As the nature of things progress...

[nigel richards]

Friends; in answer to interest and requests on how various projects are shaping up, I'll do my best to keep all you good folk updated.

So here goes...first shot;

No.1 priority is the completion of Milton's amazing Grumman Mallard (turboprop) VC textures and sounds.

The textures are very near completion. Simultaneously doing some touch-ups on gauges, tackling light maps in a few days.
As usual, Milton has most graciously done mapping marvels to satisfy our greediness for resolution.

We already have a good working base for the soundtrack - received 3 very awesome CD's from the Skipper - packed with authentic Mallard sound material, a couple of days ago. So this can be expected to significantly boost up the present level of din!

I have already posted some screenies on the relevant thread for Milton's Grumman Mallard and will continue to do so.
The pics here are to illustrate the exciting way projects are so often inter-realated.

 

[nigel richards]

So, not forgetting the Bounty scenery Project...

 

[nigel richards]

If anyone would be interested in making the Bounty Scenery a TEAM Project, I would be thrilled to provide all source Materials to bring this overdue Project to fruition.

Most of the items needed, are already in place - most of the work would be lightweight Adex scenery for the airfield and some tinkering with Sbuilder to adjust surroundings.

 

[nigel richards]

AVRO 621 Tutor - Trainer/646 Sea Tutor Project

The AVRO Trainers Project now comprises 6 models.

1. AVRO 621 Trainer (early 5-cyl Mongoose powered)
2. AVRO 621 Trainer (close-cowled 7-cyl Lynx powered)
3. AVRO 621 Tutor (Townend cowled Lynx).

All 3 basic versions have now been fitted with custom-built floats, representing 3 additional models.

 

[nigel richards]

nearly there...

The Tutor models and textures are now a culmination of 8 months work.

And I cannot even begin to Express in words, my deeply felt gratitude and esteem for Milton Shupe.
Without his most gracious inspiration, advice and mentoring, I wouldn't have made it beyond the first poly.

This one's in your honour, Sir.

 

[nigel richards]

FS9 to FSX and hopefully beyond...

Yesterday, Roman Stoviak most brilliantly pushed the quality margins up beyond the horizon with the addition of fully automated leading edge slats!

Of-course, if you want to aerobat the AVRO's (and I know most of you will), you simply just click the lever back to LOCK!

YES! He did that, too..

 

[gaucho_59]

Very, very, very impressive Nigel!

This is something I am really ready to download NOW!!!
Very realistic look to it... Kudos

G.

 

[magoo]

So......an Avro 504 and a Gloster Gauntlet got drunk and went home together.....and this is the result. You know you're just encouraging this sort of behaviour when you make it look so good, Nigel......

 

[nigel richards]

This is something I am really ready to download NOW!!!
Very realistic look to it... Kudos

Thank YOU - very, very, very much my friend!

G.

So......an Avro 504 and a Gloster Gauntlet got drunk and went home together.....and this is the result. You know you're just encouraging this sort of behaviour when you make it look so good, Nigel......

MAGOOOOO!!!

Where in heaven's name have you been - thought you'd given up on us.
My, this is a grand surprise, indeed.

Gloster Gauntlet...could be on someone's list...

 

[Blackbird686]

Gloster Gauntlet...could be on someone's list...

The Tudor is coming along very nicely, Nigel... Cracking fine job you have done with her so far! Very impressive... but you have always produced excellent goodies for FS9.

I know what you're up to when you speak of the "Gauntlet" being on "someone's list", as it were. Let's not lead on, mate... "Gauntlet"... then the "Grebe"... lol!

BB686

 

[magoo]

MAGOOOOO!!!

Hey Nigel,

A little erratic spare time has allowed me to delve back into electric airplanes for a bit. Oddly enough, a new graphics card was all it took to make that dusty old copy of FSX suddenly runable. Nice experience, but man....a lot of catching up to do. Amazing new planes (too many), plus getting over my pout thinking so many old favorites would be left behind, only to find out that they port over nicely with a little effort. If a CR.32 buzzes your place, don't try to shoot it down. It's probably virtual me.

Beautiful work you've done on that Avro. I'm surprised that you're building planes...but then...I'm not so surprised. This is inspiring, and leaves me thinking that the world may in fact not be totally going to hell in a hand basket.

Interesting that with two main wings of an apparently vast square yardage.....that Avro would elect to nail on a pair of Handley Page slats. Is it that they wanted to create a plane with such a low stall speed that with the slightest breeze you could tether it to any high structure like a dingy floating on the tide, and leave it in the air....? Sure would save on airfield parking fees....

