Reviews

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script type="text/javascript" src="http://hb.lycos.com/hb.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ratings.lycos.com/ratings/lycosRating.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript"><![CDATA[//><!]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-start.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-middle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-end.js"></script> <noscript> <img src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/img/common/ot_noscript.gif?rand=567958" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  <iframe frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="728" height="90" src="http://ad.yieldmanager.com/st?ad_type=iframe&ad_size=728x90&section=209094"></iframe>  </noscript> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=110 BGCOLOR="#999933" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="049007e0ddwnfv.jpg"> <div> <I><B>Reviews</b></I></div> <div> <I><B>T</b></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><I><B>he opinions on various aircraft and other addons</b></I></FONT></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" background="04a80803.jpg"> <div> <B>These reviews represent the author's personal opinion on the design, performance, detail, and other features of CFS2 aircraft addons.</b></div> <div> <B>Sometimes the author is dumb and has an incorrect opinion - admittedly. I make mistakes. These reviews are by no means to be taken as the definitive evaluation of any CFS2 aircraft.  Some people like some aircraft better than others.</b></div> <div> <A HREF="http://cfs2hq0.tripod.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://cfs2hq0.tripod.com"><U><B>home</b></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=370 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="04a80803.jpg"> <div> Reviews</div> <bR> <div> <B> </b><I><B>Short Review of Tim "Piglet" Conrad's H6K5 "Mavis" Japanese flying boat</b></I></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="10656fe0.jpg" border=0 width="342" height="254" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="4">Historical Background: </b>The H6K5 was was developed in the late '30's and saw front line service until '42-'43, when its lack of firepower, armor, and speed forced it into secondary support roles. It was used as an observation aircraft and occasionally as a raider, although it fared badly when opposed to U.S. fighters. It was replaced by the H8K "Emily." The H6K5 was the final version of the useful Japanese flying boat, and fery few had been completed by 1943, when production was terminated.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Flight: </b>Good overall, very sluggish as such an aircraft should be, no notable complaints. It is strictly water-borne and has a very hard time getting airborne carrying more than 25% fuel. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Aircraft Model and Textures:</b> Very highly detailed, full moving parts, multi-res, several high detail gun turrets, engine mounts, struts and wiring, etc. When you zoom out a bit the propellers disappear but other than that I found no major flaws. Overall the model is top notch. </div> <bR> <div> The textures were fine - simple but fine - having only the Japanese "rising sun" on the fuselage and wings, and without any other markings. Aircraft is completely green, with the metal struts grey.</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="10815c80.jpg" border=0 width="277" height="200" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="0">Panel:</b> This is a nicer part of the aircraft. It has a very good panel, with throttle control quadrant which also has the engine starting switches, etc. Very nice.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Virtual Cockpit:</b> Stunning! At first glance it's not too amazing but then you notice the moving controls, then you look behind you and see the interior of the aircraft. Very well done, one of the best virtual cockpits I have seen yet.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Sound:</b> Aliased to P-38</div> <bR> <div> <B>Armament:</b> Several bomb loads are available, as well as two torpedoes. The aircraft has one cannon in the tail, two machine guns in the waist, and one machine gun in the nose.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><IMG SRC="10b7e1f0.jpg" border=0 width="382" height="287" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></b></div> <bR> <div> <B>Overall:</b> Nice plane, I would recommend it to anyone. </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="H6K5 Mavis"><U><B>Download the H6K5 here</b></U></A></div> <bR> <div> Review: Webmaster</div> <div> pgbearcat@msn.com </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>________________________________________________________________</b></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="dh2"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></b><I><B>Review of Stuart Green's CFS2 Airco DH2 First World War biplane "pusher" fighter</b></I><I> </I></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0eaed400.jpg" border=0 width="493" height="320" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6">Historical Background:</b> Breifly, the Airco DH2 was Britain's response to the "scourge" being caused by the use of the "Interrupter Gear" perfected by Anthony Fokker on German fighters. The Interrupter Gear allowed a machine gun to be fired through the propeller arc, making aiming a matter of simply pointing the aircraft. The Allies nearly panicked and lacking the secret of the Interrupter Gear desperately developed improvised methods of mounting a forward-firing machine-gun on a fighter plane. The Airco DH2 was one such improvisation. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Flight Model:</b> The DH2 has a wonderful flight model. Top speed is around 115 miles per hour, and it has a nasty stall at about 35. It is a very finicky fighter, quite hard enough to take off and harder to land. The DH2 lacks flaps, as nearly all First World War planes did, and this makes landings that much tougher. I found the general flight model to be a handful. You have to work to fly this airplane, unlike some others that very nearly fly themselves once they are airborne. Turns are tricky, and you have to keep your nose down during bank turns to avoid a stall. The DH2 stalls readily, and is quite unforgiving when it does stall. Take care while landing. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Aircraft Model:</b> I love the aircraft model. The details are pleasingly good and nicely done. Full moving control surfaces. Among the general details are the noteworthy following: </div> <div> • Spinning wheels </div> <div> • Highly detailed Lewis .303 machine gun </div> <div> • Spare ammuniton drums for the machine gun </div> <div> • Moving aileron control rods </div> <div> • Great cockpit detail from the outside plane view </div> <div> • Considerable detail of tail framework and wiring </div> <div> • Very good pilot figure </div> <div> • Superb 9-cylinder LeRhone rotary radial engine. </div> <div> • Very nice four-blade wooden propeller </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0ec672c0.jpg" border=0 width="359" height="300" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6">A quick note on the engine and propeller. The highly detailed engine does rotate, and together with the four-blade propeller they make the most detailed part of the aircraft. The DH2 is worth it for the engine and airscrew alone they are so nicely done. There is nothing about the aircraft model that I find any fault in at all. It's just beautiful every way you look at it. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Aircraft Textures: </b>The paint scheme isn't too exiting, however it is well done. There is nothing particularly bad about the textures at all, except they might be a little too simple. I stress that they might, and it would be a good set of textures even if it were considerably worse. Anyways, there is nothing to complain about with the paint scheme, it is very satisfactory. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Panel: </b>The panel is quite good and reflects nicely a panel of that era. It has very few gauges, merely a compass, crude altimiter, airspeed indicator, and a fuel gauge. Two magneto switches complete the simple panel array. The virtual cockpit is very well done, much better than most freeware add-ons and comparable to the professional cockpits of the "stock" CFS2 aircraft. Both the fixed panel and the virtual cockpit are of high quality and contribute wonderfully to an already wonderful aircraft. </div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0ee5a240.jpg" border=0 width="346" height="292" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6">Armament and Ordnance:</b> Not surprisingly, an aircraft which must have a light-weight pilot in order for it to get off the ground cannot carry much weaponry. The only armament carried is the single fixed forward firing .303 calibre Lewis machine gun with ample ammunition. No bombs are available, although historically some DH2's were given light rockets and used against observation balloons. No rockets are included in this aircraft however, just the single machine gun. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Sound:</b> The sound is high on my list of the best things I like about the DH2. It has a custom sound package for the engine which sounds much like a cross between a gasoline edger and a chain saw. When flying the DH2 the sounds give it a lovely effect that enhances the already delightful experience. Historically, the DH2 engine had two speeds - on and off - but in CFS2 it can be adjusted just like any other throttled engine. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Installation:</b> Easy. </div> <bR> <div> <B>In Conclusion: </b>If you do not immediately download this aircraft, you will be missing out on a wonderful flying experience. I recommend it 110%. Mr Green has done it again and given us a superb fighter of the 1915-era. I found basically no shortcomings in the DH2 and I would be hard pressed to make any improvements on it. The plane is as good as they come and although it is a small fighter it is packed with details. Enjoy it as much as I have! </div> <div> Review: Webmaster</div> <div> pgbearcat@msn.com     Download the DH2 <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Airco DH2"><U>here</U></A></div> <div> <B>  </b></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>________________________________________</b><B>________________________</b></div> <bR> <div> <I><B> <A NAME="ar196"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></b></I><I><B>Stuart Green's Arado Ar196 German reconnaissance float monoplane for CFS2</b></I><I> </I></div> <bR> <div> I first discovered the Ar196 on a CFS2 forum, where someone had made a post exclaiming "WOW" and including a screenshot of a new CFS2 add-on freeware aircraft. WOW is a good description of the initial reaction for the Ar196. I am a devoted 'fan' of Stuart Green; he makes impressive aircraft, and the Ar196 is typical of his creations. </div> <bR> <div> <B>   Flight Model </b>The Ar196 uses a rather unexciting flight