flight simulator

Showing posts with label flight simulator. Show all posts

Monday, February 02, 2009

Microsoft Simulator X add –on Grumman F6F Hellcat

Mamba Games Ltd, a new dynamic multi-platform video games publisher today releases the first exclusive screenshots of the Microsoft Simulator X add –on GRUMMAN F6F HELLCAT, part of the 6 add-ons Mamba will be releasing over the next 24 months.

Jason Codd , Co-Founder and Commercial Director of Mamba Games quoted “ The quality of the work Real Flight Simulations has done is absolutely stunning, I am a big Microsoft Simulator X player and this add on is right up there with the best I have played. The visuals of the actual aircraft are as close to the real thing as you can get and I am positive the end users will be as happy as we are with it”

With a release date set for the 27th March 2009 Microsoft X players will get the chance to fly this stunning aircraft in all its glory!

HISTORY OF THE GRUMMAN F6F HELLCAT

The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a carrier-based fighter aircraft developed to replace the earlier F4F Wildcat in United States Navy service. Although the F6F bore a family resemblance to the Wildcat, it was a completely new design powered by a 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800. Some tagged it as the "Wildcat's big brother" [1]. The Hellcat and the Vought F4U Corsair were the primary USN fighters during the second half of World War II.

The Hellcat proved to be the most successful aircraft in naval history, destroying 5,171 aircraft[2] while in service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps (5,163 in the Pacific and eight more during the invasion of Southern France), plus 52 with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm during World War II.[3] Postwar, the Hellcat aircraft was systematically phased out of front line service, but finally retired as late as 1954 as a night-fighter in composite squadrons.

FEATURES WITHIN THE GAME

• Models x2 F6F-3 and F6F-5.
• 3D Gauges.
• Authentic sound set.
• Weapons include: Guns, Rockets and Bombs.
• Droppable and Functional droptank.
• Parked Animations (Gunbays and Chocks)
• Operational Wing Folding Mechanism.
• Arrest hook for Carrier landings.
• Highly detailed Pilot.
• Light Bloom on Glass and shiny materials.
• Running and Landing Lights.
• Exhaust smoke from engine startup.
• Engine Flames.
• VC Night Lighting
• Full Bump mapping and Specular highlights.
• Self-Shadowing.
• High Resolution Textures Throughout
• Canopy close / open animation.
• PDF Manual
• 12 Paintschemes.
• Realistic engine startup and shut down procedure.
• An expansion pack is planned, details to be released shortly.

Mamba Games will be announcing the next batch of projects in the forthcoming weeks and will be discussing distribution possibilities with a variety of companies.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

News as Microsoft close Flight Simulator games development - Aces Studio and Flight Sim

Microsoft has confirmed the closure of ACES Studio, with a spokesperson commenting to IGN that the decision was made within Microsoft's Internal Entertainment Business "to align our people against our highest priorities."

In addition, the company noted: "You should expect us to continue to invest in enabling great LIVE experiences on Windows, including flying games, but we have nothing specific to announce at this time."

Elsewhere, former ACES developer Phil Taylor, who moved away from the company before these layoffs, has been further detailing the shutdown in a blog post.

According to his reports, the studio has indeed been largely closed, with six employees retained to fulfill contractual duties - though he comments on the hope that Flight Simulator may continue to exist as a franchise in some other form.

The Microsoft-owned Flight Simulator is possibly the game industry's longest-running continuous franchise.

The first Microsoft-branded version was released in 1982, and ongoing development stretches back over more than a quarter-century and twelve main versions.

The most recent version, Flight Simulator X, was released in 2006 and said to have been a success, with an expansion in 2007. A Microsoft representative had confirmed at that time that further editions of the game were in development.

The Flight Sim series is well-known not just for its official releases, but for its unusually dedicated fan base, which has produced copious amounts of user mods and resources for players.

Also in development at ACES Studio was Microsoft Train Simulator 2, the followup to Kuju's original 2001 game. The sequel was previously speculated to be releasing this year. Furthermore, ACES Studio was responsible for Microsoft ESP, a wide-ranging "visual simulation platform" based on Flight Simulator X technology.

The future of the three software lines in or out of house is unclear, particularly given how extensive the ACES Studio layoffs are said to be, but Gamasutra has contacted Microsoft for comment on the report.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Video Game Technology Brings Hudson River Landing To Life

UK Company Just Flight Recreates 'Miracle on the Hudson' Landing For BBC And ITN Reports

Millions of viewers around the globe watched incredible scenes unfold as Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger performed a miraculous emergency landing. Reports of this astonishing event were augmented by graphical footage provided by British flight simulator company, Just Flight.

