PMDG DC-6... It's alive !

[AussieMan]

With P3D fast becoming the dominant flight sim platform it completely mystifies me as to why developers like PMDG still refuse to support P3D. It is time they woke up and start smelling the roses and realised that P3D is here to stay.

While they maintain this head in the sand attitude PMDG products are off my list. Frankly I will stick with my excellent AH/JF DC-6 thank you.

 

[Alan_A]

In fairness to PMDG, they do support P3D. The 777 for P3D has been released, the 737 is due for release momentarily, and their announcement about the DC-6 says that it'll be available for P3D and for FSX - it's just that they're releasing the X-Plane version first, which I guess makes sense if they decided to treat it as their testbed project.

Not everyone is happy about their P3D pricing, which if I understand it correctly involves the full purchase of a new license, no discount for previous ownership. But that may have to do with the amount of work involved or with licensing requirements. I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other.

But the good (I guess) news is that there'll be a PMDG DC-6 for P3D -we'll just have to watch the X-Plane guys get to the flightline first....

 

[manfredc3]

With P3D fast becoming the dominant flight sim platform it completely mystifies me as to why developers like PMDG still refuse to support P3D. It is time they woke up and start smelling the roses and realised that P3D is here to stay.

While they maintain this head in the sand attitude PMDG products are off my list. Frankly I will stick with my excellent AH/JF DC-6 thank you.

Wow Pat,

I usually highly respect and value your responses, but you must have gotten out of bed on the wrong foot with this one.

PMDG is actually in the midst of making their products compattible with P3D, as can be read on their support forum.
You might want to update your information

Respectfully,

Manfred

 

[CanadaKen]

Yes, the PMDG 777 is out for P3D now and the NGX soon.

I do love P3D and like the OP I love the smokin', drippin' fire breathing radials!

Now....could they do a Boeing B314 in their spare time?!

CK

 

[Scratch]

This bird is gorgeous!! And all those switches to flip and buttons to mash, I'm in big time on this one.

 

[pilottj]

Very much looking forward to this release and I am excited that PMDG has more 'classic' projects in the works.

PMDG has indeed been supporting P3D, the 777 for P3D has been out for about a month now.

Cheers
TJ

 

[Javis]

Hi Jan,yes, of course Although today I was actually looking for some news about the upcoming NGX service pack. So it was a nice surprise.

I can imagine, Tim! Because it's really an X-Plane topic i might've even overlooked it !

That's true. On the other hand, I always feared that they might cancel the project somewhere down the road like they did it with the Dash-8. After all they also called it a 'filler project' - just like the Dash-8 project. And obviously there was not much time left between all the 7X7 projects. So seeing today that the DC-6 is somehow part of a bigger picture is quite a relief! I'm now sure that the project won't be canceled and that makes waiting much easier

Even the original announcement screenies prove that a tremendous amount of work must've gone in the VC already. And the external model looks to be in beta stage on top of that. I can't really imagine the devs of this amazing gem would throw it all in the trash can.... But you're right of course, fantastic to know that the DC-6 project is finally well underway even if it's not for FSX initially. I believe X-Plane is on Steam now, the minute the DC-6 is released i'm on it! ( just checked.... ai,ai....55 euri ! and no reflections.... and totally different keys structure compared to FSX IIRC.... didn't like that at all! Oh, well, only one PMDG DC-6 once in a lifetime i suppose... )

Have to agree with a poster on Avsim forum who says that without reflection the X-Plane DC-6 external model looks a bit plasticky. Certainly compared to the initial screenies which no doubt are from FSX.

The advantage of the DC-6 is that it has no FE station. So all the controls, buttons and switches are accessible from the pilot seat. Therefore one does not have to switch back and forth between the different stations. That will make it much easier to fly the plane

Exactly ! And lets not forget the words of RR himself when he announced the project : Quote "Low climbout angles, slow acceleration, carefully planned descents with plenty of drag so you can keep the power up in order to maintain engine temperatures and avoid torque loading the engines! (Don't worry- we'll teach you what all of that means!) Unquote

In any case, i'm ready! XP,FSX,P3D or whatever!

Cheers,
Jan

 

[GypsyBaron]

Impressive, but what worries me is all that complexity without an A2A-Captain of the Ship-style crew assist. It's going to be a handful. I'm probably just reflecting my biases but I stayed away from the A2A 377 'til the crew came along, and I'm not sure how eager I am to cope with three flight-deck jobs on my own...

I am in the opposite camp here. I used to fly the A2A B-377 alot and found managing all the systems something that
kept the boredom out of long flights.

When COTS came along I pretty much stopped flying the 377, although I could 'disengage' the virtual crew.

