Hi Folks,It is with great pleasure that i may officially announce and present the first WIP screenshots of MAAM-SIM's long awaited first native FSX aircraft model. It is not only our first native FSX model but it's also a new branch on the tree of MAAM-SIM's slowly but steadily expanding collection of virtual examples of vintage aircraft belonging to the Mid Atlantic Air Museum. We have always had a keen eye on that smart looking yellow biplane that mostly occupies the mid spot of the MAAM hangar. Further investigation proved that it is the Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 'Yellow Peril' and we thought it would serve very well as a 'testbed' to research the plethora of new possibillities that native FSX design provides for. We did not have a biplane yet amongst the virtual branch of MAAM aircraft and the fact that it can be flown as a land plane as well as a floatplane makes it particularly interesting.The NAF N3N 'Yellow Peril' replaced the Consolidated NY-2 and NY-3 and was used as a primary trainer aircraft by both the US Navy and Marines. Over 900 N3N aircraft were delivered by the NAF from 1935 on. Production ended in 1942 but the type remained in use through the rest of WWII. It was the last biplane used in US militairy service and the last N3N's were retired in 1961. Our native FSX N3N 'Yellow Peril' package will not only feature both the land and sea plane versions but will also come with two types of radial engines. The 7 cylinder Wright R-760-2 Whirlwind that was used with the original N3N and the more powerful 9 cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-985 that can be seen in civil versions of the N3N after its retirement and of which many have been used as cropdusters. Many N3N aircraft survived and can still be seen flying today. Some with the orginal Wright R-760 powerplant and some with the P&W R-985 like the MAAM's own example. It's not unlikely that you could be confronted with a still flying N3N or static museum specimen that features a third or even a fourth engine type, the 9 cylinder Wright R-975 or Lycoming R-680.N3Nyway, pictures tell a thousands stories so without further ado here is a bunch to wet your appetide, from early stages of development until what's up today. Hope you like 'm and i shall be updating this thread with more screenies as development progresses. Any questions about the N3N model are welcome of course but there is no ETA about the release date so far. It will be ready when it's ready. :( To start off here are a couple of first renders : more to follow..Cheers,Jan

N3N WIP screenies continued.First texture trials in FSX :Crew aboard. She flies !...... :First 'repaint' : more to follow...Cheers,Jan

Jan,Excellent announcement! I am thrilled that you are going to go FSX with your new development and look forward to adding your aircraft to my flightline. It looks great already.Stephen

Thank you, Stephen. :( Cheers,Jan

N3N WIP screenies continued.Right, let's try a bit of reflectivity, see how that works...Nope, didn't work... :( :Ok, works ! Bit too much maybe... :( Hehe.. Oh,well, atleast it works.. :( Right, let's take a peak inside. First setup of the aft cockpit :Front cockpit taking shape too. That's the fuel tank there, just behind the panel : As you can see here there's a distinct difference between the port and starboard walls. Typical for the N3N and is because it can also be used as a sea plane. To prevent corrosion of the inside framework by seawater leaking thru the fuselage the NAF provided easy acces to the inside of the plane by fitting the portside of it with aluminium panels, as opposed to the starboard side which is the normal setup of canvas over frames. After each flight groundcrew would unscrew these panels to clean the inner fuselage of any leftover seawater. Pretty neat, huh... B) To be continued.Cheers,Jan

N3N WIP screenies continued.Some details.The throttle quadrant taking shape : Rudder cable and fastener :Tailwheel Lock handle :Radios :Some more work done in the aft and front cockpits : Normally the N3N would be flown by the student from the back seat, instructor in the front seat keeping an eye on his proteg

You have a customer ready and waiting. Neat job - just what I'd expect from MAAM-SIM.Jim S.

That's beautiful!Are you going to add the transponder to the rear cockpit as in the real aircraft? Flying on VATSIM or IVAO is a lot easier with one. :)

Thanks, guys. :(

Are you going to add the transponder to the rear cockpit as in the real aircraft? Flying on VATSIM or IVAO is a lot easier with one. :)

Sure! We will probabely include a variety of radio instruments in one of the models. Maybe even a modern radioset.Cheers,Jan

N3N WIP screenies continued.More work on the external model:Shaping up the cockpit coaming:With the original N3N-3 Wright Whirlwind powered model nicely on its way it's time to get the MAAM's own N3N-3 on the road as well.Presenting the 9 Cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior :Hamilton Standard 12D40 fitted :Adding the P&W engine also ment reshaping the N3N's nose section :To be continued.Cheers,Jan

It sure is nice to see this plane progressing, as well as your experience with FSX. Keep up the good work! :(

Thanks, Kat. :( FSX sure is a digital aircraft modeler's dream come true. I know because i started with MS 'A&SD' ( Aircraft & Scenery Designer )more than 2 decades ago... 500 poly limit.... :( cheers,Jan

Thanks, Kat. :( FSX sure is a digital aircraft modeler's dream come true. I know because i started with MS 'A&SD' ( Aircraft & Scenery Designer )more than 2 decades ago... 500 poly limit.... :( cheers,Jan

Absolutely amazing work for your first native FSX project Jan!

Wow, Jan, the engine looks terrific! Just as all the fine details in the VC :( I'm really looking forward to it :( GreetingsTim

Very tasty, now show us the fabulous DC-3 please?