Rating Guide
"That Others May Live"
	Panel Author: Flightsim Developers
	Description: A faithful rendition of a military classic
	D/L Size: Base aircraft - 7,675 KB; update files 199 KB	Format: Zipped	Simulators: FS2000 Freeware
	Reviewed by: John Carbone, AVSIM Library Manager
	Possible Rating Score: 1 to 5 stars with 5 stars being exceptional

If you want to experience flying like it was in the past, the Douglas C-47 MATS is a great aircraft to fly! This plane's produced by Flightsim Developers team members Jim Goldman, Larry Teele, Robert Kirkland, Steve Small, Gerry Schmidt, Mike Hambly and Reoland Ludoph. The C-47 is very well detailed with all moving parts. I had the opportunity to talk to one of the creator's, Jim Goldman. He told me about the large texture files for this aircraft—they were made to exhibit as much realism as possible for the visual effects when you look at the C-47 in different view modes! Made specifically for Microsoft FS2000, it can be run in either the standard or professional series of the flight simulator.

Reader Survey This survey is intended for those that have used this product or add-on. If you have used it, please let your fellow simulation enthusiasts know how you rate it by taking this survey. Please, if you have not used this product, do not take this poll (you can view the poll from the "Results" link below). - Review Poll - Have you used FSD's C-47 MATS? Excellent Good Average I can live with it Taking it off my system Results

In addition to moving parts and a visually stunning aircraft, the flight dynamics are very good and highly realistic. I set my FS2000 for realistic flight to take advantage of the true flight characteristics of the C-47, and in a word, it handles like a dream! Another great part of this add-on is the sound files Mike Hambly and Reoland Ludoph created for this aircraft. I enjoy realism in all aspects of the simulator, and the sound is just as important to the feel of realistic flight as well as everything else! This sound package is complete with smooth realistic sound for engine start and cut-off, engine run up at take off, as well as the landing gear, wind sound, the deployment of the flaps and touch down. Microsoft FS2000 extends the ability for designers like Flightsim Developers to create some fantastically realistic fight models, panels, sounds and scenery! So expect to see some really good stuff develop for this flight sim in the future!

On apron

Another apron view

Installing all the files is very easy; the download comes with very good documentation to get you flying in no time at all! It's a "tail dragger" so your view point will be very different to that of flying heavy jets or aircraft with conventional landing gear. The best way to overcome this is to set up a secondary screen using the virtual cockpit, as if you're sticking your head out of the vent window in the real C-47! It the best way for taxing around the airport and setting up the aircraft for take off on the runway. A word of warning, if you don't have rudder pedals, you have to set up the "auto-rudder" feature in your aircraft settings so you can steer the C-47 on the ground. Once you are lined up then you are good to go for a really great flying experience! The frame rates are excellent with this aircraft and panel combo; throttle up and listen to these engines roar as you're heading down the runway for take off! Once you start building speed for take off you'll notice that the tail comes up and now you can see the runway as you speed towards take off. At this point pull slightly back on the yoke to keep the C-47 from nosing over. Once you are at rotation speed, pull back a little more until you start to lift off; now you're airborne, so retract the landing gear and climb smoothly!

It's a slow climber, so don't over control during you ascent or you will stall! Once you reach your cruising altitude, throttle back to cruising speed and enjoy the flight. The turning response of this C-47 is very smooth; however, you can very easily over control during a turn—so watch your instruments. This aircraft's flight dynamics are so real you'll feel as if you're flying the real thing! Once you set the autopilot and at your cruising altitude and speed, you'll notice something that I have yet to see in simulated flight. Whilst you're flying, the aircraft will slightly bob up and down and the wings will slightly roll back and forth; this is true flight at it best! You are flying along on air currents that slightly change in temperatures and density as you're streaking through the air—this is normal in real flight, so I was really surprised to see this in a simulator!

Landing is a bit different with "tail draggers." Use you virtual cockpit screen as you did for the taxi. Once you're set up on your final approach, you can either bring it in manually or with the autopilot, then you begin your touch down by setting up your flair as per normal, when you've landed hit the "/" to deploy the cowl flaps, fully cut power and slightly give the yoke a little back pressure, let the tail settle to the ground and apply the brakes, now you're ready to taxi off the runway and call it a day!

For review purposes, I use the DC-3/R4D panel produced by Bill Rambo in conjunction with Roy Chaffin Studios! If you don't have it, get it; it's a fantastic panel! You must have the original wjrdc3d.zip and the upgrades, which are: wjrcd3v3.zip and the wjrdc3p3.zip to run in 3D mode and for Fs2000! You'll find a full discussion of these at the companion Dual Panel DC-3 - R4D-6 - C-47 Version 3 Update review.

Climbing

On its way!

Almost home...

I really enjoyed flying this C-47; to me it exhibits great and true flight dynamics, true sound effects and a feeling of what it was like to have flown this type of aircraft flown during the 40's. The Army Air Corps mainly used it as a troop and supply transport during World War 2, and after the war it was used by the newly formed U.S. Air Force and the U.S Navy as a Military Air Transport. In conclusion, it's a very large add-on, however it's worth the time it takes to download it! The main file, C47fsdv2.zip is 7,675k, and the upgrade, C47fsdup.zip is 199k. The upgrade fixes the air file and adds 2 new sound files; all in all it's a fantastic add-on for FS2000 and a very enjoyable plane to fly! I could not find any faults with the Douglas C-47 MATS! The Flightsim Developers team, through hard work and I'm sure many hours spent, put together a fine aircraft package!

You can find the Douglas C-47 MATS Full Upgrade Version C47fsdup.zip at the Avsim Library; download it today and enjoy it! (You may also need the base files C47fsdv2.zip.) Bill Rambo and Roy Chaffin's DC3/R4D panel can also be found here as well, and I recommend using this panel for its ultimate realism to compliment this C-47!