F-4E Phantom Cold Start Tutorial in DCS World

[@matthewj2492]

I was a 20-year-old Corporal when I received my engine start-up license for the USMC F4S Phantom II. The F4 was a beast, and my first turn-up was a bit scary, the engine heats up fast, then backs off. My Turn-up (what we called it) License was for maintenance only. You had to take a written test, then qualify in a simulator, then turn it up on your own with the maintenance officer looking over you. Crazy!!!! So much to memorize and get right.

[@matthewj2492]

Thanks for people like you who are making the F4 Phantom great again!

[@SQUID-r87vhh]

Thank you for your service

[@Scoobydcs]

THIS is thee most important video on youtube this week

[@marcosechi8820]

Nah, autostart

[@boggy8557]

Agreed, I prefer the real procedures

[@Ballantines3835]

week and beyond...

[@SkyDawg91]

I really want to see a vet F-4 pilot strap-in to the Heatblur Phantom via virtual reality, blind to the Heatblur manual/instructional, and start this thing up from cold and dark. What I’m most interested in here is their reaction to the fidelity and how fast their muscle memory kicks in. Cool that you got to do this! Can’t think of anyone better, really.

[@Ciadric]

Cannot wait for my dad to try it!! he's got about 3000h on the F-4G. He already said that hes positive he can start the damn thing still, ha!

[@SkyDawg91]

@@Ciadric Oh man, that is so cool. I'm very excited for ya both!

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Many vet F-4 pilots have been working with Heatblur to help get everything right

[@scruffww3495]

@@Ciadric Hey what's your dad's call sign? I flew G-easels until George closed in 92. Scruff

[@Ciadric]

@@scruffww3495 Different country. He flew the German version in the Luftwaffe after having flown the ol' F-104. Die plenty Red Flags with yall tho, usually on the aggressor side tho, ha.

[@NB28VT]

Yessss of all the content creators to have the trust of the developer and the honor of releasing a cold start video I'm glad it was you Reflected 🔥

[@ReflectedSimulations]

I’m glad too, thanks!:)

[@dev1360]

And Tricker.

[@Swanny.31]

I love your start up tutorials! I watch them, take notes, make an excel spreadsheet and finally kneeboards! Thank you for all your hard work!!

[@Hustler9g]

Bitter sweet to get this under these circumstances. I think we all were hoping to be following along at home

[@CaptPickguard]

We get to study up for tomorrow :)

[@johnhancock8552]

@@CaptPickguard is it not getting released today? im still at work

[@CaptPickguard]

@@johnhancock8552 correct. There were issues they'd rather take one last day to iron out before releasing it to all of us.

[@SiemaZiomek]

lol- with the hype being pumped to astronomical levels, I knew this module was going to be a dissapointment- I just didn't know how blatant they would be :D Don't worry- we will download tomorrow, it will be flyable by christmass :D If you fly in VR- just wait for the 5090 :D

[@lorddoge8410]

​@@SiemaZiomek wahh wahh wahh

[@pyr0duck676]

I can't wait for HB to implement the updated Jester and ground crew for the F-14! This looks so good!

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Yes it’s pretty good!

[@sedlo]

You've done a great job here, Reflected!

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks!

[@DieselThunderAviation]

Excellent video! Thorough and well detailed!

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thank you Sir!

[@kellerdominik7256]

Now I can sit in my phantom with peace of mind and get started! Many thanks Greg😎🤘

[@isaiahaguilera7710]

F

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Looking forward to your Phantom vids :)

[@riman8493]

Awesome, Greg! =) When I read the embargo for cold-start videos was lifted, I immediately thought no one would be able to do a more meticulous, in-depth tutorial than you - happy they got you to do it! =)

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks, I feel honored they picked me

[@0BuLLeT01]

This is awesome... I am patiently waiting for the quickstart though :)

[@ReflectedSimulations]

LWin+Home :D

[@pickandstrum]

I was a crew chief on f4 at nellis for red flag I did engine run ups all the time now that I’m older I can’t believe I did all of that as a 20 something kid. It’s all sort of overwhelming now as I watch this, I have my start up check list notes.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

That's awesome, thank you for your service!

