failed engine to extinguish the fire.

PILOT AND COPILOT OPERATIONS

The controls to be shared between Pilot and Copilot. By using "ct" command, you can swap controls between the Pilot and Copilot. If you were to loose your pilot at any stage during the flight, the Copilot will gain control automatically. This works the same way for the Pilot if the Copilot were in control and suddenly disappeared.

COCKPIT OPERATIONS

Cockpit Diagram

Instruments:􀀀

1. ALTIMETER:
Height at which you're flying at in feet.
2. INDICATED AIRSPEED:
Speed of the Aircraft in 1:6 scale knots
3. TURN/SLIP INDICATOR:
The needle indicates the rate of turn relative to 2 mins in 360° and the ball shows the slip/skid of the aircraft.
4. VERTICAL SPEED INDICATOR (VSI):
How fast you're climbing or descending in feet per minute.
5. ARTIFICIAL HORIZON:
Orientation of the aircraft relative to the horizon.
6 MAGNETIC COMPASS:
Magnetic heading in reference to the Earth's geomagnetic field.
7 GYRO COMPASS:
Non-magnetic heading and is subjected to gyroscopic precession. For Second Life, it's referenced to the Magnetic compass.
8 RADIO COMPASS:
Rotates in the direction of the aircraft's current course in reference to the Compass.
9. M.A.P (MANIFOLD PRESSURE):
How much PSI is passing through the intake manifold. Effected by throttle setting. Dual-needle set up which displays both engines on 1 dial.
10. R.P.M (REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE):
How many revolutions the engine's crank shaft is producing per minute. Effected by throttle setting. Dual-needle set up which displays both engines on 1 dial.
11 FUEL PRESSURE:
Displays the current fuel pressure in the fuel lines. Effected by throttle setting. Dual-needle set up which displays both engines on 1 dial.
12 OIL PRESSURE
Pressure in the Oil lines to the engine. The hotter the oil, the less sticky it is, the higher the pressure accumulates.
13 OIL TEMPERATURE:
Temperature of the Oil sump.
14. FLAP POSITION:
Displays the Flap position from Up to Down.
15. ENGINE TEMPERATURE:
Displays the temperature of each engine.

STALLING

Stalling occurs when the aircraft is flying too slow to sustain lift and starts to fall.

Stall characteristics of a B-17G Flying Fortress:
~ General nose drop at low speed and maybe a bit of wing drop. The aircraft is very tame in a stall.

To recover, just pitch down and increase speed.

Every aircraft has a unique stall characteristic.
Pilots should become aware of them before attempting to fly the aircraft.

PARKING BRAKES AND WHEEL BRAKES

The B-17G is equipped with Parking Brakes and Wheel Brakes.
Activate the Parking Brakes by typing "br" or click the Parking brake switch on the HUD.
Activate the Wheel Brakes by holding down Pg down after progressing to 0% throttle.

USE OF FLAPS

Flaps ("f") are used on sometimes on Take-Off and mostly Landing. These change the airfoil of the plane which add drag and lift to the aircraft.
There are 4 settings; Up ("fu"), Takeoff ("ft"), Approach ("fa"), and Down ("fd").
Approach Flap is used for your base leg of the circuit or on a long approach, and Full Flap should be applied on Final approach.

FUEL SYSTEM

The B-17G has been fitted with a unique Fuel system that gradually reduces fuel depending on the Throttle %.
Activate the Fuel system by typing "fuel" or click the Fuel switch on the HUD.
There are fuel tanks for the B-17G, one for each engine which holds 425 Gallons. Each tank drains according to the engine which is running and at it own power setting.
When a tank runs out of fuel, the corresponding engine cuts out and cannot be restarted until the aircraft's refueled.
Type "refuel" to fully refuel your plane.
You can also set an amount of fuel. e.g "refuel50" will refuel 50 Gals.
You cannot set an amount of fuel higher than the max amount of 425 Gallons.
You cannot refuel if you are still airborne or if any engine is still running.
Turning the fuel system on will add weight to the aircraft.

VICE WEAPONS

This aircraft is equipped with VICE 1.2.0. Type in "vice on/off" or click the VICE switch on your HUD to toggle it.
(VICE will automatically toggle SAFE MODE off)

Weapon Statistics:
13 x 50Cal Browning M2 Machine guns ----    9 LMG rezzers
20 x 100Lbs Bombs ---------------------------  1 2MB dropped 1 per 1/8 second
4 x 500Lbs Bombs ---------------------------   1 MDB dropped per 1/2 second
2 x 1000Lbs Bombs ---------------------------  1 LGB dropped per second

== USING THE GUNS ==

This aircraft is equipped with 9 VICE LMG rezzers. There are 6 seating positions that allow control of these guns.
There are 2 priority seats: Top Turret and Ball Turret. These MUST be manned when ever you decide to enter combat and defend the aircraft with gunners.
The Top Turret is a Master Turret. It can control ALL guns (with the exception of the Ball Turret) in the direction that the gunner is pointing.
The Ball Turret is a stand alone turret underneath the B-17's fuselage.
All other gunner positions listed on the B-17 Layout  can control the guns separately

- Bombardier controls the Chin Turret.
- Top Turret controls ALL UNMANNED guns except the Ball Turret.
- Waist Gunners control 1 gun each
- Ball Gunners control only the Ball Turret
- Tail Gunner controls the Tail Turret
- Dorsal Gunner and Cheek Guns cannot be manned and are controlled by the Top Turret.

