Beechcraft 99 and Dash-8 in development by Virtualcol

[Jikul 61]

Just read about this two new aircraft for MSFS. What's the track record with this developer, are they usually good?

[Todd2 2,063]

That Beech 99 looks way cool!  😎

[kaosfere 3,115]

Virtualcol are definitely on the "cheap and cheerful" end of things.   Have a look at the prices on their store and realize you get what you pay for.  They're not bad, just basic.

Given the quality of what we have in MSFS, though, if they don't step up their modelling game a little I'm afraid they're going to get torn to shreds.

 

 

Edited October 17, 2020 by kaosfere

[keithb77 305]

Their Jetstream was the worst aircraft I've ever paid for...for me they are Carenado without the good looks...

[fppilot 4,355]

Used to take trips in the early 1970s as a paid passenger out of Ft Leonard Wood, Mo., on a Beech 99 flown by Skyway Aviation.  I was working on my own multi-engine and instrument ratings at the time and became friendly with the pilots. Same crew every flight. They flew twice a day back and forth to KSTL.  I'd sit in the front pax row and observe.  The cockpit was not closed off back then. Perhaps that and my own T-42 experience is why I have long been partial to Beech.

Your post caused me to look up Skyway and Beech 99.  Here is what I found. Reg # has changed over time but that 99 is still in service. owned by Alpine Air. Looking forward to this model.  Don't recall a legit 99 in previous sims. 

Didn't look like this back then

 

Here was the Skyway livery on a 1900

 

Edited October 17, 2020 by fppilot

[BIGSKY 316]

The Beech C-99 was the 1st "airliner" I worked on as a new A&P mechanic,I got some right seat time also,A cool airplane.

[leprechaunlive 1,852]

1 hour ago, kaosfere said:

Virtualcol are definitely on the "cheap and cheerful" end of things.   Have a look at the prices on their store and realize you get what you pay for.  They're not bad, just basic.

Given the quality of what we have in MSFS, though, if they don't step up their modelling game a little I'm afraid they're going to get torn to shreds.

 

 

Oh god. They are in for a rough ride then 😄

[Los 416]

The exterior modeling looks much better than their usual. Curious that there’s no interior photos...

[Coneman 71]

2 hours ago, kaosfere said:

 "cheap and cheerful"

 

 

Versus the "over-priced and eternally complaining"?  Lol

Seriously, (and I know this should be self evident), but they are not targeting the system junkie market. Although that won't stop people from demanding they change.

 

[regis9 4,005]

If I could get a Dash 8 with systems similar to the default aircraft that flies reasonably well for cheap then it would certainly help hold me over until the more detailed airliners make it to MSFS.  I'll watch this with an open mind.

[Will Fly For Cheese 1,710]

I'm underwhelmed by the screenshots.

The bar has been raised to some considerable height by MSFS 2020. Devs in FSX/ P3D X-Plane were used to limboing under an easy Addon bar after a few beers by the pool and a crazy idea at midnight to go build another airframe and sell it. (NB Carenado)

These guys look like lambs gambolling gaily to the slaughter.

Doesn't do it for me at all.

Edited October 17, 2020 by Will Fly For Cheese

[fppilot 4,355]

Yes. Need to exercise some purchase discretion.  A look at the hours in type tab of my logbook is stuffed with "I want to try that one" models only to park them in the dark back corners of the hangar(s) after scant few hours.  Humm...  Could save those $$$ instead for a 3090 instead of a 3080...

Edited October 17, 2020 by fppilot

[sidfadc 1,341]

There will be only one Dash 8 I intend to splash my cash on and it won't be from this developer 🙂  Trouble is I'll be waiting a while......

Edited October 17, 2020 by sidfadc

[ShawnG 1,823]

Interested to see what they have.  I own most of their stuff for fsx/p3d, and there they were slightly better than default, cheap, and modeled aircraft nobody else did.  The problem has been the interior modeling, which was barely acceptable in the already cartoony world of fsx/p3d.  If they don’t raise their game there, it will be hard for them to deal with the new market.  Looking forward to their dash 8s and eventually ATRs if they can step up a bit.  The default nav data and avionics should be better for them than the fsx stuff was.

[Los 416]

33 minutes ago, ShawnG said:

Interested to see what they have.  I own most of their stuff for fsx/p3d, and there they were slightly better than default, cheap, and modeled aircraft nobody else did.  The problem has been the interior modeling, which was barely acceptable in the already cartoony world of fsx/p3d.  If they don’t raise their game there, it will be hard for them to deal with the new market.  Looking forward to their dash 8s and eventually ATRs if they can step up a bit.  The default nav data and avionics should be better for them than the fsx stuff was.

Exactly, but the fact that they did not include any interior shots makes me suspect that they have either not figured how to up the game in the interior or will not. 

But I am curious. I have their A220 and it was good for what it is and the only one on the market.

I hope they bring the goods, they’re more receptive to fixing bugs than say Carenado which rest on their excellent look laurels.

Edited October 17, 2020 by Cmcollazo71