Just Flight's experts sprang into action to recreate the spectacular A320 landing manoeuvre for both BBC's 6 O'clock and News at Ten bulletins last Friday - and then ITN's 11pm news programme. They assisted with reports on the crash by providing a simulation reconstruction after a call came in from the BBC early Friday morning. BBC reporters then visited Just Flight's offices to write their stories and the footage was constructed in time for lunch.

Using their software, Just Flight was able to simulate the incident in astonishing detail, including the full-engine failure and resulting fires at 3,000 feet, the dramatic turn at the George Washington Bridge at 1,000 feet when both engines had cut out and the final ditching opposite the 48th Street Pier on the Hudson River. This event recreation highlighted for viewers the heroic skills of Captain Sullenberger.
BBC reporter Rory Cellan-Jones said later: “Just Flight was very helpful and knowledgeable, not just about the software but about aircraft in general”.

Andy Payne, Director of Just Flight, added: “It was fantastic to be able to assist both the BBC and ITN in bringing this story to their audience with such clarity. ITN News had clearly tuned in, as they also contacted us to ask if we could do something very similar for their 11pm News programme. We were happy to help, of course, although it's safe to say that several of the team weren't expecting their weekend to start with a drive back to the office in the early evening!”

Michael Rawlinson, Managing Director of ELSPA, added: “In light of the drama that unfolded last week in New York, it was great to see that gaming technologies could be utilised to reconstruct such astonishing scenes for the viewers of the BBC and ITN, which has also gone on to be the most watched video on the BBC website. It illustrates perfectly how technologies derived directly from those used for gaming can be incredibly useful in other aspects of our lives.”

If you would like to see the simulation in all its glory, as used within the BBC report, follow this link:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/7834499.stm

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Flight1 are proud to present a brand new video Messerschmitt Bf-109

Flight1 are proud to present a brand new video showcasing this beautiful warbird in action.

The Messerschmitt Bf109 was flown by the three highest scoring fighter aces of WWII, outperforming both Spitfires and Hurricanes in vertical climbs and dives.

The iconic foe of the Allied air forces in WWII, the Messerschmitt Bf-109 was the staple fighter of the Luftwaffe. It scored more air-to-air victories in WWII than any other and was produced in greater quantities than any other fighter aircraft in history, with over 31,000 built.

As shown in the video, this superb package from Flight1 brings together F, G and K types of the 109 in a vast array of model variants, each sharing a meticulous attention to detail: the start-up sounds are totally authentic, the pilot is accurately clothed and even prop blades alter their angle according to prop settings.

With incredible 3D modelling, including the gauges in the virtual cockpit and a flight model authenticated by warbird pilots and you have a classic you will want to fly again and again!

The video can be watched here on my YouTube channel...

Critical Acclaim for the BF109:

“Add smell and some vibration and you would think that the simulated Bf109 was real!”
Gordon Page, Warbird Pilot and Messerchmitt owner

“The 109 is stunning in the air and just demands to have everything it will give extracted from it, which is one hell of a lot. I have seldom flown an FS plane which has had such a convincing flight model and also been so much fun to handle… One of the most fantastic simulations I have had the privilege to review. Just get out and buy it.”

Flightsim.com Armchair Aviator Award

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Grumman F6F Hellcat for MS Flight Simulaor X

A new UK based producer of addons for Microsoft’s Flight Simulator X has launched the first of a range of WWII aircraft to flight simmers through their website. Real Flight’s debut product is a replica of the Grumman F6F Hellcat, the acclaimed carrier based fighter that joined the war in February 1943. Development of the FSX Hellcat has been ongoing by Project Manager Dean Greasley who launched Real Flight in June 2008, and his small team to complete.

Attention to detail has been the key to already gaining positive feedback from forums across the flight sim community. Built only for FSX including SP1, SP2 and Acceleration (no planned version for FS9), the Hellcat has a highly detailed virtual cockpit complete with 3d gauges and authentic textures, as well as switches to arm and use both bombs and rockets, as well as the working drop tank.

Externally the model maker has satisfied the rivet counters with all animations present and correct, including folding wings and the crucial tail hook for those carrier landings. The authentic sound package also adds to the immersion achieved as you open up the throttle and watch how the self shadowing, bump mapping and spectacular highlights bring any of the 12 carefully selected paint schemes to life.

“We have started as we mean to go on,” said Dean Greasley. “The benchmark has been set high by our first product to show the standard we are setting for ourselves and for our competitors. An addon package spurred on by the immediate sales success is already underway for the Hellcat.”

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

747-200/300 Series airliner expansion for FSX and FS2004 Flight Simular

Just Flight is pleased to announce the planned release of 747-200/300 Series, the latest airliner expansion for FSX and FS2004 in its widely acclaimed F-Lite series.

The UK ship date for 747-200/300 Series is scheduled for 19th December 2008 at a great value price of just £19.66 / €24.95 / $29.99 for boxed and download versions. In addition, owners of 747-200/300 will be able to expand it further with three keenly priced upgrade packs, available exclusively from the Just Flight website.

