Most of us enjoy a bonus as much we like a surprise also...and this month Historic Jetliners Group abounds in both bonuses as well as surprises for the international FS community. HJG are proud to announce release of their new "Project Convair Upgrade", featuring 3 updated/improved panels, gauges/core files, aircraft base packs/flight modelling, and textures, for its CV880-22, CV880-22M, CV990 (early) and CV990-A jetliners.
At first appearance these panels might look similar, but in reality, each differs in engine instrument callibration to reflect (as best as FS will permit) the known performance ratings of powerplants for each aircraft type. There are also variations in types of engine instruments applied to some panels and positioning too. In all cases new engine instrumentation give more authentic readings and are much easier to read. EPR gauges in particular now feature selectable EPR setting target bugs. Working thrust reverser annunciation lights have been added to each panel ...along with dual ADF radios, and working weather radar set. The previously faulty Radar Altimeter has now been fixed and holes in the original main panel graphic all repaired. A different overhead panel has been incorporated into all 3 panel versions ...featuring both nuematic air pressure gauge cockpit/ground commmunications for authentic engine startup procedures, and brand new air cart/ground generator sounds have also been integrated into these upgraded Convair panels with a supporting gauges/core files package.
Seperate new flight modelling for CV880-22, CV880-22M, CV990 (early) and CV990-A has been provided within each of the new aircraft base packs for HJG's Convair jetliners, with significant differences between each version. Both CV880's will now fly at up to Mach 0.87 and 0.88 (VNE) respectively and with slight variations in indicated performance parameters (such as EPR, RPM, EGT, and F/F values). HJG have also finally managed getting these aircraft to fly with a slight nose up atttude during AP controlled flight/cruise. HJG's CV990 flight modelling (and this is a huge advance) has also been similarly enhanced..."tamed" for better/more realistic acceleration...with the high Mach cruising speeds common to CV990 aircraft still being perfectly achievable. In fact the CV990-A can now be flown at speeds of up to Mach 0.97 (VNE)..."YES" the aircraft really was capable of that, and did so, after modifications during April 1961, but, only at the undesirable expence of much higher than was commercially acceptable fuel burn rates. To maintain both adequate safety margin and promote more enconomic performance, CV990 aircraft were typically flown at more sober rates of between Mach 0.91 and Mach 0.95 prior to the 1970's oil price shock, but still, they were "very fast aeroplanes" in comparason to Boeing/Douglas rivals...in fact many point to point speed records operated by these greyhounds of the skies remain to this day unbroken.
HJG have also introduced a new "CV990 (early)" aircraft base pack. This is intended to demonstrate performance defficiencies of the original production aircraft when first pressed into commercial airline service. This version is supported by its own/seperate flight modelling...with speed limited to around Mach 0.90 (VNE)...and you really don't want know about the fuel burn rate. This aircraft is supported by 1 only 1962 era American Airlines texture and uses the standard new/upgraded CV990-A panel. From January 1962 AA's first 15 CV990's were all delivered in unmodified form then upgraded to CV990-A standard whilst in service and prior to the end of 1964. Only the airlines last 5 aircraft were delivered as modified CV990-A's.
HJG's entire CONVAIR jetliner upgrade represents the fruit of George CARTY's panel/gauge and flight dynamics expertise...with valuable assistance also being provided by Steve Weiher.
HJG hope these upgrades will both please the "SPEED DEMONS" among you and help folk enjoy these classic/historic jetliners with greater fidelity.
All are now available for "FREE" download and your private FS enjoyment from the following web site address...
http://www.simviation.com/hjg/
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