== SETTING PAYLOADS ==

Use the command "pld"+payload number or click the Payload HUD. This can only be set when the aircraft is grounded, turned off, and parking brakes set. "pld0" will remove the payload.

== BOMBING ==

NOTE: Bombs take about 5-10 seconds to arm right after the VICE system is turned on.
Suggested height to bomb from is from 500m+ (10,000ft indicated) at 150MPH TAS

Type "bb" to open the bomb bay doors.

!!!  You CANNOT drop bombs until these doors are OPEN  !!!

Type "b" or click Bomb button on the HUD to drop the selected weapon.
Bombardiers can do the same with the Norden bombsight HUD. See information here:􀀁

== Rearming == 

The B-17 will rearm itself after 1m and 30s pass after dropping the payload.
Additionally, you can use the command "rearm" if the aircraft is grounded, turned off, and parking brakes are set.

SAFE MODE, CRASH PHYSICS, AND PHANTOM MODE

Safe Mode enables/disables collision with objects and Second Life Water. Enabling VICE combat system will disable Safe mode.
Striking the propeller on an object will cause it to brake and cease the engine. Landing on water will cause the aircraft to crash and float, and the aircraft will self delete in 20s. (I hope you remembered the life vest under your seat).
If the aircraft hits the ground or water hard it will be destroyed.
You can repair the aircraft with the "repair" command.
Please be wise with this function.

Phantom mode can be toggled by typing "p" in chat. This will allow your aircraft to fly through any object without any collision when the landing gear has been raised. Your aircraft is will also have it's object parameters set to Temporary which will aid in flying through parcels where the prim count is already maxed. However, if you turn Safe Mode off or VICE combat system on Phantom mode will disable itself.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR AIRCRAFT

USING CPAT (Custom Paint Assistant Tool)

DISCLAIMER: This is a FREE tool for all to use. CPAT is not be sold or distributed for any amount of L$ for this would be considered Fraud under Second Life's Terms of service.

The CPAT system allows the B-17G to be customized without the need of a paint pot.
Simply rez out a copy of the CPAT and apply a texture to the corresponding panels. (Body, Wings, Nose Art. Top row for textures, Bottom for Specular).
Once a texture has been applied to the panel, click it and the texture will be applied to that part of the aircraft.
This will also work for local/temp textures for those who use Firestorm or Singularity viewers (work in progress textures should automatically update once applied to the aircraft within the same log in session).
Please note: The CPAT is full perms, however if the permission change on the object, the system will still work.

INTERNAL READY TO USE PAINTS

By clicking Appearance>Liveries or Interiors menu button you will have full access to pre-made paints for your aircraft.
There are a total of 6 external skins.

ADDING CUSTOM PAINTS, SPECULAR MAPS AND SHINE TO YOUR AIRCRAFT, AND USING ADVANCED MATERIALS 

Note: You will need Atmospheric Shaders and Advanced Lighting enabled to see Specular and Normals maps on this aircraft.
Preferences > Graphics > Advanced Lighting Model

The Specularity of the aircraft's materials can be altered via the Menu. You can find this at Appearance > Adv. Material.
You can adjust the Gloss and Environment effects of the texture's shininess.
Gloss effects the intensity of the light hitting a shiny surface.
Environment effects the reflection and refraction of light hitting a shiny surface.
Use Appearance > Dft. Material to return the values back to stock.

Specular maps can also be added to the plane via the CPAT system or a Texture applyer script provided in the package. Gloss and Environment also can be adjusted through CPAT.