Costing just £4.88 each, the upgrades will add a range of additional aircraft and liveries to the Jumbo fleet.

The 747 is acknowledged as the world's most easily-recognised aircraft. Say the word 'airliner' to anyone and it's the image of the Jumbo Jet that springs to mind! From the award-winning team at CLS comes a 747 package featuring the -200 and -300 passenger variants with three engine configurations spread across 21 different liveries.

747-200/300 Series is part of Just Flight's popular F-Lite range which guarantees the highest quality and ease of use. Virtual Jumbo jockeys can choose to fly using the FMC or INS systems and the level of detail in this aircraft will impress both the casual captain and the expert aviator!

• Three additional upgrade packs – Classic Liveries, Cargo and Passenger & Combi – great value at just £4.88 each!

• Delight in the detail – 2D and 3D interactive cockpits, wingview, pushback truck, doors, thrust reversers… and much, much more!

• Take your choice of engines – Pratt & Witney, General Electric and Rolls-Royce variants are included.

• Exciting special effects including tyre/wet runway water effects, engine start and touchdown tyre smoke, wingflex and mind you don't over-rotate or you'll see the underbelly spark effects!

• Layered paint kit for enthusiasts who want to create their own liveries.

• Comprehensive, detailed manual includes flight tutorial and all the information virtual pilots will need for Jumbo flight.

"The accuracy is simply amazing" FlightsimWorld.com

"A beautifully designed aircraft" flightsimulatorguide.com

"This aircraft is revolutionizing the way that we think of flight simming" Flightsim.com

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Flight Simulator X (Acceleration, SP2 and DX10 Preview compatible) or FS2004, Windows Vista or XP

MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: PC with 3.0GHz equivalent or higher processor, 1.0Gb RAM. 256Mb video card, 1.0Gb free hard drive space

Title 747-200/300 Series
Label Just Flight
Developer Commercial Level Simulations
Genre Flight Simulation
UK Release 19th December 2008
SRP £19.66 / €24.95 / $29.99

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Just Flight and Just Trains video games up to 10% off

Christmas Sale now on 10% off almost everything!

Following on from the Chancellor's announcement about the cut in the UK VAT rate, we're pleased to be able to give you even more savings on almost everything we sell in this year's Christmas Sale!

From now until January 6th 2009 we're knocking 10% off the normal prices on pretty much everything we sell from the Just Flight and Just Trains websites. This 10% discount applies not only to Sterling prices, but also to Euros and Dollars as well, so wherever you are you'll be able to enjoy the savings.

The Chancellor's mini-budget means that an add-on normally costing £29.99 would be reduced to £29.35, but in our Christmas Sale this price is reduced to only £26.99!

According to the Royal Mail website, the last posting date for delivery before Christmas is Friday the 19th December for UK addresses and the 10th December for customers in the USA. The Royal Mail website has a handy page on their website which tells you the last posting date for your country.

We aim to despatch all orders within 24 hours and try our very best to send out an order on the same day as it is placed. If you would like to guarantee delivery before Christmas, however, we'd suggest getting your order in a few days ahead of the recommended final posting dates just to be on the safe side!

Of course by ordering your chosen product in download format you'll not need to worry about delivery times. The majority of Just Flight and Just Trains products are now available by download. Why not visit the websites and browse our latest offerings.

www.justflight.com www.justtrains.net

Friday, November 28, 2008

Flight Sim twin Fairfield patches for FScene (FSX)ree

Two airfield patches from FScene (FSX).

Promising more "as real as it gets" joy for your flights during the Holiday Season.

On approach many airfields in FSX really disturb the feeling of realism becasue of the 'sandy appearance' of the areas around the runways. In some cases even the runways themselves look like strips of beach that are totally out of place.

So, listening to the request of an enthuastic fan in the forum, Ruud Faber - designer of the FScene ground textures - set himself to adapt the colors of all related ground textures to the FScene palet.

As a result you can download 2 free patches at http://www.fscene.com/info-on-patches.html. One for the runways and one for the airfield grounds.

They actually increase the challenge of navigating to (and spotting) the airfields.

Just as in real life.

http://www.fscene.com

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Wellington add-on for Microsoft FS 2004 - Flight Sim X

Chocks away! as the iconic Wellington Bomber takes to the air for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and FSX. Crafted with an eye to detail, by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts, this simulation of the Wellington places you in the Captain’s seat of this classic warbird.

Featuring the four most popular variants of the Vickers Wellington, the MK IC, the B. MkIII, the B. Mk X and B. Mk XIV, military aircraft fans will delight in getting airborne in support of Bomber and Coastal Commands in the aircraft that was always guaranteed to be in the thick of the action. From the first ever RAF bombing raid of World War 2, to hunting submarines over treacherous waters, to clandestine troop deployments behind enemy lines, the Wellington became one of the great success stories of Anglo-Allied operations.

The Wellington offers one of the most realistic recreations ever to grace a desktop simulation. The highly distinctive lines of the fuselage are supplemented by a raft of custom animations that offer an unprecedented depth of realism. With an authentic cockpit layout, and precision handling amid the roar of the mighty engines, aviation history bursts into dramatic life.

To compliment the Wellington we also include additional scenery for RAF Driffield, circa 1941, home to the finest Wellington Squadrons. Aspiring Wellington crews are also requested to assemble in the briefing room ahead of embarking on a series challenging FSX missions that will test both pilot and aircraft to the limit.

The amalgam of this lavishly detailed aircraft, period scenery and breathtaking missions, come together to relive the unforgettable experience of the glory days of the Wellington.

Available in the following languages:

Suggested retail price Barcode
English £24.99
German Euros:24.99
French TBC

Saturday, November 08, 2008

Flight simulator Traffic X new website launched

The dedicated website for Traffic X, the latest version of the world’s best selling AI aircraft traffic expansion for Flight Simulator, is cleared for takeoff!

The DVD-ROM version of Traffic X is now available and to accompany the full release of download, boxed and upgrade versions, the dedicated Traffic X website www.justflight.com/trafficX-home.asp has now gone live.

The site is designed to support the huge community of Traffic X fans. Visitors to the site will find a huge amount of information about Just Flight’s best-selling AI traffic expansion and a steadily growing catalogue of user-generated content to enhance the program. Anyone who wishes to can create their own airport facility files or aircraft repaints and upload them to the Traffic X site to share with the rest of the Traffic X community.

Commenting on the new site, Just Flight’s Richard Slater said: “We’ve had a dedicated site for each release in our Traffic series since the days of FS Traffic 2002. The beauty of the Traffic series is that its huge army of fans take a lot of time and effort to put together traffic files for their own airports or repaint the aircraft. If they want to share their files with the rest of the community they can upload them to a site specifically aimed at other users. We have similar sites for our Cargo Pilot, Airliner Pilot and Flying Club titles and they have all proved to be extremely popular.”

Traffic X includes over 1,700 different aircraft variants based on more than 80 aircraft models. The planes are designed to the highest level of AI aircraft detail and painted in a dazzling variety of airline liveries from around the world. They can all be seen flying, landing, taxiing, parking and taking off at airports large and small.

The aircraft featured range from small single-engine private aircraft like the C152 right up to the world’s biggest airliner, the Airbus A380. The software also includes the highly advanced 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 XWB and a huge amount of other aviation traffic that falls between these extremes. There is a massive selection of commercial jet airliners, regional jets, regional turboprops, business aircraft, general aviation aircraft and helicopters and, for the first time in the Just Flight Traffic series, a whole host of multi-national military aircraft!

As well as aircraft, Traffic X also boasts a huge set of new features – here’s a quick summary of some of them:

The new Traffic ControlCentre (TCC) program gives you full access to customise and expand your AI traffic in a comprehensive and easy-to-use way.
ChronoTraffic AI time period selection feature. Every aircraft and flight can now be set to be specific to a certain period of years.
Take the place of an aircraft spotter and watch the traffic at busy airports.
The all-new Follow-me car and pushback truck let you explore the airport from the ground and even guide incoming AI aircraft to their parking positions.
Traffic X now includes a diverse selection of military aircraft.
The 787 Dreamliner now has all the known launch customer liveries included!
The Airbus A350 XWB comes with all the known launch customers liveries included!
Keep an eye out for clandestine CIA Extraordinary Rendition flights.
An all-new Traffic Radar allows you to view traffic information for each AI aircraft in range. There are three different modes - vertical speed and current altitude, bearing and distance, identification and true airspeed.
Another Just Flight Traffic first - Unique Custom AI sounds.
Appropriate aircraft take advantage of the advanced animations in FSX to operate with airport service vehicles.

For more information and a VERY long list of features, visit www.justflight.com

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Microsoft Flight Simulator X – Windows Vista or XP

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: PC with 3.0GHz (equivalent or higher) processor, 1.0Gb RAM, graphics card with 256Mb (or higher) video memory, DVD-ROM drive, Hard disc space – 3.0Gb

Friday, October 17, 2008

Download version of Traffic X for Flight X Simulator add over 1700 AI aircraft to FSX

Just Flight is very pleased to announce that the download version of Traffic X is now on sale!

Eight years and five versions of Flight Simulator have flown by since Just Flight published the first instalment in its legendary Traffic series. Now the latest version is available and is set to become the new benchmark for Artificial Intelligence traffic expansions.

