It's been 5 years.. How time flies.

To catch you up to speed, I decided to do a remake of my first and favorite build uploaded to the site. Both this remake and the first iteration are passion projects of mine, each featuring design elements that represent my skill level at that given time.

The original design, the XMF-138, was finished and uploaded 2+ years ago, but I started playing at least 2 years before that. I consider the XMF-136/8 as my first real build, because unlike this abomination, it's my first upload that I put genuine effort into instead of just throwing some parts together blindly and calling it a "plane".

Summarizing all of that, this remake is meant to mark my account turning 5 years old (on Nov. 28), as well as representing my true build style.

The sky is yours to conquer. Awaken the Crimson Dragon

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Controls:

(All controls are available in cockpit view; See Tooltips)

AG1 - Turn Off/On TVC Limiter
AG2 - Master Arm
AG3 - NAV Lights
AG4 - Arresting Hook
AG5 - Gyroscope
AG6 - Jettison Weapons
AG7 - VTOL Mode
AG8 - Turn Off/On Main Engines

Trim: Trim
VTOL: Flaps

VR:

Pilot
Center
Reverse Thrust Control (Button 1)
Air Brakes (Button 2 - Custom Input)
Throttle Multiplier (Button 3)
Fold Wings (Button 4 - Custom Input)
Landing Gear (Button 5)
Activate Catapult (Button 6)
Park Brake (Button 7)
Targeting (Buttons 8-12)

Left
Wheel Brake/Airbrake (Lever 1)
Landing Gear (Lever 2, directly left of Lever 1)
Min Throttle (Button 13)
Max Throttle (Button 14)
Throttle:
- Trigger: Launch Countermeasures
- Button 1: Max Throttle
- Button 2: Min Throttle
Joystick - Throttle Multiplier (directly forward of throttle):
- Trigger: Launch Countermeasures

Right
Flaps (Lever 3)
Trim (Lever 4, directly forward of Lever 3)
Trim Reset (Button 15, left of Lever 3)
Joystick:
- Trigger: Fire Guns
- Button 1: Fire Weapons
- Button 2: Next Weapon
All Activation Groups 1-8 (buttons 16-23, right display)

WSO
Left
Min Throttle (Button 24)
Max Throttle (Button 25)
Activate Reverse Thrust (Button 26 - Custom Input)
Throttle - Reverse Thrust/VTOL Control:
Trigger: Activate7 (VTOL Engine On/Off)
Button 1: Max Throttle
Button 2: Min Throttle
Joystick - Throttle Multiplier (directly forward of throttle):
- Trigger: Fire Guns
- Button 1: Fire Weapons
- Button 2: Next Weapon
Master Arm (Button 27)
Jettison Weapons (Button 28)

Right
Air Brakes (Button 29 - Custom Input, closest to the camera)
Fire Guns (Button 30, forward of Button 29)
Fire Weapons (Button 31, right of Button 30)
Jettison Weapons (Button 32, right of Button 31)
Launch Countermeasures - Single (Button 33, right of Button 32)
Joystick:
- Trigger: Fire Weapons
- Button 1: Next Weapon
- Button 2: Cycle Targeting Mode
Launch Countermeasures - Continuous (Button 34)

Instructions:

• VTOL Mode (Activation Group 7): This allows you to either hover at the current altitude that you enable it or gain altitude using the VTOL slider (UP). Leaving the VTOL slider at zero (the middle) will enable altitude retention. With no other inputs applied or change in orientation of the aircraft, it will hover at that altitude.

• • In VTOL mode you don't need to engage the main throttle, only the VTOL slider is required for control once AG7 is ON, however, you can choose to use both simultaneously. This will use a lot more fuel.

NOTE: When gaining altitude using this feature it can cause the aircraft to tip backwards, so it's best to also enable the gyroscope (Activation Group 5) for better control. If the aircraft begins to flip while stationary, you can also use the gyroscope to keep it stable.

• Reverse Thrust Control: This feature rotates the VTOL Nozzles on the side of the aircraft to a forward-facing position, allowing you to direct thrust in said direction, effectively pushing you backwards. You'll need to go into either cockpit view and use the button labelled "Reverse Thrust Control" or "RT".

