Microsoft Flight Simulator: Reno Air Races Teaser - gamescom

Given that they cancelled, then un-cancelled (but said they wouldn't fix any bugs before release) the sim update itself, I wouldn't be surprised if this didn't get much testing past making sure the network code for the racing worked.
 
As long as I stick to the cockpit, I've still been having a blast flying the A-model - I am just so incredibly impressed with the cockpits on these aircraft, and it is such a fun experience to be looking through that framed windscreen and canopy of the P-51A while in flight, which is so accurately depicted.

Does the canopy open, John ?..

Sofar only tried my fav of the bunch, the T-6. Like you say the T-6 cockpits are incredible. Can't get the canopy to open though while there's that big handle looking so inviting (isn't that even mandatory during Taxi/TO/Land ?) Basic engine sound i like very much but its responding to throttle/mix/prop settings seems off. Way easier to handle than the A2A T-6 but not sure yet if that's one for the good or the bad listing...
 
As I continue to work my way through the roster of planes, it really is the cockpits that shine, and that more than make up for the glitches we have seen. These have clearly really had a lot of care put into them and were a labor of love for somebody. For instance I tried the Pitts "Black Hawk" (N45SS) tonight. This is a basically stock Pitts with a wonderful lived-in, steam gauge cockpit with a bunch of notes taped to the panel with Reno radio frequencies, alternate fields, charts of aerobatic maneuvers and even an inspirational quote. Absolutely beautiful. And when I googled the real N45SS, I found the exterior paint and markings to be meticulously correct, with every sponsor decal in the right place. There are even sponsor messages written along the front of the leading edge of the wing of this plane, which is a hard area to texture! And it is so different from some of the other Pitts's, like "Second Hand" with its chopped, squared wings, and a 1-screen, all-glass panel, that it would be unfair to call them variations of the same plane. These cockpits are what really make me feel like I got 40 high-quality planes with this DLC, not just 40 liveries spread over 4, or 6 or 7 planes.

August
 
As I continue to work my way through the roster of planes, it really is the cockpits that shine, and that more than make up for the glitches we have seen. These have clearly really had a lot of care put into them and were a labor of love for somebody. For instance I tried the Pitts "Black Hawk" (N45SS) tonight. This is a basically stock Pitts with a wonderful lived-in, steam gauge cockpit with a bunch of notes taped to the panel with Reno radio frequencies, alternate fields, charts of aerobatic maneuvers and even an inspirational quote. Absolutely beautiful. And when I googled the real N45SS, I found the exterior paint and markings to be meticulously correct, with every sponsor decal in the right place. There are even sponsor messages written along the front of the leading edge of the wing of this plane, which is a hard area to texture! And it is so different from some of the other Pitts's, like "Second Hand" with its chopped, squared wings, and a 1-screen, all-glass panel, that it would be unfair to call them variations of the same plane. These cockpits are what really make me feel like I got 40 high-quality planes with this DLC, not just 40 liveries spread over 4, or 6 or 7 planes.

August

Have to agree. I thought I might be just getting a bunch of repaints but was pleasantly surprised to see all these planes were unique inside. I could be flying for weeks here just to see what I got.

LouP
 
If anyone hasn't tried the racing, you really should. The time trials are a great way to get a feel for the course, and the network code improvements they made make the multiplayer racing almost seamless.

Even with the "standardized" flight models in the races, it's a ton of fun, and if there's a group of decent pilots, the identical flight models make for some really close racing. My first race, I started halfway down the field, but ended up winning by a fraction of a second over the airplane ahead of me, since my total time around the course was slightly faster.
 
It has been mentioned on the MSFS forum, by the developer of the P-51A, that the prop issue should be fixed with an update very soon (https://forums.flightsimulator.com/...gPgNiKeua6Zmmgv92TkcFHQ-5oP9VOCELQ3bY03T4KtUo).

However, as I was asked by someone, if anyone would want to use my temporary mod for the prop (it doesn't fix much, but gets rid of the slow-turning prop texture), you can download my modified version of those textures here: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/991f0c9c540f265681f20326faa1bdcf20211121161959/a56e33

It at least makes for a better experience from the cockpit, in the interim, when the engine is running. Make sure to backup the existing two texture files first (if you forget, I've included the originals) - you'll of course want to revert back when the actual update comes.





 
I ended up buying just the P-51A for now. I thought about buying the lot, but my interest in racing is nil, my interest in the Pitts is nil (I already have a Pitts in my hangar and I've never flown it), I don't really care about the jet either, and so I'd be forking out money for things I would never use. I'd like your advice on the best (= closest to stock) T-6 and P-51D to buy, and that would be it for me.
Quite happy with the A after just one flight, (I've always liked the razorback Mustangs more than the D's), although that prop texture is just odd...

jk10138 by JanKees Blom, on Flickr

jk10133 by JanKees Blom, on Flickr

jk10127 by JanKees Blom, on Flickr
 
although that prop texture is just odd...

