" The Bell 206B JetRanger is one of the most popular general purpose helicopters ever built. It is a single pilot, five-place, single-engine light helicopter. The JetRanger has tubular steel landing skids and can be equipped with pop-out or fixed floats for water operations." - from Microsoft Flight Simulator 98.
Powered by 6 28-cyl radials (and later 4 turbojets as well), the B-36 flew high and slow. It was not uncommon to stay aloft for 2 days without refuelling.
"Beechcraft Bonanza is an American general aviation aircraft introduced in 1947 by Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas. The six-seater, single-engined aircraft is still being produced by Beechcraft and has been in continuous production longer than any other aircraft in history.? - Wiki
"two-seat training aerobatic aircraft first built in 1970 and still in production in 2007. The plane was developed from the Piel Super Emeraude." - Wiki
"A twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. It is a modernized version of the CH-47 Chinook and its primary role is the transportation of troops, vehicles and cargo. The Huron exists in two variants: the armed variant with two side gunners manning 6.5 mm gatling guns, and the transport version which replaces the gunners with two additional passenger positions."
The MiG-Drone is powered by a Stark Industries Arc Reactor, enabling high speeds and long loiter time. It can also be programmed to follow my aircraft and take "Chase Plane" footage.
Cruise ~ 80-100 kts | Livery by Donka. | Has to he hands down the best view out of the cockpit short of flying a gyrocopter, which has no protection from the elements. Plus, this plane is a veritable head-turner!
The '102 had a dual-stick control system where the pilot controled the radar with one hand and flew with the other. The Dagger was also unique for a fighter in that it carried missiles internally.
S models feature upgraded engines and avionics making them truly all weather fighters and the last production models. The leading edges of the F-104 wings were so sharp the ground crew had to exercise special care not to be cut when working near them!
Very nice and predictable with a fluidity to the flight model that enhances immersion. Probably one of the smoothest in the landing regime with no hiccups or quirks. This makes it a pure pleasure to fly. The cockpit is 5 -star accommodation with great, unobstructed visibility.
Cruise ~ 450 kts Three variants in the fleet: A = conventional takeoff and landing, B = S/VTOL, C = carrier. | Livery by Donka. | Fun to fly, especially S/VTOL in the B model. DO NOT get below 200 knots, which can come on suddenly around the circuit. Absolutely beautifully modelled by India FoxTecho. I had their F-35 for Prepar3D, and this one is even nicer. It's also frame rate friendly.
The Hornet was conceived from the word go as a dual-role aircraft, hence the designation F/A-18, which means Fighter-Attack. It was meant to supplement the role of the F-14 Tomcat, providing shorter range Air defense and to totally replace the A-7 Corsair and A-6 Intruder.
"... all the various marques of Hunter were a delight to fly and much admired by their pilots. Many still fly today in the hands of private owners. Total production was 1,985, 79 types flew with 17 air forces."
As the RAF's first purpose-built night and all-weather interceptor, the Javelin was a large aircraft who's thick delta wing prohibited supersonic flight. First flown in 1951, many variants were produced, the latter ones with afterburning engines.
As the Allies' first operational jet fighter, the Meteor underwent rapid development, especially of its engines. The underpowered 1943 prototype was transformed by a sequence of more powerful engines into an outstanding multi-role aircraft.
"The Mi-290 Taru is a heavy utility helicopter with coaxial rotors and a unique modular construction. Various mission pods allow the Taru to serve many different roles. The helicopter can also transport light vehicles thanks to sling loading capabilities. "
The MiG-15 out-turned, out-climbed and had a higher service ceiling than the North American F-86K Sabre. Also - the original NATO reporting name was "Falcon" - it would be interesting to get the story behind changing the name from that of a 'Bird of Prey' to a 'block of wood'!
The cockpit interior has bland textures, however that's irrelevant to me because I use a physical cockpit. BUT - it's in the flight model that the MiG wins! Fantastically fluid and responsive. Does it perform accurately at the extremes of the envelope? Well, (1) I wouldn't really know and (2) I don't think ANY of the ac do, and that's down to limitations of the sim's flight modelling. I also enjoy the engine sounds, which use at least 3 different frequencies and change as you move around the airframe. Great fun.
Cruise ~ 80kts | Sightseeing. Excellent visibility. | VERY short take off and landing. Can operate on most terrain. | Evolution: Piper Cub > Zlin Shock Cub > Zlin Shock Ultra (ultralight) | Ac modelled phenomenonally well by Asobo. Livery by Donka.
Cruise ~ 80kts | Sightseeing. Excellent visibility. | VERY short take off and landing. Can operate on most terrain. | Evolution: Piper Cub > Zlin Shock Cub > Zlin Shock Ultra (ultralight) | Ac modelled phenomenonally well by Asobo. Livery by Donka.
"The Su-11 first went into service in 1968 as a replacement for the ageing Su-7 and Su-9 and benefited from its predecessors' extensive combat history in other Warsaw Pact countries. It was designed as an all-weather interceptor and had a phenomenal climb rate, with a service ceiling of 55,000 ft."
Cruise speed ~ 350 kts. Max speed > 550 kts. Well appointed rear cockpit. Great for recon and low level valley flights at the speed of a jet trainer. | Livery by Donka. | Amazing modelling by India FoxTecho. | Haven't spent enough time in this, which I must rectify.
"In 1952 the first Tu-16 ( NATO Reporting name 'Badger' ) flew and represented the new generation of Soviet bombers to be produced during the 1950s. Built in large numbers, some 2000 were made before production ended in 1960."
I spoke to an Australian former Vampire pilot some years back. He told me that the Vampire had several throttle settings which were not used because of vibration. Naturally enough, in accordance with 'Murphy's Law', when flying the circuit the throttle settings you wanted to use corresponded exactly with those vibration zones!
Designed in 1949 as the successor to the Vampire, the Venom's more powerful Ghost engine and its stronger airframe made for a much more effective aircraft.
First flown in 1952, the 'crescent' wing was a tremendous technical achievement. However, Soviet missile advances soon rendered the Victor's mission obsolete and despite being upgraded to B2 standard in 1959 with its much more powerful engines, the Victor had to be consigned to the low-level role.
"two-seat, single engine light aircraft, manufactured by Pipistrel in Slovenia and Italy, and sold as an ultralight, homebuilt kit, or light-sport aircraft." - Wiki
"The Embraer EMB 312 Tucano (English: Toucan) is a low-wing, tandem-seat, single-turboprop, basic trainer with counter-insurgency capability that was developed in Brazil. The Brazilian Air Force sponsored the EMB-312 project at the end of 1978. Design and development work began in 1979 on a low-cost, relatively simple, new basic trainer with innovative features which eventually became the international standard for basic training aircraft." - Wikipedia