The download version is keenly priced at £24.99 and there is an upgrade available for existing owners of Traffic and Traffic 2005 at just £19.99. The DVD-ROM version (which includes a printed, colour, 40-page Spotter’s Guide) is priced at £27.99 on pre-order and the official street date is 31st October.

Traffic X includes over 1,700 different aircraft variants based on over 80 aircraft models that are designed to the highest level of detail and painted with in a dazzling variety of airline liveries from around the world. They can all be seen flying, landing, taxiing, parking and taking off at airports large and small.

The aircraft featured range from small single-engine private aircraft like the C152 right up to the world’s biggest airliner, the Airbus A380. You’ll also see the highly advanced 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 XWB and a huge amount of aviation traffic that falls between these extremes. There is a massive selection of commercial jet airliners, regional jets, regional turboprops, business aircraft, general aviation aircraft and helicopters and, for the first time in the Just Flight Traffic series, a whole host of multi-national military aircraft!

As well as aircraft, Traffic X also boasts a huge set of new features – here’s a quick summary of some of them:

The new Traffic ControlCentre (TCC) program gives you full access to customise and expand your AI traffic in a comprehensive and easy-to-use way.

ChronoTraffic AI time period selection feature. Every aircraft and flight can now be set to be specific to a certain period of years.

Take the place of an aircraft spotter and watch the traffic at busy airports. Included in Traffic X (as a PDF in the download version or printed colour book in the DVD-ROM package), is the Traffic X Spotter’s Guide. This is a handy reference guide that will help you indentify some of the many aircraft types that will cross the Traffic X skies.

The all-new Follow-me car and pushback truck let you explore the airport from the ground and even guide incoming AI aircraft to their parking positions.

For the first time Traffic X now includes a diverse selection of military aircraft.

The 787 Dreamliner now has all the known launch customer liveries included!

Airbus A350 XWB included with all the known launch customers liveries included!

Keep an eye out for clandestine CIA Extraordinary Rendition flights.

An all-new Traffic Radar allows you to view traffic information for each AI aircraft in range. There are three different modes - vertical speed and current altitude, bearing and distance, identification and true airspeed.

Another Just Flight Traffic first - Unique Custom AI sounds.

Appropriate aircraft take advantage of the advanced animations in FSX to operate with airport service vehicles.

For more information and a VERY long list of features, visit www.justflight.com and get your copy today!

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Microsoft™ Flight Simulator X – Windows Vista or XP
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: PC with 3.0GHz (equivalent or higher) processor, 1.0Gb RAM, graphics card with 256Mb (or higher) video memory, DVD-ROM drive, Hard disc space – 3.0Gb

Friday, October 10, 2008

B-24 Liberator add-on for Flight Simulator X

ALPHASIM'S B-24 LIBERATOR NOW AVAILABLE FROM FLIGHT1

“... the ultimate compliment for a simulator add-on this one – to be able to say it seems real. This one surely does.”

John Allard – Mutley's Hangar

”I have to admit that I’ve been waiting for a high quality B-24 for a long time. There's just something totally captivating about this airplane... Alphasim’s B-24 Liberator is a beautiful add-on. With high quality exteriors, an excellent 2D panel and one of the most amazing default sound sets I’ve ever heard.”

– Avsim.com

With its four Pratt & Whitney R-1830 turbo-supercharged radial engines, each producing 1,200hp, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator was a very capable bomber. So capable in fact that it was produced in greater numbers than any other American combat aircraft of World War Two and still holds the record as the most produced U.S. military aircraft.

At the peak, a B-24 Liberator was rolling off the production line every 100 minutes, seven days a week! Put simply without the Liberty effort the allies must surely have lost.

One of the heaviest aircraft of the period, faster than the Fortress, similarly armed and with that raft of levers, the Liberator is a special aircraft.

With a range of 3,000 miles and ceiling of 28,000ft, the B-24 could fly above the weather from Gander to Prestwick without its contemporaries’ need to stop at Greenland or Iceland. Its tolerance of wartime overload confounded even its designers; a comforting fact for one vital Atlantic passenger – Winston Churchill.

The B-24’s greatest triumph was in extreme long range patrol over the oceans, closing the 'Mid-Atlantic Gap'. It was accredited with no less than 72 submarine kills. Small wonder it is recognised as a huge contributor to the death of the wolf-pack.

NO COMFY SEAT
Make no mistake though. This trans-oceanic transport is no 747 or Airbus, no idiot-proof navigation system or comfy seat - the Liberator needs to be flown.

