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Post by spad54 on Oct 19, 2007 6:38:10 GMT -5
Well after a short hiatus, while upgrading to a new PC and the challenges that created, especially with FSDS compatibility with video cards; all has been sorted out and we can announce the next project.
We'll be test driving FSDS 3.5 and building the New Standard D25. Taking nothing away from Jack Hills version done a few years ago, we felt it was time to make a new version. And.. because of all the great support we've had from TOH and the sim community at large, this model will be a FREEWARE gift from us to all of you.
Other things in the works and near completion is an upgrade to our Stearman Package released in 2006 and a version ported to FSX. The FS9 upgraded will be available to all registered owners of the model, through our website and the FSX version available for sale through our vendors.
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Post by flytexas on Oct 19, 2007 10:37:54 GMT -5
Wonderful news! Brian
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Post by lifejogger on Oct 19, 2007 14:07:18 GMT -5
Isn't there a version of that plane that has a front cockpit that can seat three people? I took a ride in one at at a bi-plane fly in at Bartlesville Okla. a couple of years ago and I pretty sure it was D25. I look forward to getting this plane.
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Post by spad54 on Oct 19, 2007 16:00:21 GMT -5
Actually it can sit 4 in the front "Pit"
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Post by kbr on Oct 19, 2007 22:19:34 GMT -5
That sounds great. This time of year is always very tight for me, so while freeware releases are always greatly appreciated, during this season when I can't spend much on the hobby, they're even more so. I'll be looking forward to it as I really enjoy Golden Age Sim's work.
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Post by Roger on Oct 20, 2007 8:53:16 GMT -5
Fabulous!
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Post by Wrongway on Oct 22, 2007 14:58:08 GMT -5
Ah yes, wafting above the treetops with four unfortunate souls in the front pit! Or, as we like to call them, removable ballast. Can't wait! What's the upgrade to the Stearman pkg. Chris, and if you and Gil are taking requests I'd love to see a ski equipped version of the Trimotor. You know...for those long winter nights. Rgds: Jeff
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Post by spad54 on Oct 23, 2007 10:16:03 GMT -5
Chris? Who's that? I'm Paul I'll be posting pictures of the changes as we get closer to a release. The primary purpose of the upgrade was to respond to requests for a model ported over to FSX. So we took an opportunity to benefit by lessons learned over the past year to add enhancements. The new version has an upgraded tail more accurately modeling the rudder hinge point and reveal between vert stab and rudder. The prop textures have been altered to reduce or eliminate to the fullest extent possible autogen conflict with alpha channels in FSX. The greatest change is in the VC, which has a new panel, gauges and textures. A radio and VOR head has been added to the FSX version. The flight dynamics have been tweaked and the pilot figure upgraded as well. There are many FSX features that we can not add as they are not supported by FSDS 2.0. , notably bump mapping. When the upgrade is complete, the textures will be reformatted to dds for FSX. Folks who have purchased our model for FS9 will be able to download, at no cost, the upgrade from our website. This will upgrade the FS9 version to include the modications in the new FSX model. The FSX version will be priced the same as the 2006 version. $15 USD
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Post by Wrongway on Oct 23, 2007 14:50:23 GMT -5
Whups, sorry Paul....don't you have an evil twin named Chris!!? Honestly, I never even noticed the lack of an accurate hinge point and that hugely smiling, large mustachioed gentleman who seems to be my alter ego has grown on me over the course of time. All the upgrades will be most welcome I'm sure, but why no VOR and radio for the FS9 version as well even as a popup? Rgds: Jeff
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Post by spad54 on Oct 23, 2007 15:47:13 GMT -5
There WILL be a VOR and radio for the FS9 upgrade. If you take the upgrade you will get everything the FSX version has. I would recommend that you leave the old version in GW 3 and only upgrade the FS9 version. That way you get the best of both worlds!
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Post by MoCat on Oct 23, 2007 17:38:57 GMT -5
Sounds Fantastic!
Chris a.k.a. MoCat
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Post by spad54 on Oct 28, 2007 10:55:59 GMT -5
For all of you that currently own the Stearman, I invite you to an open beta test. You may download the upgrade here: www.goldenagesimulations.com/GAS/GASSt4FS9Upgrd.zipHeres what you should see: new pilot character reflective glass textures all new VC including Nav/Com and VOR Revised rudder and vert stab Upgraded Flight Dynamics complete gauge set Heres some pictures: VC Before VC After Exterior Before Exterior After After some final testing the FSX version will become available through our website and vendors. The FS9 folks get the upgrade free. Be sure to back up your old version, especially you GW3 purests that might not like the radio. I look forward (crosses fingers) to hearing from you regarding your impressions of the upgrade. Enjoy Paul
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Post by MoCat on Oct 28, 2007 12:29:30 GMT -5
Thanks, Paul....
MoCat
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Post by MoCat on Oct 28, 2007 13:32:59 GMT -5
Paul,
Looks and flys great in both FS9 and FSX....However, in FSX Acceleration, spinning prop looks terrible. From what I've read at SOH there are a number of propeller aircraft that have this problem in Acceleration. Something to do with DXT 3. The new alpha channels for Acceleration have to be in 32 bit in grey scale, I think.
Since I don't design aircraft, I know I wasn't much help....but another winner.
MoCat
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Post by Wrongway on Oct 28, 2007 14:03:22 GMT -5
Hooked it in and ran it, and they look good. A few minor problems, but nothing major except its tendency to bounce around enough while taxiing to plant it's tail into terra firma, but that may be my choice of departure airport. Repaints for the older model will rap themselves around the new model easily but you'll end up with a VC that looks like this. The VC texture files probably have to be replaced in the repaint folder to the new VC textures. Haven't had a chance to check yet but will do so a little later. For some reason the pilots step on the port fuselage picks up the shadow of the flapping scarf on the pilot. Might need a polygon between the two to stop it, but it's a pretty minor thing. Honestly though, the pilot figure was a bit of a disappointment. He no longer does a scan while flying and the old figure had character while this guy seems to be basically a bland unmoving cranium. I think it's just the extra 'immersion' factor that's missing with the unmoving figure. On the other hand, the models themselves look sharper and tighter, and as Martha would say....that's a good thing! ;D The flight dynamics seem about the same. Just a short flight but I used the same mp settings as the older model and got about the same results as far as I can tell. Rgds: Jeff
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