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Lightning Aircraft Industries FR.1 Falcon

23.5k FeatherWing  2.8 years ago
Auto Credit Based on LegnaK's Second Global War Fighter Challenge!

Special Mentions:

Thank you to @Dastin for the Turret's Rotator FT code and also sorting out the Gear indicator.

Another thank you goes to @F104Deathtrap for getting my brain to work and make the flaps function properly.

Important note:

This is just an entry for LegnaK's Second Global War Fighter challenge and is currently in an almost fictional livery, which I take as being an 'alternate reality'.
However, a version of this will be coming later in an RAF livery, making it semi-fictional/historical. There will be a bit more with that too, so keep eyes peeled.

Also, the turret is currently manual aim. Yes, go ahead and moan if you want. I have tried to make it as easy to use as possible. But for those that are either too lazy or use mobile, I'll try and release a version with an auto-aim turret later.

History:

In early 1944, Nordenvok Air Force was looking for a new multi-role fighter to full fill the role of a fighter and Photo Reconnaissance. Lightning Aircraft Industries decided to have a crack at making an entry for the challenge provided by the Air Force, among other aircraft builders.
What they came up with was an aircraft type that did have quite the look, a Turreted fighter. Whilst the type wasn't new, it wasn't popular, having only been done a few times before and not providing particularly good results.

However, LAI took advantage of some advancements in technology to produce a Turret fighter that would change opinions. For one, the aircraft, named the FR.1 Falcon, was equipped with the Rolls Royce Griffon 65 and a 5 bladed prop, similar to that of the Mk.XIV Spitfire, which was actually one of the main sources of inspiration for the Falcon. There was also a efforts at reducing drag, such as the shape of the wings, including a retracting tail wheel and the shape of the turret.

Another noticeable difference was the armament. The turret was equipped with 2 M2 Browning Machine guns. Whilst the aircraft was fitted with 2 M2 Browning as well, it also had 2 20mm Hispano Mk.V cannons. This combined with manoeuvrability that wasn't that far off from the P-51 Mustang made it far more formidable then earlier turret fighters.

From 1944, there would be a total of 5000 built. The Falcon would go on to serve till 1950, where 20 examples were saved from scrap and put on display, with 5 being restored to airworthy condition.

Controls:

AG-1: Activate Turret controls (Manual Aim)
AG-2: Landing Light
AG-3: Navigation Lights
-AG-8: Cut the Fuel and electrics.
The cockpit side door, canopy and turret hatch are opened by their respective buttons, switch and lever. The turret hatch can only be opened when AG-8 is off and the cockpit side door requires the canopy to be opened to be moved.

Specifications:

Maximum speed: 312 Mph IAS (Sea Level with WEP)
Maximum service ceiling: 43,000 feet
Optimal Climb Rate: 4,594 Feet/min (No WEP (100% Throttle))
Rotate (Takeoff) Speed: 100 Mph IAS
Approach Speed: (Follow Maximum speeds printed on the Instrument panel)
Landing Speed: 90-100 Mph IAS
Fuel Load: 85 Imperial Gallons
Powerplant: 1 x Rolls Royce Griffon 65 V12 Piston engine
Primary Armament: 2 x 12.7 M2 Browning Machine Gun, 2 x Hispano Mk.V 20mm Cannon
Secondary Armament: 2 x 12.7 M2 Browning Machine Gun
Avionics: TR 1143 Radio set and Type 5003 Radio controller unit

Pictures:










NOTAMS

90-100% is what I'm counting as WEP.
This is my first attempt at making a physical wheel well, so there is room for improvement.
There probably might be a video trailer for the RAF version that will come later.

Spotlights

General Characteristics

Performance

  • Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.102
  • Wing Loading 23.3lbs/ft2 (113.8kg/m2)
  • Wing Area 430.2ft2 (40.0m2)
  • Drag Points 2091

Parts

  • Number of Parts 900
  • Control Surfaces 5
  • Performance Cost 3,273
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  • Profile image
    23.5k FeatherWing

    Now my highest upvoted build thus far.

    Pinned 2.7 years ago
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    @ToeTips manual aiming turret

    +1 1.5 years ago
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    23.5k FeatherWing

    @LegnaK
    Thanks 👍

    2.3 years ago
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    29.6k LegnaK

    Guess who finally got the ability to judge! Sorry it took so long!