The B-24 was a much more modern design than the better-known B-17 Flying Fortress and boasted a higher top speed and greater range yet it had a similar bomb load and defensive armament. However this came at a cost and the aircraft was difficult to fly, with heavy control forces and poor formation flying characteristics. The Liberator was also notorious among American air crews for its tendency to catch fire. The placement of fuel tanks throughout the upper fuselage and its lightweight construction, designed both to increase range and optimise assembly line production, made the aircraft vulnerable to battle damage. Problems with build quality and maintenance resulted in a much higher accident rate and fatality rate than the B-17. Nevertheless the B-24 provided excellent service in a variety of roles thanks to its large payload and long range.

Despite its faults the B-24 was perhaps the ultimate 'heavy' of World War Two. Today just two B-24s are flown regularly – the Collings Foundation B-24J ‘Witchcraft’ and the Commemorative Air Force B-24A/LB-30 ‘Ol’ 927’ – both of which offer passenger flights at venues across the USA. However, you can now fly the legendary B-24 without leaving your desktop thanks to Alphasim’s critically acclaimed simulation.

INTO THE SIM
Five authentic aircraft are included the B-24J, 'Satan's Gal', B-24D, 'Hellsadroppin II', B-24G, 'The Stork', B-24D, 'Strawberry Bitch', B-24J, 'Cocktail Hour'. These depict the many liveries the B-24 bore, from bare-metal (reflective), to desert and olive drab (with nose art). For many the B-24D with its distinctive glass nose will be of special interest.

These textures are beautifully weathered and complete with the distinctive wing stains of oil venting engines. All are beautifully rendered at 2048-pixel resolution for maximum clarity, whist the inclusion of template textures allow other liveries to be painted to suit.

Externally the aircraft is virtually unique. Not only does it feature animations for bomb bay doors, gunners and pilots, cowl flaps, prop pitch, and sliding cockpit windows but also the fascinating extendable ventral ball turret.

A great joy of this aircraft is the sheer size and warbird context. Few large modern 'streamliners' can offer such wealth of texture and model detail. This is a full FSX model with all FSX features (bump mapping, self-shadowing, bloom etc) and includes self shadowing in the virtual cockpit.

FLYING THE B-24
The Visual Load Editor (VLE) makes for simple loading and optional fitments such as bombs. This is not merely visual as the aircraft will be adjusted to the extra weight. Crew figures include the toggle-able animated pilots and gunners, and even a fluttering national flag to take VIPs to those historic strategy meetings!

The VLE also includes documentation for the engine settings. And what engines! There is nothing to beat the sound of a big radial – except four big radials! Starting them up in correct sequence, smoke burst from the exhausts as they fire – the extremely high quality Turbine Studios sound-set includes FSX specific sound cones for exquisite realism – this machine has a soul.

Stepping into the cockpit is to recognise the B-24 as the perfect machine to learn the craft of flying a real aircraft. What difference does it make to fly an aircraft with wartime overload or fly transatlantic with none of today’s navigation luxuries? Get it right and truly show your mettle – get it wrong and maybe you should consider a future slung below in the ball turret?

For absolute realism this simulator even includes an Excel spreadsheet to calculate correct throttle and supercharger settings. Inside, the pilot is treated to an authentic all-xml 2D, hi-res glazed effect gauges, custom pop-ups for autopilot, electrical and fuel systems, radios, and is fully 'mousable'. Switching to the virtual cockpit is again highly authentic with many mousable controls and animations. Not least the cockpit dominating twelve-lever quadrant, comprising turbochargers, throttles and mixture levers.

A well executed flight in this amazing warbird truly rewards like few others!

THE TECHIE BIT

CONSOLIDATED B-24 LIBERATOR
Label: Flight1
Developer: AlphaSim
Genre: Flight Simulator 2004 and FSX
Format: Boxed edition and Download
SRP: £24.99 / €34.95 / $34.95

System Requirements
Microsoft Flight Simulator X or 2004
Windows Windows XP or Vista
Processor Pentium IV – 2.8 GHz
Memory 512Mb RAM
Hard Drive 200Mb (estimated)
Video Card 128 Mb

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Hawker Hunter Fighter Aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator X

Hawker Hunter Fighter Aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator X

“Thoroughly recommended... the sheer design accuracy means that this is a must for any Hawker enthusiast”– Avsim.com.

“I can assure you, this beauty will be staying in my aircraft hangar for ever – I love it!”
Mutley's Hangar.

“Hawker Hunter - The E-type Jaguar of fighter aircraft!”

The Hawker Hunter is a record breaker, cold war warrior and it’s now legal for a PPL to fly one!

The Hunter is perhaps the most impossibly beautiful aircraft ever assembled. No, not assembled - but sculpted as though from a single block of aircraft grade aluminium.

Designed by Sir Sidney Camm, an engineer whose designs span biplane to jump jet, the Hunter is a remarkable machine.

The Rolls Royce Avon will propel you at Mach 0.94 at sea level, and let you climb at no less than 10,500ft/min to 'touch the face of God' at 51,000ft.

