Introduction

I always liked the Starfighter (I even made an RC version at one point) but it always struck me as something that could have been developed further but as per a lot of aircraft the development tended to stick to the same configurations but change loadouts, equipment internally and externally etc. so I thought I would do something a bit different.

From my RC experience the high level tail was the cause of a few accidents, it literally needed 1-2 degrees of movement to loop in its own length.. so i have added a more standard fuselage mounted all moving tail plane, i changed the fin to match my style (the original was long and stubby due to the high tail plane), I enlarged the wing area around 25% to increase low speed stability and i have increased its overall max load weight accordingly (more fuel!!!).

Features

Detailed cockpit (my nemesis)
Wheel bays
Sequenced undercarriage and doors
Sign writting and general warning labels
Custom weapons
Funky tree reheat
Cockpit lever on outside works with AG8 for cockpit up/down

Controls

Activate 1 = reheat
Activate 2 = guns arm
Activate 3 = arm missiles
Activate 4 = airbrake
Activate 5 = drag chute
Activate 6 = jettison drop tanks (drag reduces, speed and manoeverability inceases)
Activate 7 = Eject
Activate 8 = cockpit open
VTOL dn = flaps
LG = landing-gear

I ran out of activation groups to do what i wanted but hey ho.

Takeoff

Close cockpit (AG8)
Select 1/2 flaps down (VTOL dn)
Apply full throttle
Activate AG1 for reheat
Pull back on stick
Nose lifts around 140-150kts
Takeoff around 170-180kts
Retract LG as soon as you are airbourne
Retract flaps around 250kts

Landing

Slow down to around 250kts
Use airbrake (AG4) as required
Flaps down to full (VTOL dn)
Landing Gear down around 230-240kts
Keep above 200kts to maintain pitch control
Land and then apply AG5 as required

Pictures

Stationary on the ground

On takeoff run

Flying

Eject sequence

Cockpit detached

Seat ejected

Parachute activated

Notes

I was intending to add more switches, knobs, controls, decals etc. to the cockpit / fuselage but SP was getting more and more temporamental with lagging and even the odd crash hence i left it at this point. I also didnt add a pilot as it would interfere with the VR etc.