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The Staff of SOH
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Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.
Virtavia B-1B has been released!!
- Thread starter centuryseries
- Start date
fsafranek
SOH-CM-2024
What was the solution?
MenendezDiego
Charter Member
I really want this, but $40.00? Really? I can't do it at that price
Glad you got it working!
fsafranek
SOH-CM-2024
Well, it is a B-1B. So they are going to look kinda similar.
As the painter of both the old FS9 version and this new one let me just say this, any repaints from the old FS9 version will not work on this new one at all -- it is a different model.
:ernae:
D
Dag
Guest
No bumps, no buy. And they are not only for panel lines and rivets. Think of all the skin doublers, scabbed-on panels and fibre-glass covers. I agree, the B-1 is probably pretty smooth but bumps can be done very subtle and they bring life to the model.
centuryseries
SOH-CM-2023
Personally, all the Lancers I've ever seen have been immaculately smooth skinned. Nothing like all the rivetted strengthening plates that cover some parts of Stratofortresses and other older types.
http://www.airliners.net/photo/USA---Air/Rockwell-B-1B-Lancer/1646643/L/
michael davies
Charter Member 2012
centuryseries
SOH-CM-2023
Looking forward to RIAT, but according to the aircraft list no B-1B's....
Interesting to note two things about your photo Michael, the Reluctant Dragon artwork - sure I saw that aircraft in the Euro one scheme at Mildenhall with the Dragon - seems like so long ago! Do they keep their names indefinately? Also the weathering on the wing leading edges showing the yellow primer?
Interesting to note two things about your photo Michael, the Reluctant Dragon artwork - sure I saw that aircraft in the Euro one scheme at Mildenhall with the Dragon - seems like so long ago! Do they keep their names indefinately? Also the weathering on the wing leading edges showing the yellow primer?
michael davies
Charter Member 2012
I'm not sure on aircraft art, there was a stage where all art was banned, then it was relaxed during the Gulf I and then clamped but now seems allowed but toned down, there are some special B-1B artworks around, but by my deductions these are either airframes of high ranking commanders or specials for air shows and such. Name changes do occur, I've heard of F-111 changing names between airframes, I suppose they go with the crew, it was certainly very fluid during WWII, I've been reading about B-29s that had almost a dozen names and if returning state side bare flesh was heavily censored.
That particular airframe is 0103 (note this was the static, the flight one was 0061) so you'd have to check if that was present at Mildenhall or ever painted in Euro one.
Most of my Mildenhall negatives are in a box somewhere, little chance of a cross reference at the moment.
Best
Michael
Addendum, just used my favorite friend Mr Google and turned up this http://www.militaryaircraft.de/pictures/military/aircraft/B-1B/B-1B_AIRFETE2001_027_800.jpg you are indeed correct, 0103 was present at Mildenhall in 2001, but not in Euro one but in dark grey.
I cant remember the last Mildenhall I went to, went to quite a few in the 80s (Bentwaters and Lakenheath too) then missed many years and picked up one of the last, wish I'd kept all my brochures now !.
centuryseries
SOH-CM-2023
My bad!!
Great nose art that. Glad the US relaxed their rules. I always thought the B-1B looks better in that grey than the Euro One scheme anyway - looks more sinister.
Funny you should say that, I made a special effort fairly recently to 'complete' my collection of air fete calendars lol from 1977 all the way to 2000!! Quite a few variations way back when.
Great nose art that. Glad the US relaxed their rules. I always thought the B-1B looks better in that grey than the Euro One scheme anyway - looks more sinister.
Funny you should say that, I made a special effort fairly recently to 'complete' my collection of air fete calendars lol from 1977 all the way to 2000!! Quite a few variations way back when.
michael davies
Charter Member 2012
Yes, shame on you, write out 100 times, "I must remember more inane details of 5 years or more" LOL.
Best
Michael
CodyValkyrie
Charter Member 2016
Having been around many "bones" in the USAF, I can tell you that they are indeed very smooth aircraft, which was quite the opposite of most the airframes I worked on. The biggest thing I remember about them however is how LOUD they are! The F-16s were bad enough, but when these babies took off I had to watch small objects on my shelves.