 

[nigel richards]

The Tudor is coming along very nicely, Nigel... Cracking fine job you have done with her so far! Very impressive... but you have always produced excellent goodies for FS9.

I know what you're up to when you speak of the "Gauntlet" being on "someone's list", as it were. Let's not lead on, mate... "Gauntlet"... then the "Grebe"... lol!

BB686

LOL. Better get these babies finished First.

Awesome to have your long-standing, staunch support and behind-the-scenes input, testing and frankness.

Hey Nigel,

A little erratic spare time has allowed me to delve back into electric airplanes for a bit. Oddly enough, a new graphics card was all it took to make that dusty old copy of FSX suddenly runable. Nice experience, but man....a lot of catching up to do. Amazing new planes (too many), plus getting over my pout thinking so many old favorites would be left behind, only to find out that they port over nicely with a little effort. If a CR.32 buzzes your place, don't try to shoot it down. It's probably virtual me.

Beautiful work you've done on that Avro. I'm surprised that you're building planes...but then...I'm not so surprised. This is inspiring, and leaves me thinking that the world may in fact not be totally going to hell in a hand basket.

Interesting that with two main wings of an apparently vast square yardage.....that Avro would elect to nail on a pair of Handley Page slats. Is it that they wanted to create a plane with such a low stall speed that with the slightest breeze you could tether it to any high structure like a dingy floating on the tide, and leave it in the air....? Sure would save on airfield parking fees....

Welcome Home Magoo,

Electric airplanes sound fun!
I pranged too many scratch, scale glow-plugs and was saved by FS.

Man it's good to have you around here, again - missed the witt, humor and also vast aeronautical knowledge with which you have always enriched this site.

Funny you should mention the HP slats - Roy Chadwick obviously had some good purpose in his Logic. And this was adopted in later aircraft such as the Fairey Swordfish (which I highly suspect, was designed with one eye glued to the Tutor). Ahhh! The 'Stringbag'...that wonderfully versatile monument to drag.

CR. 32...should I dare to hope for such a beautiful sight in our awesome virtual skies?...

 

[nigel richards]

This is something I am really ready to download NOW!!!
Very realistic look to it... Kudos

G.

gaucho_59; Apologies for somehow muddling up my gratitude with your quote

Thank YOU very, very, very much, Sir.

 

[huub vink]

All very interesting project, but the Avro really has my attention!

And a Gauntlet would really be great. Frank Elton's FS2002 is really showing its age and isn't really repaint friendly.

Cheers,
Huub

 

[Roger]

I am so looking forward to flying the Tutor! Looks like a great work Nigel.

 

[nigel richards]

All very interesting project, but the Avro really has my attention!

And a Gauntlet would really be great. Frank Elton's FS2002 is really showing its age and isn't really repaint friendly.

Cheers,
Huub

Huub: I promise you won't be disappointed from a texturing point of view.

Even by FSX standards (and she performs seamlessly in that fine sim), the texture sheets provide excellent opportunities for the much loved and appreciated masterpieces of gifted artists like yourself.

Each wing (and top Centre section) has a texture sheet of its own. The fuselage is split in TWO - so rivets, fasteners, stitching and other small details...even fabric, can be joyessly worked on to your heart's desire.

And with so many Air Forces choosing the AVRO Tutor in the 1930's - the sky's your limit for colour schemes.

I'll be eagerly looking forward to your awesome artistry, Huub!

 

[nigel richards]

I am so looking forward to flying the Tutor! Looks like a great work Nigel.

Roger - I am sooo looking forward to giving you the opportunity of some real wind-in-face, open air fun-flying, my friend.

A massive THANKS for your kind words and support - it is very much appreciated.

 

[Dev One]

She looks phantastic...how do you get all those polys looking so smooth & then getting the model to compile without tripping the inevitable dreaded 64k poly limit thrown in ones face?
Keith

 

[darrenvox]

looks amazing

 

[nigel richards]

She looks phantastic...how do you get all those polys looking so smooth & then getting the model to compile without tripping the inevitable dreaded 64k poly limit thrown in ones face?
Keith

Thanks Dev One - aaaaagh the dreaded poly count! No easy way out; I started out being way too lavish in some areas and ended up re-building many of them 3 - 4 times until there was a satisfactory balance between smoothness and poly quota. It's all a great juggling act really...

looks amazing

Thank You, darrenvox