GMX Media has released a downloadable mini documentary for its upcoming CFS3 add-on FirePower. FirePower includes a wide variety of WWII era combat aircraft that were created with the participation of over thirty real warbird pilots. For full details, click on Read More.
LONDON, UK (July 17, 2003) - GMX Media today released a mini documentary for its up-coming CFS add-on - Firepower.
The participation of over thirty real warbird pilots has been invaluable in developing the flight models for FirePower. Interviewing pilots who fly the actual aircraft in question gives you something that simply can't be done with data from books alone. The people involved are not only pilots; there are several bombardiers, flight engineers, gunners, and other aircrew who provided detailed information about what it was like to fly and fight in these aircraft. These aviators were in the Army Air Forces, United States Navy, RAF, and Luftwaffe. Several of the fighter pilots are aces, a few are double aces, and some achieved "Ace In a Day" status. A number of them were instructors and ferry pilots. These veterans crewed and piloted a vast array of aircraft, ranging from the most basic trainers, like the J-3 Cub and "Vultee Vibrator," to the hottest aircraft of that era, like the Fw190, F4U Corsair, B-26, Me109, and of course the P-51D Mustang. Bomber and transport pilot's are also well represented, including pilots of the venerable B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator, B-25, C-47, C-54, and Ju52 transports, the Heinkel 111, Dornier 17 and 217, B-29 Superfortress, and many others.
These men have provided critical, detailed information about the most important areas of the flight envelopes for these aircraft. Most important were the characteristics exhibited during the takeoff and landing phases- where many of these aircraft can be a serious challenge-along with handling traits. For the fighters, overall agility and aerial battle tactics were discussed in detail. For bombers, stability and control were key elements in the flight model. We also paid particular attention finely tuning the stick response. There will probably be a few sim fans who'll be surprised at the kind of response they're getting from the Firepower series of aircraft as compared to the stock models; that's wholly due to the much more realistic modeling of the stick response and control surface responses to dynamic pressure and airspeed. It would have been impossible to create flight models with this level of accuracy and realism without the help and input provided by the men who actually flew these aircraft in combat.
About GMX Media
GMX Media is on track to become one of the worlds leading publishers and distributors of video games for all consoles (Microsoft(r), Nintendo(r), Sega(r) and Sony(r)), personal computers (PCs), and Macintosh hardware, as well as all available interactive platforms. Headquartered in the UK with operations or partners in every major territory in the world.
About Shockwave Productions
Shockwave Productions specializes in the development of flight simulations, strategy games, special effects, and sound. The company is a North American based company in Farmington Connecticut.
