Search Lights

Always wondered why the F-16 has a tailhook, or how big a bigmouth F-16's mouth really is ? Find it out here !
Newbie
Newbie
 
Posts: 16
Joined: 11 Jan 2016, 03:03

by weescotty » 13 May 2020, 06:37

Have been modelling AI F-16s for P3D.
Nearly up to the MLU's.

So apparently the Portugese MLU have a searchlight on the port side and the bulges from the ADF tail. B model only the searchlight.
Also found the Romanian and Danish MLU have a port searchlight, and the Greek ones a stbd searchlight?
Belgians have Rapport.

I could roll all of these into one model with the part visibitlity controlled by XML.

Are there anymore with searchlights or is there a rough guide I could use?

Thanks


Elite 3K
Elite 3K
 
Posts: 3146
Joined: 02 Feb 2014, 15:43

by basher54321 » 13 May 2020, 10:09

Norway has a light port side - there is a database on here with photos to go through to check which ones.

Greek starboard light might be on their Block 30 only.



Rough guides to differences on F-16s for modelling:

https://www.reidairpublishing.com/books ... ab-exposed

https://www.reidairpublishing.com/books ... cd-exposed

https://www.aviation-bookshop.com/shop/ ... ng-falcon/


Elite 1K
Elite 1K
 
Posts: 1866
Joined: 08 Jul 2004, 19:22
Location: Norway

by Boman » 13 May 2020, 20:23

The searchlight was introduced by Norway, who has it on the left side as >Basher says. However during the MLU update, most if not all MLU'ed european Vipers got it too. That's how Denmark and Portugal ended up with them. Romania is ex-Portugeese AF jets so they have it too.
The Greeks correctly carry these - but only on the block 30's and on the right as opposed to the left for others.
Best regards
Niels


Newbie
Newbie
 
Posts: 16
Joined: 11 Jan 2016, 03:03

by weescotty » 15 May 2020, 04:39

Thanks guys.

Think the best way would be to look for a string in the aircraft title as there are so many individual countries.

Final two questions if I may ....

1) Why do the Portugese F-16A MLU have the ADF tail bulges?
2) Does all the Belgian MLU have RAPPORT?

Cheers


Elite 3K
Elite 3K
 
Posts: 3146
Joined: 02 Feb 2014, 15:43

by basher54321 » 15 May 2020, 10:06

You have ABCDEF models, Blocks, mini blocks, different versions for each different country and different upgrades to all of those - all the best with that.


1. Only the first batch (Peace Atlantis I ) had the bumps it seems in the tail and they were manufactured to similar requirements to the USAF ADF but without the 2 sets of bird slicers - see here:
http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article16.html


2. You mean Carapace - might have been all with the antenna but check the photographs in the database - also read here: http://www.f-16.net/f-16_users_article2.html


Newbie
Newbie
 
Posts: 16
Joined: 11 Jan 2016, 03:03

by weescotty » 18 May 2020, 00:51

Thanks for the info.

To try and reduce the amount of different models for the A and B's, going with

F-16A or B MLU - All LAU air-to-air pylons, later hud, bird slicers (all default).
MLU - Optional via title
a) - Searchlight for european ones
b) - Bulges for appropriate Portugese ones.

Probably a dedicated Belgian MLU with Carapace.

I know they won't be 100% accurate, but I could be at it for years doing dedicated ones for each country.

The C and D's open up another can of worms LOL.



Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests