History

"Hey... who needs texture mapping? Who needs colour, come to that!"

Michael Woodley reported: "In 1984, I was hired as the 4th engineer at subLOGIC Bruce Artwick, Dave Denhart, Charles Guy and myself were the entire engineering department there. I was hired specifically to develop scenery for all the Flight Simulators."

The most popular operating system on home compters. Most flight sims resisted running inside windows until the late 1990's, but it soon became the norm. For developers and users alike WIndows obviated the need to deal with custom device drivers.

A short flight by MiGMan created on the release of the sim in 2004.

A short flight by MiGMan created on the release of the sim in 2004.

A short flight by MiGMan created on the release of the sim in 2004.

"Nearly every notable pilot of the day flew the Vega, using the theretofore unprecedented combination of speed and range to set record after record." A short flight by MiGMan created on the release of the sim in 2004.

"Transcontinental Air Transport made headlines in 1929 when it reduced the travel time between New York and Los Angeles to a mere 48 hours."

A short flight by MiGMan created on the release of the sim in 2004.

I did some virtual barnstorming in 2004. In terms of fun this was as good as it got, and that was pretty good!

"Today we can easily imagine the exhilaration of that first flight, but we may not at first pause to consider the realities of the airborne experience: wooden propellors driven by bicycle chains, muslin-covered wings, an engine generating 12 horsepower. Takeoffs and landings are unpredictable at best, and the first successful flight lasted all of 12 seconds. The elegance of such astonishing success belies a crucible of self-sacrifice and daredevil perseverance."

But in the 1990's it was a revolutionary step and activating it placed huge demands on the graphics hardware and specifically the CPU's of the day.

A great overview of the first 20 years in home computer flight sims, by one of the best writers in the genre.

A great overview of the first 20 years in home computer flight sims, by one of the best writers in the genre.

A great overview of the first 20 years in home computer flight sims, by one of the best writers in the genre.

A great overview of the first 20 years in home computer flight sims, by one of the best writers in the genre.

What is it about? | Timeline | Data | Resources

Charles H. Cook flew a B-24D named "Cookie" with the 90th Bombardment Group in the southwest Pacific in 1942-1943. At that time, Allied forces were greatly outnumbered, and Japanese invasion of New Guinea and Australia was a very real threat. Bruce Irving has interviewed Charlie Cook and composed this valuable record of his aviation career. The entire article is also available for free download.

The dream of flight seems fundamental to the human condition. From the legend of Icarus to the notion of astral projection it seems to be present in all cultures. On a personal level, surely most of us have had "flying dream" where, escaping the clutches of gravity we seem to be able to float away from our wordly cares. However in years of civilisation it is only in the past (not quite) 100 years that sustained, powered flight has become a reality. And it is only in the past 20 years that the masses have been able to spread their wings in virtual flight.Join me on a humorous reminiscence of some of the high points in 20 Years of flight simming!

This 2003 book is a sort of "oral history" of the BoB, little on the strategy/politics and hardware, mostly personal stories based on conversations, old letters, diaries, etc. of the fighter boys themselves. Plenty of flying and action, but focused on the personal stuff.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants a detailed treatment (626 pages!) of the air war in the Pacific.