Redgrave Redux — Boeing 307 Stratoliner Improvement Mod

[NixonRedgrave]

@TheBlackWind977

should be kind of a drop into the community folder situation, yes?

Yes, but you’ll need to edit a file in my mod to ignore the sound.xml file that is a part of the mod.

See:

Redgrave Redux — Boeing 307 Stratoliner Improvement Mod

You could, first, try removing the sound folder from my mod. If that doesn’t fix it, how comfortable are you editing the layout.json file in the root directory of my mod with a text editor? You could delete this entire entry (including the opening/closing brackets and comma) from the file: { "path": "SimObjects/Airplanes/boeing-stratoliner/sound/sound.xml", "size": 66434, "date": 133546730521188590 }, Another thought on the MP and Tachometers, I’d appreciate it if yo…

I may include two editions of the mod in the future one with the sound.xml included and one without.

[FndrStrat06]

Yeah I have no idea what that means. $5 gets you access to download all available packages.

The sound packs are drag n’ drop into the Community folder. I add ZZs to the folder name to ensure they are last in the load order.

[FndrStrat06]

Okay so I took the rejuvenated 307 out and it hand flies so well! I love everything about the improvement mod.

I think I’m dumb, but I’ll ask my question anyway.

I was fiddling with the autopilot for part of the time, using the KAP 140. VS worked fine, but NAV just locked me into an endless left hand turn in circles. ALT and HDG didn’t work.

I think I forgot to turn on the gyropilot in the center stack… is that why it wasn’t working? I haven’t had time to circle back and check.

[NixonRedgrave]

The two autopilots are operated independently of one another. The code cuts power to the other to ensure this happens.

That said, there are issues with the KAP 140 that I haven’t been able to determine the cause of. I haven’t spent too much time looking into it, simply because of all the aspects of the aircraft I’ve been focusing on all at once.

That said, did you see my earlier post about the autopilots?

Redgrave Redux — Boeing 307 Stratoliner Improvement Mod

I wanted to give a little insight on using the Autopilot(s) in the 307. KAP 140 Try cycling that odd switch in the middle of the CDIs labeled GPS / NAV a couple of times to get the NAV to work correctly – this sort of issue exists in other aircraft (DC-6 springs to mind) when toggling between VLOC and GPS a couple of times is necessary. (I will look into why this needs to be clicked three times before it actually toggles position) Sometimes engaging HDG and then engaging NAV will get NAV …

I have not tried the GNS along with the autopilot, so if you’re having issues with the GNS, I’m going to need to look into that for you.

If you’re directing the autopilot via HDG or NAV (VOR), I have found I have to cycle that switch in the middle of the CDI and direction finders that is labeled GPS/NAV. For reasons I cannot quite understand it seems to require three clicks of the mouse before it will flip states. Make sure it’s back on NAV.

I’ve also had to first engage HDG mode prior to engaging NAV mode or it will misbehave in ways like you describe.

Give me some time to look into reasons for these anomalies. I know the 307 isn’t alone with autopilot oddities, as the DC-6 has certainly had its share that even require a similar VLOC/GPS toggling to get it to behave.

Give it another go after trying these tips and let me know how you fair.

Trust, too, that it’s on the “list” of things to look into.

[FndrStrat06]

Don’t bother looking into it. I think it’s a combination of user error and the autopilot bugs your earlier post mentions, which I didn’t see until now.

Good to know that using one cuts power to the other though!

[NixonRedgrave]

NOTAM:

There appears to be a conflict between the BN-2 Islander and the KAP 140 autopilot in the 307.

One semi-obvious issue is the BARO setting on the KAP 140 cannot be altered via its knobs when the BN-2 is installed. When the BN-2 is not installed, the BARO on the KAP 140 can be altered via its knobs.

Interestingly, the KAP 140 in the C172 “Classic” is unaffected by the presence of the BN-2, so it’s unclear what the root of this conflict is.

I am also unsure if there are other issues beyond the BARO adjustment.

I see nothing about the 307’s KAP 140 implementation code (it’s extremely basic — it simply calls the Asobo template code for the KAP 140) that would/should/could be at fault here, but I will investigate further.

EDIT:

Another issue caused by the conflict is that “SELECT ALTITUDE BUG” along with “PLUS” & “MINUS” Controls Options won’t work. With the BN-2 uninstalled, these controls do work.

[kaha300d]

Good find. I uninstalled the BN-2. Sadly, I have to set priorities sometimes.

[NixonRedgrave]

I’ve been doing all my development on my laptop, which only has the absolute base sim installed and the 307. This makes loading the sim significantly faster.

When I installed my mod on my desktop (my primary simming machine), I noted the change in behavior with the KAP 140. Since my desktop has all my content installed, I stripped it down to just the essentials and the KAP 140 returned to behaving as it does on my laptop. I knew, immediately, the issue was due to a conflict.

I went straight for BN-2, because I’d recalled someone mentioning it causing issues elsewhere on the forum. It was a solid guess, as it turned out to be the culprit.

