For a period of just over 2 years now, I have been providing the weekly, biweekly, monthly, and then back to the weekly posting of my picks of FS aircraft, scenery, or utility files from the those that had been uploaded into the AVSIM library. During that time I have picked files for Flights Unlimited, FLY, Train Simulator, and FS2000/FS2002. I must say that it has been fun and quite entertaining to provide these picks and I wish to thank all those that have commented positively, by notes in the feedbacks, by email, and by personal comments during the recent AVSIM Conference and Exhibition at Lake Tahoe. If it sounds as if I'm ending the weekly Bear Picks, I am not, but I am in a position where I must change my method of picking files quite dramatically if I am to continue it.
Like all contributors to AVSIM Online, I am a volunteer member and being as I am a Senior Staff Reviewer, I will be posting special features (like my recent feature on Bush Flying) and I will continue as usual with my occasional product review, but I will have to change my Bear Picks to something completely new. These changes are required because like most people, I do have a real-world career that I have accepted a promotion and with this promotion there is a requirement that I dedicate many more hours a week to fulfill my obligations (5-6 days a week and 10 to 12 hours a day), plus I also must be devoting much more time to my family of which I have not been in the past. Because the weekly Bear Picks (in the past) has required so much time (often 30 to 40 hours per week) due to the fact that each and every file must be downloaded, installed, and tested, I simply must change what I have been doing or stop it all together! I am sure that many have noticed that I have not posted my Bear Picks for several weeks now and that was because what time I had available was dedicated to my Bush Flying in FS2002 feature and then the review on the RealAir SF.260.
The original intent of the weekly Bear Picks was to highlight a particular file for its uniqueness, originality, or general quality and specifically those files from the new or unknown author. Since the introduction of Flight Simulator 2002, the total number, the high quality, and the size of files being uploaded into the AVSIM library on a weekly level has reached almost epidemic proportions! In particular many of the scenery files, though quite extraordinary, are hitting 80 to 100 MB in download size and because I am stuck with using a dial up modem I simply cannot download and test any of these latest files. In addition, there have been FS aircraft that have achieved 2 to 3 thousand download counts within the first 2 or 3 days they have been in the library, so pointing them out and providing a mini-review has been somewhat redundant.
The changes I am going to be implementing will work in the following way, as I will now only be picking files from those uploaded into the AVSIM library as new FS aircraft (FS2002 only). I can no longer make available the time to include scenery or utility files as these quite often are simply too large for me to have the time available to download and test them. With the FS aircraft files I will also be restricting those picks to those FS aircraft that seem to have gone unnoticed as well (I can determine this by the number of download counts). The best service I can supply to readers of AVSIM is to locate and highlight those files that seem to have gone basically ignored, rather than those files that everyone has already downloaded. I will be providing a short list of the most popular files from the previous week (just in case someone has been vacationing on the moon or something), but I will not be providing any screenshots or mini-review for them.
With this in mind, here are my picks from the past month and a half to get us all caught up to through the first week of December.
Most Popular Files From November: Boeing 747-400 & 747-400F
Once again, Melvin Rafi has uploaded his latest and possibly his best work to date by way of the Boeing 747-400 and 747-400F. Between his original models and countless repaints, thousands of these FS aircraft have been downloaded. Use the "Extended Search" library function and enter the name of Melvin Rafi under "Author". This should give you the main zip files and the many repaints that have become available.
DASH 7 All-Cargo Edition
Milton Shupe, Scott Thomas, Joao Paz and Team 7 have released their beautiful DASH 7 in a cargo version. If you're one of the very few (over 7,000 downloads so far) that haven't downloaded this aircraft, then click here: dash7c1.zip!
Iberia DC-3, a complete package
Jorge 'eko' Salas, Jan Visser, and Samuel Linell uploaded their latest DC-3 with a new custom panel. With over 4,000 downloads to date, it is apparent that no one missed this one dc3ib.zip either.
DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver
Steven Grant, Fred Choate, and Aaron Swindle throw their hat into the Beaver ring with this outstanding Beaver package which includes 5 different versions. It seems that over 5,400 of you agree with me that this is an outstanding package. bvrpak.zip
Antonov and Yak models
Over 7,000 downloads have occured of Dimitri Samborski's beautiful fleet (5 models) of Russian aircraft, that he uploaded during the month of November:
Vicker VC-10 K2 RAF
At nearly 2,000 downloads, David Maltby's very popular Vicker VC-10 is now flying the virtual skies around the world. vc-10_k2.zip
Robin DR400 Regent
Yannick Lavigne-Fred Banting-Rob Young released a very nice aircraft with this fantastic version of the Robin DR400. (over 5,800 downloads) dr400v1.zip
Socata TB20GT Trinidad
I think 6,200 downloads in the first week says it all! The Socata TB20GT Trinidad by Bill Leaming, Bob Samuelson, Fabio Miguez, Tom Goodrick, Warren Tucker, and Werner Schott is a very popular FS aircraft. tb20gt_1.zip and tb20rev1.zip
FFG DC-10-10 FedEx
Freeware Flightsim Group released their very popular DC-10, now newly designed using Gmax and including all animations for FS2002. (nearly 3,000 downloads) ffg_dc1010_fdx.zip
Freeware Gulfstream IV
Rick Sasala and Mark (?) have put together a beautiful Gulfstream IV (both passenger and cargo versions) that acheived just over 2,000 downloads in the first 24 hours it was in the AVSIM library. gulfstream-iv.zip
Cessna 140
Brian Gladden has been designing some of the best GA aircraft (most often related to bush flying) for Flight Simulator and his latest is not only one of his most popular, it is his best design to date, in my opinon. Seems to be the opinion of everyone else too, as Brian's little Cessna 140 is at nearly 4,000 downloads since its uploading into the library on December 2nd. cessna_140.zip
Bear Picks from the last 6 weeks:
1
One of the most silent helicopters ever produced, there is the NOTAR (no tail rotor) Hughes 600N. This is a nice download from Andre Kaufhold and includes 3 variations each with custom sounds and panel, plus a dynamic 3D virtual panel. Check them out if helicopters are your thing or you just want to add to your collection. ...Bear!
2
Basic Bravo This is a simple (Gmax) design of the Cessna Model 550 Citation Bravo. Originally designed in FSDS and then converted to Gmax, Keith has added opening doors, FS2002 lighting effects (including landing lights), custom panel (2D only), exterior reflections, and full animations. A pretty fair example of the Citation Bravo, though not an extensively detailed version. ...Bear!
3
Though all the readme files are in French, it only takes a moment to realize that this is an outstanding design of the Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet, highly detailed in all exterior views, with fully animated parts (including opening canopy) and a custom 3D virtual (dynamic) panel. This is one of those sleepers that I believe many have missed (less than a 1,000 downloads the last time I looked). ...Bear!
4
Byron Warwick has been designing several ultralights for FS2002, but this (phantom ultralight lookalike) is his best yet I believe. These types of aircraft are ideal for viewing that latest scenery add-on or especially for those of you just starting out with Flight Simulator. Learning to fly with an ultralight first, then moving up to a good quality Cessna 150 or Piper Tomahawk (add-ons) or maybe even the default Cessna 172 is a natural progression that would maintain the confidence of you younger sim pilots. ...Bear!
5
Ed Wilson and JP Demmerle have uploaded several versions of their A-26 (B-26) Gmax designed aircraft. The original uploaded file included 5 liveries (3 military and 2 civilian) with the later files adding additional versions. This is a FS aircraft for FS2002 only and includes both a really terrific 2D panel and dynamic 3D virtual panel-cockpit. The civilian versions are painted as fire fighting models (for which they were used extensively in real life). Each of these models use the default Corsair for sounds, but the use of anything default ends there. Based on the low number of downloads I assume that many have missed these very nice FS aircraft models. ...Bear!
6
Though not a particularly popular aircraft in real life, I still find it an interesting appearing design and Rick and Dave have done a truly outstanding job on this British Midland livery of the Vickers Viscount (813). Despite being designed using FSDS, this FS aircraft sports outstanding exterior textures and a custom made panel (2D only, no virtual panel). I do think that their using the default King Air sounds needs to be updated, but despite that simple item to change I really like the looks of this aircraft, nice work Rick and Dave! At just over 900 downloads I suspect most did not see this FS aircraft when it was uploaded into the AVSIM library, but if turbopropliners are something you like, then check out this Vickers Viscount by Rick Piper and Dave Haskell. ...Bear!
7
Heather Sherman has become an expert at digging up some of the FS98 and FS2000 classics and then upgrading them for FS2002 (her prior work with the Grumman Duck and Widgen are legendary) and now she has applied her work to the Fairchild Ryan PT-19 Trainer (originally designed for FS98). Besides updating the air and cfg files, Heather has also applied new textures in USAF colors. Heather repainted this aircraft in the markings of No. 144 at the request of Bob "Goody" Goodacre (Bob was a USAF PT-19 check-pilot veteran). Heather also included the original Brazilian Air Force textures by the original designers, Denis and Daniel Da Silva of Brazil. Nice work once again Heather and her choices are always interesting and fun aircraft to fly; why don't you give it a try as well? Come on everyone, after only 750 in nearly 4 weeks, we can do better than that? ...Bear!
