AVSIM Special Feature Screenshot Tribute to FS2002 Part 11

Unlike previous versions of Flight Simulator, FS2002 supports amphibious aircraft and the 3rd party aircraft designers got busy and gave us all a very wide choice of extraordinary designs, most of which represent aircraft from the distant past.

Available in the real world are a number of modern aircraft equipped with floats, most located in the state of Alaska, Florida, out in the Caribbean, or over in the Mediterranean, but it was those aircraft more closely associated with the flying boats of the 1930s that I enjoy flying. The choices of amphibious flying boats for FS2002 covers just about everything you can imagine and with the exception of Pilot's Boeing 314 Clipper package, most are freeware. Despite Pilot's Boeing 314 Clipper being a payware package, it is quite outstanding and you should take a look at my review of this package if aircraft of this type interest you.

On the freeware side of the FS amphibious aircraft, you'll find several excellent designs including nearly every model of Grumman amphibious aircraft they produced, from the Duck up to various models of the Albatross and everything in between (Mallards, Widgeons, and of course my personal favorite aircraft of all, the G21 Goose from Mike Stone). There are also many FS models from the Sikorsky hangers including the S-42, S-39, and S-38. Some of my other favorites are the classic models depicting the Flexistowe, or the Doiner "Val" or Whale, but a library search at the many flightsim websites should afford you most amphibious aircraft I've mentioned and several other selections as well.

With past versions of Flight Simulator, there had been many 3rd party FS aircraft designs of the "working Class" type, but because of the improved or addition of "special effects" many of the new designs work quite realistically. Crop dusters, fire attack bombers, or the everyday cargo aircraft, like everything else there are a lot of choices and most add an extra touch of fun to the active flight simmer wishing to try something different. Check out some of the examples I've got here.

Among several FS2002 dedicated amphibians, the Grumman Goose and Albatross are well covered as was the recent release of the Lake Renegade.

Among the many 1930s era Pan-American Clippers, all are available though only Pilot's Boeing 314 was purpose designed for FS2002, where the rest were upgraded from FS98 model originals.

Also available are models from early French, Italian, or German designs, not to mention even the Russians had some excellent flying boat-amphibians.

By searching, I found outstanding versions of the Sikorsky S-38 or S-39 (some even including a dynamic 3D virtual cockpit), the Consolidated Catalina, Ford Tri-Motor on floats, and even a turbine powered version of the Grumman Albatross!

All the Grumman waterbirds can be found, including the Duck, the Mallard, and the Albatross.

Over with the working class aircraft, first up are the work-a-day cropdusters, including helos and Airtractors and with the addition of the available special effects, you too can try you hand at this unique job.

It's the firefighters that I really get a kick out of and there, you once again have a broad choice of aircraft types and ages.

With the ability to drop on a fire in a rather realistic fashion, learning the proper techniques for the Fire-Attack bomber procedures can also be an interesting challenge.

Flying a cargo plane is easy with FS2002 and there is even one POSKY 747-100 available with a NASA space shuttle mounted on its back. Meljet introduced their 747-400 cargo aircraft with opening nose-section, plus there are many smaller choices available. One of my favorites is the HJG designed "Flying Tigers" B-707!

"Screenshot Tribute to FS2002" continues here:
Part 12: FS2002 Screenshots for "Extras"