• • This input only rotates the nozzles, so you still need to use the VTOL slider to control the output. You can use the Flaps Lever (Pilot View) or the VTOL Throttle (WSO View) to control the output.

NOTE: I recommend using this feature only while on the ground if you really need it. The thrust output is very high and can flip the aircraft in flight or send you flying backwards faster than necessary, especially if the VTOL slider is set to higher values.

• Throttle Multiplier: This feature allows you to increase the thrust output from the main engines by up to 5x. You'll need to go into either cockpit view and use either the button labelled "Throttle Multiplier" or the secondary joystick on the left.

NOTE: You must go back to cockpit view each time you want to increase/decrease the value. This feature also guzzles fuel like crazy, so remember to throttle down when not needed.

• Folding of the Wings: This one is pretty straight forward. When activated this will fold the main wings up to 90 degrees. In cockpit view (Pilot), use the button labelled "Fold".

• • Since this is somewhat of a carrier-based fighter, I gave it folding wings. You can choose to fold them inflight if you want. It looks kinda cool with the missiles.

• Carrier Landings: You can choose to do a traditional carrier approach and use the arresting hook to snag a cable while going near stall speed, or you can use the VTOL mode to land like a boss.

NOTE: The VTOL Mode isn't exactly perfect, you will need to turn it off and on to slowly descend. Don't worry though, the landing gear can handle a rough landing.

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Specifications:

• Wingspan: 37.9ft / 11.6m
• Length: 52.9ft / 16.1m
• Height: 16.7ft / 5.1m
• Engine: Twin, Hybrid
• Payload: 14x Air-to-Air Missiles
• Series/Variant: SE
• Role: Interceptor

Performance:

• Max speed (in level flight): 1208+ MPH / 1944 KPH
  at height: 39,278 ft / 11972 m
• Climb rate: 18,347 ft/minute / 93.2 m/s (10° AOA)
• Take-off speed: 285-370 MPH / 459-595 KPH (flaps down 100%, trim down 100%, 50-100% throttle)
• Landing speed: 190-220 MPH / 306-354 KPH (flaps down 100&, trim down 100%, 15% throttle)
• Stall speed: 169 MPH / 272 KPH

Armament:

• 2x 20mm rotary machine guns
• 1x MK3-BE Railgun
• 12x MK1 Swarm Missile - Dragon's Fury
• 2x MK1-BE Torpedo - Dragon's Maw

NOTE: These missiles can hit you and explode depending on how they're launched/jettisoned from certain angles.

• The Dragon's Maw has a large blast radius and slow to turn, so it's best used for targets further away.
• The Dragon's Fury has a smaller blast and turn radius and may require multiple hits to destroy a single target.

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Airframe Comparison:

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Gallery:

[Thumbnail done in Photoshop - I sometimes take requests]

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This is a design that I decided not to use, even though others seemed to like it. I can now say I made the right choice - Sometimes less is more.

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Fictional Lore:

The tomorrow we never thought we'd live to see was here... the dawn of a new era, and with it, new threats emerged. Years went by, and the lack luster performance of the XMF-136/138 would give rise to a new contender. The ACE Project was postponed, and the designers of the Scarlet Executioner went back to the drawing board, but this time, they were armed with new knowledge, and equally new technologies.

The JF-75, a robust, yet lightweight design, capable of aerobatic maneuvers, and excessive speeds, given the incorporation of improved components and design elements. It had everything the Scarlet Executioner lacked - Range, maneuverability, firepower and overall efficiency. It proved to be a beast in combat and would overshoot the capabilities of the previously envisioned designs.

Dubbed the Crimson Dragon, it would surely leave a wake of bloodshed and destruction wherever it was deployed, leaving nothing but a mere memory of those unfortunate enough to cross its path. An unmistakable streak of glowing red and yellow accents was the last thing its enemies would see before being mercilessly devoured.

None could escape the dragon's maw... as "The Organization" would have it.

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Credits:

• Display set by 757simmer
• Digital Avionics by Aano78
• Moving HUD by ToeTips

[Special Edition Remake]