Regarding rules, the USAF in general regards most photography even if unclassified as INFOSEC (information security). This is why if you stand outside a base and snap pictures, the Security Police may give you a visit. It's not that what you are photographing is classified, it's that collectively, information over a period of time may provide classified information or information they do not want people to know. And yes, commanders typically get all the fancy photoshoots of their aircraft. I remember the F-16 commander at Eielson had his plane under a hanger with a HUGE American flag and the thing was so clean you could eat off of it, which is quite the opposite of most F-16s I encountered which were dirty as sin. Don't get me started on the A-10s.
Regarding rules, the USAF in general regards most photography even if unclassified as INFOSEC (information security). This is why if you stand outside a base and snap pictures, the Security Police may give you a visit. It's not that what you are photographing is classified, it's that collectively, information over a period of time may provide classified information or information they do not want people to know. And yes, commanders typically get all the fancy photoshoots of their aircraft. I remember the F-16 commander at Eielson had his plane under a hanger with a HUGE American flag and the thing was so clean you could eat off of it, which is quite the opposite of most F-16s I encountered which were dirty as sin. Don't get me started on the A-10s.
strykerpsg
SOH-CM-2023
Tweek, I have the FSX AS variant(although probably an FS9 portover) and must say, after purchasing the Virtavia model today, I don't see a big difference in aircraft. Admittedly, the cockpit looks a bit more updated, but it's a VC only and just not enough to tickle my fancy. The exterior does seem to be updated too, but just not enough to warrant the amount. Luckily Flight1 offers refunds within 30 days, my first ever.
As an addendum, I am certain much was put into this aircraft, but just feel the price is a bit much for not enough bang for me, other's opinions will widely vary I am certain. I would rather save up for their upcoming C-17. I would re-consider if there was an upgrade offer from the AS model, but since they are different entities, feel certain that will not happen.
Matt
centuryseries
SOH-CM-2023
Matt don't forget the original FS9 B-1B was added to the Alphasim shop almost 5 years ago and as such is very much more basic than this aircraft. If you haven't I'd suggest reading the manual to see what the changes are before you decide on a refund.
I'd also point out purely from a personal viewpoint that the reason you don't see much of a difference is because the original model was excellent. I mean you not going to get a change of the aircrafts exterior shape if the shape is right already?!! Granted the VC is so much better than the original, but the enhancements IMHO are more than skin deep.
Just my 2c.
Thanks for the honest opinion. I'd like to have it, but it's one of those borderline aircraft that I'd enjoy a few flights in then probably rarely touch it, afterwards. I'm not the biggest fan of heavies, so I can't see me getting my money's worth.
The upcoming Jaguar on the other hand...
The upcoming Jaguar on the other hand...
strykerpsg
SOH-CM-2023
Century, you're right. I will look through the manual this week and see if it still keeps my attention. I do enjoy the AS B-1B in FSX, just can't seem to ever get rid of the sharksmouth on the intake, regardless of whose skin I use. Anyway, will take them a few days to reply, I feel certain. For the record, it is a looker, but as you pointed out, so was the AS portover into FSX.
Matt
fsafranek
SOH-CM-2024
That would have been a long time ago. Just before SAC was disolved repaints starting being done in the overall "Gunship Gray". That was the early 1990's. There were a lot though that kept their "B-1B Strategic" camo scheme for quite a few years.
Aircraft are typically named by the crew chief and if he's up to the task he also does the artwork. Currently on B-1B's they are allowed a 3ft square area for the noseart. And as quickly as the crew chief can change so can the aircraft name. That 86-0103 in Michael's image was originally named "Huntress" while at Ellsworth (delivered in 1987). When it transferred to Dyess in 1991 it was renamed "Lovey Lady". Eventually it was renamed "The Reluctant Dragon".
Tracking B-1B's is a lot like tracking the F-106, another aircraft that was around for a long time and in limited numbers. There were only so many serial numbers and they moved from unit to unit over the years. Great fun if you like researching.
:ernae: