This has been undoubtedly the most complicated project I've tackled so far, but equally one of the most rewarding in terms of outcome and learning, not just in design terms but in how to recover from a hard drive crash midway through it. To complete the project, I've spent a good part of my design time over the past month testing and adjusting numerous blocks of xml code that Guru Kevin has kindly been putting together to refine the VTOL lift and STOVL descent. That's coupled with separate flap and nozzle code for these aircraft and probably equally as dramatic as the lift, code that triggers gear up and down at any time I want it. In the case of the VTOL option, this occurs right at the top of the lift, as I recall display pilots used to do. For the STOVL models, gear retraction takes place just a few seconds after clearing the runway. That's going to be so useful too for future projects - VTOL or conventional. My thanks to Kevin for doing that and to Mike M for the tweaks to the conventional FDE that works in parallel. Thanks also to Steve at Military Sound Studios for the FSX sound package.
Here's a few screen shots of some of the finished aircraft I took yesterday to celebrate the end of the project:
The packages are all complete and zipped ready for upload to flightsim.com. However I am going to hold fire doing that so that I can do a concurrent release with Manfred's scenery of Gutersloh, the home of the RAF Harriers. He's not far to go. However, if anyone is really eager for a copy now of any of the packages, drop me a PM and I'll provide a temporary link. There are 4: RAF and Royal Navy for FS9 or FSX. Just let me know which one(s) are wanted.
Now to clear the decks and start researching a new project, although some work in the garden is going to compete.............
John