Hi,I have some questions about Russian aircraft.... I hope someone can help.First I am looking a great plane to fly around some of the amazing scenery I found on avsim.ru.I see a couple of options.... the TU-134 by SCS ( as mentioned in a post today )and the PT Tu-154. I also see there is a beta version of the 154 and some nav mods on the PT forum... does that mean we are likely to see an update to the PT version soon? Sounds stupid I know... what I am trying to assertain is if its worth waiting for a full release or to put together the beta+mods.I favour systems over visual model ... but if it comes with both..so much the better.Also, the only real life flight I have taken on a Russian plane was on an Aeroflot Il-86 ( I think - 4 engines/wide body ) in 1990 between Delhi and Bangkok. Does anyone know of a freeware Il-86 with a good panel?Thanks,PaulOne last question.... Aeroflot used to fly here ( Lima )- via Havana... does anyone happen to know what aircraft they used on this route?

Hi,The beta version of the Tu-154 is actually the M model. The current Tu-154 is the B2 version. The main difference is the avionics-system. The beta is however only for the model, there's no plane included in the beta as far as I know.There are a lot of add-ons for the B2 version, like a weather radar, a VBE altimeter, a high resolution panel etc.Project Tupolev is always updating all their models, i.e. the Tu-154-B2 and the IL-62M at the moment.The aircraft used to fly the route to Lima might have been the IL-62M, but this is really only a guess. It depends on when the route was flown as well, which year etc. Cheers,Daniel

Thanks Daniel,Having used google... I see they started the Lima service in 1973 using an Il-62.... but I know the service was still operating in the mid 1990's, but I have no idea what they were using then- the same?I guess I'll try the 154 with all the bells and whistles... Paul

AFAIK the Il-86 was only ever used on internal flights (at least when we're talking regular scheduled service).So that would be either a -62 or -62M into the '90s, which was the only other aircraft in Aeroflot service with the range to cross the Atlantic after retiring the Bears.Rather nice aircraft for the era, flown them several times in the late 1980s.

Hi,Thanks for the info.If the 86 was used on domestics... then the flight I took DEL to BKK ( originated Moscow )would have been a 62 I guess. I know the flight was good, friendly crew, food was OK... wholesome... whole chicken leg (incl bones), whole apple which was unusual. I had been in India for about 6 months and due currency restrictions there was no true Scotch whisky, so I ordered one on Aeroflot ( knowing I would have to pay )... anyway it cost 3 British pounds.. which I thought was a bit steep... until the crew brought a full 1/2 bottle. I think she took it from 1st class and sold it to me.Only thing I didn't like about Aeroflot was its open seating... 6am Delhi.. no sleep... and you need to use elbows to get a good seat.Paul