Hunters were the chosen mount of the famous Black Arrows, their livery one of many in this simulation. Their 22-plane formation loop, set a record which stands to this day.

In 1953, fighter ace and acclaimed test pilot Neville Duke, flew the Hunter against a backdrop of the Sussex coast to set a new world speed record of 727.63 mph. Duke described flying the Hunter into the sound barrier as 'A piece of cake', and the Hunter the love of his professional life.

The Hunter was a true fighter of the cold war but a pair remain in service with the UK military today, more than 50 years after its maiden flight. This pair of privately owned ex-Swiss AF Hunter F.58s is leased to the MoD to act as ‘simulated missiles’ in Royal Navy ‘war-games.’

Of course the Hunter also remains a popular sight at with 100,000s of spectators at airshows around the world! The old adage of ‘if it looks right, it flies right’ could have been written for the Hunter – and it certainly looks ‘right.’

Pre-Flight

The AlphaSim Hunter simulation is compatible with FS2004 with the FSX version including subtle reflectivity, bump mapping, self-shadowing and bloom and even signs of weathering. The static realization includes the cockpit ladder engine covers and pitot tags. The speedbrake is restricted to operate only with wheels up – just as in the real Hunter.
The simulation covers 7 unique variants and 8 texture sets including the Black Arrows, and the famous Swiss air force examples where the pilots were often part-time and the runways empty motorways!

Looking into the cockpit the auto-animated avatar even has correct insignia on his arm patches.
Once started the high quality sound rendition of the Rolls Royce Avon is unmistakable. Starting produces exhaust smoke which settles to the turbine glow.

“Going Hunting”

Inside the hunter, is a special place. No glass cockpit here, no fly-by-wire avionics or 'plastic' aeroplane. This is the real thing.
Be it the 2D panels or the virtual cockpit the realistic dark military finish looks particularly purposeful but not intimidating. Perfectly simulated by AlphaSim, the Hawker's designers clearly thought about this panel – unlike perhaps those of Jaguar's E-type! Most of the systems will be very familiar to the general aviation pilot and in fact the Hunter is legal on a PPL.
The realistic all-xml 2D panel, custom pop-ups for autopilot, electrics and radios and in addition to the printed manual a PDF guide to all the features. Within the FS2004 variant the VC includes rain effects, in FSX night illumination of the gauges and with SP2, self shadowing.
The VC is fully authentic and includes many animations and 'mouseable' controls.
Sweep into the sky and the simulation matches the superb responsiveness of the real jet. The real Hunter just felt 'right' and the simulation feels authentically just so. This highly authentic replication, and comes complete with checklists to follow operational procedure.
Using the aircraft to high speed aerobatic advantage, the wing-tip vortices flicker with vapour…

THE TECHIE BIT

HAWKER HUNTER
Label: Flight1
Developer: AlphaSim
Genre: Flight Simulator 2004 and FSX
Format: Boxed Edition and Download
SRP: £19.99 / €29.95 / $34.95
Barcode: 5060094401102

System Requirements
Microsoft Flight Simulator X or 2004
Windows Windows XP or Vista
Processor 2.8 GHz
Memory 512Mb RAM
Hard Drive 208 Mb free
Video Card 128 Mb

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Just Flight’s Flying Club updated to the latest FSX SP2 and DX10

LATEST NEWS FROM THE CLUBHOUSE

The Flying Club aircraft are all fully serviced and ready to go!

The seven acclaimed GA aircraft that make up Just Flight’s Flying Club series have now all been fully updated to the latest FSX SP2 and DX10 Preview standards. They can be purchased by download from the Just Flight website at £14.99 / €22.95 / $29.99 each. The C-152, Tomahawk, Warrior, Archer III, Seneca, Robinson R44 and Schweizer 300CBi have all had praise heaped upon them by reviewers and there has never been a better time to join the club.

If you are an existing owner of any of these aircraft or of the Just Flight Flying Club and Flying Club X boxed products, you can get a free update to the latest spec from our Support section - http://www.justflight.com/support.asp

Dust off your virtual PPL and put some hours in!

THE FLYING CLUB HANGAR

Flying Club: C152
Flying Club: Seneca
Flying Club: Tomahawk
Flying Club: Warrior
Flying Club: Archer III
Flying Club: R44
Flying Club: Schweizer 300CBi
Flying Club X: DVD-ROM
Flying Club: DVD-ROM

All flight simulator posts on gamezplay.org here...

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Play Air Rivals online free SciFi flying simulator

AirRivals is a free-to-play 3D MMOG SciFi flying simulation in which you can steer different airframes through skies and space. Immerse into the diverse landscapes of planet Phillon and conquer the world above.

Fight yourself through exciting missions, defend your nation and find comrades for a fight formation. Advance by founding a brigade or winning the election to become a nation`s leader.

