Getting older aircraft to work with Prepar3dv4

[montytheangry 0]

I am looking for guidance.  I am a pilot not a computer programmer, thus all I know how to do is copy and paste folders.  My issue is that I have an original file of the Classic Wings Ercoupe.  Its modeling is still very good although the graphics lack a bit.  I have successfully copied and pasted all of my other older aircraft into Prepar3dv4 but this file, which worked fine with v3 causes P3d to crash whether from the start screen or when selecting it in the sim.  I apologize if this topic has been covered before, but my eyes went numb reading through the plethora of posts and the search function netted zero results.  I learned to fly in an Ercoupe, got my license in one in Alaska when I was stationed there in 2008, so it is kinda special to me.  I hope someone can help.

By the way if anyone wants the file I would be happy to share it.  It flew great and looked great in v3.

Thanks,

Tony

[blaunarwal 432]

Hi Tony

That does not work, unfortunately. First thing is the model of the plane, which needed to be updated. That can be done often, but it is not that easy process and far from perfect. Next thing, the gauges in the cockpit. That´s the difficult thing, if you´re not keen into programming. So rather spend some money and get a new Spitfire or what ever you had in this package. I have a lot of classic airplane, which work fine in P3D4. I´d suggest Ants Tiger Moth Pro or some Stearman from Golden Age Simulations. Flight Replicas and Aeroplane Heaven have also classic airplanes. 

I have some older FSX aircraft working in P3D4. If you search a specific type ask here. I can check if I have one and how it runs in P3D4.

Regards

Dan

[spokes2112 179]

Just checked a stock install - 
(good) interior & exterior models using the FSX SDK
(good) panels, gauges - nothing fancy here, uses FS9 syntax in XML  gauges

It should work if you have a stock install of the aircraft. But, if you added some kind of 3rd party popup/ sound gauge that may be causing it.

[FrankSalo 272]

Use model converter x to convert the mdl files to P3D V4 compatible, it will convert the included textures as well and since you say the guages are xml. It should work after that.

[DonMuskopf 32]

An aircraft that you may like is Flysimware's  Ercoupe 415C. I have used it in both P3D V4 and V5. Hope this helps.

https://secure.simmarket.com/flysimware-ercoupe-415c-fsxp3d.phtml

https://flysimware.com/website2019/flysimwares-erco-ercoupe-415c/

[montytheangry 0]

Thanks, ya'll,

I have installed it into Pv4, it works once or twice.  It really is a good looking, good flying, pretty accurate representation of how an Ercoupe looks and flies.  I have tried the flysimware coupe and it is, well, ridiculous in most of its offerings.  The look over the nose is pretty bad, very few aircraft have those wheel spats or pants as it was designed by a guy for speed and lastly the flight dynamics are horrible.  I like the idea of model converter x, it sounds like what I need.  It is possible that I did something to the file way back when, but I just don't remember.  Strange that it would work with Pv3 and not v4. 

Thank you all again, 

Tony

[blaunarwal 432]

There's a major change from P3D3 to P3D4. The first is 32 bit, the latter 64 bit. So that's primarely a problem of the gauges. The model should work, if it is for FSX at least. You can just load the .mdl into an editor (notepad++ e.g.) and check the first lines where there's a string like MDLXMDLH , showing a FSX MDL. That usually works.

If you read MDL8MDLH , it does not work in P3D4 and above. Then you need to convert it with ModelconverterX, but that is not that easy. Some variables may be different than 15 years ago older sims and it's often guessing, what to fill in or accept as value for these. I can convert objects but sometimes I have no clue, what should be done if it concerns animations e.g.

If your unsure, if you have modified the airplane, why not installing it from scratch with a fresh download. Maybe also someone converted it to a newer standard in the meantime. Rikooo often has converted aircraft and also simviation.

Regards

Dan

P.S. Here you find on the second entry your Ercoupe with XML gauges https://simviation.com/1/search?submit=1&keywords=ercoupe&x=0&y=0

Edited October 9, 2020 by blaunarwal

[montytheangry 0]

You know, it is really weird.  I can delete and then reinstall and it works once, until I close the sim.  Then the next time it causes the sim to crash.  No error logging.  I can't seem to find anywhere to download the original file.  I have since copied and pasted it so many times I can't find what should have been the original file.  I will keep trying.

Thanks,

Tony

[blaunarwal 432]

I have some similar experience. Recently I discovered a plane with FS9 mdl. I was sure, I have used it successfully in P3D4.5, maybe 4.4. Now with 4.5 HF3 it no longer works. It is not shown in the selection screen. Check your mdl file, what it says, FSX or FS9. 

Dan

[montytheangry 0]

You know, it is really weird.  I can delete and then reinstall and it works once, until I close the sim.  Then the next time it causes the sim to crash.  No error logging.  I can't seem to find anywhere to download the original file.  I have since copied and pasted it so many times I can't find what should have been the original file.  I will keep trying.

Thanks,

Tony

[montytheangry 0]

I can't open the file  but there are two  MDL files, one says ercoupe_ext.MDL  the other is the same except ext. is int.

I should have never upgraded from v3.  Everything worked great!  I used to get weather and traffic from v3 injected into Foreflight.  Now all I get is my position.  I had used some software from Flight1 called Foreflight plug in.  But it dosen't seem to work with v4.  Got any ideas?

Tony

[blaunarwal 432]

If you can´t open these files, I see your not very keen on file operations either. So I conclude, you will never be able to convert this plane to be used in P3D4. You can still go back to P3D3, if they still can be downloaded under the respective login for this buy. You may have kept the installation files. But I would not do that but rather get yourself a new plane, which works in P3D4. There are so many good aircraft.

Here are some recommendations.

Freeware:

Rob made some payware standard aircraft. Just make shure to use the ones for your sim.

http://www.robertjamesrichardson.co.uk/index.html

RFN have wonderful aircraft for free. They also link to external sites and make sure to download only for P3D4.

http://royalefrenchnavy.restauravia.fr/RFN-Avions.htm

https://restauravia.fr/html/p3d_v_4.html

Payware:

I can recommend all A2A aircraft. A bit more expensive. They offer for all version of Prepar3d v4, so be carefull. If you have Academic, select the academic only version, no bundle, no professional. 

Here´s the direct link to the C172 academic. 

https://secure.simmarket.com/a2a-simulations-c172-trainer-p3d-academic-(de_8457).phtml

[montytheangry 0]

I very kindly thank you for your advice.  I already own everything A2A puts out, Cherokee being great and the Constellation my most favorite of all.  I grew up in Kansas City and often visited the Airline Aviation Museum and their airworthy TWA aircraft.  There is also another Connie in Topeka Kansas that is a military radar aircraft.

Thank you again,

Tony