[@Skipper441]

Many thanks Reflected for this tutorial. Just like you, I always try to adhere to real world procedures. I always have a real manual at hand. I would like to note that the Phantom model and cockpit are a real masterpiece. You can admire them for hours.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks, you’re gonne love the F-4!

[@SoaCrow]

I loved your Tomcat tutorials and sure as hell love this one as well! Looking forward to some more of your work, campaigns, tutorials and everything else.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks, there’s more to come!

[@PluckyUnderdog]

I'll watch this later today. Sad that ED have ballsed up the release, but as long as they don't push it back any further, no real harm done. 👍

[@Cessna152ful]

They will

[@CakePrincessCelestia]

I see what they did there. Typical patch day is When'sday. They planned this update for Chuesday so if this was going to happen, they'd still possibly hit When'sday. It just must not repeat (which totally happened before).

[@guitargamery777]

yeah i agree and i said on my review, this cockpit is the best looking cockpit in the history of simulators, i dont even think being a matter of opinion but a real fact, tx brother for this, we love your guides man!!

[@Furia40]

Absolutely awesome video !!!!! Great realistic start up and excellent cockpit and exterior images !! Thanks a lot!! 👍

[@EvansRG78]

Ridiculous, the sounds and immersion are incredible. I can almost smell the BO and grease from the cockpit. Thanks for the startup video. I will be following this once we finally receive the jet.

[@belgeode]

And there it iiiiiissss. Finally. Now we just need the ACTUAL update. 🤣😂

[@theonefrancis696]

Two weeks xD

[@xtc6106]

@@theonefrancis696 nooo ur joking lol

[@Andrew-13579]

It’s not right that we should get an F-4E before we get an F-100D! 😂. The F-4E release should be delayed until the F-100D has been out for 6 months.

[@Conti1]

Mate, what a pleasant discovery your channel has been. Thank you so much for sharing this video, new fanboy here. Thanks again!

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks, I'm glad you like the videos!

[@Pricklyhedgehog72]

Oh this is gonna be fun starting every mission in your campaign...

[@stefanonapoli7282]

God Bless Heatblur Simulations.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

We're SOO lucky to have them!

[@PaddyPatrone]

Thanks, I waited for this!

[@seanarmstrong5234]

did you buy the module paddy?

[@wavehopper4183]

The resemblence to Robin Olds is uncanny. That's impressive detail.

[@scottyoung3700]

I appreciate the work and talent it took to make this video as life like as possible. However having worked in these birds in the early 80s I assure you it was a beast to maintain and deal with. Plane nearly killed me. Maintenance nightmare.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thank you for your service!

[@dkoz8321]

I love how the F4 USAF pilot is not just image of (well kinf is), it is Col. Robin Olds. The F4 legend. The immortal Phantom II driver.

[@Andrew-13579]

Nice tutorial! I like your SEA skins for the F-5E, btw.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Hey, thanks!

[@96thaerospacemedia48]

Where did you find those skins? Are they free/purchasable?

[@RebelNine]

Very thorough - Thnx - Got an extra day to memorise it all 🤣

[@paulf1389]

I just hope that the cold start training mission is in as much depth as this is. Thank you Reflected.

[@notsurejr4957]

I can only assume to turn off the aug switches to prevent wear on the actuators, as during taxi all those bumps will cause the surfaces to flutter/deflect very rapidly.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Yes, that’ll be it, thanks!

[@notsurejr4957]

@@ReflectedSimulations I got no source for this. It could be for another reason.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@notsurejr4957 but you were right, an SME just confirmed it :)

[@hawkexo]

Thank you for the most-excellent start up video. Incredibly informative. Thank you for getting this out for us.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thank you!

[@Airpaycheck]

Intake covers are usually off prior to the crew arriving. -60 starts are noisey. Try doing a cartridge start. Much more exiting, especially when one torches 👍

[@WishIknewwhatthiswas]

Thank you for yet another great tutorial. Top notch presentation as always.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thank you!