8
This is an upgrade of Jean-Marie's earlier Bell 47, but the level of accuracy he has acheived in what is easily one of the finest freeware add-on aircraft for FS2002 to date. This is simply the most extraordinary helicopter you will find and I do not imagine there will be anything better, let alone equal, for some time to come. Having the most detailed exterior finish possible, with every animation you can think of, this is more than a FS aircraft, but is a FS piece of art work! Custom panels (2D and dynamic 3D virtual), reflective paints and canopy bubble, opening doors and multi axial movement for the main rotor, authentic custom sounds, and you can even see the flight control actuators move. Absolutely beautiful in its appearance and stunning in its presentation! I can't believe the skid version of this helo has garnered less than 700 downloads over the last two weeks since it was uploaded! ...Bear!
9
The Zlin Z-526F is a tandom seat sports (aerobatic) and flight trainer from Czechoslovakia that also served duty as a tow plane for gliders. Tibor Kókai's FS version is highly detailed and includes a custom (photorealistic) 2D and 3D dynamic virtual panel-cockpit and this single package download contains 7 seperate liveries covering both military and civilian paints. Tibor has also added many FS2002 only features, like rotating tires, FS2002 lighting and smoke effects, along with a sliding canopy and all the other normal animations. Lately I've found myself flying aircraft that fit generally in this category (the RealAir Simulations SF.260 for example) and I think that Tibor Kókai's work has been overlooked for too long and Tibor's second edition of the Zlin Z-526F should not get by our noticing it this time! ...Bear!
10
As one of the very first FS aircraft designed using the new FS Aircraft Design program from Abacus, FSDS V2, this FS aircraft represents the Pilatus PC-7 MK II Astra. Painted in the colors of the Central Flying School of the South African Air Force, this PC-7 FS model includes 2D and 3D dynamic virtual panel, fully animated parts and components, reflective textures, and a 3D propeller disk. With barely more than 600 downloads, I would say that many of you overlooked this aircraft, as well as I did—but now that I've flown it I am happy to report that I can highly recommend you take a look and see the fine work of David Friswell, Jens-Ole Kjølberg, and Luke Hampshire. ...Bear!
11
During World War II, the German air forces experimented with more unique designs than any other country on earth; with their monster flying boats, jet aircraft, and rocket powered sleds, the German aircraft designers were never afraid to push the design envelope. I suppose fitting into the category of unique would certainly be the Blohm und Voss BV-141, with its unusual asymmetrical design using a single engine, with a single sided horizontal stablizer, and having the cockpit located out on the starboard wing rather than in the fuselage would qualify. One of my personal loves is flying WWII warbirds in FS2002 and especially one that is so unique and so highly detailed as this model from Sakichi System Design (Ogawa Tetsuji), I simply can't believe that only 400 or so downloads have been counted up on this FS aircraft! You've got to check out this aircraft, as it is very beautifully designed, with a custom panel, fully animated parts, and Ogawa has even included some modern Avionics and GPS so that it can be flown to the next warbirds fly-in anywhere in the world. ...Bear!
12
Based on Dave Friswell's PC-7 (Pilatus), Nick Karatzides has put together a new package representing the T-6A Texan that currently flys with the 361st Squadron of the Hellenic Air Force. This is more than a simple repaint, but includes custom sounds, custom panel, with a reconfigured flight modeling file. This is a very nice addition to anyone's hanger (harddrive) and considering that there have been less than 750 downloads, it seems it got by most of us. ...Bear!
13
It seems that November is the month for Zlins and here is an excellent example of the Zlin Z-226MS, which like the Z-526 is also used a glider tow aircraft. Powered by a 180hp engine and having fixed gear, this Czech aircraft can serve equally as well as a basic trainer in addition to the its normal duty as a tow plane. This FS aircraft has a nice 2D panel, 3D virtual cockpit, all animated components, a real Z-226 pilot tested airfile, and comes in 3 different liveries. Also included is the CVA Repaint Manager so you can do up your own liveries. Another FS aircraft that barely has had over 600 downloads. Check it out! ...Bear!
14
On July 22nd, 1932, Fritz Albrecht, Franz Hack, Wolfgang von Gronau, and Ghert von Roth took off for their round-the-world flight in the Dornier Wal (Whale) flying boat. These two files (d2053v2a and d2053v2b) include a very nice example of the Dornier Wal, special sceneries, flight and morse code controller programs, several flight plans, and original flight reports with maps (English and German). The FS aircraft included with this two file package has custom sounds, a very nice 2D panel, 3D virtual cockpit (dynamic), and fully animated components, but it is a flying boat, meaning it has no landing gear. This is a full package and does cover an aircraft of historical significance—so those of you that enjoy flying the Classics, then here's a really good one for you! Don't let it get by. ...Bear!
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