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Virtavia Mi-24D Hind ... Released

Do all or most in cockpit switches, dials, gauges and other items work? Also is there any failures setup or consequences if something is not set correctly?
 
[h=2]Features :[/h]

- very high quality native FSX model.
- very high quality 3D cockpit.
- 3 texture sets and weapons loadouts.
- sharp, 2048-pixel bump- and spec-mapped textures.
- super-smooth 'RealGauge' 3D instruments.
- working windscreen wipers and ventilation fans.
- 4 x opening hatches.
- custom startup smoke effect.
- togglable, animated pilot figures.
- realistic undercarriage and retraction sequence.
- illustrated user manual in PDF format.
- high quality soundset.
- PhotoShop paintkit files provided (4096 pixel resolution).
- Note - NO 2D panel is provided.
- Note - Not all switches/knobs in cockpit are mousable.
 
Here are my thoughts after spending several hours in it...

This is an "entertainment" product only, IMHO.
There are no simulated systems other than the usual 'default' FSX ones, it's just a simple helicopter addon.
You get to fly around in a Hind-D and satisfy your imagination for about $30.

It is "old school" Alphasim, only obviously with a much better VC that what they used to offer many years ago.
Don't expect many switches to move.
Not all of the gauges seem to be working as intended either.
It's mostly a "Ctrl+E" starter.
It has a good model, and a very easy one sheet Paint Kit.
At sea level it was quite easy to "overspeed".

I personally would put it somewhere between an Area51 Sim offering and a low end Nemeth Design product to compare, that is not to be inferred as a bad or negative thing by anyone reading this.
I like Area 51's helicopter products, but they are not known for having sophisticated FDE's or systems either.
As indicated by the manual, the Hind-D FDE is based off of the default single engine Bell 206 template, so it flies like a heavy 206, IMHO.
I can offer that opinion after spending over a thousand hours in helicopters in FSX.

Do I like it? Yes.
Is it fun to fly? Yes, its very easy to fly and would recommend it to anyone who wants an easy stable helicopter for FSX.
Do I feel like wasted my money? Not really, honestly I was not expecting much, so no surprises.
Will it become one of my favorites? No.

:wavey:
 
Many many thanks for this useful review, and the wisdom of your point of view : exactly what I need as a simmer.
 
Thanks Dain, nice to the point review. They are falling far behind other military based model designers with load out mangers and droppable weapons. This one of the most iconic gunships on the planet!
 
In the screenshots I'm seeing, it looks like the attitude indicators are reversed (roll)....is that the case?
 
QX0S.jpg

dsgE7.jpg

GQd15.jpg
 
Let's see, in the America's I think Brazil and Cuba are the major Hind user's? I guess this mean I'll bit and buy.
 
But i think the american one´s are the "-M" version. With different tail rotor, modern avionics and different cannon disposition. Nothing that an artistic repainter view can´t take care of :icon_lol:

View attachment 82349
 
All of Cuba's Hinds are the D export version, half are undergoing a upgrade on avionics, engines, and chin Radar/Gun. Cuba uses there famous Carib Camo. They also took delivery of 12 Mil 35's recently hum. Mi24's are operated by the 361Sq, 36th Fighter Reg and known to harass the US base of MUGM NAS when they feel frisky.
 
Just trying to follow up on this while I consider a purchase....

It looks like (from the screenshots both here and one on the actual Virtavia site) the attitude indicators are reversed in their roll axis. Is this still the case?

Also, I know that these addons apparently do not have in depth systems, but I'm wondering what, of the basic systems, is functional.
Finally, I'm curious to hear of any outstanding bugs that are present at this time.

It looks good visually, but I want to be a little bit more informed prior to purchase. Yes, I've read their "feature list" on the website.
 
flaviossa said:
But i think the american one´s are the "-M" version. With different tail rotor, modern avionics and different cannon disposition. Nothing that an artistic repainter view can´t take care of :icon_lol:

View attachment 82349
Click to expand...