Play Air Rival for free here...

Monday, September 08, 2008

Around the World in 80 Flights Microsoft Flight Simulator FS 2004 / FSX Add-on

Around the world in 80 flights!

Circumnavigate the globe, heading east from the historic Farnborough airfield in the UK, on an epic 80-leg journey around the world. Fly over the Alps and Pyrenees before facing the challenge of the mighty Himalayan range. Explore the Far East and Australia. Blaze a trail from the frozen north, to tropical Africa. Conquer the lonely Pacific, leapfrogging across a series of islands as you make your way to the United States. Make landfall and catch your breath before flying over some of the most stunning scenery in the world as you head across the vast expanse of the USA to the Caribbean before venturing on a transatlantic crossing back to Farnborough.

Each of the 80 flight legs can be flown as individual or consecutive missions and are comprehensively detailed, with a flight plan, pilots notes, full briefing and a guide to many of the wonders of the world that pass beneath your wings. From man made wonders such as the Great Pyramids and the Golden Gate Bridge, to natural wonders such as Mount Kilimanjaro, the Sahara Desert, the Indonesian Archipelago and the Grand Canyon, the entire route has been carefully chosen to showcase the breathtaking beauty of the planet.

Around the World Features

The entire trip is a little over 400 hours flying time
The trip covers nearly 35000 miles!
Over 112 countries are either visited or flown over!
The longest flight is nearly 3000 miles from Honolulu to San Francisco
The shortest flight is 55 miles from Helsinki to Talinn, Estonia, crossing the Baltic
The northernmost point of the trip is Sondre Stromfjord in Greenland whilst the southernmost point is Darwin, Australia
Complete the entire trip around the globe in a stunning recreation of the 1937 Lockheed Electra 10E, under licence from Lockheed Martin INC, and you will have truly earned the special circumnavigators’ certificate awarded to master aviators!

Sunday, August 31, 2008

FSLabs Release FlyEngravity CDU Driver

Flight Sim Labs, announce the release of a specialized driver application, to provide an interface between Engravity hardware and Flight Simulator software.

This specific interface allows owners of Engravity's 737 and 747 CDU hardware to interface their CDUs with the PMDG 747-400X Queen of the Skies for Flight Simulator X. Purchaser must already own and have installed an Engravity 747-400 or 737 CDU in order to use this driver. Requires that the user also have installed the PMDG 747-400X for FSX line of products, along with the latest Service pack.

Purchasing this interface will allow the user to connect any MCP747 and optional EFIS module to the PMDG 747-400X product line on Flight Simulator X. FSLabs uses try-before-you-buy software and this downloadable driver provides a fully working, area-limited (around Greece's Venizelos airport) version which can become fully enabled by purchasing a license key afterwards.

With an activated license key, the product becomes fully operational globally inside Flight Simulator X. Instructions on how to purchase are included by hitting the "Purchase" button within the driver user interface.

You can find and download the Installer for the Engravity CDU-X driver on FSLab's dedciated web site here: http://www.flightsimlabs.com/Interfaces/FlyEngravityCDUFSX.aspx. (Of course it requires Engravity 737NG or 747 CDU hardware v1.03 or later and Flight Simulator X).

Any additional information can be found on the web site (http://www.flightsimlabs.com).

Note:
* This purchase is NOT refundable.
* The online purchase function will only become active when a connection with the hardware unit is successfully made and a hardware serial number is automatically found.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Free Linux, Mac, PC video game to download Flight Gear - Flight Simulator

FlightGear is an open-source project. This means as long as you abide by the terms of the GPL license you may freely download and copy FlightGear.

It features:

- Over 20,000 real world airports included in the full scenery set.
- Correct runway markings and placement, correct runway and approach lighting.
- Taxiways available for many larger airports (even including the green center line lights when appropriate.)
- Sloping runways (runways change elevation like they usually do in real life.)
- Directional airport lighting that smoothly changes intensity as your relative view direction changes.
- World scenery fits on 3 DVD’s. (I’m not sure that’s a feature or a problem!) But it means we have pretty detailed coverage of the entire world.
- Accurate terrain worldwide, based on the most recently released SRTM terrain data.) 3 arc second resolution (about 90m post spacing) for North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
- Scenery includes all vmap0 lakes, rivers, roads, railroads, cities, towns, land cover, etc.
- Nice scenery night lighting with ground lighting concentrated in urban areas (based on real maps) and headlights visible on major highways. This allows for realistic night VFR flying with the ability to spot towns and cities and follow roads.
- Scenery tiles are paged (loaded/unloaded) in a separate thread to minimize the frame rate hit when you need to load new areas.

Official Flight Gear website here...

Free download plus update the video simulator here...

Free flight simulator for Linux, Mac, Windows PC, Solaris and FreeBSD.

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