Hello all.

 

I've been lost in a couple of WW2 books recently & rather fancy buying a Lancaster to add to my hangar. There seem to be two payware available but it's difficult to decide which is best from the rather sketchy info available.

 

Hopefully the Lanc isn't popular enough to start a squabble so if anyone here has experience of both, or either of, the JustFlight and the First Class Simulations offerings, can you summarize the differences between them? I'm not so fussed about having dozens of paintjobs but good sound, working VC, a decent airfile and lots of detail to look at are probably most important to me.

 

Thanks very much.

Dave

Have a look at Simviation:

http://simviation.com/1/search?submit=1&keywords=lancaster&x=0&y=0

Bottom of the page, might help you make up your mind!

Hi.

 

Thanks for that. I had a good look and I think the model for which that d/l is made is the Plane Design version. I'd had a look at that already but feel the VC looks a bit FS2002.

 

I don't suppose you've tried either the JF or the FCS versions, have you?

 

Cheers,

D

I have the Plane Design Version and the AeroPlane Heaven Special Ops Version I have given both a workout on the DamBusters Anniversay Packages as well. I think the Plane Design is the most accurate and has the best feel and has good sound but the cockpit graphics are a bit 'newish' or unreal on some levels but other than that it is great, there are limitations in terms of the VC and other bits but its not bad. The Aeroplane Heaven version is also not bad and troublesome in others. The AH VC view is difficult to set up and you always start up down in the fuselage, overall the interior and exterior graphic textures are more realistic or worn and it handles ok and goes pretty well like I would think a real Lancaster would have. That being said none of these models are native FSX but port overs from earlier FS systems and as such have some limitations.

 

I guess if you download the Dambusters packages you will get a great collection of repaints for 617 squadron and variants and the AH you will get post war and special ops variants. I think the ultimate FSX Lanc is a long way off and despite hunting the net these are the only two I could really recommend. A good repaint expert could probably do wonders with the models but that is not me.

 

 

I don't suppose you've tried either the JF or the FCS versions, have you?

No, sorry. But sending you to the freeware link was in fact a comment, too.

Not sure there is a Lanc out there which would measure up to FS9.5 standard

 

 

I think the ultimate FSX Lanc is a long way off

. (This is the FS2004 Forum).

 

I just shut my eyes a little, make aeroplane noises, and fly at 100ft  ...

. (This is the FS2004 Forum).

 

I just shut my eyes a little, make aeroplane noises, and fly at 100ft  ...

 

. . .

 

 

 

 

. . . and maybe you use the Buttkicker gizmo to provide a little flack and explosion turbulence

 

BTW, the PBS series (was it NOVA?) had a very good documentary on the Dambuster missions including the trials used in testing the bomb spin boucing. If was fascinating to see the engineering model simulation.

Dave

 

I have only the FCS version of the Lancaster. Therefore, I can't do the comparison exercise you are after.

 

I haven't flown it for about a year. Therefore, it would be unfair to use a recollection that old to comment on the quality etc of that version.

 

If someone else does not come up with those details in the meantime, I will fly it at the weekend and let you know what I think.

I have the Wings of Power (A2A) version that was included in the Wings of Power Heavy Bombers pack. It is very good, but unfortunately not available from A2A any more. Maybe you can track down a copy via EBay or similar.

 

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CC4QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.a2asimulations.com%2Fstore%2Fwop_retail%2F&ei=FcTdUrrzGPGziQfSh4HgCA&usg=AFQjCNFmgt0YqwYq8VXTaooqLdBgtljSOQ&sig2=mVRpFdorLtf1gMkvYMrrbA

Hi again.

 

 

No, sorry. But sending you to the freeware link was in fact a comment, too.

 

... one which I've now taken on board. I may go for that one yet - if the handling and sound are good I could surely bring myself to overlook the dated appearance. It's free anyway so I'll give it a go while thinking about the others.

 

 

 

If someone else does not come up with those details in the meantime, I will fly it at the weekend and let you know what I think.

 

Thank you. I'd certainly appreciate a recent first-hand impression.

 

 

 

I have the Wings of Power (A2A) version that was included in the Wings of Power Heavy Bombers pack. It is very good, but unfortunately not available from A2A any more. Maybe you can track down a copy via EBay or similar.
 

 

Now I'm even more unsure! If the screenies of their other VCs are any guide, and their comments that their Lanc's VC is its weakest point, it must be pretty good.

 

 

 

It looks like another few days of indecision...

 

D

I have the Wings of Power (A2A) version that was included in the Wings of Power Heavy Bombers pack. It is very good, but unfortunately not available from A2A any more. Maybe you can track down a copy via EBay or similar.

 

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CC4QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.a2asimulations.com%2Fstore%2Fwop_retail%2F&ei=FcTdUrrzGPGziQfSh4HgCA&usg=AFQjCNFmgt0YqwYq8VXTaooqLdBgtljSOQ&sig2=mVRpFdorLtf1gMkvYMrrbA

 

 

I also have the Shockwave Lanc and concur with Wad53 on EBay or Amazon.

Dave

 

I have belatedly realised that this discussion is in the FS2004 forum.

 

The FCS product is said (by the developer's/publisher's blurb) in one place to be both FS2004 and FSX compatible and in another it says that:

"This title contains Lancaster versions for both Microsoft Flight Simulator X and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 plus for those flying in FSX, two missions are also included that will help you learn to fly this legendary World War II aircraft."

 

I use  FSX.

 

Is it still going to be of any use to you (for FS2004 purposes) if I fly it (in FSX) and let you know what I think and give you an external screenshot and a screenshot of the VC of one of the ten models/versions in the FCS package?

Hi.

 

Is it still going to be of any use to you (for FS2004 purposes) if I fly it (in FSX) and let you know what I think and give you an external screenshot and a screenshot of the VC of one of the ten models/versions in the FCS package?

 

Yes, please do if it's not too much trouble. I understand FSX aircraft are generally more detailed but I imagine, since they're sold in a single package, that the two versions must look and handle pretty similarly.

 

Thank you all for your suggestions so far.

D

Dave

 

Below are the FSX screenshots - one external and one internal - of the FCS version (I forgot to check which of the 10 models it was). I don't think that the screenshots are as good as the aircraft looked on screen when flying.

 

I noticed nothing untoward when flying it for the screenshots. Subject to my limited experience and expertise with flight simming, it seemed a good product (at least in FSX).

 

 

Dave

 

Below are the FSX screenshots - one external and one internal - of the FCS version (I forgot to check which of the 10 models it was). I don't think that the screenshots are as good as the aircraft looked on screen when flying.

 

I noticed nothing untoward when flying it for the screenshots. Subject to my limited experience and expertise with flight simming, it seemed a good product (at least in FSX).

 

 

 

 

 

Hi.

 

Sorry for being late replying - busy Monday and Avsim outage for the last couple of days...

 

Thanks very much for taking the time to produce those screenies. The FCS version looks gorgeous, especially the VC. I think I've decided - I'll be getting the FCS version for FS9.

 

I bought the Wings of Power bombers from a chap on Ebay and while the Lanc in that collection doesn't look great, it flies really well so I may see if I can merge the model for one with the air & cfg files for the other.

 

Best regards and my thanks again,

D

Dave - once you've had some time with the FCS version in FS9 would you mind giving us a mini review? If the VC is close to the screenshot of the FSX version above, I think I would purchase it also

Cheers mate

Ian