F6F Visibility Request

[TDeacon]

I wish for better visibility for all planes and vehicles.

My wish pertains mainly to the vertical canopy posts. In real life the canopy posts are NOT blind spots. Right now all game simulations assume the operator has cyclops vision. In real life most operators have two (2) eyes. Having two eyes means you can see around some objects. The blind spot in a canopy post, for example, would only reach a few feet after the post (assuming the post's width is less than the measured distance between a persons eye, which is around 2 to 2.5 inches). The cheep fix is to make the canopy posts thinner, unfortunately some of the AH2 upgrades included fattening the canopy posts.

+1; I made a very similar argument to this one about 5 years ago.  Not only do we have 2 eyes, but we have flexible necks. 

MH

[ink]

+1; I made a very similar argument to this one about 5 years ago.  Not only do we have 2 eyes, but we have flexible necks. 

MH

we have more flexibility then whats in AH

[RTHolmes]

sure ... if you happen to be an owl

[Slade]

My email to the New England Air Museum.  They have an F6F-5.

Hello xxxxxxxxxxxxx,

I visited your museum a few years back and was very impressed!  My Mom, xxxxxxxxx, actually worked there at the field during WWII.  Some of her fondest memories were there.

I have a huge favor to ask please.  I participate in HiTech's "Aces High".  It is the best WWII flight simulator that exists and has been for about a decade.  One aspect of the F6F they may not have modeled correctly is the view looking back, AKA the "6" view.  Many feel the 6 view modeled is too limiting but more important than that, it may not be accurate.  Could you please have someone take some digital image photos from the cockpit looking straight back?  With the canopy closed for accuracy please.  The goal is to be able to view to the rear as best as a WWII pilot was capable.  We need to answer the question: "how good was the 6 view of the F6F"?

We will share this with HiTech to update the plane modelling.  If you would do this I would return the favor with a donation.  You can send the images to my email address if that is easiest.

I cannot thank you enough for considering this.

Sincere thanks,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Slade]

OK guys the New England Air Museum sent me the pictures from inside an F6F-5 looking back.  All I have to say is that AH got it way right.  

The images speak for themselves.  Enjoy!

Image A
Image B
Image C
Image D
Image E
Image F

Slade  

[Karnak]

Neat photos.  Not much rearward view in that one.

[Greebo]

What do people see in the F6F? Not much!

Nice photos Slade, thanks for posting.

[Devonai]

Wow, I'm surprised they actually accommodated your request!  I was ready to head over there myself and see if I could beg a favor in person (the museum is four miles from my house).  Thanks!

[Letalis]

Great work!  Looks like HT got pretty darn close.

[Widewing]

When the revised F6F was released, the rear views were awful. You could barely see the tips of the horizontal stabilizer. After listening to many complaints (myself included), they adjusted the views substantially by permitting a greater range of motion in the cockpit. A smidge more may be there, but not enough to make a real difference... I fly the F6F on a regular basis and I'm satisfied.

You know, you can always kick left and right rudder to reduce the blind spot looking back....

[Slade]

Thanks all.  It just shows how close HiTech model their planes to the real thing.