[@MrPhantom453]

My tanks will be empty and I'll be hungry by the time I finish this! 😜Love it!

[@vimfuego8827]

Excellent as always

[@joachimbrand2314]

Thanks Reflected! Will watch this a few times, so im ready...

[@ShuRugal]

stab aug is turned off during taxi because the stab aug system does not understand that the plane is on the ground and moves differently than in the air. It will attempt to "correct" for this difference between what it expects the plane to be doing and what the plane actually does while on the ground, and may damage the flight controls by thrashing them about in the process.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thank you!

[@OfficialUSKRprogram]

a little sad that the HUD camera won't be available at launch but this module is so advanced that I don't mind as much.

[@aztec0112]

This will come in handy if it's ever released.

[@sailonstellarwinds]

What a great video, and what an incredible implementation.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Top notch module!

[@bretttrommler756]

I got a couple flights in last night finally. All in all about what I expected, which is a very good thing. A couple observations… - On my first landing, which was a bit rough at Creech but certainly nowhere near as hard as a carrier landing, Jester makes a comment about needing the undercarriage replaced and then I find out I have no brakes. Now, I’m an old US Navy carrier guy. I’m used to planes that get slammed on a pitching deck all day long. That little tap and I lose my brakes??? C’mon, man! - I didn’t look too hard cuz I was wanting to get in the air and I knew I had yet to spend an hour or more setting up the controls, but all I saw were skins for either USAF jets or allied nation jets. Nothing from the United States Navy. I mean, the thing was designed and built as a FLEET defense aircraft for the US Navy. They have six skins for the USAF Thunderbirds, but not one navy skin. What is up with that? As an ex-US Navy flight deck veteran that actually served on a carrier that still had a squadron of Phantoms on board, I take great offense to this. - I may be doing something wrong procedure wise and no, I haven’t RtFM yet, but I found as I was screaming around the southern Nevada skies last night, that no matter how I set the radar up from the WSO seat, once I went back to the pilot seat, after a second or two the radar would go back to a B scope and 50 mile range. Am I missing something there? Is it supposed to do that and if so, how can I change it? Surely the pilot can do a PPI and isn’t locked into a B scope. I mean, it does show PPI for a second before it changes. - I’m also wondering why there doesn’t seem to be a Jester command to change ranges on the radar. I can tell him to change the elevation and scan size, but not the range? Edit: I looked again this morning and no, there are no US Navy skins at all. C’mon guys, this thing was built for the Navy! Edit: Okay, I get it. The Navy used the B and J versions, not the E. Well, I hope they come out with a US Navy variation someday.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

I agree Jester is a bit of an Air Force guy when it comes to landing haha. HB is eventually releasing a Navy Phantom too. There will be 4 Navy skins included with my Topgun campaign, check out the announcement video.

[@kevinbyard6827]

love that Robin Olds is in the cockpit at start

[@ajkulac9895]

Everyone, tomorrow: I'm a bit of a Phantom pilot myself

[@polosat1yMadd]

Isn't there a restriction on startup videos, because HeatBlur wanted to relase one themselfs?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

There was, and then they told me to go ahead and post it.

[@JimboJimmy-i2u]

Jeeze this is a crazy complex startup compared to us built fighters

[@ReflectedSimulations]

The Phantom IS US built?

[@CakePrincessCelestia]

Just thinking of it: Is this actually the first Cold & Dark video that's been upped at all? I've opened a gajillion already and didn't find enough time yet to watch all of those, but none of them was a startup procedure thing...

[@curtisr8179]

Your video was great.! Brought back A lot of memories, ....good and bad I used to work Aero/ Repair during My hitch in AF. Late seventies,early eighties. Worked on F-4Es....R/R & rig flight controls, throttles and landing gear, let me say the F-4 Phantom is a friggin beast of an Aircraft! It was not an easy bird To maintain.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks, and thank you for your service!

[@plokkum]

1:20, that reflection, is that the default reflection in DCS? Never noticed it like this.