model. It's top speed in level flight is nothing more than 240 miles per hour, and it stalls pleasantly at around 80 miles per hour. It can perform some pretty sharp bank turns without stalling, even at Hard flight model, which I am somewhat skeptical as to whether a twin-pontoon float plane could do. Maneuverability is surprisingly good, and a nice roll rate to match. I am pretty sure the historical Ar196 didn't perform this well but it makes the aircraft somewhat more enjoyable without it stalling every time you try to bank. </div> <bR> <div> Takeoff is somewhat uneventful; full throttle and pull up at around 80 knots. I used full flaps during takeoff and landing, and fortunately the Ar196 does not crash too easily. A rough water landing shouldn't be the end of your flight, but if you are too risky you'll end up crashing. It is strictly water-borne, and does not have any landing gear. </div> <bR> <div> <B>  </b><IMG SRC="0e430e20.jpg" border=0 width="304" height="226" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"><B> Aircraft Model</b> The aircraft model is multi-res, which is very good for use in missions where more than one aircraft appears. With eight Ar196's in the air there were no drastic drops in the frame rates, but the frame rate suffered with the addition of eight enemy fighters. Of course, there is full "moving parts," i.e. the elevators, rudder, ailerons, and flaps are functional. Model detail is satisfyingly high. Most of the detail, as in most aircraft, is found at the nose. The radial engine was done quite well, and some attempt was made to make a 3D engine instead of just using an image of the engine (I really like a nice 3D engine). On the engine cowling are eighteen "bumps" and these give room for the piston valves on the engine, two to each cylinder. That was another thing I particularly liked. Also the propeller and spinner were wonderfully animated, doing everything they should do with a nice animation which most add-on aircraft seem to lack. The interior of the canopy from the outside view is not particularly breathtaking. It's a nice interior, except there isn't much exceptional to report on. A good addition to the cockpit area is the open/close canopy. Various other model details include the pontoon struts and the steps on the side of the fuselage where the pilot would climb up into the cockpit. </div> <bR> <div> The aircraft model is nicely done, and I could find no faults in it, except it seemed to lack the extravagant little things that the very best aircraft have. </div> <bR> <div> <B>                                                </b></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0e8efb20.jpg" border=0 width="239" height="178" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6">Aircraft Textures</b> It comes with a nice paint job, although quite simple. The textures give no indication of<B> </b>weathering and everything is quite plain. Mr. Green, the designer, says the aircraft will be quite hard to repaint, but if the Ar196 had a really nice paint scheme it would make a good deal of difference. I did not like the yellow gun barrels. I don't know if they were yellow historically but they didn't seem to match and stood out brightly. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>   Panel</b> The Ar196 seems to miss here unfortunately. The panel seemed to me to be a rework of the "stock" F4F panel. Some gauges are included, and the panel is not all that bad, but an improvement would never hurt. Inside the "virtual cockpit" it was not shockingly good but it wasn't terribly bad either. It has a normal panel and </div> <bR> <div> virtual cockpit, with a few misses but altogether the panel is sufficient. </div> <bR> <div> <B>   Sound</b> Aliased to the regular A6M2 Zero sound. Nothing notable here. A nice single-row radial sound package would be heavenly but one can only wish. </div> <bR> <div> <B>   <IMG SRC="0e738b30.jpg" border=0 width="312" height="179" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6">Armament and Ordnance</b> Two 15mm cannon and one 7.92mm machine gun are forward firing, and two 7.92mm machine guns are in the tail. (I assume they are 7.92 and 15mm as they are not precisely specified) Some aircraft use the "cannon" button to fire the rear guns, but Mr Green makes a good point here. How can you use the "HAT" switch to look behind you and fire the tailguns at the same time? Therefore, all the guns fire with the regular trigger. Two light bombs, independently armed and dropped, can be carried. </div> <bR> <div> <B>   Included Scenery</b> Some scenery is included, depicting a simple sea-borne starting point near the island of Munda. There is an ADF beacon there, but little else to make note of. </div> <bR> <div> <B>   In Conclusion</b> The usual question is "Should I download this plane?" <I>Yes!</I> I would urge you to do so. It will still delight although it missed in a few of the upper-level details that I look for. It is a "better-than-most freeware aircraft and I recommend it. Maybe someone could repaint it, and then add a real nice panel, and a sound package would never hurt, and then the Ar196 would be truly incredible. As it is, the plane is very nice, simple and nice, and a pleasant flight experience. Mr. Green has done a fine job. </div> <bR> <div> Download the Ar196 <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Arado Ar196"><U>here</U></A></div> <bR> <div> Review by: Webmaster </div> <div> pgbearcat@msn.com</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <IMG SRC="http://members.tripod.com/bin/counter/id30.htm?000000" ALT="[Tripod Counter]">  </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>