FS2002 Douglas DC-3 Air Queensland Air Cargo VH-MAL
---------------------------------------------------
VH-MAL is a legendary aircraft, in that she was Cathay Pacific's founding aircraft "Betsy" (VR-HDB) after conversion from a wartime C-47 and returned to Cathay eventually to become a museum piece in Hong Kong, where she is today.
After leaving Cathay in 1955, she went to Mandated Airlines in New Guinea; flew in two liveries for Ansett PNG, three liveries for Bush Pilots Airways from Cairns, Australia and this final livery for Air Queensland, who bought out the latter company.
Perhaps one day I'll get around to doing them all, having a soft spot for "Betsy". Expect a complementary texture set for this model in the colours of Bush Pilots Airways, at least; it's such a lovely name!
Based on Jan Visser's legendary DC-3 model for FS2000, updated for FS2002, this model includes transparent cabin windows, nightlighting, 3D interior with opening cargo doors, boarding ladder, cargo both inside and outside the aircraft (at rest) and other details. Includes FS2002 lights fix by Paul Pridmore. Default panel and sound. Repaint by Mark Beaumont.
___________________________________
INSTALLATION
Either:
Unzip DC3AQAC.ZIP directly to your main FS2002 folder. The folder 'Douglas DC-3 Air Queensland VH-MAL' will be installed in your FS2002/AIRCRAFT folder.
Smoke files will go to FS2002/EFFECTS.
Or:
Unzip to a temporary folder and move the respective folders to your FS2002 directory manually. This way you can ensure that no file is unwittingly overwritten.
Whichever way you do it, your new aircraft will appear in your FS2002 aircraft selection menu under the manufacturer 'Douglas' type 'DC-3', variation 'Air Queensland Air Cargo VH-MAL'.
No DC-3 sounds are included, but it is highly recommended that you replace the default file, which aliases to the C182, with realistic sounds. If this is not your first DC-3, then you may already have some; but otherwise, recommended are both those found on Trevor "Mr. DC3" Morson's site at www.douglasdc3.com (a must-visit site, in any case) or by sound guru Mike Hambly: search for the file DAKSND1.ZIP. Find this directly at: http://ftp.SurClaro.com/library/sendfile.php?DownloadID=12776.
Or, if you have the MAAM R4D-6, those sounds will do nicely!
You will also wish to install a decent panel; again, if you are a DC-3 buff, you will have a couple by now! I have not installed one here to save filesize but I recommend:
1. The panel by Jorge 'Eko' Salas', which is excellent for most use; I included it in my Cathay Pacific upload CPABETSY.ZIP and you can find it separately too.
2. The panel on which Jorge's panel is based, by Samuel Linnell.
3. The panel included with the MAAM R4D-6, known to every flightsimmer I think. This is a spectacular and very complex panel.
4. The DC-3 panel by James Underwood, which has interesting internal and external views.
5. Pasquale Rinaldi's DC-3 panel for FS2002.
6. The panel, with gorgeous internal views, that shipped with the Dutch Dakota Association's PH-DDZ; it comes with a very comprehensive manual.
Whatever you do, get rid of those C182 default aliases! Fly DC-3!
___________________________________
OPERATION:
To move the steps, close the cargo doors and move the pilots to the cockpit, hit SHIFT/L. This will turn on your navigation lights. Don't fly without them, or you'll find you have cargo flying in space!
Smoke can be activated by hitting the "I" key.
___________________________________
CREDITS:
Jan Visser, for the original aircraft; together with Bill Rambow, Roy Chaffin and others, Jan remains on the leading edge of development within FS. This repaint is based on the model of the TDM Freighter. Most of the incredible metal textures are Jan's, together with interior textures etc., etc. I simply rearranged the pallets a little and slapped on a drop of paint outside.
The author of the smoke effect. I do not know who this is, but it is not a standard FS2002 effect.
Paul Pridmore for permission to use his FS2002 lights "fix" for the FS2000 model.
Martin Willing, author of "Betsy, the story of a DC-3" for his generosity and assistance.
John Stewart-Jones of The Aeroplane Art Company, Bankstown, NSW, for the picture of the real VH-MAL in this livery. His site is at www.aeroplaneart.com.au
Anyone else whose work might be here that I am unaware of. All files here, other than my repaint work, have been uploaded previously in the public domain as freeware. If anything is here that shouldn't be, please let me know and I'll replace it.
___________________________________
Enjoy your Aussie DC-3! Take her up on the Atherton Tableland to Gunnawarra, maybe ...
This package may not be redistributed or further modified without prior consent from ALL the authors listed in the credits. Each has their own policy for distribution and modification, so please ensure all are contacted. They can all be traced through the major flight simulation sites.
Other DC-3s I've repainted to date:
- Cathay Pacific VR-HDB "Betsy" in early (1946) and later (1952) liveries: CPABETSY.ZIP
- Cathay Pacific VR-HDA "Nikki" (1952): CPANIKKI.ZIP
- British Overseas Airways G-AGHE (1946): DC3BOAC2.ZIP
- BBA Air Cargo VH-BAB (1977): DC3BBA.ZIP
All these files are available at SurClaro.com, SurClaro, Simviation.com and other select flight simulation sites. All are for FS2002.
Visit my own site at:
www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitak.html
to find listings and downloads of Cathay Pacific aircraft and other add-ons for FS2002.
