Canadian Airforce De Havilland DHC5 Buffalo for FS2002
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Joakim Aasen, June 2002.
BACKGROUND
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I do not know why, but there is something about this powerful and ugly/beautiful machine.
The more you read about it, the more you will like it. As an extremely high-performance turboprop (at its time) I feel the plane is somewhat misunderstood or not appreciated in some unexplainable way when considering the fact that there are no more than 123 of them (some are probably gone, though). I guess better options emerged at the time of its production, but it is still one of the most powerful twin-turboprop airplanes ever built.
Thanks to the Buffalo's tremendous short takeoff- and landing capabilities it is still in use today in many countries including the 442nd squadron of the Canadian Air Force.
FACTS
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Number of planes built: 123
Production: 1964 - Dec 1986
Function: transport, search & rescue
Wing Span: 29.26m
Length: 24.08m
Empty/Max Weight: 11412kg / 22317kg
Crew: 3
Function: transport
Year: 1974 Crew: 3 Engines: 2 * 2336kW G.E. CT64-820-4
Wing Span: 29.26m Length: 24.08m Height: 8.76m Wing Area: 87.79m2
Empty Weight: 11412kg Max.Weight: 22317kg
Max Speed: 467km/h / 290mph
Ceiling: 9450m (30100ft)
Range/Combat Range: 3280km / 1112km
Load: 8165kg, 41 seats
Powerplant: 2x General Electric CT64-820-4 Turboprops, 3133 static horsepower each (DHC8-100 has 2x 1800 shp)
Operational in countries: Brazil, Canada, Cameroon, Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, Indonesia, Kenya, Peru, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia.
The US Air Force also have some non-operational Buffalos.
THE MODEL
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I tend to start off using the brilliant Flightsim Design Studio (FSDS) for making structures like the fuselage, cockpit and wings.
Everything else was done in Gmax, including the animation and texturing.
The plane has a cargo hatch (Shift-E) as well as rolling wheels, suspension, flaps, spoilers, ailerons, elevator and rudder (connected to the moving nosewheel).
The virtual cockpit sucks, I know, but it's certainly better than without a VC at all. (that's my own opinion, anyway :) )
Also I am not quite satisfied with the textures, but an update may be released in the near future.
INSTALLATION
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As usual, extract to you aircraft folder within the FS2002 folder.
Very nice dhc5 panel made by John Rushby-Smith ready for use.
CREDITS
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- Microsoft for the best plane simulator ever made
- Abacus for the brilliant FSDS
- Discreet for GMAX
- Thomas Natland for nice input
- Tomas Foosnæs for testing the airplane
- The Gmax support forum for valuable input
- John Rushby-Smith for the nice panel, he even bothered to make an update! Thanks John!
No thanks to the horrible MakeMDL.
DISCLAIMER
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Of course, I take no responsibility for what may happen to you or your computer after installing the plane. Install at your own risk!
DISTRIBUTION
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You may distribute this freely as long as you do not split up the package (plane and panel) without asking for the authors permission.
If you want to repaint or modify the package in any way please notify me BEFORE distribution.
Joakim Aasen, Bergen, Norway, joakim@ii.uib.no
June 2002.
By the way the pictures of my face (and Thomas') are definitely arranged!
