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DF-1 Lightning

1,305 Deiaa  5.7 years ago

Update released

The DF-1 Mk.II is out now, with improvements over this version. Check it out here

Overview

An extremely agile twin-jet fighter. This aircraft is designed as a close-range dogfighter with secondary air-to-ground roles, and marks a departure from D.A.I. Inc.'s trend of aerodynamically stable designs; it instead uses a more unstable design in conjunction with large wing area to achieve phenomenal agility - even at low speeds - as well as the ability to maintain a decently large portion of speed while maneuvering. A large fuel tank also assures high endurance, allowing the aircraft to stay on the field for much longer without having to return to base to refuel.

However, its large size sacrifices straight-line speed, so keep this in mind if your opponent attempts to disengage.

Note: Do NOT pitch down too hard while braking. You've been warned.

Activation groups

  • AG1: Parachutes
  • AG2-4: Unassigned
  • AG5: Landing lights
  • AG6: Navigation lights
  • AG7: Strobe lights
  • AG8: Anti-collision beacon

Enjoy!

General Characteristics

  • Created On Windows
  • Wingspan 37.9ft (11.5m)
  • Length 52.4ft (16.0m)
  • Height 16.6ft (5.0m)
  • Empty Weight 21,022lbs (9,535kg)
  • Loaded Weight 35,281lbs (16,003kg)

Performance

  • Power/Weight Ratio 1.91
  • Wing Loading 48.3lbs/ft2 (235.8kg/m2)
  • Wing Area 730.6ft2 (67.9m2)
  • Drag Points 3966

Parts

  • Number of Parts 138
  • Control Surfaces 8
  • Performance Cost 792
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    It's best plane what i see.
    XD/10 IGN
    3/2 MlG

    5.7 years ago
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    1,305 Deiaa

    @Carguyfromriga Thanks for the feedback! Actually, I think it's more of a competitor with Wasp or Pigpen, since Hellkeska is an attack aircraft by design (and thus is not agile at all compared to this. Get within close range and the Hellkeska is done.), but I still believe it is generally superior to either aircraft, and can defeat them in dogfights with human pilots and countermeasure dispensers equipped, just not as easily as Hellkeska. (Although Wasp can definitely out-sprint it)

    Anyway, the stability issues are simply part of the aircraft design. Yeah, it's unfortunate that this plane doesn't really like to pitch down, but to be this agile at low speed without thrust-vectoring, you need to be a little unstable ("little..." Cough The note in the aircraft description). These issues are only persistant at really high altitude with lots of fuel on board, though, so there's that.
    As for the landing gear, yeah, it's bothered me a lot, too, but I figured it was a necessity to make sure the angle of attack of the wings isn't too low for efficient takeoff from short runways. I think it can be solved by changing the fuselage corners a bit, at the potential cost of slightly ruining other aesthetics. I'll experiment and see what I can do for it.
    For the drag, it was actually the biggest issue for me - reducing the intake size compromises high altitude operations, which I figured can be used as a combat advantage against other aircraft by, for example, baiting the opponent plane into climbing to an altitude too high for its engines to function effeciently and thus gaining the kinetic energy advantage. Speed wasn't of much importance to me while designing it, since the DMJ-14 had that covered and served as a great interceptor anyway.
    As for part count, well, I'll admit it's probably just because of all of them missiles. :)
    Try removing the lights and a few missiles. This should help a bit. Other than that, glad you liked it!

    +1 5.7 years ago
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    1,305 Deiaa
    5.7 years ago
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    @Deiaa The plane seems like a competitor of Hellkeska and I think that it could win it in a dogfight between two human pilots.
    There are few things I don't like about it though. First of all, the front landing gear sticks to the fuselage quite unrealistically. Second, I am not sure about the stability with little fuel and no rockets. And the last, (and certainly THE least) the part count is high, so my device is struggling with handling this build :)
    Speaking about the good things, I haven't seen a plane which would be so agile even at low speeds in a long time. The amount payload it carries is also VERY impressive to say the least. Overall, it's a near perfect heavy fighter, which could be even closer to perfection with annoying small issues (landing gear, for example) ironed out. Also, I think it is possible to reduce drag a little bit by experimenting with air intakes.

    +1 5.7 years ago
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    " How many missiles can I fit on this jet? "

    +1 5.7 years ago
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    1,305 Deiaa

    @Carguyfromriga I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one.

    5.7 years ago