Dassault Mirage 4000
for FS2004/FSX
Authors
SimScape Team: Head-Up Display and gauge update for FSX compatibility
Eric Marciano: gauges programming and panel configuration
Romain Lucas: exterior visual model, virtual cockpit
Thanks :
to Frank Safranek for his help and his support since the beginning of this project,
to Antoine Grondeau for his wonderful photos of the interior of the Mirage 2000,
to Cyril Pioffet for the afterburner effects
Panel and virtual cockpit
Given the lack of information about the real cockpit of the Mirage 4000, many textures and virtual cockpit and panel elements are based on Mirage 2000 ones.
The panel includes a multi-mode radar which shows planes driven by the AI and other player aircrafts during multi-player sessions. To get more information about this radar, please see this page: http://emarciano.free.fr/Radar
The panel includes a brand new Head-Up Display (HUD) especially developed for Mirage aircrafts. It uses vector graphics technology for smooth graphics and optimal performance. It is linked with the radar to show the radar selected target. For more information about the HUD, please see this page: http://www.simscape.fr
Installation
Run the installer "Mirage4000_fs9.exe" or "Mirage4000_FSX.exe"
Documentation
To get more information about the panel usage and the multi-function displays, please refer to the online documentation: http://www.simscape.fr/Mirage4000.html
For the HUD documentation, see here: http://www.simscape.fr/MirageHUD_Doc.html
Version 2008
The panel has been updated with new FSX-compatibles gauges, the integration of the new radar gauge and the brand new HUD developed by SimScape.
The afterburner effects have been added and the aircraft textures have been updated.
History
The original decision was reached in September 1976 to begin construction of a twin-engined prototype, in parallel with the Mirage 2000 fighter project, which had been
selected by the French Government. One aircraft being in fact technically derived from the other, design work and construction were arranged at the same time for both, their first flight being however scheduled with an interval of one year. This 20-ton Mach 2 aircraft was developed and built as a private venture by the French aeronautical industry, and particularly by Dassault-Breguet, responsible for the airframe and for the complete integration of all equipment items.
On its first flight, on 9 March 1979 at Istres, it reached Mach 1.2, piloted by Jean-Marie Saget. It reached Mach 1.6 on its second flight and, on its sixth flight (on 11 April), it reached Mach 2.04 and flew at angles of attack of up to 25° during a spin analysis. Its twin SNECMA M53 engines, in the 10-ton thrust class ( 22,000 lbs ) provide a thrust/weight ratio greater than 1:1.
The Mirage 4000 has reduced drag, combined with the simple and compact design of the pure-delta wing configuration. Twin "canards" fitted on each side of the air intakes in front of the wing help a smooth airflow at high angle of attack while substantially improving maneuverability. All these qualities make the Mirage 4000 one of the rare aircraft which were comparable to the American F-15 at that time.
By 1980, Saudi Arabia was considering acquiring some Mirage 4000. France's defense committee ruled that 50 Mirage 4000s should be acquired to replace the Mirage IV. However, no orders materialized, mainly because of its high cost (and because the Mirage 2000 was a better value). In 1986, Dassualt re-activated it, it was renamed 'Mirage 4000,' (from 'Super Mirage 4000') and was re-painted with desert camouflage on the upper surfaces. It was used as a chase plane and a testbed for the Rafale program, researching the behavior of a canard-delta configuration in turbulence. Finally it was transferred to Paris as a permanent exhibit outside the "Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace" where it is still today.
Characteristics
Wingspan....................... 11.93 m
Length......................... 18.72 m
Empty weight................... 13,490 kg
Combat weight.................. 16,100 kg
Max take off weight............ 32,000 kg
Wing loading................... 220 kg/m²
External loads................. > 8,000 kg
Powerplant .................... 2 SNECMA M53 turbofans
Max Mach in level flight....... Mach 2.2
Approach speed................. 140 kts
Climbing speed................. > 1,000 ft/s
Operational ceiling............ 65,000 ft
Range with external tanks...... > 3,700 km
Copyrights
The included files have been tested and have been determined not to be harmful. However, the authors are not responsible for any direct, consequential or indirect
damage these files may cause to you and your computer. Use entirely at your own risk.
Any gauge provided with this panel can not be used in another panel without the permission of the author.
The aircraft and panel are FREEWARE. These files are strictly for your own personal, non-commercial use. Any redistribution, repackaging or reselling of these files in
any form is expressly prohibited without the permission of the authors.
The radar gauge is PAYWARE. If you want to buy this radar, please see this page: http://emarciano.free.fr/Radar
The HUD is PAYWARE. A time-limited version in included in the Mirage 4000 panel. If you want to purchase this device, please see this page:
http://www.simscape.fr/MirageHUD.html
Websites
SimScape - http://www.simscape.fr
Eric Marciano Home Page - http://emarciano.free.fr
Mirage Aircraft (Frank Safranek) - http://www.mirage4fs.com
WingShots (Antoine Grondeau) - http://www.wingshots.net
Bon vols !
June 2008
