Folks,I am basically in the wait mode to some degree for one or two FSX addon aircraft and FTX regions etc so I was very pleased to find such a beaut Helicopter model in the AVSIM freeware library (refer link below). This is the Piasecki H-21C developed by Mick Posch and both the model itself and the VC are really extraordinary, particularly considering this is freeware. Admittedly, some may find it something of an ugly duckling but I just think its retro magic....:)I tend to prefer the quality of major addons such as the DA Piper Cheyenne or the PMDG 747 but this heli really is a great bit of fun and the field of view from the cockpit is perfect for low and slow VFR. There doesn't seem to be a great deal of discussion here about Helicopters and this may be due to lack of availability but hopefully this may change in the future?Go to:http://library.avsim.net/download.php?DLID=104549Paul

He He. From the title of the post I assumed you didn't have any retro choppers yet and I was going to recomend that very one... excellent job by the dev.Best Regards, Donald Traill

If you like helicopters check out hovercontrol.com, they have some real butes. Most were built for FS2004, but many will work in FSX also. The Hovercontrol Bell 412 is a real masterpiece, and you have to be real careful how you fly it. If you over torque the engine will burn!! http://www.hovercontrol.com/Here's a video I did with it, (I'm still learning how to land it!!:))

Paul thanks for the heads-up on this one :)I have a problem though, I installed this and it doesn't show up in the sim for me :( any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Here's another excellent freeware helicopter ... the Bell 205 ... this one with firefighting capabilities (download the mission by Phil Stokes and get the helicopter that came with it):http://www.flightsimulatorxmissions.com/mo...ddetails&lid=18It's not perfect, but works with SP2.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/189483.jpgExcellent sound package. Nice and retro. http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/189484.jpgThis is one of the better freeware missions you will run across. Excellently done. The linked version below in the AVSIM library contains the original RTM mission version. This version of the mission doesn't work in SP2, but as far as I know, the helicopter does:http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=fsxmsn&DLID=93190Cheers,

Dude,You're getting some pretty decent performance flyin' over that add-on Heathrow with Fraps running too! Nice!

Tim,I just installed this. Had no problems. Maybe the blip is that inside the folder named this:piasecki_h21c_mp_r2_fsxis another one named this:H-21C ShawneeMove the folder named this:H-21C Shawneeinto your SimobjectsRotorcraft directory.In the Select Aircraft screen, I filtered on Rotorcraft and found it right off - about 10 liveries.Hope this helps.Cheers,

Thanks Kevin.. working now :)

>Paul thanks for the heads-up on this one :)>>I have a problem though, I installed this and it doesn't show>up in the sim for me :( any ideas? >>Thanks in advance.I just installed it and it works fine.Make sure you copy the folder inside the zip file to the SimObjectsRotorcraft, such that you have [FSX main directory]SimObjectsRotorcraftH-21C Shawneeand then you have to copy the contents of the Effects folder therein to FSX's Effects directory, but even if you don't do that you should still see the aircraft in FSX's browser, under Piasecki.BTW this is the best freeware FSX aircraft I've seen so far. Right now I'm going through the motions of updating my Vuzix VR920 VR glasses' firmware and software, which I have been putting off for ages, to enjoy its virtual cockpit.cheers,Dave B.