Felixthreeone
Charter Member
Saw that they have a 'Volume 1' advertised on the website...is this new? I have no experience with any of their products and am looking for a good Texan/Harvard......anyone with any opinions on these?
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The Staff of SOH
SkyUnlimited Texan/Harvard?
- Thread starter Felixthreeone
- Start date
planejunky
Charter Member
I was looking at these too, even though I have the Alpha Texan/Harvard package. I'd like to see some more screenies before making up my mind to purchase. At least they've had the good sense to produce both FSX AND FS9 versions, a wise move.
Felixthreeone
Charter Member
Thanks for the info! I guess the Alphasim one will get a looking at....
I can't make a comparison since I don't have the Alpha Texan/Harvard package... I like the Sky Unlimited Texans and Harvards though.
I guess the panels and gauges could be considered a bit dated, but they are still pretty decent and the models are fun to fly. I haven't regretted my cd purchase because they were so much better than any of the freeware stuff available. Besides, SU always treated SOHers pretty darned good.
I guess the panels and gauges could be considered a bit dated, but they are still pretty decent and the models are fun to fly. I haven't regretted my cd purchase because they were so much better than any of the freeware stuff available. Besides, SU always treated SOHers pretty darned good.
fleurdelys
Charter Member
OK ! There goes my two bits on this topic...
I don't have the S.U. plane and do agree that the exhaust effects on the Alpha could be improved (which I've done).:amen:
Just a note on their exhaust effect; it was a first, for me at least, to find an effect (flames) running jointly with the engine startup smoke emission and a second one (the exhaust effect itself) kicking in at 50% plus gas throttle.
But considering the varients and skins that have been produced for the Alpha model (155 ZIPPED files to account for in my hangar) I feel that it deserves more than a cursory look as so many re-painters cannot be wrong about the overall visuals of this model. As for the flight dynamics, I'm no pilot but everytime I put a plane back on the virtual tarmac without crashing, I feel that it deserves some appreciation on my part... (Think I read something to that effect somewhere before
).However, I'd like to see S.U. exhaust effects and the pilots animation (which the Alpha doesn't have...). Think I still have some space left in my Texan-Harvard hangar...
Fleurdelys
planejunky
Charter Member
But considering the varients and skins that have been produced for the Alpha model (155 ZIPPED files to account for in my hangar) I feel that it deserves more than a cursory look as so many re-painters cannot be wrong about the overall visuals of this model. Texan-Harvard hangar...
Fleurdelys
That many? Wow I'm missing a whole bunch then! I have to say I've always been very happy with the Alpha Harvard/Texan, and fly them alot.
If anyone's looking for a real one, I know where there's a T-6 for sale right now! :d
To TARPSBird
Originally the plans were to develop a tailhook equipped SNJ after the original six Texan/Harvard's were re-built for FSX.
Those plans have been changed with the release of the WW2 aircraft carriers for FSX. A FSX version of the SNJ with a tailhook will be released with the re-built FSX T-6 FAC. A FS9 version will be made, but how it will be packaged remains to be figured out.
The original FS9 package of 6 aircraft are being updated to have the custom gauges developed for the FSX models. I haven't confirmed this with Jesse, but I expect this will be a free upgrade for folks who have already purchased the planes.
Originally we had a version of a WASP piloted AT6D for FS9 which was part of the original FS9 package. A percentage of the proceeds from the sales were donated to the WASP museum in Sweetwater, Texas and Wings Across America. Originally we were going to put the FSX WASP and FSX T-6 FAC together for volume 2 of the FSX versions. Well, now that I'm planning to replace the FSX WASP piloted AT6 with a FSX tailhook equiped SNJ, plans were changed for what to do with the FSX WASP plane. Now we're going to bundle the FS9 and FSX versions of the WASP piloted AT6D onto CD's and make them available exclusively through the gift shop at the WASP museum at Sweetwater. So now they'll be getting all the money from the sale of the WASP Texan instead of a small part.
More info when I get home from work
Originally the plans were to develop a tailhook equipped SNJ after the original six Texan/Harvard's were re-built for FSX.
Those plans have been changed with the release of the WW2 aircraft carriers for FSX. A FSX version of the SNJ with a tailhook will be released with the re-built FSX T-6 FAC. A FS9 version will be made, but how it will be packaged remains to be figured out.
The original FS9 package of 6 aircraft are being updated to have the custom gauges developed for the FSX models. I haven't confirmed this with Jesse, but I expect this will be a free upgrade for folks who have already purchased the planes.