[@dkoz8321]

The F-4E in DCS is USAF land based version. THough it has a hook, it cannot land on DCS carriers or T/O becouse of gear? Is this correct?

[@9Apilot]

So real it’s unreal. I can almost smell the JP-4. This sim is far beyond anything the crews actually trained in. The only thing missing is full motion platform. The actual simulator did have the pilots sitting in a full scale cockpit to train muscle memory but this as close as it gets.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

It’s a total blast, especially in VR

[@bretttrommler756]

So does that mean it will become available at 12 midnight EST tonight when it becomes the 22nd of May on the East Coast or...? When should we look for this thing?

[@hammeringhutch9613]

I love how pilots looks like Robin Olds... Wolfpack Vibes!

[@captainred9769]

Link a next video from cold start to retract flaps you'll do RP, with all checklists voiced(?) coming from ground crew, ATC, pilot and the weasel?...2 billions views for sure 🤩🙏...or ask your youtubers friends 😋

[@Nsane211]

That was awesome. Thank you very much. I can't wait

[@boggy8557]

For that speedbrake check after both engines are started and just after the RADALT test, did you have to select anything from the jester menu ground checks or does the crew chief make the "Speedbrakes out/in" call automatically?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

While some checks do need to be selected, the chief automatically calls out the flaps, slats, speedbrakes and aar door

[@RadomKidsareme000]

"Pitot is ready for the buns, sir." lmao

[@PSNGamer]

What view controls are you using to get so low inside of the f4? I can't seem to get that low.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Shift ctrl numpad

[@PSNGamer]

@@ReflectedSimulations thanks dude!

[@jjsemperfi]

Great video man. Loved your Princess Bride reference. 🤘

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks :)

[@PaddyPatrone]

Do I have to connect the air source again for the left engine?

[@Deltafan311]

You will

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Yes, same as the right engine

[@boggy8557]

Great video. Just curious , are these the proceudres from the 1979 -1 manual?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Yes, although there isn’t much difference

[@boggy8557]

@@ReflectedSimulations thanks, I got that one. Now I got to try and find a E model pocket checklist. I've only managed to find the RF4C PCL. Do you know if there are any PCLs for the E model on the net?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@boggy8557 it's in the Phantom maunal that you can open in game

[@christophe1381]

How do you displace in the cockpit like this to check all the system ? Great video by the way

[@ReflectedSimulations]

shift ctrl num keys I think

[@myZisfantastic]

The details are insane🤣, we can hear the pilot putting is helmet!

[@ReflectedSimulations]

I know, right? I love it!

[@AdmiralQuality]

Lately in the Tomcat I've taken to turning Jester off entirely and doing the alignment myself manually in the back seat. Helps me learn the position. Any chance we could see that procedure? (No worries if not. I am capable of RTFMing. Even if there's no Chuck to guide me! LOL!) Thanks Reflected! MAYBE I'll join you tomorrow in the Phantom!

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks, I'm no expert at the backseat, but it's pretty easy to do. The only thing to watch out for is that apart from aligning the INS you also need to warm it up first. A lot of time acceleration :D I'm sure there will be backseat tutorials by people who know more than me. Anyhow, whenever it comes, I can't imagine anyone being disappointed when they try the Phantom!

[@AdmiralQuality]

@@ReflectedSimulations Yeah, I've been very impressed by the Tomcat. (Though the way they keep changing the flight model almost every update has eroded my confidence a bit. WHEN exactly am I supposed to believe it's good and right? LOL! Frankly I was satisfied from the start but apparently they keep thinking they're wrong! They really need to work on their public facing side.)

[@ricbish]

Nice video Reflected. Great stuff for those who want to do this every time they start the jet. Just curious, in your upcoming campaign is there an option to skip this startup procedure or even have a Hot Started jet when you start the mission? Don’t jump on me for asking please! I’m just wondering if there will be an option for this? I love these campaigns and the missions but some days I just don’t have the ability to do this due to back issues. I love procedures and checklist etc when I go for a flight in real life because they keep things Safe, but in the sim it sometimes is great to skip all this and just go fly or fly the mission. Anyway, thanks for the video. You do some really awesome things in your missions and campaigns and I’m really looking forward to seeing your missions for the F4. Thanks again…

[@ReflectedSimulations]

There won't be anything scripted about the startups in the campaign, you do it any way you like (except a time acceleration reset trigger when JEster finishes the alignment so you don't miss it.)

