Trailer for Polychop Simulation's SA-342 Gazelle

Friendly reminder the stream starts in 25 minutes. Make sure you have some snacks and drinks :slight_smile:

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Thanks! I was about to miss it!

Gazelle is looking very good. The 3D pit looks amazing! Systems all seem to be working well and close to release status. The Q & A with Polychop will be posted on the forums (and I am sure it will be cross posted here).

New texture DLC also looks fabulous!

DK2 oculus rift on Polychop Sa342 Gazelle

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Here is the QA list from the live stream:

Dear Simmers,

Here are the answers for the Q&A’s on the Gazelle:

Q : Will multicrew support be available at release?
A : no

Q : The Sa-342 Gazelle module include HOT and Scout variant, or have separate modules?
A : The release version will feature the HOT3 viviane version only, other variants will be added through updates post release

Q: In single-player (no multicrew), I assume that the AI pilot takes over at this point?
A: no AI pilot, you do everything on your own, meaning you put the helicopter in hover manually, then engage the autopilot auto-hover mode, then go to the copilot position

Q: If the player is sitting in the aircraft commander position, are the flight controls still active? I.e., pushing cycling etc.
A: yes, you can pilot the helicopter from the commander position

Q:We’ve heard that there will be special support for the recon mission hard-coded into the Gazelle. Does this mean that, e.g., if a specific target is in the LOS of the Gazelle some event will be triggered?
A: Such features were at test stage some time ago but were given up for technical reasons, mostly FPS issue and multiplayer incompatibility

Q: is it going to have campaign juts like Iraq-iran war?
A: A campaign is provided named “Operation Dixmude” using the Caucasus map for a NATO like operation

Q: Are the following effects modeled?

  • fog / icing
  • overheating / overstressing of the engine or other parts
    A: yes

Q: I noticed in the excellent start up video you released you mentioned a fully functional navigation system on the Gazelle, what functions will be available on the system?
A: The real french gazelle navigation system has been simulated

Q: What is the maximun range of the HOT 3 missile?
A : 4300 m

Q : Which sub variant of the gazelle will be added first post launch? SNEB? 20 mm? etc.
A: SNEB Rockets and 20mm gun

Q: Have you worked with real life Gazelle pilots to make this module ?
A: yes

Q: Honestly, is there some systems that you are not able to put in the module compared to the real gazelle (by lack of information or other factors) ?
A: most sytems are fully functional, classified parts are not simulated

Q: Will there be a civil version or atleast a version without optics and weapons?
A: yes

Q: What are the limitations on the targeting camera and laser?
A: camera specifications are described in the manual, the laser is just for distance calculation, not for guiding a weapons

Q: Do they overheat?
A: no, laser device doesn’t lase continuously

Q: Will the Gazelle module have an engine damage model featuring the effects of excessive torque, engine TGT or oil temperature?
A: yes

Q: Does the gazelle have radar and ir jammers and detection equipment?
A: no radar, no IR jammer, but RWR and Flare dispenser

Q: What systems will be modeled and to what fidelity?
A: all systems as real as we could

Q: I would also like to know more about multi-crew also.
will their be individual slots similar to the L-39 when viewing the multiplayer GUI?
if multi-seat functionality is limited, can you just sit as a passenger? (although i hope pilot and co-pilot HOT operator will have their respective functions)
A: Multi-crew features questions can be answered only when it will be available

Q: Is it possible to use the Gazelle as a JTAC and share the laser with others modules as A10C with research mode?
A: The gazelle can spot a target, send distance and heading to any other asset using the radio (no data link)

Q : The HOT missiles can launched on moving target like an Aircrafts or vehicules?
A: no fast moving assets, vehicles yes

Q: Has she been tested with the Oculus Rift?
If so, how does she look?
A: a video will be released soon showing the gazelle with oculus rift

Q: My question is has there / will there been any changes on your side that improves field resupplying, or is it going to essentially be the same options we have now?
A: same as we have now

Q: Will we have Force Feedback?
A: Force Feedback has not been fully implemented yet

Q: could you tell us more about the autopilot and trim system on the gazelle?
A: the autopilor provides more stability, and 4 modes : altitude hold,speed hold, auto-hover, slaved to the camera target
The trim features 2 systems, a trimmer like in ka-50 and a trim actuator just like a plane

Q: Which countries in the ME will be able to use the Gazelle?
A: all that have at least one livery defined, at release time it will be France,USA,UK,Germany,Greece,Israel,Russia,Serbia, Syria.

