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Bear's Cave
The world of Flight Simulators
short reviews by Steve "Bear" Cartwright
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It has been 2 years since I started my Bear Picks from the Bear Cave and in that time we've tried several different formats in my presentations—each change was made in an attempt to offer an improved way of providing a service to our readers. The original idea of my picks was (and still is) to find those files that many of you were unaware of and particularly to spotlight those freeware files from authors that normally haven't been noticed before. We started this column by posting my picks on a weekly basis, but that slowly changed to a monthly program (which has been our method of presentation for the last several months) and the monthly posting of my picks has lead to a couple of problems for me and our readers. By my having to go through 100s and 100s of files, each and every month, it has become a serious problem for me in being able to find the time to provide this service and there is the problem for you, our readers, in that having to wait an entire month for my column has not been very convenient for you either.
So here is what we're going to do! We are going to go back to the weekly posting (most likely every Tuesday) covering those files uploaded the previous week (Sunday through Saturday). From that week's uploaded files, I am going to be selecting 3 files for my mini-reviews and most likely up to 2 additional files listed as honorable mention (without an attached mini-review or screenshot set). My selections for honorable mention are those files that have already demonstrated their popularity (based on their download count) so my providing a mini-review would be redundant. My selections are going to be restricted to FS2002, but occasionally I may choose a file intended for some other sim (FLY, FU3, Train Simulator, etc.) and that pick will be added to the three FS2002 selections (an additional pick and not a replacement). I am going to maintain my "Bear Approved Stamp" and "Bear Gold Award", because I feel it is important to select those files that are above and beyond the norm for my awards.
For the next week, I am going to be posting my picks for the month of September (one week's picks every couple of days), following the new format, until we are caught up and we should be ready by next Tuesday (October 8th) for the weekly Bear Picks to start.
To start the 'New' Bear Picks column, I have here my selections from the first week of September, the 1st thru the 7th!
KC-135A Stratotanker
by Rok Dolenec
kc135a_v1.2.zip
uploaded 02-Sept-2002
554Kb
FS2002 Aircraft
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Over the last year there have been several outstanding examples of the older Boeing jetliners from several sources, but the number of downloadable examples of the military versions has been a bit limited. Rok Dolenec has put together a very nice example of the USAF KC-135A Stratotanker using Gmax and has designed the exterior with those metalic-reflective textures.
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Though I only had the opportunity to make a short flight with this aircraft, its handling was very stable and it did give a strong heavy feel to the controls. Rok did rely on a default panel and sounds; a quick search through the AVSIM library should provide an appropriate replacement for these. This aircraft also includes the standard list of animated components (gear, gear doors, flaps, slats, rolling wheels, etc) and Rok has provided an extendable boom (you will need to follow Rok's instructions in his readme file to provide assignments for this action).
This is a nicely designed military version of the Boeing 707 and I'm sure there are those of you out there that prefer flying the military style aircraft.
...Bear!
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The ultralight aircraft called the Rans S-7 Courier was first built as a trainer for the Coyote I pilots, but this little aircraft has found a new mission for several other possibilities (photo work for example). Powered by a 100 hp Rotax engine, this little aircraft is very capable of flying at ultra-low speeds, but a powerhouse would not fit its description. I personally liked Gonzalo's version in FS 2002 because it is very easy to fly and yet it does retain a full size aircraft look, rather that the spartan look of most ultralights.
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Gonzalo has developed a very real world-like 3D virtual panel (dynamic) that is very good and flying from this position is quite realistic and fun. Gonzalo did depend on the default C182 for sounds (I believe that Aaron Swindle has an excellent set of sounds for the Rotax 912 engine this aircraft is equipped with), so you may wish to do a library search for some replacements.
This FS aircraft most certainly receives my "Bear Approved Stamp" and if flying low and slow is your type of flying preference, then don't miss this one. ...Bear!
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Northern France
by Oliver Bochu
frp7.zip uploaded
uploaded 05-Sept-2002
6,700Kb
FS2002 Scenery
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Oliver Bochu has been rendering city scenery packages for the country of France over the last several months and this upload is just one of several that he has done. Though Oliver does not render any airport scenery, his scenery design work for the various cities he includes is really quite unique and very good. Designed to give some life to the cities and villages across France (which are a bit generic and bland in the default FS2002 release), Oliver has accomplished this task quite well thank you.
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Oliver's latest scenery adds harbors, ships, boats, churches, notable monuments, TGV stations, radio towers, etc to 20 cities or villages across Northern France and along the coast of Normandy. Intended to add the ability to fly VFR, Oliver's scenery really makes the experience of flying VFR a lot of fun and interesting to look for all his easter eggs. Each of Oliver's macros are accurately displayed and they seem to have little if any effect on frame rates.
If flying VFR in France is your cup of tea, then this file is a must have, and even if you don't fly in France I would suggest you install Oliver's latest file, because you just might find yourself flying the French countryside to enjoy this scenery download! ...Bear!
Honorable Mention!
Based on the number of downloads, neither of my Honorable Mention picks apparently slipped by or were missed by very many of you. Both of these files receive my "Bear Approved Stamp"!
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Gerrish's Trees Library version 3
by Gerrish Gray
trees_v3.zip
uploaded 05-Sept-2002
3,258Kb
FS2002 Scenery/Texture
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Gerrish Gray's complete tree texture set for your 'texture' folder in FS2002!
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Boeing 757-200
by Mike Stone
sb7521.zip
uploaded 05-Sept-2002
1,519Kb
FS2002 Aircraft
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Mike Stone continues his list of aircraft designs with an outstanding example of the Boeing 757-200. File includes aircraft in 5 liveries (Condor, Finnair, Icelandair, Monarch, and Uzbekistan) and Mike relies on the default panel and sounds for this upload.
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connection between the product authors and the reviewer, and we feel these reviews are
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