    Handling, stability, agility: 10 points :: 7/10 whilst the aircraft does have some moderately relaxing speed and fits the time period, I couldn't help but distracted by the aircraft's need to constantly pitch up like it's going to space. that and combined with the issue of a mildly high rate of roll the plane feels akin more to modern fighter jets.

    Realistic model and behavior: 10 points :: 8/10 if I didn't know that this was a fictional aircraft I would have thought it would have come right out of WWII, it fits right at home, however as mentioned above, the mobility issues does hamper the aircraft a bit.

    Details, paint and other: 10 points :: 11/10 - an insane amount of love and care went into this plane I can tell, I have absolutely no issues with anything I see here, an extra one goes to the well detailed cockpit AND the exhaust flares!

    Build quality: 10 points :: 9/10 - The front landing gear feels a little small for the plane, other than that it's practically perfect!

    Personal impression: 10 points :: 10/10 Immediately I was drawn to the design of this plane, it's structure immediately reminded me of a classic warbird with a twist and the colors for the camouflage was prime choice!

    Description: 10 points :: 10/10 - well written and precise, the touch of RL aircraft adds a little ground to reality and makes the details all the more believable.

    Overall: 55/60

    2.3 years ago
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    Am i the only one who thought this was gonna be a sort of f-82 kinda build

    2.7 years ago
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    Oh. Ok

    2.7 years ago
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    23.5k FeatherWing

    @Mlancer
    And it's control column fyi, not control wheel.

    2.7 years ago
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    23.5k FeatherWing

    @Mlancer
    It's not designed for VR...that's why.

    2.7 years ago
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    @FeatherWing
    Hi there. I hope you are having a great day. I, in VR, have tested this plane. It Flies amazing, but there is a hitch. It is kinda hard to grab ono the control wheel. I thinthis isbecause the hitbox is hard to hit in vr. Other than that,there is nothing wrong with the plane.

    2.7 years ago
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    23.5k FeatherWing

    @Dash8Q400
    It looked about fine to me in comparison to the Spitfire.

    2.8 years ago
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    29.7k xNotDumb

    Wow! 900 parts

    2.8 years ago
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    14.1k d45h

    @FeatherWing This is epic but the one thing I’d change is the landing gear, it looks tiny compared to the plane itself

    2.8 years ago
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    23.5k FeatherWing

    @Bog
    Also, I know the non-fuselage cut camo on the wings is symmetrical as I was trying to get it done before the deadline. I can change it for the RAF version however.

    2.8 years ago
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    23.5k FeatherWing

    @Bog
    There is Trim...I don't know why the slider doesn't show up, but it is there.
    The Magnet next to the throttle lever is the trim wheel. Give the trim a bit of movement and you'll see it move.

    2.8 years ago
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    1,378 WormWithLegs

    @shibusu it can also mean that someone or something is independent and does not care about other people's opinions or feelings.

    2.8 years ago
  • Profile image
    5,341 shibusu

    @FeatherWing "based" is internet slang for agreeing to something or in this case saying something is cool or good

    2.8 years ago
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    23.5k FeatherWing

    @shibusu
    Extremely based...?

    2.8 years ago
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    5,341 shibusu

    extremely based aircraft

    2.8 years ago
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    50.6k BeastHunter

    @FeatherWing Thanks!

    2.8 years ago
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    23.5k FeatherWing

    @BeastHunter
    Says how to in the description. The buttons are on the handles inside the turret.

    +1 2.8 years ago
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    50.6k BeastHunter

    How do you open the rear gunner hatch?

    2.8 years ago
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    17.7k FlirBlitz

    @DESMONTHEWOLFIE practically is infact. That's what I thought when I first saw it.

    2.8 years ago
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    This thing reminds me of the Boulton Paul Defiant

    2.8 years ago
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    50.6k BeastHunter

    Yes! I’ve been waiting for this plane!

    2.8 years ago
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    23.5k FeatherWing

    Requested Tags 4:
    @MrShenanigans2020
    @AirCrashInvestigationFLR
    @TheFlyingHusky

    2.8 years ago
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