Venezuela uses the Mi-35M2, locally known as "Caribe", is a "new" version of the Mi-24, which includes a glass cockpit, and non retractable landing gear, it´s supposed to be as capable as a Mi-28 or at least comparable with it.
Brazil´s Mi-35M´s are locally known as AH-2 Sabre and are virtually the same version as the Venezuelan ones, but better equipped sensors wise (meaning the acquired a more complete package per aircraft)
Peru´s are Mi-25 Hind D (export version of the Mi-24D) and are somewhat a degraded version of the original Hind D, but last year some were refurbished, repaired and upgraded to what´s know locally as Mi-35P, which is nothing more than an overhaul to existing Mi-25´s, some avionics upgrade (nothing spectacular) and enhanced weapon capability, while not up to par with a "real" Mi-35, they are fairly better than the original Mi-24 Hind D from where they come from.
Cuba and Nicaragua where the only countries in the Americas and Caribbean that fielded up to date, sames as, the soviet version, Mi-24 Hind D´s, Sandinista Air Force Hinds where in service up to early 90´s in the past century, when they were sold to Peru for spares and to augment numbers (1 of which was lost during the 1995 war with Ecuador, either to a SA-14 or a Blowpipe MANPADS)
Best regards
Prowler
 
Dain Arns said:
Not reversed, Russian.
http://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/Western_and_Russian_Artificial_Horizon_Formats

View attachment 82394
Click to expand...

The screenshot on page two still shows the artificial horizon angled in the wrong direction to the turn. It should either be flat with the miniature aircraft moving, or angled in the direction of the turn. The colored horizon line is slanting opposite of where the actual horizon line is.
On the screenshots on Virtavia's page, one can clearly see the adi indicating a bank to the left, when the aircraft is tilting right. On a right turn, either the orange miniature plane will show a right bank with a fixed background, or the horizon while angle to the right with a fixed miniature plane.

EDIT: not sure how else to explain...but on their gauge, if the orange miniature airplane symbol is doing what their brown and blue horizon background is doing right now, and the background is doing what the orange symbol is currently doing, then they would have it right. Try flight with no visual references to see what I mean.
Look at the turn at around 11:30 and later in this video to see what I mean, and compare it with the screenshots provided:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JDyQn0NmOY
 
i can kinda see what he's saying though. in at least one way the russian artificial horizon is much more accurate than the americans because the horizon line shows the bank of the turn while the aircraft symbol shows the bank of the aircraft in relation to that turn.
Looking at the image on page two, it took a moment, but the big rectangular box that appears to be a horizon line on the top right of the panel i believe is a moving map or gps of some sort.. Dont know.. Just bought the plane, will let you know..
Pam
 
Yep, the big moving map is up there on the right. I'm talking about the center ADI and its backup to the lower right. I don't know how else to explain it...I understand the competing concepts of ADI representation, but regardless, it's reversed. On the virtavia page, the aircraft in one of the forward looking cockpit shots is shown in a right bank. The right side of the miniature airplane should be lower in the brown area. The horizon line should also be level with the view out the window. On the image in question, the LEFT side of the miniature plane is shown lower, while in a right bank, and the horizon line is tilted in the opposite direction to the view out the window of the actual horizon.
I don't know how to explain it..
 
yeahhh, ok, this is weird..
Since the aircraft remains in the same position relative to the gauge, the aircraft synbol does not move, but remains fixed to the aircrafts axial plane ( cant think of the correct terminology. sorry ). But whats weird is that the horizon line as we have become accustomed to it, shows the bank angle of the aircraft in relation too that above mentioned axial plane instead of in relationship to the horizon. This gauge does not fit with either of the supplied philosophies provided above. Its more like something out of a P-51 or 61 from world war two, painted over to look new.

View attachment 82425
 
And as you can see in that screenshot, Pam....more ground is visible out the window on the left...while on the ADI gauges, more ground (brown) is visible on the right. It's backwards. :)
 
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