Originally we had a version of a WASP piloted AT6D for FS9 which was part of the original FS9 package. A percentage of the proceeds from the sales were donated to the WASP museum in Sweetwater, Texas and Wings Across America. Originally we were going to put the FSX WASP and FSX T-6 FAC together for volume 2 of the FSX versions. Well, now that I'm planning to replace the FSX WASP piloted AT6 with a FSX tailhook equiped SNJ, plans were changed for what to do with the FSX WASP plane. Now we're going to bundle the FS9 and FSX versions of the WASP piloted AT6D onto CD's and make them available exclusively through the gift shop at the WASP museum at Sweetwater. So now they'll be getting all the money from the sale of the WASP Texan instead of a small part.
More info when I get home from work
(now where was I before I got interrupted by work)
When the FSX version was released there was some mention on the forum of a dislike for the way the prop disc had been modeled. To give our customers the option of having a choice in how the prop is displayed, we developed an alternate model with a new prop and included it in an update to the FSX package. When we update the gauges of the FS9 models, there's a very good chance this alternate prop model will also be included.
Fleurdely wrote "so many re-painters cannot be wrong about the overall visuals of this model."
I would be inclined to disagree. While there may be 155 repaints for the AlphaSim Texan/Harvard, and only a handful for the SU version, it's not because one is good and the other isn't. Of those 155 repaints almost a third were done by one person. Many of the other re-painters also did several versions as well, so we're not talking about 155 re-painters, but a handful. The reason for the large number of re-paints is that the AT6 is a very popular plane and has been around long enough to have many schemes available. They chose the AlphaSim model to re-paint not because it was the best model available, but because it was the only model available for many months. By the time we finally got our version to the marketplace, the one re-painter that did the vast majority of paints said he was going to wait until we got the FSX version out. What was originally thought to be a few weeks to make the FSX version turned into 10 months just to make the first plane. Now that re-painter has gotten into the 3-D modeling aspect of the hobby and it's not clear if he'll ever do a re-paint for the SU planes.
So this is the current plan for the SkyUnlimited FS9 Texans and Harvards
Update all six variants with the custom gauge set that was developed for the FSX versions.
Make a version of each model without the 3d mesh in the prop assembly.
After the FSX updates are completed there will be new variants developed.
A post-war Harvard MkII (FS9 version already completed)
A Harvard MkIV military version
A SNJ tailhook version
A COIN version used by the French in Algeria in the 50's.
I imagine that by the time I finish I will have spent 4 years building Texans and Harvards. At least I don't have to worry about having to do it all over again for FS11. :faint:
When the FSX version was released there was some mention on the forum of a dislike for the way the prop disc had been modeled. To give our customers the option of having a choice in how the prop is displayed, we developed an alternate model with a new prop and included it in an update to the FSX package. When we update the gauges of the FS9 models, there's a very good chance this alternate prop model will also be included.
Fleurdely wrote "so many re-painters cannot be wrong about the overall visuals of this model."
I would be inclined to disagree. While there may be 155 repaints for the AlphaSim Texan/Harvard, and only a handful for the SU version, it's not because one is good and the other isn't. Of those 155 repaints almost a third were done by one person. Many of the other re-painters also did several versions as well, so we're not talking about 155 re-painters, but a handful. The reason for the large number of re-paints is that the AT6 is a very popular plane and has been around long enough to have many schemes available. They chose the AlphaSim model to re-paint not because it was the best model available, but because it was the only model available for many months. By the time we finally got our version to the marketplace, the one re-painter that did the vast majority of paints said he was going to wait until we got the FSX version out. What was originally thought to be a few weeks to make the FSX version turned into 10 months just to make the first plane. Now that re-painter has gotten into the 3-D modeling aspect of the hobby and it's not clear if he'll ever do a re-paint for the SU planes.
So this is the current plan for the SkyUnlimited FS9 Texans and Harvards
Update all six variants with the custom gauge set that was developed for the FSX versions.
Make a version of each model without the 3d mesh in the prop assembly.
After the FSX updates are completed there will be new variants developed.
A post-war Harvard MkII (FS9 version already completed)
A Harvard MkIV military version
A SNJ tailhook version
A COIN version used by the French in Algeria in the 50's.
