I'm doing a little homework on this aircraft. So far I've found Mike Stone's aircraft (with exceptional repaints by Henry William) and payware versions by Alphasim UK (FS2004) and Abacus Publishing (FS2002). I've also found one from the Catalina Group of New Zealand (FS2002) which is designed by the same legendary team of Brian Horsey and Harry Follas who produced so much good freeware stuff in the good old days of FS98 including, indeed, a Catalina at that time.Do any of you web-footed types have any comment on these different variations? I'd be grateful for any input. I've been flying Mike's aircraft about (I've painted her up in Cathay Pacific colours) with Ken Mitchell's panel, which is a pleasing combo. With Ken's suggested AIRCRAFT.CFG, she flies very smoothly indeed, although I haven't had a chance to check out the performance against spec as yet. I also can't find any controls for mixture or cowl flaps ... details, details. Maybe they're hiding from me.MarkMark "Dark Moment" BeaumontVP Fleet, DC-3 AirwaysTeam Member, MAAM-SIM[a href=http://www.swiremariners.com/cathayhk.html" target="_blank]http://www.paxship.com/maamlogo2.jpg[/a]

Hi Mark,I bought the Alphasim PBY a month or two ago. It's up to their usual standard for "budget" payware. Nice external models and textures, serviceable VC and panel (not up to MAAM standards, but few are). Very pleasant to fly. Good value for the price. A bit dissapointed it hasn't been repainted more, perhaps it hasn't sold well.P.S Thanks for all your great work over the years.Cheers, Mark.

Mark,I believe that Aerosoft have one in the works. Check out the aerosoft forum as I think there were some screen shots some time ago. http://forum.aerosoft-shop.com/Obviously this will be payware, but I suspect it will be good quality.Graeme

Thanks, gents. That seems to cover it. The Aerosoft one does, indeed, promise great things, although one could wish that they could get on with it without having to knock the competition, albeit gently. The Alphasim model is less money than Aerosoft's is likely to be, after all. So one would expect more bang for the buck, indeed.Anyway, I'll finish off my Cathay paint on Mike's model which, at the end of the day, as freeware is available to all. MarkMark "Dark Moment" BeaumontVP Fleet, DC-3 AirwaysTeam Member, MAAM-SIM[a href=http://www.swiremariners.com/cathayhk.html" target="_blank]http://www.paxship.com/maamlogo2.jpg[/a]

I have the NZ Cat group CD, it doesn't work well in FS9. Mike Stone's is fine and has the best price, but personally I want a VC. I love the Alphasim PBY. And, I've had nothing but good in dealing with Alphasim, so there wasn't much question in my mind when I purchased it. *grin*