Commands:

== MAJOR FUNCTIONS ==

start/stop
Starts up and Stops ALL of the aircraft's engine.

br                  
Sets Parking brakes, turns plane Physics off. Do not use while Taxiing or traveling above walking speed, the plane will tip forward.

c1,c2,c3,c4,c5,c6
Toggles the Camera view from 6 different camera positions. Positions are: Static, Dynamic, Cinematic, Top down, Bomb Bay, and Cockpit views.

f
Toggles the Flaps UP or DOWN. These will cause additional drag but will allow you to fly at a lower speed for landing.

fu
Toggles the Flaps in Up mode.

ft
Toggles the Flaps into Takeoff mode.

fa
Toggles the Flaps into Approach mode.

fd
Toggles the Flaps into Down mode.

safe
Toggles Safe Mode on and off.

guest
Toggles Guest Mode. Anyone can sit in the plane and fly it.

hud
Gives the current pilot a copy of the B-17G Flying Fortress HUD

menu
Menu for Seat adjustment and additional Paint options.

text
Toggles hover text at the rear of the plane. This displays VICE, Fuel, throttle setting information.

u
Toggles the Auto-Leveling system. Keeps the plane flying straight without using controls and allows the Bombardier to take control of the Rudder.

lock
Stops avatars from seating in the Co-Pilot seat

ct
Swaps between Pilot and Co-Pilot controls.

boot
Boots out the avatar in the Co-Pilot's seat

seat
Brings up a menu for sit height adjustment.

repair
Repairs your aircraft if it has become damaged. Make sure the plane is on the ground and is turned off. (DOESN'T RESTORE VICE HP)

d
Open/Closes the rear entrance door.

== ENGINE CONTROLS ==

e1, e2, e3, e4
Starts and Stops each engine corresponding to the number. This will also shut off the engine if it catches fire.

t1, t2, t3, t4
Adds throttle % to the selected engine. Number values are between 0% and 105%.

cw1, cw2, cw3, cw4
Opens and Closes the Cowl Flaps.

fail 1, fail 2, fail 3, fail 4
Toggles an engine failure for the selected engine.

== VICE SYSTEM ==

vice, vice on, vice off
Turns On/Off the VICE combat system.

team 1, team 2, team 3, team 4
Selects the Team in which your aircraft will be apart of in the VICE system. You will be immune to friendly fire.

set ch
Allows the user to set a private VICE channel for combat. Other VICE players will need to be on the same channel to deal damage.

remove ch
Removed the current private VICE channel.

bb
Open/Close the Bomb bay doors. Needs to be Open in order to drop the payload,

pld0,pld1, pld2, pld3
Selects the Payload type to drop. In order they are: 100lb load, 500lb load, and 1000lb load. Can only be set when the aircraft is grounded, turned off, and parking brakes set. "pld0" will remove the payload.

b
Drop the currently load Payload. Once dropped, you will need to land and re-arm.

rearm
Rearms the aircraft with the current payload selection. (Aircraft MUST be on the ground with engines off and parking brakes on)

== FUEL SYSTEM ==

fuel
Toggles Fuel System which makes the plane consume different quantities of fuel depending on how much power (Throttle %) you are using. Running out of fuel will shut down the engine. The plane can normally carry 30 Gallons.

refuelxx
Refuels your aircraft. Plane MUST be turned OFF and you won't be able to start the engine while refueling.
(xx) is a custom number of Gals you can add. e.g "refuel50" for 50 Gals.

== LIGHTS ==

nl
Toggles Nav lights which are the Red, Green, and White strobing lights on the ends of the wings and tail.

ll
Toggles Landing lights which also extends and retracts with the landing gear.

cl
Toggles instrument back lights in your cockpit.

fl
Toggles Formation lights which are the Blue lights up the tail and across the tail-plane.

CHECK LIST 

Max Speed ----------------------- 220kts
Cruise Speed --------------------- 155kts
Stall Speed
                No flaps ------------------- 102kts
                Full -------------------------- 90kts
             
Max Takeoff weight ---------- 64,500lbs.
Max fuel load  ---------------- 10200lbs.
Empty weight ----------------- 36,135lbs.
Ramp Weight ------------------ 38,849 lbs. (fully equipped crew)

~~PRE-START~

Parking Brakes ------------------------------------ ON
Camera -------------------------------------------- AS REQUIRED
Text ------------------------------------------------ AS REQUIRED
Fuel system --------------------------------------- AS REQUIRED

~~ START ENGINE~~
Check that left wing area is clear
Shout "CLEAR PROPELLER!"
Start Engine 2
Check Fuel and oil pressure
Open Cowl flaps for Engine 2

Repeat this process for engines in this order: 1, 3, 4.

