Featured Addon History - 2004

Aircraft and Panel

Tim Conrad's well-constructed Aero L-29 Delfin is our featured addon this time around. The Czech Aero L-29 Delfin Jet Trainer first flew in 1959. Eventually over 3000 were built, and served as the standard (except Poland) Warsaw Pact trainer in Czechoslavakia, USSR, East Germany, Hungry, Bulgaria, and Romania thoughout the '60's to '80's. L-29's went on the serve in Syria, Indonesia, Uganda, Egypt, Iraq, Mali, Guinea Republic, and Afganistan, were some still serve.

The first production Delfin rolled off the assembly line in April 1963, and production continued for more than 11 years, a huge statement of its success. More than 2,000 were eventually supplied to the Soviet air force, and 400 more to the Czech air force. Others were supplied to Bulgaria, East Germany, Hungary and Romania.

Straightforward, rugged and easy to fly, the L-29 was ideal as both a primary jet trainer and as an advanced combat/weapons trainer. The Delfin was later exported to several other nations including Egypt and Indonesia. A small number of a single-seat version, the L-29A Delfin Akrobat, was produced, but it never caught on. (Source: Warbird Alley)

Filename: l-29_dfn.zip
Size: 11.1 MB

Author(s): Tim Conrad

Aircraft and Panel

This month we feature an impressive Tasman Trans Pacific Airlines Maule M7-260 Amphibian designed by the creative Mikko Maliniemi and repainted here by Rogier van der Velde. This model features detailed, reflective textures and sports a full array of animated parts. The package includes both 2D and virtual cockpit instrumentation. The former features special night lighting and a custom Apollo COM stack. Custom sounds are also included as is a checklist in html and pdf formats.

The Maule M-7-260, equipped with 260 hp Lycoming IO-540-V4A5 engine, is the most powerful model in the Maule fleet. It can easily be outfitted for work and for luxurious cross-country cruising. With its fast cruise speed and slow stall speed, the M-7-260 is a very comfortable and safe travel airplane. The 260hp engine also nicely enhances performance of amphibious float equipped M-7’s. (Source: Altair VA)

Filename: ttoumaul.zip
Size: 13.7 MB

Author(s): Mikko Maliniemi, Rogier van der Velde

Aircraft and Panel

This month we feature a great Lockheed USAF EC-121 Warning Star, a joint effort designed by Luís da Costa Pereira, Mike Stone, Wolfram Beckert, Hansjoerg Naegele, Jan Visser, and Howard Sodja. This EC-121 features weathered and reflective textures and complete animation. While there is no virtual cockpit, the standard instrument panel is quite good and custom slant-view bitmaps are included for enhanced realism. Gauges are crisp and attractive and the package includes a comprehensive overhead panel, optional steering console and more. Custom sounds are also included.

The Warning Star entered service in 1955, with the final variants being retired from the US Air Force Reserve in 1978. The Warning Star pioneered the concept of Airborne Early Warning and Control, with units being used for fleet coverage, airborne extension of the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line, support of the Apollo Space Program and other force coordination tasks. Throughout its life the Lockheed Warning Star was used to test experimental radar and electronic equipment installations, including a rotodome installation on the WX-2E (above), later redesignated the EC-121L. After evaluation by the US Navy the EC-121L was used as a prototype for evaluation of systems later installed on the E-3 Sentry. (Source: FAS)

Filename: ec121.zip
Size: 14.6 MB

Author(s): Luís da Costa Pereira, Mike Stone, Wolfram Beckert, Hansjoerg Naegele, Jan Visser, Howard Sodja

Aircraft and Panel

A six model package by Saverio Maurri and Rick Piper, entitled Gloster Meteor T Mk.7, is this month's featured addon. All aspects of this package are finely detailed and you can easily tell how much polish went into the design. The instrumentation, both 2D panel and virtual cockpit, are quite excellent. A full array of moving parts including rotating heads of the pilot and co-pilot are present. All-in-all a very nice addon!

The Meteor T7 entered service with No.203 Advanced Flying School in December 1948 as the Royal Air Force's first jet trainer. As the Meteor F4 fighter and Vampire FB5 fighter-bomber entered service, the lack of a trainer with comparable performance became an increasing problem. Recognizing this, Gloster Aircraft developed a two-seat, dual-control version of the Meteor F4 as a private venture. The Air Ministry ordered 640 examples for delivery between 1949 and 1954, around five-hundred of which served with the Royal Air Force, the balance going to the Fleet Air Arm and foreign air forces. (See the addon's documentation for more.)

Filename: meteort7.zip
Size: 11.2 MB

Author(s): Saverio Maurri, Rick Piper

Aircraft and Panel

A four model package, Atlas Impala MkI and MkII, is this month's featured addon. Designed solely by Björn Büchner, this fine addon includes several Atlas Impala variants used by the South African Air Force, under license from Aermacchi. The Impala II was first built in 1975 and is notable for its stability and maneuverability. It serves as both military trainer and as a close support light attack aircraft.

Detailed, reflective texturing across all four models highlights this package, as does crisp and functional 2D instrumentation. A 3D virtual cockpit with excellent visibility is also included. You will find all expected moving parts and animations and liveries for 8 Squadron, 85AFS, Silver Falcons and "Gannet". This version also features enhanced flight dynamics.