As linked to in my post above, the prop issue with the P-51A should be fixed with an update released within a week's time (hopefully). In the meantime, you can try my modified prop textures, also linked to above, which will at least get rid of the slow turning prop textures (currently causing most of the issue).

I personally consider all of the early Allison-engined Mustangs to be the "sexiest" of all WWII warbirds (in my opinion). Of course the Mustang series started out with very British and European styling, beginning with the prototype NA-73X. As most here know already, the original Mustang prototype was designed to a British order placed with North American Aviation in 1940. The first Mustangs were designed and built for Britain and were designated Mustang I. This was followed later by the Mustang Mk.Ia and Mk.II (the later of which had four cannons). After the US government finally really took notice of them in 1942, the first Mustangs ordered for the US entered service in early 1943, and those were the P-51 (with no letter designation), which were essentially identical to the cannon-armed Mustang Mk.II made for the British. Those first American Mustangs were later renamed the F-6A, by the time they entered service, having been modified for photo-reconnaissance work. This was followed by the A-36 Mustang (often mistakenly referred to as the "Apache" for many years), which also entered service around the same time as the F-6A. Then, following the A-36, came the P-51A. All of these variants were powered by the Allison V-1710 engine, a really good engine, but it was not fitted with a two-stage supercharger for high altitude work. All of these early Mustangs can outperform a Merlin-engined P-51D at low level, but their performance fizzles out above 15,000 ft.
 
Tumbling Goose Albatross - the Pilot & Passenger's feet poke through the fuselage. I saw a pic somewhere & have one to process.
I tried another Albatross & it seemed ok.
Will try & figure what triggers the leggy emergency air brakes. The Tumbling Goose has full AP that appears to work so the appendages are a bit of a P.I.T.A. external view mood killer.
T43

Here it is:

https://i.postimg.cc/wjZ2mmS6/tg-1.jpg
 
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If you just want stock aircraft, I think the best bang for your buck is going to be the base Reno package. It includes stock versions of each of the 4 aircraft, L-39, P-51D, Pitts and the T6. It would be the same price as just buying the base T6 and base P-51D. The cockpits are factory fresh, exterior is a fictional race livery.
 
Would anyone who has bought the 19.95$ package be so kind to show a screenshot of the instrument panel for the T-6 and P-51.

Not really intending to throw more money at Asabo aircraft after the Ju-52, but those two planes are very tempting.
 
Would anyone who has bought the 19.95$ package be so kind to show a screenshot of the instrument panel for the T-6 and P-51.

Not really intending to throw more money at Asabo aircraft after the Ju-52, but those two planes are very tempting.

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Here are a few shots from the base/generic P-51D cockpit - a half and half mix of stock and modern/resto throughout).

- The instrument panel is military stock to 1946 (the year that the accelerometer was first added while in service, via a Tech Order).
- The throttle handle and control stick grip are not original (but are of the type fitted in some Mustang restorations).
- The wood floor finish, metal floor plates and silver-painted control stick and rudder pedals are all modern restoration details, as is the compass mounted in-place of the gun sight mount.
- The right side of the cockpit has extra paneling in lieu of the original radio control panels.
- The magneto switch is located in a non-standard position due to the modern radios.
- Originally, the canopy framing was all painted flat black.
- The flap handle is missing the end on it.
- Interestingly, they have it depicted with a fuselage tank (which should be rubber/black in color), and a semi-fictional partial radio rack.

Overall, I really like it!





 
The cockpit of the base/generic AT-6 is absolutely glorious, and certainly the best stock AT-6 cockpit I've ever seen in flight sim form, front and back. Even all of the 40's era radios, radio controls and armament switches are present. The rear swivel seat position in the back is also incredibly well detailed. I just wish the throttle and prop controls weren't painted red (an easy fix, if they have their own textures). Other than the small addition of the comm and transponder radios, it is no different than it would have been in the 1940's.









 
Thank you both, could you also post some of the default L-39?

Might be the $19,95 pack would be a nice buy.

Marcel
 
If anyone hasn't tried the racing, you really should. The time trials are a great way to get a feel for the course, and the network code improvements they made make the multiplayer racing almost seamless.

Even with the "standardized" flight models in the races, it's a ton of fun, and if there's a group of decent pilots, the identical flight models make for some really close racing. My first race, I started halfway down the field, but ended up winning by a fraction of a second over the airplane ahead of me, since my total time around the course was slightly faster.

I have to admit you are right about this. I didn't think I would be interested in MP racing, but I tried it, and it is addictive. Each race only takes 10 minutes or so, so you think, "Aw, I cut a pylon on that one, I'll do one more." Then, "Heck, I'll do one more again." Then, "Crap, is it 2:00 am already??"

August
 
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