Mp design studio - sikorsky s-55

[jeansy]

My impression, being in communication with the modeller, is that this model was developed from scratch and is not a portover. I hope I'm right.

I haven't bought it, as I'm waiting for the Westland Whirlwind(s), but it appears to be a good mesh with good flight model, but with BMP format textures and lacking bump and specular materials (I note this was the case with the Gazelle, which I did purchase)?

If this is correct, would users regards it as a good all-round model for FSX/P3D if the textures were DDS and bump and specular maps were included?

I agree its not a port over from fs9 however its a current model mapped to fs9 standards and implemented into FSX

its the same as the gazelle from what ive seen, with no spec, no bump and all in bmps, however its more of a HD bmp textured model than the gazelle

As for the mesh, cant say as ive only seen the contents of all the texture folders and videos sent to me, I wont buy something thats mapped like that, it has no life or dual purpose

sadly Im getting reports that converted textures to dds are having an effect on the FPS with the model with frames jumping up and down when looking at it

But I agree with your last statement 110%

 

[JensOle]

My view on the topic (I don't have the model):

We are a small community, and I'm suspecting we are getting smaller and smaller for each year. I personally applaud all the designers, freeware and payware, doing the lesser known types.

The real question here is for me; do I want a S-55 in the sim? There are really no other options out there as the old Alphasim model is very dated by todays standards. If you want to have a S-55 in your sim, then this is most likely the only decent model you will ever get for FSX.

And on general basis I'm quite sure you can call a model which use bmp textures for a FSX model as long as it is exported in the FSX format. And what is all the fuzz about bumps and specs, if they are not there it is an simply mod in MCX to make it. We are after all a modding community..

With payware it should of course be top notch standard out of the box, but these days I'm just glad people are doing these models. We have few designers, but many of us which can do the simpler mods. This forum is full of these joint forum updates.

 

[milence]

My view on the topic (I don't have the model):

We are a small community, and I'm suspecting we are getting smaller and smaller for each year. I personally applaud all the designers, freeware and payware, doing the lesser known types.

The real question here is for me; do I want a S-55 in the sim? There are really no other options out there as the old Alphasim model is very dated by todays standards. If you want to have a S-55 in your sim, then this is most likely the only decent model you will ever get for FSX.

And on general basis I'm quite sure you can call a model which use bmp textures for a FSX model as long as it is exported in the FSX format. And what is all the fuzz about bumps and specs, if they are not there it is an simply mod in MCX to make it. We are after all a modding community..

With payware it should of course be top notch standard out of the box, but these days I'm just glad people are doing these models. We have few designers, but many of us which can do the simpler mods. This forum is full of these joint forum updates.

I totally agree with you!

 

[Manschy]

My view on the topic (I don't have the model):

We are a small community, and I'm suspecting we are getting smaller and smaller for each year. I personally applaud all the designers, freeware and payware, doing the lesser known types.

The real question here is for me; do I want a S-55 in the sim? There are really no other options out there as the old Alphasim model is very dated by todays standards. If you want to have a S-55 in your sim, then this is most likely the only decent model you will ever get for FSX.

And on general basis I'm quite sure you can call a model which use bmp textures for a FSX model as long as it is exported in the FSX format. And what is all the fuzz about bumps and specs, if they are not there it is an simply mod in MCX to make it. We are after all a modding community..

With payware it should of course be top notch standard out of the box, but these days I'm just glad people are doing these models. We have few designers, but many of us which can do the simpler mods. This forum is full of these joint forum updates.

+1

I totally agree. Regarding lots of so-called "FSX" products sold by AS (chiefly sceneries, their aircraft are fine) or something, which had to be fixed by upgrade patches or by the users themselves (if fixing is possible anyway...). I for one appreciate designers (no matter if freeware or payware) who design invigorating models which are rare and/or extraordinary. It bores me to see the 40th model of a Cessna 172, 737 or Piper. I acted from necessary when I bought the Wilco Harrier GR3 just because there had been no choice (there isn't another one), even it is partly horrible designed.
Once in a blue moon you get a highlight like the MV F-4 or most of Dino Cattaneo's fantastic work, mostly freeware btw.
The bottom line is to decide if I will pay for features I need - to decide I pay for the IDEA, the motivation, the courage to design a product that might not be perfect but as written it's rare and finally maybe an aircraft awaited for a long time by some of us.
A Westland Lynx? Northrop F-5 Tiger? Such a great wishlist here
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php/104014-New-planes-and-repaints-wishlist-for-FSX
Of course, time changes and we got a lot of new innovations (bless god) but I would rather pay for a S-55 that wouldn't be perfect (same with Wilco Harrier) than a maybe real flyable Cessna 172. Why? Because it's rare and has been designed!

 

[JimmyRFR]

I just wanted to say that I don't even fly FSX/P3D the majority of the time anymore (XP user), but I definitely wanted to mess about with a S-55. And since it's labeled on simmarket as being P3D V4 capable, I decided that this would be my first purchase for that platform. I should note, this was my first aircraft purchase for FSX/P3D in almost a year.

Anyhow, in the order it matters for me:

- So far, (keeping in mind that I have zero real world experience to draw from) the flight modelling seems decent enough for FSX/P3D. Definitely not as nuanced as what I'm used to in XP and a fair site easier to fly (at least for hover / taxi / liftoff), but that's not always a bad thing.

