FS2002 Douglas DC-3 American Airlines 'Flagship Knoxville' NC21798
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One of the most beautiful DC-3 aircraft surviving today, American Airlines NC21798 is on display at the C.R. Smith Museum, Texas.
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 door, AA boarding steps and other details. Includes FS2002 lights fix by Paul Pridmore. Default panel and sound. Repaint by Mark Beaumont.
"American Airlines accepted delivery of the 'Flagship Knoxville' on March 11, 1940. American used the aircraft for passenger service until April 1942, when it was transferred (i.e. drafted) to the U.S. Army Air Transport Command for wartime service. While serving with the military, the aircraft was converted to carry cargo instead of passengers. On October 11, 1943 the War Department returned the 'Flagship Knoxville' to American Airlines and the aircraft was used for pilot training and cargo duties. The following year, the 'Flagship Knoxville' was over-hauled and converted back to a passenger transport configuration. American sold the Knoxville to Colonial Airlines on May 10, 1948.
From the D/FW Airport, the 'Flagship Knoxville' was disassembled and towed to the C.R. Smith Museum. Lifted into place on the museum's patio by a pair of cranes, the aircraft served as a focal point of the then newly opened museum.
Unfortunately, during the following five years, exposure to Texas weather took a terrible toll on the Flagship Knoxville's markings and fabric covered control surfaces. The aircraft was removed from its perch in front of the C.R. Smith Museum on February 9, 1998 and towed to the American Airlines maintenance facility at D/FW Airport. A team of volunteers and American employees completed a second restoration of the 'Flagship Knoxville' in the fall of 1998. The aircraft returned to the museum and was lifted into its specially built "hangar" in November 1998. The cost of the constructing the 'Flagship Knoxville's' 10,000 sq. foot glass exhibit pavilion was supported by the sale of thousands of engraved bricks that make up its floor. Preserved and protected in its new home, the 'Flagship Knoxville' continues to serve as a tangible reminder of American Airlines' early history and the golden age of World War II-era commercial air transportation."
Visit the http://www.crsmithmuseum.org/AAhistory/flagship.htm, from which this information is taken.
I have taken care to make this as detailed a rendition of the real aircraft as possible, and spent much time replicating the livery as closely as possible. Even the seats and curtains are the right colour! A little poetic licence was required, however; Jan Visser's models have opening portside doors whereas the American aircraft had a passenger door on the starboard side. There were a few other difficulties, owing to the difficulty of 'stetching' textures around the 3D model, but I think the result is adequately pleasing.
This repaint was inspired by a 13-year old, aspiring AA pilot (his Dad's a captain) who drew this aircraft to my attention. I know he's going to be very happy; I hope you like it too.
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INSTALLATION
Either:
Unzip DC3AAFK.ZIP directly to your main FS2002 folder. The folder 'Douglas DC-3 AA 'Flagship Knoxville' 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 'American 'Flagship Knoxville''
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.
7. Having a look at www.dc3airways.com. Join up! There are two training panels there for serious fliers!
Whatever you do, get rid of those C182 default aliases! Fly DC-3!
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OPERATION:
To move the steps, close the door and move the pilots to the cockpit, hit SHIFT/L. If you're on the tarmac, wave goodbye to the stewardess first!
Smoke can be activated by hitting the "I" key.
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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 OH-LCH. Most of the incredible metal textures are Jan's. I simply rearranged the furniture a little and polished the windows.
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.
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.
** NOT FOR COMMERCIAL SALE. NOT AFFILIATED WITH OR ENDORSED BY AMERICAN AIRLINES **
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Enjoy your classic craft! Dazzle your neighbours with this lady from the golden age ...
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.
Visit my own site at:
www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitak.html
to find listings and downloads of Cathay Pacific aircraft and add-ons for FS2002.
