Browsing through different sources of freeware, I find myself curious over the number of downloadable ships and even some ground vehicles for FSX. I've even downloaded some.But, I have no idea what there purpose is? And until I know what their purpose is, I have no idea how to use them. The ships I did download have shown up in my aircraft selection options ... but what the heck. A battleship at the gates of LAX?Can someone explain to me the use of these downloadable ships (and other non aircraft models) in FSX. Are they soley AI? And how do I use them appropriately?

I think this falls into the category of "do it because you can". Q: When the ship is parked at LAX, can you taxi and takeoff? :(

I agree: aircraft have often been referred to as "ships". :(

I think was you are talking about fall into two categories. Some are or maybe AI and others are actual vehicles and boats that are drivable (flyable). Both show up in your list of aircraft that is because they are basically designed in the same model context as planes.Any vehicle or boat that comes with a panel, sound etc ie steering wheel or wheel house is likely something that you can drive around your scenery , like down the road or over the terrain. And the boats are navigable on waterways or ocean up rivers etc.The Ai will show up in your list of aircraft but usually the author puts letters like AI or "ZZZ" in front of the name so you don't accidently mistake them as flyable plane, they will not load into your sim. AI have been or are programmable to move about your scenery using "tracks" to tell them where to go and when (this is a much bigger issue).So install a "flyable" boat and move (slew) it to a waterbody ie ocean or lake and then drive around with it using your airplane controls but it will not take off.

Thanks ftsimguy for your explanation.So, using an example of the ship I downloaded, I don't believe it has any features leading me to believe it's driveable. (???)Considering then it's likely AI, how do I place them? Obviously a ship goes in the water (duh), but are they static, ie better off in a harbour, or do they actually move on their own?Sorry for what I consider silly questions, but I'm intrigued at the amount of effort the creators put into these artifacts. I'd like to enjoy them.

as far as i know,you select a ship,pick a seaplane base and sail off into the deep blue yonder.you can start the engines and select a wheelhouse and off you go.make sure your seaplane base is not a lake....otherwise round and around you go :smile:have driven a car for while and because of the road system you can drive between cities... steve-0

Yes a seaplane base would work.Or of you have a spot you would like to "sail" from, not being a listed seaplane airport, then slew to the spot, save the file as a flight so that it becomes listed in your "load" a flight menu, then you can just load up that spot next time and your ship will be placed there for start.Or more advanced, download ADE - Airport Design Editor and you can make your own lauch site (aka like a seaplane base).

Check this out:http://lc0277.gratisim.fr/boat/scott s..

For ships check outwww.FS-Shipyards.orgThey have a number of really good models of Ships for FS2004/FSX. Here's a video I did of the Queen Mary 2 coming into New York Harbor, a while back. It was made before Youtube uped it's resolution, so the quality isn't that good, but I think you'll get the idea.

Edited February 2, 201214 yr by tf51d

I'm sorry, but that is AWESOME