BlackBox Shorts SD3 released

[St Mawgan]

https://new.blackboxsimulation.com/

9 Variants - 

Shorts SD3-30 Passenger Aircraft

Shorts SD3-30 SHERPA Military/Cargo prototype

Shorts SD3-30 UTT Military / Cargo Export model

Shorts C23A Military Transport

Shorts SD3-30 Cargo variant

Shorts SD3-60 Passenger Aircraft

Shorts SD3-60 Cargo Variant

Shorts C23B Military Transport

Shorts C23C Military Transport

 

[bobcat999]

@St Mawgan Thanks for the heads up.

I wasn't expecting that price point from BlackBox.  At first glance it looks a bit steep, although you do get a lot for the price I suppose with all of those models, and 'study level' depth. 
I have flown on those, and they hold a lot of nostalgia for me.  So I really want it, but I will watch some reviews first.  Will you be buying it?

Edited November 3, 2023 by bobcat999

[St Mawgan]

2 minutes ago, bobcat999 said:

@St Mawgan Thanks for the heads up.

 Will you be buying it?

I doubt it given what else was released overnight. I liked the Islander (which I had flown on) for a while but whittled that down to just one variant in the end and eventually stopped flying it altogether. They are good products, if a little niche. 

[jon b]

been looking forward to this release for a while.
Just downloaded now, I’ll have a very quick go as I have to leave the house shortly to go and fly the real , hyper modern plastic 787, I would much rather be staying in to fly this classic turboprop, but I suppose I have to pay the bills.

Standby I’ll give you my initial impression shortly……

Edited November 3, 2023 by jon b

[jon b]

Well, just time for 2 circuits but very good first impressions, it’s one of those aircraft that just after rotation and on initial climb you can just tell it flies right.

I’ve not flow the shorts for real, nearest for me would be the BAe /HS 748 turboprop, but it feels exactly like I’d expect the shorts to feel, they’ve captured it’s rather bouncy nose wheel suspension when coming to a stop.

The wipers clear the windscreen which I really like.

 I’m very happy with its flight modelling but I suspect the real detail of this aircraft will be its study level systems which I look forward to learning, I’ve downloaded the manual to my iPad to read on tonight’s long haul flight.

I would say initially when jumping into the flight deck in VR it appears a bit bland and 2D, but I suspect that’s exactly as per the real aircraft, moving in closer reveals meticulously modelled 3D instruments that are super smooth.

A very brief first impression, very good, I suspect the systems simulation will more than justify its price easily if they’re up to the same level as the flight modelling, though didn’t have time to explore its full envelope, the climb out and approach felt great.

I look forward to doing some uk retro regional flying with this beauty when I get home next week,… now ,I’m off to the coal face.

[JGreen5278]

8 minutes ago, jon b said:

Well, just time for 2 circuits but very good first impressions, it’s one of those aircraft that just after rotation and on initial climb you can just tell it flies right.

I’ve not flow the shorts for real, nearest for me would be the BAe /HS 748 turboprop, but it feels exactly like I’d expect the shorts to feel, they’ve captured it’s rather bouncy nose wheel suspension when coming to a stop.

The wipers clear the windscreen which I really like.

 I’m very happy with its flight modelling but I suspect the real detail of this aircraft will be its study level systems which I look forward to learning, I’ve downloaded the manual to my iPad to read on tonight’s long haul flight.

I would say initially when jumping into the flight deck in VR it appears a bit bland and 2D, but I suspect that’s exactly as per the real aircraft, moving in closer reveals meticulously modelled 3D instruments that are super smooth.

A very brief first impression, very good, I suspect the systems simulation will more than justify its price easily if they’re up to the same level as the flight modelling, though didn’t have time to explore its full envelope, the climb out and approach felt great.

I look forward to doing some uk retro regional flying with this beauty when I get home next week,… now ,I’m off to the coal face.

Welp! That settles that. Thanks for the heads up @jon b will definitely check this one out.

[Torsen]

What exactly does mean "study level" in regards of features and functionality here? I did not find a clear info on this up to now. Actual wear and tear? Is the TP model custom including smooth beta and reverse and not just the default full blade reverse thingy? I own both Islander and Trislander and was quite happy back then but rarely fly them nowadays as they feel a bit dated already. The few screenhots of the Shed looked nice though.

Cheers T. 

[jon b]

3 minutes ago, JGreen5278 said:

Welp! That settles that. Thanks for the heads up @jon b will definitely check this one out.

Remember it’s only a 10 minute flight I’ve done, and I’ll have some confirmation bias as I’ve been looking forward to this release and so want it to be good. But from what I can tell in my very limited time , it’s exactly what I was waiting for, I’m sure there’ll be bugs, and others may not be as impressed. But if you like the shorts I’m confident it’s a good simulation 

[Torsen]

1 hour ago, Torsen said:

What exactly does mean "study level" in regards of features and functionality here? I did not find a clear info on this up to now. Actual wear and tear? Is the TP model custom including smooth beta and reverse and not just the default full blade reverse thingy? I own both Islander and Trislander and was quite happy back then but rarely fly them nowadays as they feel a bit dated already. The few screenhots of the Shed looked nice though.

Cheers T. 

Graham (dev) answered in the fs forums:

“Study Level” basically means all systems modelled as per real life so a potential Pilot can “Study” it
It does not include Failures as these can be setup via MSFS and wear and tear is also Not in the remit

Regarding the TP Modelling though yes, Totally custom, with proper Beta Range, Autofeather and Much more"

 

Cheers T.

 

[ryanbatc]

I need more photos - I don't see any on the site.  4k preferred!

 

[turbomax]

4 minutes ago, ryanbatc said:

I need more photos - I don't see any on the site.  4k preferred!

plus sounds, videos and night cockpit. why don't hey show that on their site?

[Matchstick]

One little feature I like - rge oprion GPS units is a GARMIN GPS 400 NOT the usual GNS 430, so there's no radio control and the CDI button on the unit is a NRST button instead (you need to use the control on the Main Panel to swap NAV mode).

That does lead to one issue though - the COM units are both 25KHz only so without a GNS/GTN unit to fall back on there's no EU/UK compatible radios.
That's less of an issue in the sim as there's other ways to tun the radio but it's not ideal

[F737MAX]

Has Blackbox perhaps found what they're good at, namely small prop transport aircraft?

After its significant update, their BN-2 was well received, IIRC.

[St Mawgan]

Their website hasn't been updated yet unfortunately. Seems odd when it is available but yes, no screenshots or videos and with 9 variants I would like to see them all first. 

[Tuskin38]

Wish there were more and bigger screenshots.. maybe a video