[TheBlackWind977]

And if the Islander does, the Trislander almost certainly does. Though I have the latter and didn’t notice an issue with the KAP 140 on my long flight the other day. It did seem hesitant to pick up the line, but did eventually.

[NixonRedgrave]

I implemented custom auto-mixture functionality. The mixture levers now have four modes with detents: Cut-Off, Auto-Lean, Auto-Rich and Full-Rich.

Expect this to be included in the next update.

[NixonRedgrave]

I learned some interesting facts about the 307 from the research historian at Boeing Historical Services:

https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/local-legend-10-boeing-307-stratoliner/599098/753?u=nixonredgrave

[NixonRedgrave]

Release Notes v2.0.4

• Implemented mixture lever detents for Cut-Off, Auto-Lean, Auto-Rich and Full-Rich (Thanks, Duckworks!)
• Implemented Auto-Lean and Auto-Rich mixture modes
• Added electrical draws for ignition booster coils and engine primer solenoids
• Removed vacuum pumps from engines 1&4
• Removed hydraulic pumps from engines 1&4
• Removed hydraulic pressure gauge needles for engines 1&4
• Fixed bug where cranking starter current circuits were set to ON for all four engines when Master Electrical Switch was set to Ground or Plane Battery prior to engines being started
• Included an alternate layout.json file for FTsim+ users (replace the layout.json file in mod’s directory with the alternate in the "For FTsim+ Users directory)
• Be Advised: for the ctrl-E or spawn on Runway/in air types, you MUST immediately press shift-F4 (or whatever control(s) you have set) to place the mixtures in full rich. From there set them by hand to Auto-Rich or Auto-Lean as necessary.

Get it here:
Redgrave Redux — Boeing 307 Stratoliner Improvement Mod for Microsoft Flight Simulator | MSFS

[anon4683901]

Humble promotion of the mod. It flies amazingly. I’m sure I made 50 or 100 mistakes but enjoyed flying it anyway. Will look for the new 2.0.4 version now.

White Plains (KHPN) to Bloomington (KBMI) | B307 Stratoliner | MSFS

[SnakeDoc142]

Any moderator reading this ?
We need this on Xbox ! At least the altimeter fix!

[Speed1994]

@SnakeDoc142

Any moderator reading this

Yep!

There is a Official Microsoft Flight Simulator > Wishlist topic for adding freeware to the marketplace, you can find it here: https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/freeware-category-for-msfs-marketplace/240458

[FickleDig260600]

Hi guys,
I need some help installing the mod. I have downloaded the latest version and placed it in my community folder. The is the path recommended for Steam version and works for other mods such as the ducksworks DC3 mod.

My problem is that most of the knobs/switches do not work. For example, the sperry knobs cannot be pushed or rotated, same for battery stiches, fuel valves ect. When hovering the mouse pointer over the knob/switch there is no semi-circle arrows. I also have some texture issues.
I have uninstalled and reinstalled, but the problem persists. I do not have the previous AH Stratoliner Fixes in my community folder.

[NixonRedgrave]

Hmmm…

I’m a bit at a loss here.

I know it’s a bit of a pain, but have you tried isolating your install to just the 307 and the mod with nothing else?

In the meantime, I’ll download the mod and try that version to ensure that there isn’t something wrong with the one I uploaded there.

EDIT:

I just downloaded and installed the version that I posted on flightsim.to and it works as expected.

Your screenshot looks right, you removed the mod from the enclosing folder with the For FTsim+ Users directory, so it isn’t like you’ve gotten the installation wrong. I’d check for some other mod conflict. You do have the most recent version of the 307, right? It was updated eons ago, but I’m not sure what would happen if you had an earlier version.

EDIT2:

I flew the 307 from KPRB to KSBP and the flight was lovely. I need to remember to keep my eye on the airspeed prior to the supercharger shift. I did so much of the original testing with an empty airplane that I’m not as used to the performance change when its full!

[FndrStrat06]

That path might work, but it’s technically wrong.

Steam>steamapps>common>MicrosoftFlightSimulator>Community

Move it to that (actual) community folder and see if there’s still weird behavior.

[TheBlackWind977]

My Steam install does not use Appdata for the community folder either. Mine is further convoluted by being installed on a different drive though. My folder is just D:>Games>Community and my Steam Install folder for MSFS is D:>Games>Official>Steam

[FickleDig260600]

@NixonRedgrave
I removed everything in my Community folder leaving only the 307 mod. When I load the aircraft I still have the same issues described in my original post
@FndrStrat06 ,
My installation did not have a “Community” folder under Steam>steamapps>common>MicrosoftFlightSimulator so I created one. I then removed the 307mod from my APPDATA… folder and placed it in the newly created Community folder.
I then started FS and loaded the aircraft. The aircraft that loaded was the original AH 307. No evidence of the mod features.

In my original post I mentioned texture issues but as this was my 1st post here I was limited to one image upload. Here are 2 images of the texture issues