Q:if the wire is cut does the missile continue on trajectory until it makes contact on it flight path or until it runs out of energy or does it go into an abort profile and turn skyward and explode safely?
A: The missile will fly ballistic after the wire is cut and explode after some time

Q: Will the crew have a voice? eg will the commander be able to call out missile warnings, threats to the pilot etc?
A: no, The RWR features a radar missile launch warning already

Q: Will the Gazelle be flyable as a UK aircraft and will there be a UK skin?
A: yes

Q: will gazelle use the upcoming garmin GPS if ED will release it?
A: no at the moment

Q: Does the gazelle have any lifitng capibilties like a hook like the Huey/Mi-8?
A: this will not be simulated at the moment

Q: Is the module planned to be released for version 1.5, 2.0 or both versions?
A: both versions

Q: Does the targeting sensor on the Gazelle use any type of IR pointer for any purpose that would allow it to visually designate targets for pilots wearing NVGs?
A : No

Q:Ah, that reminds me that somewhere I read about the danger of the rotor blades of the Gazelle hitting its tail during violent maneuvers. Can that happen in Polychop’s Gazelle?

A: this feature has been implemented for tests, then removed because of lack of precise datas about it. It could be re-implemented a soon we have real datas we can rely on

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I missed all this, but have just watched the video now.

Really looking forward to the Gazelle. The Huey is my favorite thing to fly for a while now, and it seems like ‘more of that’ plus modern weapons. Cool!

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Polychop Sa-342 Gazelle Official Trailer

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Very cool looking stuff! In the description of this video I read

[quote]Later, free upgrades to this module will feature Gazelle versions armed
with a GIAT machine gun, rocket pods, Mistral and Snipers.[/quote]

I wonder how that last part will look!? Something like this?

Oh man o man o man o man! Now available!

Getting my credit card out! Once the DCS E-Shop gets updated, anyway :slight_smile:

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/newsletters/newsletter29042016.html

DCS: SA342 Gazelle

Polychop Simulations in cooperation with The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics, are pleased to announce that DCS: SA342 Gazelle is now available for early access in the DCS E-Shop

The SA342 Gazelle is a light scout/attack and transport helicopter. It was introduced in 1968 as a result of cooperation between Aérospatiale and Westland Aircraft. Operated by 23 countries, the Gazelle has served in combat operations across the world including the 1991 Gulf War, 1982 Lebanon War, Syria, and other conflicts.

The Gazelle is powered by a single turbine engine that is connected to three glass-fiber reinforced plastic main rotor blades with a bearingless main rotor developed by Bölkow GmbH. It is also the first helicopter which features the famous Fenestron tail rotor.

The version featured in DCS is the anti-tank version that is armed with four HOT 3 anti-tank guided missiles. Later, free upgrades to this module will feature Gazelle versions armed with a GIAT machine gun, rocket pods, Mistral anti-aircraft missile, and sniper team in rear compartment.

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Element not found here… whats the price?

EDIT:it will be $65 when coupled with the NTTR.

Well, this month just got more expensive.

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$50 for the module and $65 combined with the NTTR. Let´s see what the sandbox is all about :smiley:

Its a nimble little guy thats for sure. I need to set some curves. Currently my collective is all the way up and crashing. The Hot missiles are a lot of fun.

Holy crap that thing is hard to fly!

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Spent an hour or so in the SA-342 Gazelle and, wow, is it ever twitchy.

It seems to me that the joystick responses are very, very sensitive. Turning on the Controller View (is that what it is called?), and I can see that tiny movements of the stick and rudder are all I am able to use without the helicopter tipping up on it’s side. I may have to give them some serious curves to compensate?

Either way, it is a very agile helicopter and … this is beta :slight_smile:

Here is my startup list for anyone looking to give this gentle lady a try.

Step 1: Battery, Alt and Gene switches on (up)

Step 2: Tune the radio … not implemented?

