all modeled trim knobs and handles work.Īs noted the panel is not changed much from the original version, but still very good. Radio panel is fully workable and the some numbers are still over large, but better. Lower radio and trim pedestal is now void of that nasty flat rudder trim graphic and is now a real 3d object, looks great as well. Fuel valves work now as well to start and to shutdown the engines. The Pedestal is still certainly a highlight, lovely in all that metallic mechanical design, and now more functional as well with speedbrake lever and flaps are actually selectable ( flaps only via arrows and not hand). Like everything else not everything works and is mostly for show, but it well done. Numbers like on the DC-8 are still long and odd, but not as noticeable on the 707 overhead. Like the engineer's station the overhead panel has also been totally redone, and very nice it is. The multiple seven tank fuel capacity has also been fully simulated and you can set this via the X-Plane "Weight, Balance, & Fuel" menu. But the startup procedure and fuel transfer panel in that the tanks are coupled to allow transfer between left, right and center tanks are well simulated as is the anti-ice system. This includes voltage, bleed valves, boost pumps and so on. It is highly detailed and very well done, but lot of the switchgear and buttons don't work, a la DC-8. There is no doubt that this engineer's station is were most of the attention for this aircraft has been focused on. Now added to the front of the aircraft in sheer detail, is now the engineer's station set behind. The lighting effects of X-Plane11 certainly lift the panel experience and brings the detail to life, so you do have a great 707 cockpit to fly in. To note there is no passenger cabin and the 2d cockpit has been dropped. The last original version introduced a 3d virtual cockpit for the 707, it still looks amazing and highly realistic. Missing however is the HF antenna on the right wingtip that was unique to the -420 version. All wings and engine supports have good flex in flight. The engine modeling is well done, and with nice internal spinning fans, there is a lovely metalness effect is on the cowls which shows it can be done to great effect. The engines are uprated from the original's JT4A's to the newer lovely RR Conway 508 engines with flared noise suppressors these engine types are the difference for the -430 variant, wings are however the same as the -320 The leading edge spoilers are a huge step forward from the loose hanging original version, and there is the well done 707 animated cascade irregular slat inner to outer retraction effect as well. which is highly noticeable on approach, but they are not all as hanging out there as bad as they were on the original versions. The unique trailing edge "Barn Doors" style flaps are really well done in animation and operation, but there are no outer flap tracks mechanism (links) on the inner extended flaps or the outboard inner flaps?. The same effect extends to the lower fuselage that is more mottled than with an aluminium feel, there is no X-Plane11 shinyness (glossy) effect overall on the aircraft either. X-Plane11 now has the new metalness effects that bring metal and chrome to life, so the wings look overall flat and dull. The new wing is thankfully very good, but the overall effect is muted by using the old (really) old early X-Plane style metal low-res textures.
The old version really required a new wing, and here it is. "It is a classic" and many aviators weep when you mention the golden age of 50/60's Jet airliners, these are totally beautiful aircraft in their element of being the real trendsetters and smashing the long distances and thus creating our global village we all take to easily for granted today.
Master reboot airplane level update#
Another focus was in bringing the fuselage up to more modern standards as well, all in all a more modern update overall to the aircraft and to fly in X-Plane11.
Master reboot airplane level full#
With the DC-8 series being well received then the attention went back on to the 707 to bring it up to the same level as that aircraft, most notably in the original X-Plane wings, really average engines and the spoilers/flaps being very disconnected from the wing when extended and the engineers station in being only a graphic and not a full 3d panel like the pilots instrument panel.
Then Mike Wilson did the same reboot to another old favorite in the Douglas DC-8 which was a very successful reimagining of that other famous aircraft from the 50/60's. It was an interesting idea in just not letting the older design fade away, but to bring it back to life and be usable in your current X-Plane environment, and it worked. It was in a nutshell the old aircraft with a 3d virtual cockpit installed and a few other tweeks. In late 2015 Mike Wilson released an update or in Hollywood speak a "Reboot" of an old favorite in his Boeing 707-320. Aircraft Review : Boeing 707-420 by Wilson's Aircraft
0 kommentar(er)
