Has anyone taken the plunge on this one? Any feedback?

 

http://www.simskunkworks.102virtual.org/

 

 

I passed because I read a comment about the licensing process being a nightmare. Hopefully I'm wrong, because I'd like to get it.

I'd like to have it, but...

 

1. you have to register on their website to purchase it

2. I tried to register over two weeks ago

3. I haven't heard back from the site administrator, yet

4. I, or course, tried to register again, but it says I'm already registered

5. So the heck with 'em.

I remember I had one of the older versions of the Starfighter from them a while back before I cleaned out FSX. It was a challenge to fly, and my lack of rudder controls meant if I slowed down to critical speeds I'd end up in a ferocious spin. I remember the licensing process to actually be pretty easy, but it's been a while since I had the thing and maybe they changed something.

I would highly recommend this addon - it's a very polished product and my current favorite century series FSX fighter - just keep in mind you do need to do a little reading on how to properly configure it for start and takeoff. I've had the Captainsim and Alphasim versions for FS9, and previous SSW 104s... this is easily the best looking and flying of the bunch with lots of little aircraft systems details and sounds that add to immersion. The characteristic intake howl of the G model is awesome!

 

The graphics detail is not at the "Metal to Mesh" level, but that does make it more framerate friendly.

 

G

Barfly, what is the purchase and activation process?

It's kind of drawn out - you donate / purchase and download the aircraft from their website. You can 'purchase' the airplane for "0" units of whatever currency you use, or you can donate the minimum amount up front. Either way you will initially be downloading a time limited demo version of the plane. You load and run the model in FSX once then close FSX. A file is created in your FSX root directory with a unique id for your computer. You email that file to the guys at SSW, and they send you back a zipped set of registry entries to fully enable the plane. Those registry entries will only allow a valid copy of the Zipper to run in FSX if you don't change your computer hardware configuration - a pretty strong anti-pirating measure. One of their guys has to receive your special file, create and mail back your personal registry files, so that may take some time. I can send you the readme that describes it in detail - the process seems a little convoluted, but it work.

 

You can just download the planes and run them in limited time demo mode; if you decide you want the full thing, you have to donate the minimum amount specified on their website before they send you the proper registry files.

The activation process may be unusual, but the reality is that the Sim Skunk Works' aircraft (F-104G, F-104S, and AV-8B Harrier II) are all top notch. They are high-fidelity representations (i.e. excellent flight models and systems) of their real-world counterparts as certified by real-life pilots of these aircraft.

 

In addition to the accurate simulation of the flight models and systems, the virtual cockpits are excellent and are very well modelled. If that weren't enough, their models are very efficient, meaning that they run with excellent framerates even with lower-end hardware.

 

Should you give these models a pass purely because of the registration system; well, it's your loss!

Hi all,

First of all apologize for my bad english.

The registration/installation process has been done with two aims:

- give the user the possibility to try the model before donate

- protect the software against piracy.

 

These are the simple steps:

1. register to the SSW site (registration is free) at:

http://www.simskunkw....102virtual.org

2. go trough the ordering process of the model you desire at:

http://www.simskunkw....php?Itemid=114

you will receive an invoice a 0.00 € , do not donate anything.

3. after few hours you will receive a .pdf document containing download links (model and weapon pack) and a link to installing instructions.

4, after installation you will be able to try the model fully but time limited (10 minutes)

5. if you are satisfied make the minimum donation trough site PayPal module and send the registration file that the model generates when it is loaded to: [email protected]

Registration file can be found into main FSX/P3D folder.

6. you will receive an activation key into a zipped file, unpack and double click on that file and the time limitation will be removed.

 

The entire process requires few hours, in some case a day pending on timezones.

Since the activation key is generated based on information of your PC may be that major changes in hw/sw (ie: a hd formatting) invalidate the key. In this case is necessary resend the registration file to have a new key, this can take some hours or a day pending on timezone)

 

Hope this clarify.

/SSW