[@ricbish]

@@ReflectedSimulations That’s good news! Thanks for the reply.

[@vincebagadonis8016]

I love the Robin Olds pilot model! Shout out to the baddest ass bad ass to ever live!

[@michaelwilliamson6061]

Thanks, great video! Have you seen anything about the release being delayed? It's past 1500 z here and no emails, no changes in my startup conig???

[@Boots3862]

Beautiful video, as always. What is your gamma setting? Your cockpit looks a LOT lighter than mine... Mine is so dark at 1.7 that I can barely see without the flashlight on, even at mid-day...

[@ReflectedSimulations]

2.0

[@Boots3862]

@@ReflectedSimulations Yup, that's MUCH better. Thanks!

[@fearless_ambassador_ambo]

How are you getting the ATIS? Great video. Now we just need clear and easy to read Pilot and RIO kneeboard checklists.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

It’s from my upcoming campaign

[@fearless_ambassador_ambo]

@@ReflectedSimulations sweet! Looking forward to it. We need a standard ATIS in DCS.

[@dienkhungtung]

Any tips for the key bindings? I started last night and having trouble/confused with the key bindings

[@Steve-yg5dq]

Is the cold start training mission bugged? The instructor will not proceed after engine start. Stuck at "Bring back to idle".

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Ask Heatblur, I didn't make that one.

[@juvat22]

At approx. 21:00, how did you realize that the afcs-switch disengages after abruptly moving the stick full aft?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

I just moved the stick abruptly…

[@juvat22]

Hmm… doesn’t function for me…

[@ravenmiller6376]

Figured Heatblur were to upload this kind of video before anyone else to show when they were ready to release?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

That was the plan but then they told me to go ahead

[@rmactvc]

Great detail HB. What is the insignia on the pilot and reo flight caps at the beginning of the video?

[@spanuehspanueh7216]

The rank insignia on the flight-cap is full-bird Colonel.

[@rmactvc]

@@spanuehspanueh7216 I thought so at first. But it doesn’t look right.

[@scruffww3495]

The reason the centerline selector switch ground procedure changed from off to on, was the adoption of the F-15 centerline tank. But..... problems did happen.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Good to know, thanks! Was it the same problems or new ones?

[@scruffww3495]

@@ReflectedSimulations the fill cap was initially forward of the aux air doors. On liftoff the tank would pressurize. If the cap wasn't on right it would pop up and allow pressurized fuel to be sprayed into aux air doors, and into the engines. Quite the trail of fire behind an F-4 in full burner.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@scruffww3495 wow, thanks for the info!

[@352ndtc]

Do you have a Cold start checklist in PDF form, something one can place on a knee-board.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

I only have the original -1 manual, but the HB manual is pretty much the same. I think it even has a download pdf option.

[@agostonbazmajer1100]

Great video, thank you for uploading. Are the BITs for the WSO implemented as well?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

I think so, I’m not yet familiar with the backseat

[@azaanjamaldin5799]

Drinking int da pUb because I miss day of work for this shit ffs

[@mattthacker9120]

You took a day off work to play a video game....lol

[@Red-Magic]

You took a day off of work to play a video game? RIP bozo

[@Wildharrier]

I'm sure that I'm not the only one dissapointed with the delay. But yo distract us for a bit. The Robin Olds model is amazing; will we get a Chappie one?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

I hope so!

[@d_b_7819]

Stab Aug opposes any uncommanded aircraft movement sensed by the gyros and stick force transducer. I presume any bouncing around during taxi or even brake check etc would induce unnecessary and potentially erratic control deflections.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Yes, that’s probably it, thanks!