I have my #2 hat switch on my X-47 set to switch me between Left Set, right seat, FE station and Nav station
with a flick of my thumb. That makes it easy to manage everything. Also, with TIR, I can look over my shoulder
to the FE panel to see if anything 'needs attention'.

These days I fly my A2A B-17G online, almost exclusively, with the 91st Bombardment Group. Flying formation adds
the needed 'challenge' to the otherwise benign operation of the 17.

Although I don't fly non-Accu-Sim aircraft as a rule, if the PDMG DC-6 is 'sufficiently modeled' I may give it a shot.

Paul

 

[robcap]

The advantage of the DC-6 is that it has no FE station. So all the controls, buttons and switches are accessible from the pilot seat. Therefore one does not have to switch back and forth between the different stations. That will make it much easier to fly the plane

MUCH MUCH easier, I'm sure hahah!
How are you Tim?? Miss our liitle e-mail chats...Great times!

Cheers, Rob

 

[Tim-HH]

Even the original announcement screenies prove that a tremendous amount of work must've gone in the VC already. And the external model looks to be in beta stage on top of that. I can't really imagine the devs of this amazing gem would throw it all in the trash can....

Yes, when I saw the first pictures I thought they would release it within the next few weeks. Only the following three years of silence worried me a bit

I believe X-Plane is on Steam now, the minute the DC-6 is released i'm on it! ( just checked.... ai,ai....55 euri ! and no reflections.... and totally different keys structure compared to FSX IIRC.... didn't like that at all! Oh, well, only one PMDG DC-6 once in a lifetime i suppose... )

I guess I also need a X-Plane copy now. Luckily Steam has always many bargain offers. Just two month ago they offered 50% off on X-Plane 10. Normally Steam has another big sale in one of the coming months. I'll drop you a note when I spot something interesting

How are you Tim?? Miss our liitle e-mail chats...Great times!

Hey, great to hear from you, Rob! I'm fine, thank you. I hope you are as well! Great times indeed...also our meeting in Buckeberg. We should repeat that one day

Greetings
Tim

 

[Javis]

Yes I have, but my question was more like: "how will it compare with an Accusim bird" ?
I understood they made a precise modelling of the engine behavior, but there isn't anything about "aging" engine, so I'm just curious. This could well be my very first PMDG purchase

I am absolutely sure you won't be dissapointed, Daube !

I have the PMDG 737, 747 and 777 and there's nothing that can be compared. They are the quintessence of "It's lonely at the top". Although i'm not that much of a tubeliner fan really, i just can't withstand top quality. Must say the CS T7 is a true competitor, maybe even more, when it comes to eyecandy. That thing is a feast for the eyes, both inside and out.
The PMDG DC-6 is going to be Propliner Simmer's Heaven !! It's got to be ! And it better be !! I'm not waiting for more than 3 years now for anything less !

Cheers,
jan

 

[CG_1976]

Cough Cough, Ifly with there 737 and 747 certainly cant be left out. Both support FS9 thru FSX and P3D. A true Freedom of Choice in Payware with respect to those in Fs9 and FSX and P3D.

 

[Javis]

Hope that's the case. Managing a DC-6 isn't exactly fodder for FS2Crew (unless Bryan York decides to go in a completely different direction). But some degree of crew assist would be... well, definitely helpful, and maybe required.

Agreed! I tried FS2Crew many moons ago, can't remember much of it, maybe only that i thought it was pretty complex.... Really love the way A2A implemented 'a crew' in their amazing B-17 model. Not only a great help in flying her but the crew's voices are also the best i have ever heard in FS and add a lot to the immersion (atleast IMHO it usually is the other way around...). I am certainly not going to count on being welcomed 'B-17's wise' when i enter the DC-6 cockpit but boy! would i love it !

On the other hand, should it turn out we're going to be all alone upthere in that superb looking VC afterall, i certainly wouldn't mind putting everything else aside and spend all my simming time on trying to fly this beautiful beast by the book just as long as 'the book' comes with it. Can't wait to learn all about mastering those awesome Double Wasps !

cheers,
jan

 

[Javis]

Cough Cough, Ifly with there 737 and 747 certainly cant be left out. Both support FS9 thru FSX and P3D. A true Freedom of Choice in Payware with respect to those in Fs9 and FSX and P3D.

I have the Ifly 737, certainly very nice indeed, but this is all about PMDG....

 

[AussieMan]

Received an email from FSPilot shop this morning promoting the PMDG B777-200. Was thinking of buying it until then. Quickly lost interest when I looked at the price.

No FS aircraft is worth $US100. If that is the price tag on the 777 then I can imagine a similar price tag on the DC-6.

