OK, Just Flight's DC-6 has been out for a while and there are probably many simmers here who own this plane. So, how good is that plane really? I've read the reviews and threads when it came out and tried the demo, and it felt OK (cockpit is too cartoonish, though) but the demo is actually pretty useless, as it is pretty difficult to tell how it operates on flight because of the 1000ft limitation before you lose most of the cockpit. Now, so was the JF Connie praised a lot when it came out, but IMO it is somewhat a disappointment on systems, it is buggy and yet still I've seen even more frame rate friendly and better modeled planes than that. At least I expected more and issues related to it have never been fully addressed. So, in my experience these first reviews aren't really telling the whole truth and neither are the first impressions when the biggest fans of the plane have purchased the model and are generally giving favourable opinions about the product.

 

I know that PMDG is doing their DC-6 which most likely is better considering their history, but is JF DC-6 really worth the on going discount price considering that PMDG plane is probably coming out during the coming months? I don't have any other 4-engined piston liners aside the JF Connie and I'd really like to have a good one. There is of course A2A 377 Accusim, but I'd like to have vintage piston airliner without a need to hop on the engineer seat every now and then, although if I've understand correctly, AI handles that decently with Accusim addon.

 

But A2A Stratocruiser is another matter, this thread is about DC-6 and how good JF version really is.

Hi!

I have it, and I really like it. The outside model and the sounds are really nice. The VC is definitely not PMDG or Carenado standard, but its not bad either. Its functionality is good and the framerate is fantastic. Nearly all the switches and the knobs work, but not all the systems are modeled in depth, but I enjoy flying it. Overall, I would say its a quite decent add-on for the money.

If you like the DC-6 and you cannot wait anymore, go for it!

I too would say it is a very 'fair' addon. Although it can't IMO be put into the brilliant category, it is still a damn fine addon. The ONLY aspect that detracts for me is the VC, but it's purely subjective and only marginal.

 

It FEELS good to fly, and THAT is of major importance to me.

 

I seriously doubt you'd regret the purchase.

It is pretty good, doubtless the PMDG one will be better, but it is still worth having and there are enough systems working to have fun with it. It flies pretty well and seems convincing enough; prefer it to most of the other classic props and jets JF have been banging out recently, and it does certainly benefit from the addition of A2A's AccuFeel. Personally, I didn't like the texturing it came with - far too pristine in my opinion - so I have created my own more battered up textures for it, which improve its looks externally, I'm still fine tuning those before I stick em up in the Avsim library, i.e. this is how mine looks now:

 

 

For twenty quid, which won't exactly break the bank, I think it is definitely worth a punt.

 

Al

I have only a limited run with the JF DC-6 to draw on (flew it on my brother's set up for a few hours), but overall I was very taken with it. It had the right "feel" to me and I was instantly comfortable with it. I was impressed enough based on this exposure to actually buy the JF Connie, but that turned out to be a mistake, as that plane (at least for me), was a total travesty. To JF's credit, they did refund my money when I requested it, and the only thing that has stopped me so far from picking up the JF DC-6 is the looming arrival of PMDG's. I can't make up my mind if I am ready for the "PMDG" experience, as I also have the QW757 and really find it quite satisfying, even without the total system immersion aspect...

 

Chris B.

"Flapsdown"

The ONLY aspect that detracts for me is the VC

 

Same here. I liked the thing but the VC seems to be "cheap".This is purely subjective tho as some people like cartoonish Vcs but I can't stand them.-

so I have created my own more battered up textures for it, which improve its looks externally, I'm still fine tuning those before I stick em up in the Avsim library

 

SERIOUSLY looking forward to those textures Al, as I too think they're too 'clean'.

Thanks for the tips, fellas! It seems still to be at least OK addon for the most users after few months its release, so JF DC-6 seems a good buy and perhaps a good practice before the PMDG version, at least. I am really hesitating with this, because with Connie, just after I started to learn the plane "seriously", I pretty soon realized big flaws with it. I also own JF DC-3 and that is not anything mind blowing either. If they'd be labeled with f-lites, they'd be probably OK. But seeking a bit of realism and challenge and feeling flying an old machine, those two addons don't meet my requirements and they are pretty much lying in my hangar and I have no interest flying them, though I love old piston engined planes more than modern jet tubes or turboprops. Of course, I don't know if JF DC-3 is TRULY bad or good, but I get almost zero immersion with it. I don't want my DC-6 end up like the same and waste money to addon I will not fly, though 20€ is not a big deal. I still can spend that to some quality addon if that matters...

I go along with the rest of the posts. I've had the DC-6B for about a week or so and really enjoy it. The VC is fine. The sounds are immersive and it flies great. It's simply a fun plane--not a study plane--but a good fun plane.

 

Randall

From the people I fly with and some in my clan, they like most of Just Flight's products. Like others have said its not up to MODERN PMDG (B1900D VC is terrible) or Carenado's quality but its not bad and it does fly well, check out youtube, plenty of people have reviewed it there as well.

Just Flight is interesting and the quality of their offerings is likely a result of the fairly narrow market for their products - classic airliners, both prop and jet. Given that the market for these planes is pretty small (in part because they require you to be able to both fly and navigate without sophisticated auto pilots and flight management computers) the design decisions are understandable. The planes have very basic VC texturing and 3d modeling - and systems modeling is also quite shallow. Engine management of the radials is also very basic.

 

But it's hard to fault them for this approach - the risk of investing a lot more on more detailed cockpits etc is probably not worth the risk of what are likely fairly small sales compared to, say, the PMDG 737 NGX.

 

If you don't have high expectations you won't be dispointed.

 

However, if you are looking for an A2A depth of systems and engine management, or PMDG level graphics and systems, you will not be happy.

 

Colin