Step 3: Nav (top left), Strobe (top right) and Panel lights (bottom middle) on (up)

Step 4: Fuel Pump

Step 5: Wait 10-20 seconds for it to run up - my pilot is wondering what that thing is between his legs

Step 6: Starter (left switch) on (up)

Step 7: Rotor Brake off (up)

Step 8: Wait for the rotor RPM to sync…

Step 9: … There it is

Step 10: Fuel Flow lever forward (up) until the minute hand on the RPM gauge goes just beyond 30 (target 3000 - 32000 RPM - move the lever slowly)

Step 11: Here is the RPM Gauge reading.

Step 12: While we wait for the engine to spool up to that setting, turn on the Pitot Heat

Step 13: And the Gyro rotary to … GR (right click once)

Step 14: And the Magnetic Brake (Debr switch in the bottom right) on (up) and the Trim Switch (top Left) on (up)

Step 15:* When the engine reaches the RPM setting, continue opening up the Fuel Flow level to full forward. Here is the RPM gauge with the engine in the rough range.

Step 16: Wait for the engine to spool up to that RPM setting

Step 16: Now you can turn on the NADIR system. Set it to ‘Velle’ first but right clicking on the knob, then on to ‘Terre’. Note the ‘ERR’ flag on the left side of the display …

Step 17: That will go away once the gyros have spun up … which looks like this.

Step 18: Turn on the Radar Warning Display

Step 19: Autopilot (grey switch on the far right) on (up), followed by the Pitch, Roll and Yaw switches on (up)

Step 20: Radar Altimeter on (click on the rotary)

Step 21: Artificial Horizon - click and hold on the rotary to the bottom right of the gauge until it stabilizes, then rotate the gauge to correct

Step 22:* Stand-by Artificial Horizon - click and hold on the rotary to the bottom right of the gauge until it stabilizes and use your mouse wheel to center it.

Step 23: All done. Prepare to for the hover attempt :slight_smile:

Some notes on the flight characteristics after a initial and brief flight:

  • I mapped curves (13-15) and dead zones (2) to the pitch, roll and yaw axis, which is the default I give to all aircraft in DCS, and found that this was not close to being enough. I was only adventurous enough to put the diamond far enough away from the center, yet still touch the center;
  • Adding collective on the ground causes the helicopter to become lite on the skids and start sliding forward. Do not try to correct this by pulling back on the stick as that will just result in the tail striking the runway behind you and not really arrest the drift forward. Instead, add collective quickly enough to get off the skids while still being able to counteract the yaw with the pedals.
  • Hover is very touchy. I was not really able to get into a stable hover that did not include some drift in any given direction (with no wind, I might add);
  • Give yourself space/room on the decent. It was challenging to get the helicopter to drop altitude and not pick up speed. Also, maneuvering in the decent seemed to increase the lift, causing me to gain altitude when attempting to turn. This possibly falls back to the touchy controls as the collective seems to have as tight a center as the pitch, roll and yaw controls;

And remember: we are in early beta with this. Patience and experimentation is good :slight_smile:

EDIT: Updated to include some missing steps

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Nice preview, @Fridge! As much as I love high fidelity choppers, I have yet to give the Gazelle a go. It seems to be doing well, for a beta. Looking forward to watching Polychop further develop this graceful yet powerful creature.

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@Fridge I recommend that you also desaturate your controls a bit… The gazelle needs it. You won’t ever want to fully deflect the stick anyway. Imagine what would happen. It’d probably spawn a black hole or something.

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This is a great preview. And yeah…she is a twitchy little bugger. There will be smoke. There will be flames. LOL… So much fun to just fly…and I haven’t even attempted to pull the trigger and shoot anything…heck, I’d likely be pointed back at friendly troops by the time I finished squeezing anyway… LOL

Nice write-up Fridge!

Here is an excellent First Impressions Review with a lot of good information:

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Ok, my Gazelle story.

It has injured me, as in I am in physical pain because of this module. :slight_smile:

I spent very late last night on a mission that required me to pop-up and down again over a ridge. I was pretty bad, but the thought was there and it was fun. Unfortunately I needed a fair amount of concentration, and I must have sat in the same ‘steely eyed, locked jaw’ position with my hand on the stick for over 40 minutes. Hand cramps, the works.

This morning I have a killer of a muscle spasm in my neck, as in more pain killers bad. It’s actually hard to fly again, it’s that bad.

The Gazelle just keeps finding new ways of trying to kill me…

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