Just in case you haven't seen it, Milton Shupe and Ed Wells have released an updated FSX package (and FS2004, separately) for the ABC F8F-2.  Details for the FSX version can be found here.  It looks like they tweaked the .air file a little (with explanation), but hopefully the Committee will approve it.  I'm sure the updates to appearances inside and outside will be welcome (and one could always use the older .air file for the race, I suppose).

Thanks for the "heads up" Craig! Awww man! they modified my beloved Bearcat! No Problem as Milton does an excellent job. Will install into FSX and I hope the P-Factor mods in the airfile/.cfg can be transferred over to FS9, hopefully the whole package will - fingers crossed.. While not mentioned I hope he did a canopy mod for when it's raining too.                

Roman,

 

It looked like there is a separate package for FS9.  I saw it listed right below the FSX package on the home page.  Looking forward to your review.

Craig,

 

 Again thanks for the "Heads Up"!

 

Flying wise - It mainly has to do with takeoff and approach.

 

The Torque and P-Factor has been reduced. It is still there and still needs a large amount of rudder for takeoff, the good part is that it is not so abrupt. 

 

Approach wise it "seems" that it holds speed longer, less prop drag. A beta section of the prop dynamics was changed. What that has to do w/ idle drag IDK - the 'cat has no beta but I believe it may have to do with the pitch on a a throttle cut.  

 

Landing - Turned from a Bearcat into a Bear cub Cat, I do believe they extended the oleo's and dampened them less. The result is a very easy landing without the "bouncy-bounce" , almost too easy.

 

Brakes were modded too - less aggressive.

 

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VC - The good/bad part..

 

The good - Crisper VC gauges, backlit gauges. Much better textures! The canopy is fixed!

 

One mod i did do - I un-commented the [Light] section, it provides flood lighting separate from the backlit lighting of the gauges w/ minimal ( actually I like ) canopy "frosting/reflection" controllable via the VC panel switch.

 

The bad - This part only deals with the optional VC textures and dealing with the FSX version. (so far)

 

2 of the textures are not in the right format for the light blue vc option, switch_panel.bmp & fuel_selector.bmp are in 24 bit format. They should be in 32 bit. ( if requested I will provide, otherwise use imagetool yourself ) 

 

If you are using the Olive Drab or the Light Blue VC replacement textures for a add on repaint do not include "f8ffuse_T.bmp" as it will override your fuselage textures.

 

 

All in all I like the mods B)          

Roman,

 

Thanks for the detailed write-up!  I don't have much experience with image-reengineering, so I welcome anything you feel up to providing.  I'll have to give her a shakedown myself soon.

 

Cheers,

Craig