This is an update of the freeware Alpha Simulations HS-123A-1. The changes in this plane are extensive:
The MDL has been converted using Chuck Dome's texture conversion utility. The plane originally used the AF99 type texture files, which were limited to 256 by 256 in size and 256 colors. The plane now uses BMP style texture formatting, which allows the plane to have texture files up to 1024 by 1024 in size and to use any of the CFS2 compatible texture file formats (DXT1, DXT3, Extended 545, 555, 565). The result of this conversion in texture files allows this plane to have a much more detailed skin...greatly improving the visual quiality of the plane.
The stock modeled on drop tank has been alpha channeled "off" to make way for a real working drop tank on the fuselage pylon and to clear the area for a 250 kg bomb. The drop tank is a full working drop tank, and adds to the fuel of the plane, lessens the flight characteristics when on the plane and can be dropped. Making space for the 250 kg bomb allowed the DP to more accurately reflect the payload arrangements of the HS-123A-1, which had a max of 991 pounds (450 kg).
The stock pilot has been alpha channeled out of the plane, making way for the WW1 RAF Pilot by Aerocrate. He is a much better looking chap than the one AS had flying this bird.
The stock texture for the engine was really BLAH, so I have added a more detailed engine image and redrawn the cowl bracing rods across the front of the engine. That alone greatly improved this plane's appearance.
Although they are not accurate to this plane, working flaps have been added to the air and config files. There are no visual flaps. The flaps were added for better control during dive bombing and to help slow the plane for landing. Use them if you want to. Or don't use them if you wish to have a more accurate flight in this bird.
The panel background used in this project is from the collection released by Alpha Simulations and is the original panel background used on this plane when it was a payware item. The gauges are from sources unknown...I have installed so many planes that I have no clue which planes 99% of the gauges in my collection came with...the only thing I can say for 100% certainty is that they came with a freeware aircraft as the only payware aircraft I have are the FDG2 B-17s, the FDG2 P-51 B/C models and the FDG2 P-36, and none of them came with German gauges. I have repainted the left edge of the dash board to make room for the magneto, starter button and flaps lever.
The weapons used in the revamped DP are from the Ground Crew German Weapons pack, which is available at Regshanger.com. Grab the weapons if you don't have them...and while there grab the Ground Crew freeware aircraft...really nice planes.
The pilot is from the Martin Wright Spitwep package at the MW Grapics site. www.mwgfx.co.uk.
I recommend that you use the BMW132A sound pack that I uploaded recently. This sound pack is based on Lawdog's JU-52 sound pack...I just revised the config file to reflect a single engine application. The sound is currently aliased to the stock F6F Hellcat.
The drop tank is the vw_auxtype4 tank from the vw_dora_weapons_pack_v12.zip pack available at Virtual Wings site www.virtualwings.org/aircraft/htm. The files for the drop tank are included.
The MDL has been converted using Chuck Dome's texture conversion utility. The plane originally used the AF99 type texture files, which were limited to 256 by 256 in size and 256 colors. The plane now uses BMP style texture formatting, which allows the plane to have texture files up to 1024 by 1024 in size and to use any of the CFS2 compatible texture file formats (DXT1, DXT3, Extended 545, 555, 565). The result of this conversion in texture files allows this plane to have a much more detailed skin...greatly improving the visual quiality of the plane.
The stock modeled on drop tank has been alpha channeled "off" to make way for a real working drop tank on the fuselage pylon and to clear the area for a 250 kg bomb. The drop tank is a full working drop tank, and adds to the fuel of the plane, lessens the flight characteristics when on the plane and can be dropped. Making space for the 250 kg bomb allowed the DP to more accurately reflect the payload arrangements of the HS-123A-1, which had a max of 991 pounds (450 kg).
The stock pilot has been alpha channeled out of the plane, making way for the WW1 RAF Pilot by Aerocrate. He is a much better looking chap than the one AS had flying this bird.
The stock texture for the engine was really BLAH, so I have added a more detailed engine image and redrawn the cowl bracing rods across the front of the engine. That alone greatly improved this plane's appearance.
Although they are not accurate to this plane, working flaps have been added to the air and config files. There are no visual flaps. The flaps were added for better control during dive bombing and to help slow the plane for landing. Use them if you want to. Or don't use them if you wish to have a more accurate flight in this bird.
The panel background used in this project is from the collection released by Alpha Simulations and is the original panel background used on this plane when it was a payware item. The gauges are from sources unknown...I have installed so many planes that I have no clue which planes 99% of the gauges in my collection came with...the only thing I can say for 100% certainty is that they came with a freeware aircraft as the only payware aircraft I have are the FDG2 B-17s, the FDG2 P-51 B/C models and the FDG2 P-36, and none of them came with German gauges. I have repainted the left edge of the dash board to make room for the magneto, starter button and flaps lever.
The weapons used in the revamped DP are from the Ground Crew German Weapons pack, which is available at Regshanger.com. Grab the weapons if you don't have them...and while there grab the Ground Crew freeware aircraft...really nice planes.
The pilot is from the Martin Wright Spitwep package at the MW Grapics site. www.mwgfx.co.uk.
I recommend that you use the BMW132A sound pack that I uploaded recently. This sound pack is based on Lawdog's JU-52 sound pack...I just revised the config file to reflect a single engine application. The sound is currently aliased to the stock F6F Hellcat.
The drop tank is the vw_auxtype4 tank from the vw_dora_weapons_pack_v12.zip pack available at Virtual Wings site www.virtualwings.org/aircraft/htm. The files for the drop tank are included.
