As it turns out, the week of Feburary 23rd through to March 1st, saw a couple of hundred files uploaded into the AVSIM library. The vast majority of these files were either repaints, patches, and/or updates to existing files, but I managed to find a couple or three interesting files that I believe many overlooked. The top downloaded original file of the week were the 2-part files of an outstanding example of the Navy MiG-29 mig29k_partie_1.zip and mig29k_partie_2.zip by Barney Bigard, where each of the two parts managed to total up about 2,700+ downloads.
Let's take a look at what else I ran across, with the following 3 different files that I found to be interesting and maybe worth your time to take a look at!
February 23-March 1 (Click on any of these file names for their Library descriptions and to download.)
This version 1.0 of the Heinkel HE100D WWII fighter aircraft (designed using FSDS2) is of an aircraft that was a failed design, in that it failed to impress the Luftwaffe leaders in 1939, over the Me109 (which was built in large numbers). The original prototype of this aircraft set a world's speed record of 464 mph, also in 1939, whereas the combat capable fighter version tested at 416 mph, either of which were impressive numbers in anyone's book at the time. Powered by a Mercedes Benz inverted V-12, these aircraft racked a number of flight records during 1938 and 1939. Eventually only a dozen were built of which 6 were sold to the Soviet Union, 3 to Japan, and the remainder becoming air defense aircraft for the Heinkel aircraft plant in Germany. The aircraft's high wingloading factors were its major downfall and lead to its not being put into production.
The team of FS aircraft designers; Gerald Lindell, George Lindell, Phanis Sima, Lobo da Silva, and Andre van Duin have put together a very nice warbird that though it was originally intended for CFS2, I found that it works perfectly in FS2002. This single download includes two liveries (dark gray & black, gray and dark green), fully animated parts, opening canopy, excellent 2D panel, and a fully dynamic (and quite clear and sharp) 3D virtual cockpit/panel. The sounds are default F4U Corsair, which are not quite right, I'm sure, but something from a Spitfire or maybe an American P-51 might work.
Considering that this file has only managed to break just over 800 downloads to date, I'm sure there are more of you warbird lovers out there that might wish to take a look at this FS aircraft. ...Bear!
Mil Mi-6A "Hook" I'm sure a lot of confusion exists over Vladmir Zhyhulskiy's Mi-6A "Hook" helicopter download, but let me help you out here, because this download is well worth the time to work around a couple of very minor problems. First of all, you all need to understand that English is not Vladmir's native language, so the simple misuse of a couple of English words probably perplexed a large number of you and considering that the 2-part files needed for you to download for this aircraft have shown barely 1,000 for one and just about 2,000 for the other which tells me most of you missed what is happening here. To clear up the first error, let me state that Vladmir used the word "version" where he should have used "part," meaning that this was not two separate files with one being version 1 and then the other being a version 2, but rather that it is part 1 and part 2 with both parts being needed for the whole aircraft (part 1 contains the "model" folder and part 2 contains the "texture" folders and the "aircraft.cfg & airfile"). English is a very tough and confusing language for those that are just learning it, so be a bit understanding here and work with me; you'll find the results to be well worth the effort, trust me! Next you will need to find and install the panel and sound files and these can be found at Vladmir's home website. Once there, just click on the Mil Mi-6A link, located in the toolbar at the top of this page. From there you should find the files for both the sound package and a photorealistic Mi-6A panel (both file links for downloading the sounds/panel are located at the bottom of the Mi-6A page).
Now, once you've done all this what do you get? Well, you'll find another author that has gotten a real handle on Gmax for one and next someone that also has a real handle on applying textures. This latest version of his Mi-6A comes in two liveries, Russian and Ukraine colors (light powder gray-blue and a green camouflage) and the quality of Vladmir's painting skills is readily apparent on your first look from the "spot view." By hitting the <shift> + <E> keys, the side door opens and a short stairway will extend. Hit the <shift> + <E> + <2> keys and the rear cargo doors open up, revealing a fully textured and detailed interior as well. In addition, you'll find fully animated parts (with the possible exception of compression able gear struts) and FS2002 style lighting; in other words, a very accurate and realistic appearing aircraft.
Flying these helos is a bit different though, because the Mi-6A is very big and very heavy! Having established several world records back in the 1960s and 1970s, the Mi-6A Hook is something else to fly and Vladmir's FS version flies with the same feel for its size and weight as you would expect. Even you novice rotorheads (I firmly put myself into this catagory) will find that Vladmir Zhyhulskiy's Mi-6A helo is just maybe the easiest helicopter to fly in FS. I immediately was able to hover, move left or right, or pick my landing sight then nail it on the very first try! I love these helos!
Just follow my instructions, download and install this aircraft, and if flying helos in FS is something you like to do, then believe me, you won't be disappointed with Vladmir Zhyhulskiy's Mi-6A "Hook." ...Bear!
Alaska Gold Mine Airstrips James Belk is a bit new at bush scenery, or at least new to me, but he certainly has gotten a better than fair understanding of the term "bush" airstrip, as his design of three backwoods airstrips are exactly what the FS bush pilot is looking for.
This single file includes three different airstrips; Yankee Creek 2, Ganes Creek, and Ester Creek, with all three being located a short distance west of McGrath, Alaska. A couple of requirements are needed though, first you will need to have installed Eddie Denney's mesh for Alaska (freeware and available in the AVSIM library) and Gerrish Gray's freeware tree textures (trees_v3.zip), again found in the AVSIM library.
The reason for requiring Eddie Denney's mesh is that James' three airstrips are not an add-on to the scenery, but actually become a part of it. As in the real world, these bush strips are angled, beveled, cambered, are quite bumpy—dusty in the summertime, and are slopped (6% gradient for Yankee Creek 2 and a 9% gradient for Ester Creek). Surrounded by tall trees and almost always near a creek (for gold panning and fishing I assume), each of these airstrips offer up an excellent variety of challenge, and not an impossible challenge for the novice or experienced FS bush pilot alike.
There are no add-on buildings and such, but there are some marker cones at a couple of the strips and one (Ester Creek) does have a static Piper Cub parked near a sign; in other words these are about as simple as it gets. It is the very nature of these strips and the moderate challenge to work in and out of them that is their beauty, so I highly recommend this scenery add-on from James Belk. ...Bear!
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