Not sure why that would be a bad thing, a real DC-3 cockpit is painted LOL and to be honest that just makes it look like a new aeroplane as opposed to one of its real age, which is something we can get away with in sim-land. Both the MAAM and the JF DC-3s have merit in my opinion and the MAAM one still stands up well in spite of its age, the although the JF one has a dimensionally more accurate and fully FSX-native exterior model, which is a big plus for something as pretty as the DC-3 is. I just wish there was a better BT-67 than the Dirk Stuck one, that's the DC-3 we are missing, because it's the one that is still in US military service! Al

Two comments:1. I had the MAAM DC-3 package for FS9 and when I went to FSX, I installed the MAAM package and the required update files. I also had some problems with that setup, so I bought the new FSX version from MAAM. Installed perfectly and everything works and looks great. With the FSX package all the fixes and upgrades are already installed. I also think the FSX planes "feel" better in flight. If you can spare the cash, this is the way to go for FSX.2. If you want some really good free DC-3 planes, panels, and DC-3 experiences, go to www.dc3airways.com and join. They have everything you need in freeware and lots of informed pilots to help you with the DC-3. Dedicated servers for Teamspeak and on line flying. Greatest bunch of people you will find in FS.Howard

I just tried out the JF DC-3 demo (limited to 1,000 ft, before it turns into a black square).Pros:

• fully functional VC (vs the extremely limited VC in the MAAM DC-3) - almost everything is clickable, including radios, fuel selector, etc.
• flies well-ish (but maybe a bit too fast at cruise settings; not certain)

Cons:

• too easy to taxi - rudder is strangely effective at low taxi speed
• differential prop doesn't turn the plane as effectively as on the MAAM
• slow framerates on my laptop (probably OK on a high-end desktop system)
• harder to find an eyepoint that lets me monitor major instruments and see outside
• A/P isn't as realistic
• turning knobs with the mouse is tricky
• not a fan of the unrealistically tidy, flat-coloured interior

I'm very frustrated with the limitations of the MAAM DC-3 VC (it's far less functional than even the default FSX DC-3), but I'll probably stick with MAAM for now because of the decent flight/taxiing model and proper Sperry A/P functionality. With luck, some day, MAAM will come out with the new, native FSX aircraft they've been promising for a few years.

I just tried out the JF DC-3 demo

I had a look at this as too but that cartoonish VC and those xmastreekindoflike lights were a turnoff so I decided to stay away-

cartoonish VC+1

One nice thing about the DC3, after 80 years it's still a practical and earning revenue around the globe. Much like the steam trains of China were until recently.

OK my friend! I confess - it's yours! I copied it from one of you early posts, and have used it several times, ads there's lots of Just Flight's (and others) aircraft around with cartoonish VC's.

"Why do people use that adjective, 'cartoony', its vacuous, well other thanconnoting something cheesy and cheap i suppose. I haven't bought this yetbut from the cockpit pictures I've looked at I see nothing that reminds meof a cartoon "for someone who hasn't got it yet just assuming that someone is vacuous purely because they use a phrase (That is VERY accurate) ... well... get it then see.

You need to reparse the original sentence. The term "vacuous" is modifying the adjective 'cartoony', not the person using the term! Don't schools teach grammar anymore? :(

I have the DC3, just updated to SP1 which was released not long ago. Yes the cockpit does look brand new but it works well, As someone pointed out, the ground handling seems too easy, not like the DC2 which requires differential breaking, mind you some would complain if it wasnt easy. But then I realised a long time ago, you will never please everybody.