- The soundset has a noticeable 'static' loop in it in V4. Otherwise decent, but that is a bit annoying.

- The interior mesh / modeling is quite nice.

- The interior textures are decent enough on the panels / seats / details, but the rest of the interior is rather 'flat'. Wish it had a bit more weathering / fine detail.

Overall, I'm pleased with it. It's enough of a curiosity that to me, it was worth the money.

 

[MDIvey]

Been using and enjoying the s55 quite a bit but have noticed one minor problem....

I haven't been able to get the hoist to work on this conver.... looking at the cfg entries it seems the entry that ties it to one of the doors is missing and its start position coordinates are in the centre of the helicopter rather than offset over the right side door as it should be. I tried copying the hoist entries from another helicopter which worked but I just couldn't get it positioned correctly despite much trial and error. If you could fix this would be great as its an enjoyable feature of fsx heli flying.

Matt

 

[conver]

@WarHorse47:
Yes, you should hear an exterior sound and increase in volume when you open a window during flight.

@MDIvey
You are right. We will include and this fix in our update for sikorsky s-55. For now, in aircraft.cfg of helicopters which are equipped with Hoist and Sling replace this:
Sincerely apologize...


[Sling.0]
hoist_extend_rate = 5 //Feet per second
hoist_retract_rate = -5 //Feet per second
position = -0.75, 4.56, 2.00 //Feet from datum
max_stretch = 2.0 //Max stretch distance at ultimate load
damping_ratio = 0.6 //0 for no damping to 1.0 for critically damped.
rated_load = 600 //Characteristics tension of cable in pounds
ultimate_load = 2250 //Breaking force in pounds
tolerance_angle = 45 //Angle, in degrees, used to determine lateral breaking force limit
auto_pickup_range = 8 //Max Range, in feet, for auto-pickup
auto_pickup_max_speed = 8.5 //Maximum speed (feet per second) for auto-pickup
hoist_payload_station = 4 //Payload station in which the hoist will load in and out of. 1 is first station.
hoist_door = 1 //Door associated with hoist. Must be open for use.


[Sling.1]
position = -0.75, 4.56, 2.00 //Feet from datum
max_stretch = 2.0 //Max stretch distance at ultimate load
damping_ratio = 0.75 //0 for no damping to 1.0 for critically damped.
rated_load = 1000 //Characteristics tension of cable in pounds
ultimate_load = 25000 //Breaking force in pounds
tolerance_angle = 70 //Angle, in degrees, used to determine lateral breaking force limit
auto_pickup_range = 12 //Max Range, in feet, for auto-pickup
auto_pickup_max_speed = 10 //Maximum speed (feet per second) for auto-pickup

 

[Dutcheeseblend]

I think the addon looks nice

 

[MDIvey]

Thanks Conver

BTW can someone point me in the direction of some lighter loads like the one you show Conver... the Humvee, generator and large pallet I've managed to use so far with placement using AI carriers are just too heavy for a vintage Heli like the S-55

Matt

 

[Cirrus N210MS]

i am enjoying the S55

 

[conver]

Hi MDIvey!
I used a "Air Zermatt's base" mission scenery (edited in notepad to call Sikorsky S55) from old SA315 Lama X helicopter add-on just to show you that is possible to lift using hoist.

 

[Daube]

Ok guys I finally bought this model and I have to confess I like it a lot.
As stated in that topic already, the textures are nice but some of them could use some more details, like ambiant occlusion or weathering or stuff like that, especially in the cockpit.
I have the milky windows problem too, just like the Gazelle, both in P3Dv4.

Now, my biggest problem is that the S-55 cannot be started from cold&dark, and this is a show-stopper.
Of course, I could start the engine without problems. However, the engine RPM needle went immediately at more than 3.000 RPMs at idle. Then, when I moved the throttle, the RPMs went up for a few seconds, then returned to idle although my throttle axis was at maximum. Also, the engine RPM needle stayed locked at 4.000 and refused to move until I shut the engine off...

And to turn the engine off it's very easy: you just need to press the clutch button: the engine dies in half a second...
What am I doing wrong ? Why does the engine ignore my throttle commands ? Why does the clutch kill the engine ? (also happens in default R22...) ? Why does the engine RPM go to 4.000 at idle ?

 

[Daube]

Did anybody buy this model ?
Or do you just all press CTRL+E to start it ? (yes, it starts correctly that way)

 

[jeansy]

Did anybody buy this model ?
Or do you just all press CTRL+E to start it ? (yes, it starts correctly that way)

i did but it was deleted the same day, i think auto start up works but could be wrong

 

[conver]

Current discount on SimMarket for this helicopter - 25%

http://secure.simmarket.com/mp-design-studio-sikorsky-s-55-fsx-p3d.phtml

 

[xpelekis]

I like it.

 

[YoYo]

Why does the engine RPM go to 4.000 at idle ?

I took it too, basically the "old model" but I have a feeling that some bugs still exist (tested in P3Dv5) - like starter switch etc., however very nice model and nice external textures and effects!
Update is on MP website: http://www.mpdesignstudio.rs/downloads.html (its not only compass fix).