F4 Simulator

[noflynomore]

There is an outfit in Harrogate advertising a full-motion Ferranti built F4 (J?) sim for hire.
I am wondering how good/how convincing the visuals would be on such a relatively old machine.

Any opinions/anyone used it either in service or at Harrogate?

[Pontius Navigator]

I recall the early (circa 1969) F4M SIM had two scale map models. One was of Coningsby and the circuit area and the other a low level tactical one. The 'aircraft' was a camera turret that flew over the map in response to pilot inputs.

State of the art 50 years ago.

[David Thompson]

You asked the same question last month and got a positive reply ;
http://www.pprune.org/aviation-history-nostalgia/588159-f4-phantom-sim-hire.html

[Linedog]

My other half treated me to an hour in this on my 50th. That was 15 years ago. I had spent some time developing British military airfieds for FS98/2k/2002/2004 and through to FSX. Having done alot of hours in these sims using various dubious freeware models I set off with some curiosity as to what the actual thing would be like. Although no actual locations were mentioned, I thought that the initial departure point was around Finningley. Flew out over the East coast to spot a carrier.
The captain I/C the sim was ex RAF and now 737 Capt at Bradford and Leeds.
Then turned back to somewhere near Leeming to do an attack on a radio/radar installation. Then back to base to do three approaches, first one in cloud down to 1000', second one with cloud all the way down, third in clear but in darkness.
After what I had been producing as an amateur, the scenery was bland with green ground and blue sky, I presume on a low power PC to keep the frame rates up. The airfield scenery was kept to the control tower with no other buildings.

It was great to feel the full motion after so many years sitting at my desk, I was surprised at my ability to control the aircraft, although as with the play sims, I presume there are variables available to the operator.
I did enjoy it even though it cost £200 all that time ago.