~~ AFTER START~~

Nav Lights ----------------------------------------- ON

~~TAXI~~

Parking Brakes ------------------------------------- OFF
Throttle --------------------------------------------- 5 - 20% OR AS NEEDED
Taxi Speed ------------------------------------------ 5 - 15 MPH

~~TAKE-OFF~~
Set Trim -------------------------------------------- 0-3° Pitch up or AS REQUIRED
Landing Lights ------------------------------------- ON
Flaps ------------------------------------------------ UP OR TAKEOFF FOR SHORT STRIPS
Throttle --------------------------------------------- 105% FULL POWER
Take-off Speed
Allow the tail to raise by itself. The Aircraft should lift off the runway at 115Mph
Raise Gear as soon as positive rate is established
After reaching 140Mph reduce power to 70%
                 
~~AFTER TAKE-OFF/CLIMB~~

Flaps ------------------------------------------------ UP
Throttle --------------------------------------------- SET FOR CLIMB
Check Trim
At higher altitude close Cowl flaps
Landing Lights ------------------------------------- OFF
Formation Lights ---------------------------------- AS NEEDED
                 
~~CRUISE ~~

Throttle --------------------------------------------- SET FOR CRUISE, AROUND 55%
Check Trim
Cowl Flaps ------------------------------------------ CLOSED

~~LANDING ~~

Throttle --------------------------------------------- AS REQUIRED
Landing lights -------------------------------------- ON
Flaps ------------------------------------------------ APPROACH and then DOWN on Final approach
Landing Lights ------------------------------------- ON UNTIL CLEAR OF RUNWAY

~~SHUT DOWN~~

Parking Brakes ------------------------------------ ON
Fuel system --------------------------------------- OFF
Lights ----------------------------------------------- ALL OFF
Engine Switches ----------------------------------- OFF

HOW TO USE THE NORDEN BOMBSIGHT HUD

The Norden Bombsight was an engineering masterpiece in it's day. It's complexity of cogs and gyros allowed the B-17 Bombardiers to accurately aim at a target from high altitudes over Europe and the Pacific.
We have simplified the complexity of the Norden Bombsight's system into an easy to use HUD.

Controls:
↑↓ up/down ----- Tilt the lens Up and Down
←→ left/right ----- Yaw Left and Right when Bombardier control is active
Pg Up/down ----- Increase and decrease the Rate Arm.

HUD Diagram

BEFORE AIMING:

- Make sure that the aircraft is level and Bombardier control has been passed on from the Pilot.
- The Pilot should maintain an airspeed of 150MPH indicated.
- Effective bombing altitude is from 200m+ to 1000m.
- Adjust your viewer's draw distance to 500m+ or as needed.

AIMING THE SIGHT:

<Video tutorial yet to be made>

Important features to know about before using the sight
"Est. Angle" is the Estimated drop angle calculated by the sight. This will change depending on your airspeed, altitude, and payload type.
"Lens Angle" in the current angle that the sight is aiming at. You can rotate the sight between 30° and 80°.
"Rate Arm" is the rate in which the sight tilts downwards. This will help you keep the target in the sight as the plane flies over it.
"Payload Drop" selects between Manually dropping the Payload with the Bomb Release button, and allowing the sight to Automatically drop the bombs when the Est. Angle and Lens Angle meet.
NOTE: Do NOT engage "AUTO" until the target has been acquired and is currently being tracking.

Step 1:
Put the cross hairs on the target that you intend to bomb. Notice as the plane continues forward that you'll constantly have to aim the sight down to keep track of it.
Use Left and Right to steer the aircraft towards the target.
Continue to step 2...
Step 2:
With your Rate Arm you can automatically track the target. Use Pg Up and Pg Down to adjust how much the sight tracks the intended target. If you overshoot just use Up and Down to put the crosshairs back on the target. Keep and eye on your Est. Angle and Lens Angle.
(Optional): Engage the "Auto" function if you want the bombs to drop automatically.
Step 3:
When the Est. Angle is equal to your Lens Angle while the crosshairs are on the target, release the bombs.
(This will happen automatically with the "AUTO" feature on).

Congratulations! You've just dropped a payload using the Norden Bombsight!

Glossary

IAS = Indicated Air Speed; The speed of the forward airflow.
LGB = Large Bomb; Does Large bomb damage and is the most powerful in VICE. (affects other VICE sensor types differently)
MPH = Miles Per Hour.
MDB = Medium Bomb; Does Medium bomb damage in VICE. (affects other VICE sensor types differently)
TAS = True Air Speed; Determined by Indicated Airspeed factored by air density.
SMB = Small Bomb; Does small bomb damage in VICE. (affects other VICE sensor types differently)
VICE = V.I.C.E. Combat system; widely used in Second Life for combat vehicles.

Old B-17G promotional poster from 2014

OLD MODEL

The original B-17 mesh that was handed to me

Another shot of the original B-17 model with the old engines, propellers, and gear

NEW MODEL

Testing the Carpet bombing system.
Each are a VICE SMB AN-M30 GP100lb bomb and 20 are dropped in a single load.

New Normal maps and Specular maps add a realistic aluminium shine

New wings, engines, propellers and landing gear added

Another shot of the new gear and engine exhaust

Newer B-17G build as of Feb 18th. Paint core has been added with official skins.

New Landing Gear and Ball Turret mesh

New Tail Gunner mesh

Cockpit will now show engine status

Internal payloads can be loaded and dropped. You will physically see the bombs in the bomb bay and when they drop.