FS2002 Douglas DC-3 Delta Air Lines 'Ship 41'
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Deltas 'Ship 41', a Douglas DC-3 Dakota, registration NC28341, was originally delivered to Delta in December 1940 and was the first DC-3 to be used by the airline on commercial services. When Delta let her go she passed through the hands of a variety of owners and was eventually 're-discovered' in Puerto Rico by retired Delta staff.
The aircraft was registered N29PR, flying with Air Puerto Rico. She was in very poor condition. Delta re-acquired her in 1993 and flew her back to Atlanta, Georgia. Her restoration, undertaken by volunteers, retired Delta staff and, later, permanently seconded Delta engineers and mechanics, was completed in 1999. Find out more about her at Trev Morson's web site www.douglasdc3.com
She is in incredible condition today and looks like a chrome Cadillac! So much so, that it would be impossible to exactly replicate her shine in this repaint - although Jan Visser's new GMAX DC-3, when it arrives, may provide a more suitable base - but, I would like to think that what you have here is closer to how she might have looked in service. Although the nature of flightsim models sets some restrictions, I have attempted to replicate as much of her detail as possible. I confess to never having seen the aircraft first-hand.
Based on Jan Visser's legendary DC-3 model for FS2000, updated for FS2002, this model includes transparent cabin windows, nightlighting, lit 3D interior with opening passenger door, boarding ladder and other details. Includes FS2002 lights fix by Paul Pridwales. Repaint by Mark Beaumont.
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INSTALLATION
Either:
Unzip DC3DELTA.ZIP directly to your main FS2002 folder. The folder 'Douglas DC-3 Delta Air Lines 'Ship 41'' will be installed in your FS2002/AIRCRAFT folder.
The smoke file 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 'Delta Air Lines 'Ship 41''
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!
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OPERATION:
To open and close the door and position the boarding ladder, use the "/" key.
To move the pilots to and from the cockpit and turn your navigation lights on and off respectively, hit "SHIFT/L".
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 a previously unpublished model of the DST Standard featuring Wright Cyclone engines, for which I thank Jan profusely. Most of the wonderful textures are Jan's, together with interior fixtures and fittings etc., etc. I simply slapped on a drop of paint, rearranged the curtains a little, checked the grog and fueled her up.
The author of the smoke effect. I do not know who this is, but it is not a standard FS2002 effect.
Paul Pridwales 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.
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Enjoy your Delta DC-3! She's a lot prettier than her newer cousins in Atlanta in my view.
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.
By request, a list of my other DC-3 repaints to date, available at Avsim, Flightsim and Simviation:
Cathay Pacific 'Betsy' VR-HDB (2) CPABETSY.ZIP (includes panel by Jorge Salas)
Cathay Pacific 'Betsy' Cargo CPABETSY2.ZIP (only at www.swiremariners.com)
Cathay Pacific 'Nikki' VR-HDA CPANIKKI.ZIP
Ansett MAL VH-MAL DC3ANSOC.ZIP
Ansett PNG VH-MAL DC3ANSNC.ZIP
Bush Pilots Airways VH-MAL DC3BPA.ZIP
Air Queensland VH-MAL DC3AQAC.ZIP
BBA Cargo VH-BAB DC3BBA.ZIP
BOAC G-AGHE DC3BOAC2.ZIP
Dan-Air G-AMPP DC3DAN.ZIP
American Airlines N21798 DC3AAFK.ZIP
Lambair CF-CBJ DC3LAMB.ZIP
Air Vietnam XV-NIA DC3VIET.ZIP, DC3VIET2.ZIP (includes flight plans)
Bahamas Airways VP-BBU DC3BAHAM.ZIP
C-47 BBMF ZA947, Aces High N147DC C47RAF2.ZIP
C-47 USAAF 41-18385 C47BETSY.ZIP
Currently in the paint shop: Swiss Air Lines. There may be one or two more: as you may have gathered, I like the DC-3 and Jan Visser's model remains one of the greatest flightsim creations. These repaints, all recent, started with a long-overdue paint of the legendary "Betsy" for my own use, later shared; this led to paints of her other liveries (as 41-18385 and VH-MAL) in her long career, and the others simply interested me or were interesting requests. I'm trying to keep a little variation in order to have DC-3s to fly in different regions of the world; I shan't be simply wading through a particular country's registration list, or painting to someone's whim. There has to be a history!
Like everyone else, I await Jan Visser's GMAX bird with keen anticipation. What with that and a default DC-3 in FS2004, I won't be surprised if Boeing and Airbus find they have some serious competition!
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.