As an aged pensioner on a very limited income I will be sticking with the AH/JF DC-6 no matter how good the PMDG one is.

 

[SeanTK]

Received an email from FSPilot shop this morning promoting the PMDG B777-200. Was thinking of buying it until then. Quickly lost interest when I looked at the price.

No FS aircraft is worth $US100. If that is the price tag on the 777 then I can imagine a similar price tag on the DC-6.

As an aged pensioner on a very limited income I will be sticking with the AH/JF DC-6 no matter how good the PMDG one is.

First and foremost...I'm looking forward to the DC-6, and glad to see that it really is in development!

Second, to address the above, PMDG is charging both what the market will support, and their 737 and 777 addons are hot sellers despite the price, so...the market is willing to support those costs. In addition, their current Boeing products are licensed by Boeing, and produced in cooperation with them, so that is a very significant part of the cost as well. As we don't know the licensing situation with the DC-6, it's hard to say how much it would be, but I would be surprised if it was over $60-70 mark due to the niche nature of the product (many vocal simmers seems to be die-hard jetliner-only fans), and I do not suspect that any licensing costs would warrant a higher price in this case. Again, hard to say, but I do not suspect that it'll be over what I am estimating above. They cant' accomodate the financial state of all simulation users, and just as I would pass on investing in a Lamborghini at the current time, many of us may have to pass on investing in another high-end addon to this hobby.

Hopefully we'll see a plethora of third-party repaints available upon release!

 

[AussieMan]

As SeanTK claims that PMDG are charging what the market will support may I be so bold to ask just how many people on limited or fixed incomes can support $100 for an FS aircraft.

By the time I do my fortnightly shopping, make a fortnightly payment on my electricity and phone bills and put petrol in my car I am left with about $150 to last me for the fortnight. It does not include the extra petrol I need if I am called to my Fire Control Centre to do communications, a weekend roster for the same as well as training and the extras required to visit relatives as well as buy birthday and Christmas gifts for my grandchildren. Oh and don't forget my required medication.

 

[ColoKent]

As SeanTK claims that PMDG are charging what the market will support may I be so bold to ask just how many people on limited or fixed incomes can support $100 for an FS aircraft.

By the time I do my fortnightly shopping, make a fortnightly payment on my electricity and phone bills and put petrol in my car I am left with about $150 to last me for the fortnight. It does not include the extra petrol I need if I am called to my Fire Control Centre to do communications, a weekend roster for the same as well as training and the extras required to visit relatives as well as buy birthday and Christmas gifts for my grandchildren. Oh and don't forget my required medication.

AussieMan, let me start out by emphasizing that I appreciate all you do on this forum, so my following comments are ABSOLUTELY not meant to be personal, and are made with all due respect to your accomplishments. That said however, pricing issues do not seem to be very complicated to me:

1. Businesses choose to price their products as they see fit-- and the market will determine if the business priced it "correctly" or not.
2. The good news is, as a consumer, you get to make the decision whether to buy products or not.

Seems like a straightforward arrangement to me...It is not a hard assumption to make that PMDG has a HUGE investment in development time in every model they produce and update due to the rather extreme level of systems and FDE modeling. As a result, I am certain that the price reflects what Robert thought is required to cover his fixed and project costs, and make some profit.

Again, I recognize (and sympathize) with the irritation when we see something we want that we believe is "overpriced" (the 2015 Porsche Cayman GTS comes to mind for me...)

Regards,

Kent

 

[Javis]

Wouldn't you think it's a bit premature to start worrying about the price of the PMDG DC-6 ? We (DC-6 afficionados) have been sitting in the briefing room for more then 3 years. Like Tim said, already when the project was announced 3 years ago the screenshots looked like the project might've been atleast at beta stage, maybe a month or two before release..... Yeah, right !

This latest announcement again sort of promises a 'coming to your (XP) theatre soon' but i have learned my lesson. I'd say worry about the price once you can click on the pay button...

Besides, Pat, somewhere in Mr.Randazzo's latest comments about the DC-6 he says that PMDG is certainly not looking for to get awfully rich with this project. Remember it's a 'testbed', both on account of it being PMDG's first vintage propliner and X-Plane compatible. I have a hunge the price will be very moderate, certainly compared to their regular line of super detailed jetliners.

Btw, if you want an exquisit rendition of a 777, one that can stand proudly in the shadow of the PMDG 777, and, modeling/texturing wise, can even taxi out of that shadow, and you don't want to spend a hundred bucks on it, go with the Captainsim 777. The base pack is only $29.99 atm, an absolute bargain for such superb high quality.

http://www.captainsim.com/store/x777_index.html

cheers,
jan