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Current Release Version:   1.4 (02/19/2010)

PC Version

If you haven't purchased a license yet you can get that on the main page by clicking the "Buy" option.  The plane is not functional unless registered.  You can get the latest installer here and you can install over your current installation.  Once registered you can download the latest installer here at any time without needing to re-register:




The Mac version is only available for sale at X-Plane.org.  You can use your existing download links to get the latest version or you can request a new link by e-mail for current users.  No registration is required as of yet for the Mac version.  

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Release Notes for Release 1.4
New Features:

• Bombing Calculator - to calculate dual timer values for level and pop-up attacks
• Radar symbols now illuminated - were too hard to see before
• Radar sweep in Air-to-Air mode slowed down - was too fast before
• Trim Sensitivity Options added for pitch and roll trim
• Added more information to flight analysis window - This logs major flight events and points out errors in regards to takeoff, flight, and landings.
• Added more joystick axes for CF-104 joystick configuration window - weren't quite enough before for some joysticks
• Added Master Caution Reset and Bomb Release functions to key command menu - now mouse users can drop bombs!
• Added missing flap lever
• Lots of additions to the manual for normal procedures, emergency procedures, and bombing procedures.
• Modified paint kit and fixed tail object to fix some mapping problems - Attn paint scheme creators: make sure to update your paint schemes to match. See the paint kit thread in this forum for details on what changes must be made.

Bug Fixes

• Autopilot now functions if you open the aircraft with the engine off - The autopilot didn't work before in that scenario. Thanks to Nic for finding that one!
• Sounds now play for non-intel G5 Macs - non-intel Macs have a different bit format for sounds
• TACAN problems resolved on Macs - file I/O commands don't work correctly on some versions of the Mac OS. Thanks to Sandy for the fix!
• Crashing problem on Macs - see above... faulty file read command resulted in a memory overrun
• Glass panels not dark anymore on planes opened after CF-104 - This is more of an X-Plane problem. The cockpit lighting in the new plane being opened is the same as the plane in use. For the CF-104, cockpit and panel lights are normally off so opening a new plane will result in its panel lighting being off. When the CF-104 plugin stops now, it sets panel lights to maximum brightness.
• Fuel Truck now draws on Mac - object appeared to have been messed up
• Aircraft objects have been fixed. AC3D added several thousand unused groups to the model. These have been removed and the objects re-saved. This may or may not solve two reported cases of the exterior object not being drawn correctly.
• Engine sound volume now increases when canopy is jettisoned
• Adjust bank arrow on attitude indicator - was off a bit to the right

Known Issues

• The X-Plane drag calculation is not consistent. This may cause the aircraft not to accelerate beyond M1.07. As a work-around, make sure to open your aircraft twice when starting at a new airport. This appears to fix the problem.

Menu Options
- You can now assign a function key for the aircraft/weapon tracking function key in the Joystick Setup window
- Engine volume can be modified using a slider in the Preferences Window

Interior Lighting Controls
- You can now adjust the interior lighting controls in the virtual cockpit.

Canopy Lever
- Clicking on the canopy lock lever will now open/close the canopy

Bug Fixes
- O2 gauge now has a needle
- The Fixed Frequency Generator Reset Switch can now be pressed
- Joystick Function Buttons can be unassigned
- Joystick sliders in Joystick Config window are now recognized (MAC Version)

Release Notes for Release 1.1

Engine Model Fix
The X-Plane engine model changed in X-Plane release 9.4.  I have a custom engine model built on top of that so I had to re-do my thrust tables.  You will now get accurate supersonic acceleration numbers and level speeds for all altitudes.  You can now claw your way up to 70,000 at M2.0.  You have to keep your mach number very high when climbing to this altitude because if you are any slower than about M1.9, you are getting close to the stall speed and your angle of attack gets too high and you lose airspeed.

Flight Model Improvements
- Nozzle opens and closes faster which provides faster thrust response
- Speed brakes are more effective
- Less roll-off when cutting the throttle with takeoff or landing flaps extended

Control Improvements
- Function keys for Throttle Idle/Cutoff and the key command menu can now be configured in the Plugins-CF-104 Systems-Joystick Setup menu.
- Note that if you have a separate mixture control, you don't have to assign a function key for the Throttle Idle/Cutoff function.  You can use your mixture control for that.  You can select this option in the Plugins-CF-104 Systems-Preferences window. 
- You no longer have to configure the landing gear key in the CF-104 Joystick Setup menu.  The landing gear now functions using the X-Plane key or joystick button that you define in the X-Plane Joystick setup menu.
- Drag Chute now uses the X-Plane command to deploy the drag chute.  It can be deployed still from the key command menu as well.

Ambient Outdoor Sounds
If you check the box for Outdoor Sounds in the Plugins-CF-104 Systems-Preferences window, you will hear some sounds of planes flying over and birds when your engine is off and the canopy is open.  What can I say, I was bored one night.

Landing Gear Sounds
New landing gear sounds that work in synch with the gear doors and are much closer to what you hear in the real jet.

Engine Howl Sounds
The engine in the Starfighter has an unique howling noise at certain engine rpms.  I've tried to replicate it.  I think it needs improvement.  You can turn it off if you don't care for it in the Plugins-CF-104 Systems-Preferences window.

Texture Improvements
- The all-attitude indicator (artificial horizon) textures have been improved to remove much of the distortion at the top and bottom of the ball.
- G meter warning line was moved from 3G to 7.3G.  It was based on Mark Sherman's jet and I'm not sure why there was a red line at 3G on his jet.
- Afterburner flame was made to be more orange.

More Preferences (Plugins-CF-104 Systems-Preferences window)
- Auto refueling by the truck can be turned on or off
- Engine howling noise can be turned on or off
- Stick shaker sound can be turned on or off
- Option to use Mixture Control lever as Throttle Idle/Cutoff.  If you have a separate mixture lever, once the mixture lever is set more than half way, the throttle will go from cutoff to idle.  If you are using this option you can unassign the function key for Throttle Idle/Cutoff in the Plugins-CF-104 Systems-Joystick Setup window.

Bug Fixes
- Rudder moves correct way on external model now.
- You can only jettison your canopy and eject a single time.
- X-Plane drag chute disabled. 
- Prevent X-Plane from turning the landing lights on at night.  You must use the switch on the panel or the key command menu.

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Planned Updates for Release 1.5:

• Get rear-view mirrors working again - the camera is used for these and an x-plane issue always causes them to draw with night vision mode enabled which looks too strange.
• Add afterburner ignition sounds
• Improve engine howl sounds
• Add external engine sounds
• Add internal ejection cam
• Model compressor stall
• Enhance air-to-air radar so that it can't detect aircraft behind terrain
• Stop sounds when sim is paused
• Add reflective instrument faces

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Future Updates Currently Planned:

• Convenctional Attack Version with these new features:
• LW-33 Inertial Navigation System 
• Advanced Continuously Computed Impact Point and Release Point (CCIP/CCRP) bombing modes
• More conventional weapons plus the installation of the canon and possibly the CRV-7 air-to-ground rockets
  
• Lead-Computing Optical Gunsight (LCOSS)
• Radar Warning Receiver (RWR)
• NF-104 (this is mostly working aside from some panel modications)

• First release of X-Combat plugin:
• Will have surface-to-air radar installations with surface-to-air missiles
• Dynamic ground vehicles which will move and will receive damage when hit with bombs or rockets
• F-104G Starfighter - Besides having many of the capabilites of the CF-104 conventional attack version it will have these additional features:
• Air-to-air missiles
• Air-to-sea missiles
• Rocket-Assisted Takeoff (I won't be able to rest until I get this working)