HPG shows the 747 SuperTanker:World’s largest firefighter!

[DennyA 8]

And now... Unreleased?

https://www.hypeperformancegroup.com/blogs/news/hpg-747-supertanker-sales-suspended

Wonder if they were having compatibility issues on some systems or what? Hadn't seen any threads on it so not sure what's up.

[The Flight Level 2,068]

Wow! Must be very serious issues as they are offering refunds!

[Reader 1,887]

4 hours ago, DennyA said:

Hadn't seen any threads on it so not sure what's up.

Wild guess: out of the blue, Asobo announced a 2024 version and the video features aerial firefighting.
Perhaps they either don't want competition or, in some way, the default 747 was reverse engineered?

[Flying-Hare 212]

The angle of incidence of water is straight, like a stick. Perhaps 2024 will add a dynamic effect.

[Zangoose 1,459]

I wonder if it's more to do with some sort of branding/copyright issue rather than anything else. 

[omarsmak30 3,913]

1 hour ago, Zangoose said:

I wonder if it's more to do with some sort of branding/copyright issue rather than anything else. 

I also think so, I mean they are using the base 747, which makes me think is for sure a copyright issue. If it was "free" community mod, It won't be an issue for sure.

[superspud 421]

Plenty of payware builds on top of base content. 

The black square stuff would be toast long ago and then there's all that rubbish using all the base cockpits. 

If it is a copyright thing then it's unlikely to be due to the makers of the sim. 

 

[Krakin 4,935]

I suspect Asobo might have cut them a deal. I don't think Asobo wants their supertanker add-on, I think Asobo wants THEM. HPG have been a very innovative bunch, creating compelling helicopters and even a hot air balloon when the sim supported neither of those. They've demonstrated that they're very capable of doing things that line up nicely with MS' vision for careers in 2024. Maybe we're looking at the next WT type of acquisition.

[The Flight Level 2,068]

Here is the HPG statement:

HPG 747 SuperTanker Sales Suspended

by Steve Daniels June 19, 2023

Effective immediately we are suspending sales of the HPG 747 SuperTanker.

To our current supporters who have purchased the HPG 747 SuperTanker, we understand that you may have questions or concerns that we are unable to fully address at this time.

If you would like to request a refund, please contact us directly and our team will assist you promptly.

We value your support and remain committed to all of you. We will provide further details in an upcoming announcement across all of our social media channels.

 

Offering a refund is the puzzling part to me.

[regis9 3,696]

35 minutes ago, The Flight Level said:

Offering a refund is the puzzling part to me.

Yes that points to it not working properly, or maybe it’s going to be part of MSFS24.  However if it’s working properly how could someone know enough to make the decision for a refund if it’s related the MSFS24 (or why would they want to)?

Did anyone here buy it?  

[Zangoose 1,459]

As the refunds are optional - The not working properly park doesn't make much sense. As surely they would just refund you regardless aka forced. 

[reignman40 449]

2 hours ago, Krakin said:

I suspect Asobo might have cut them a deal. I don't think Asobo wants their supertanker add-on, I think Asobo wants THEM. HPG have been a very innovative bunch, creating compelling helicopters and even a hot air balloon when the sim supported neither of those. They've demonstrated that they're very capable of doing things that line up nicely with MS' vision for careers in 2024. Maybe we're looking at the next WT type of acquisition.

I also wondered if HYPE was behind some of the things seen in the trailer. As we all know they squashed those rumors. I was going to buy this over the weekend but got busy and didn't get around to it, or simming at all. I was actually going to buy it tonight lol.

If M$ or Asobo cut them a deal, what about their H145 and the action pack? 🤔

[Fiorentoni 3,316]

11 minutes ago, reignman40 said:

I also wondered if HYPE was behind some of the things seen in the trailer. As we all know they squashed those rumors. I was going to buy this over the weekend but got busy and didn't get around to it, or simming at all. I was actually going to buy it tonight lol.

If M$ or Asobo cut them a deal, what about their H145 and the action pack? 🤔

Then why would they release this two days before the trailer? This makes no sense.

[TacomaSailor 188]

This whole thing with the 747 add on to MSFS fits the real life problems with the 747 Super Tanker.  On again / off again - three planes built on three different 747 models - all ending up in the desert or being rebuilt for cargo usage.  The 14-year history of the 747 Supertanker is pretty much summarized by the history of this 747 add on.  

My understanding of the real life 747 supertankers is that they were inefficient and used to solve a problem that the ground pounders digging fire lines did not understand or appreciate.  The planes were spectacular in their retardant drops but not very effective in most "normal" wildland fire situations. 

It would be fun to have a mod here and it would be nice if the retardant drop worked as in real life but it appears we wait for all that till ?next year?

[conundrum 44]

IRL, the trend seems to be “fast attack” aircraft. The limitations/logistics of the gigantic aircraft don’t matter much in sim, but I’d rather see more of the smaller ones modelled.