Filename: atlasimp.zip
Size: 9.0 MB

Author(s): Björn Büchner

Aircraft and Panel

This month we feature ROBIN DR400-180 by Jean-Louis Coumont, based on the original design by Yannick Lavigne. The Robin DR400 is a touring aircraft with speed and comfort and has a maximum cruising speed of 130 - 140 kts. French built, the DR400 has a tricycle landing gear and is quite spacious for its category making it a popular choice and a successful aircraft.

This package includes a crisp and attractive 2D instrument panel featuring moving yoke sticks, several sub-panels and a view tilter. There is also a working virtual 3D cockpit, equivalent to the 2D panel. The aircraft model features a full array of moving parts and the package includes documentation in HTML and PDF formats.

Filename: dr400180.zip
Size: 17.0 MB

Author(s): Jean-Louis Coumont, Yannick Lavigne

Aircraft and Panel

As summer arrives for many of us it's time once again to think about the outdoors and that brings bush flying to mind. This month we feature DeHavilland DHC3-TTC Super Otter by Eugene Heyart, Néstor D'Angelo, Brian Gladden, and Nicholas McColl. This very complete package includes a wheel version, a loaded amphibious variant sporting canoes and a clean amphibious version. Four variations of each of these are included: Alpha Air, Globe Explorer, Northern Airways and U.S. Coast Guard.

The aircraft model includes all of the features you would expect from a first-class design: a dynamic virtual instrument panel, reflective texturing, opening exits, moving parts, a 2D panel, lights, effects, sounds, rudders, and even pilot and passengers. This addon's detailed modeling and texturing definitely satisfies and the DHC3-TTC will make a nice addition to your fleet!

Filename: socomplt.zip
Size: 12.8 MB

Author(s): Eugene Heyart, Néstor D'Angelo, Brian Gladden, and Nicholas McColl

Aircraft and Panel

This month we feature a fine helo, Sikorsky Pavehawk (Cammo) by Frank King, Jordan Moore, Dave Eckert, Deane Baunton, Brian McIntyre, and Kirk Sunley. The word "incredible" comes to mind when describing this addon's detailed modeling and texturing. The attention to detail is remarkable! This Sikorsky Pavehawk package includes 5 distinct and well-made paint schemes from arctic to desert cammoflauge and all are very attractive. The model includes animated wheels, twin 7.62mm door-mounted machine guns, sliding exit doors, subtle color reflectivity off the strobe lights, a 2D panel and full virtual cockpit usable day or night.

Links: AVSIM's helicopter tutorial by Steve Cartwright.

Filename: Pavehawk.zip
Size: 20.0 MB

Author(s): Frank King, Jordan Moore, Dave Eckert, Deane Baunton, Brian McIntyre, Kirk Sunley

Aircraft and Panel

Return to the 1930s with Arik Hohmeyer's Northwest Lockheed L-10A Electra, this month's featured addon. This aircraft is dubbed "70th Anniversary" edition and is the prototype of the 10 Electra reg. X233Y, tested by Marshall Headle at Mines Field, Los Angeles on February 23, 1934. It first went into service with Northwest Airlines in June 1934, and within twelve months they operated a fleet of thirteen aircraft.

This model, designed using FSDS2, includes reflective hi-res textures, animated parts, a crisp and very functional 2D instrument panel and a remarkable 3D virtual cockpit. The plane's 3D interior can be viewed through the windows and is illuminated at night. The well-illustrated documentation includes a description of the included Weight Tool, flight performance data and a nice history of the aircraft.

Filename: l104nwa.zip
Size: 12.0 MB

Author(s): Arik Hohmeyer

Aircraft and Panel

Junkers Ju-52 is this month's featured addon and she is a real beauty! This great package features 5 paint schemes, an all-new flight model for FS9, animated parts, an excellent 2D instrument panel with many overlays, a flyable 3D virtual panel and cabin, illuminated instrumentation, reflective texturing, a handy checklist/reference sheet and wonderful manual. The zip file also includes Wolfram Beckert's modified flight model for easier handling at high realism settings.

Filename: ju52v60b.zip
Size: 10.0 MB

Author(s): Pierino Primavesi, Wolfram Beckert

Aircraft and Panel

This month our featured addon shifts into the jet age with Kazunori Ito, Nick Karatzides and Angelos Hatzikatakos's Hellenic AF F-4E Phantom II. This bird's smooth texturing is quite appealing and includes a very detailed paint scheme and reflective skinning. While there is no virtual cockpit, the 2D instrumentation is detailed and the package includes excellent documentation spanning 40 pages in a PDF file. This Acrobat file covers flight operations, aircraft specifications, panel instrumentation and much more.

Hellenic Air Force Greece received 36 F-4Es to equip a fighter/OCU squadron and a FBA squadron. This addon is a remake of a Phantom from the 338th squadron based in Andravida, Greece.

Filename: f-4ehaf.zip
Size: 11.0 MB

Author(s): Kazunori Ito, Nick Karatzides and Angelos Hatzikatakos

Aircraft and Panel

Looking for a new bush plane? Well your search ends here as designer Steve Grant antes up his Aviat Husky A1-B aircraft package. This addon includes 4 models of the Husky: Bush Flying Unlimited (shown above), red + white, yellow + black and Nightwolf Air Service (all shown below). The Husky's description from the documentation:

"If the bush is calling, think of the Husky as your cell phone. It'll get you there. Way out there. Designed to carry two people in comfort along with an extraordinary load, the versatile, long range Husky can be flown in and out of primitive clearings, ponds, rivers, beaches, glaciers, sand dunes, and the occasional paved runway. Husky is synonymous with utility."

Filename: aviat.zip
Size: 5.5 MB

Author(s): Steven Grant