[@simtaylor61]

From what I've READ........READ mind you..........the Stab/Aug system is disengaged till takeoff because there's a chance it might be broken while taxiing........

[@javiercalvo27]

I would like to see a start-up video using only the right engine.

[@vlad7024]

I'm making an educated guess but you turn off stab augs in the taxi phase because if there is a failure with one of the stabs(yaw, pitch, roll) it wont actuate any control surface while u are on the apron(which on some airfields might be pretty busy with vehicles and people running around or even aircraft close by with weapons being fitted) so it stops the control surfaces from hitting ppl while stationary and if there is a failure when you start your initial taxi to the runway it wont turn/steer the aircraft towards people, aircraft etc. Like I said I'm making an educated guess so dont take my word for it.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Yeah that’s possible

[@DCJCSIERRA-dq6qi]

That’s Robin Olds!!!! So cool!!!

[@sugger727p4]

is there gonna be a tutorial for the backseat as well?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Yes but by someone who knows how to do it, I don’t :)

[@harrysmith1986]

Hey mate, just on thr f4 following todays update. Not geting a reading from the stab trim dial ? Can you confim if you are seeing rhe same?? Cheers

[@ReflectedSimulations]

no it works fine for me

[@harrysmith1986]

@@ReflectedSimulations yes I re spawned and all is ok, no idea what I could have done wrong.. strange. Thanks.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@harrysmith1986 unofficial mods?

[@harrysmith1986]

@@ReflectedSimulations only tanker light mod, that's all.

[@frankdelia5292]

When I go to move the throttle, it doesn't move. To test, I loaded in an airborne flight to verify bindings are correct. They were. Reloaded a cold and dark scenario and the throttle doesn't move again. Is there a throttle lock or something that needs to be released?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

No, it should move. Are you sure it’s not double binding? Or maybe you have unofficial mods corrupting it? Try running a repair too

[@mattthacker9120]

Same issue.

[@frankdelia5292]

@@ReflectedSimulations I was missing the detent step. Bound a key to idle detent and it works perfectly now

[@ReflectedSimulations]

@@frankdelia5292 happy to hear that

[@Teab8g]

Did I have a stroke and miss the left engine start?

[@wrloomis]

I went back several times thinking I missed it, but he skipped it in the video for some reason.

[@Fred-rv2tu]

Anywhere I can get a pdf of the full checklist

[@T-Cup314]

Exactly what I like ! Details heheh. Well done mate

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks a lot!

[@agidotexe7167]

yessir! atleast we get this today!

[@atomcat6663]

no, Another delay. 1 More day.

[@Generic_Name_1-1]

​@@atomcat6663at least we get the video....

[@agidotexe7167]

@@atomcat6663 the video...

[@keithbriscoe99]

Hoping for a "starting the Phantom in 60 seconds" video next....

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Lwin+Home :)

[@104thMaverick]

Great job sir!

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Thanks a lot! :)

[@LHA675]

I can smell the asobo team🤣🤣🤣 Thanks reflected amazing vid.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Glad you enjoyed

[@jakubdabrowski3846]

12:01 - am I inside F-4E Phantom? Or is it Darth Vader's TIE Fighter?

[@ReflectedSimulations]

Or Vader in a Phantom :)

[@RPrubber]

Cool, but isnt the cockpit way to dirty?! I mean a moistured tissue would fox a lot of these issues. Hopefully they will add that to the startup aswel. :D

[@ReflectedSimulations]

It will sell as a separate DLC :D

[@kraziivan_]

this is going to be the first module where i read the manual and completely skip all the youtubers. I don't have a joystick anyway so I'm just sitting on the ground.

[@ReflectedSimulations]

That's usually a good idea, you never know how strictly a youtube tutorial adheres to the manual, if that's what you're looking for. (btw this one follows it step by step)

[@JasonArter]

It looks like they modeled the pilot on Robin Olds.

[@ctfxcplane]

Would be so cool to actually have the ground crew walking Infront and underneath the aircraft.

[@danielrauber1794]

Robin Olds all so there love it......