Improving The Mirage 2000 early version for FG1

A Conversion Work In Progress

A version of the Mirage 2000, named mirage2000.zip and with a size of a few megabytes is available on the FG ftp site.

The Mirage 2000 loads and works in FG1. The right side instrument panel does not show correctly, and the canopy is too large as can be seen from the pictures below. Wing and tail shapes are block y and the pilot is very rudimentary. The plane comes with a 2D panel, when removed there is nothing in front of the pilot, no sign of the plane when you look around.

Inserting the 3D model into the standard Mirage 5 folder got the interior to show up, after moving the position of view it looks like some work could be done on this model.

Comparing the splash screen image on the left with the model in Flight Gear it is apparent that the canopy shape is incorrect- it extends too far over the nose. The model is otherwise passable, and may be smoothed out in a 3D editor. The flight model is very easy to deal with, makes for an easy plane to fly, a plane that goes where it is pointed as Mirage pilots have said it does.

For information on flying the Mirage 2000 see here:

https://hushkit.net/2019/09/25/flying-fighting-in-the-mirage-2000-interview-with-mirage-2000-pilot/

Virtual Cockpit enabled through Nasal script! Sucess!

In order to make the 3D cockpit appear, I had to transfer the model into the Mirage III folder. Pilots view from the cockpit, in FG1 with 2d panel removed. Note the oxygen mask sticking in his face and the green HUD panel. Adding instruments to the panel could make this a reasonable model to fly, especially with the HUD.

The later development model 72mb or so in size would not load in either FG 2.0 or FG 2018 due to some purported errors with loading missiles, so this is a worthwhile substitute.

After trying several things with configuration files to make the 3D cockpit appear in the original Mirage 2000 model, I finally got it working.

Here's how:

Corrected all errors in loading, for example there were some files the model needed from the F-16 model, which I then downloaded
After the above change, it was now possible to set the property "virtual-cockpit" to "true" in the properties browser, although the cockpit still did not appear, the setting stuck.
Examined the Mirage III settings file for anything that would set the virtual cockpit to true. I found the following in mirageIII-base.xml in the model root folder:

Using the above information, I added the include line to the mirage200-set.xml file and copied the Nasal folder from the Mirage III folder to the Mirage2000 folder.
It works! I was immediately placed on the floor of the Mirage 2000 looking at the back of the seat. Next I have to change the position which was already noted.

The Mirage 2000 with enhancements to the ASI and Altimeter to improve usability by adding coloured markers for the approach and landing gear extension speeds.

Images from Flight Gear 2.0

Note: The following images are from Flight Gear 2.0 running in Windows 7. These are not from FG1

The images show the aircraft in best light although shading is very dark on the unlit side, almost black.

The 2D panel with a nice HUD. Some panels do not display.

Landing configuration, shadow too dark. Looks good from this angle

Commendably, the model is capable of high alpha (JBSIM flight model)

A close up view again showing good modelling except for the canopy area specifically.

18 June 2020

Changed the wheels and landing gear as well as the canopy transparency, using Blender, Wings 3D and editing the .ac file for materials. The texture disappeared, however, not the plane is all white.

Detail in discussion thread at Flight Gear Forum for Mirage 2000 (2000) edition.

Added standard altimeter to the 3D panel. Large because it is too close

The large cylinder taking the place of the left tire for testing: it retracted fine, so animations OK

New landing gear and old landing gear in same model, as well as canopy

Tire material changed to black through editing material (mat 5) in .ac file, replacement canopy transparency also set

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