I imagine that by the time I finish I will have spent 4 years building Texans and Harvards. At least I don't have to worry about having to do it all over again for FS11. :faint:
One thing I could use in building the tailhook version. I have good reference material on the external appearance of the tailhook and the shielding in front of the tailwheel, but I have no reference on how the tailhook was raised or lowered in the cockpit. I read one account of a Naval aviator in training where he wrote that the tailhook was raised and lowered by use of a rope.
Anyone with pictures or firsthand experience would be a big help.
Anyone with pictures or firsthand experience would be a big help.
Felixthreeone
Charter Member
X_eidos2....thanks as well for all the info; It is always good to see the developer add to a topic...and is much appreciated!
SNJ_tailhook
"All Navy Aviators Can Fly the SNJ"
http://rwebs.net/dispatch/output.asp?ArticleID=34
Normally, I would have been sweating by this time, but since it was winter and nearly freezing, my open canopy certainly kept me cool enough. I maneuvered into the landing pattern sequence with the other planes and settled in for my first carrier landing approach. Downwind I dropped the gear and extended the flaps, trimmed accordingly, lowered the hook and repeated the check list several times. The hook mechanism on these SNJ's was a simple and novel rig. When the hook was up, it was held by a length of sash cord that was tied to the hook in the tail with the other end looped over the left arm rest. To drop the hook, you merely took loose the sash cord from the arm rest. On turning to the base leg, I found...
=======
See page 104...Letter to Historian, Naval Air Systems Command
(clothesline rope tied to the hook,..., terminating in the cockpit wound around the left armrest...)
http://books.google.com/books?id=m5...X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result#PPA104,M1
=======
Don't know if they stayed with that setup, but it worked and it's kinda funny.
"All Navy Aviators Can Fly the SNJ"
http://rwebs.net/dispatch/output.asp?ArticleID=34
Normally, I would have been sweating by this time, but since it was winter and nearly freezing, my open canopy certainly kept me cool enough. I maneuvered into the landing pattern sequence with the other planes and settled in for my first carrier landing approach. Downwind I dropped the gear and extended the flaps, trimmed accordingly, lowered the hook and repeated the check list several times. The hook mechanism on these SNJ's was a simple and novel rig. When the hook was up, it was held by a length of sash cord that was tied to the hook in the tail with the other end looped over the left arm rest. To drop the hook, you merely took loose the sash cord from the arm rest. On turning to the base leg, I found...
=======
See page 104...Letter to Historian, Naval Air Systems Command
(clothesline rope tied to the hook,..., terminating in the cockpit wound around the left armrest...)
http://books.google.com/books?id=m5...X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result#PPA104,M1
=======
Don't know if they stayed with that setup, but it worked and it's kinda funny.
tailhook_followup
SNJ-5C BuNo 90656 Restoration
http://www.cwahl.com/flying/snj5c/N5615C.htm
pic #1... The Tailhook is painted and installed. Still waiting on the new up/down cable so it's safety wired right now. Most planes had a latch that simply dropped the hook and had to be reset on the ground. This plane did not have the latch at the rear. It had a handle the pilot moved for being able to put it up or down. I also found the NAVY T.O. showing the parts for the hook installation.
http://www.cwahl.com/flying/snj5c/rest_7/rest_7.htm
closeups of the tailhook and assembly
http://www.cwahl.com/flying/snj5c/rest_8/rest_8.htm
Next to last pic... Tail wheel before the tailhook cable shroud is installed...
http://www.cwahl.com/flying/snj5c/rest_5/rest_5.htm
pic #1...tailhook shroud for protecting the tailwheel from a missed wire.
http://www.cwahl.com/flying/snj5c/rest_6/rest_6.htm
SNJ-5C BuNo 90656 Restoration
http://www.cwahl.com/flying/snj5c/N5615C.htm
pic #1... The Tailhook is painted and installed. Still waiting on the new up/down cable so it's safety wired right now. Most planes had a latch that simply dropped the hook and had to be reset on the ground. This plane did not have the latch at the rear. It had a handle the pilot moved for being able to put it up or down. I also found the NAVY T.O. showing the parts for the hook installation.
http://www.cwahl.com/flying/snj5c/rest_7/rest_7.htm
closeups of the tailhook and assembly
http://www.cwahl.com/flying/snj5c/rest_8/rest_8.htm
Next to last pic... Tail wheel before the tailhook cable shroud is installed...
http://www.cwahl.com/flying/snj5c/rest_5/rest_5.htm
pic #1...tailhook shroud for protecting the tailwheel from a missed wire.
http://www.cwahl.com/flying/snj5c/rest_6/rest_6.htm