Kermit Weeks' Pitcairn Arrives

[Bomber_12th]

Yesterday, Kermit Weeks took delivery of the restored Pitcairn Autogiro NC1267B, at his Fantasy of Flight museum, so I thought I would load up the Golden Age Simulations reproduction of this very aircraft and take it for a spin around the Fantasy of Flight location, with the airport name being "Worlds Greatest Aircraft Collection". Before doing so, however, I thought I would finally get around to correct a few of the things that Microsoft messed up on with this airfield in FSX - this mainly included removing the awful DC-3 parked on the ramp with its nose stuck in the ground, and removing the extra water tower that was added next to the actual water tower that should be there. Then, using some of Guy Diotte's static warbirds, I added to the ramp a few of the aircraft types that are actually owned by Kermit Weeks, and could be seen parked out on the ramp, in a similar fashion, if visiting the museum in real life.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/pitcairn_1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/pitcairn_2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/pitcairn_3.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/pitcairn_4.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/pitcairn_5.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/pitcairn_6.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/pitcairn_7.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/pitcairn_8.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/pitcairn_9.jpg

[Bomber_12th]

And here are some photos of the aircraft's arrival at Fantasy of Flight yesterday, with one of the photos showing it looking more put together, taken earlier today. This aircraft has been flying for about three years now, with its previous owner, and Kermit Weeks intends to keep it flying, and will be getting checked out in it soon.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/549178_297807046955048_271937182875368_679168_1473 664285_n.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/547664_297807080288378_271937182875368_679170_1673 519844_n.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/399011_298295610239525_271937182875368_680170_1573 753756_n.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/551848_298340000235086_271937182875368_680227_1814 07538_n.jpg

[Wittpilot]

I only got to see it fly once the whole time it was in our hangar in Urbana. If you ever get a chance to see one fly, it is really fascinating... It pretty much shoots up like a rocket, and drops out of the sky like a rock!!

Neat machine!

[FSX68]

I just purchased the Golden Ages Simulations Pitcarin autogyro Today (23 Mar 12) for FSX and I have a really nice VC cockpit with gauges but it's a different story with the other cockpit (2d)view.
I have a panel with blank blue circles ergo, no gauges. What is up with that? Is that normal? Me thinks something is amiss.

See for yourself:

61805

[rayhere48]

What was the name of the airport? Very nice scenery, I just got the static aircraft.

[Bomber_12th]

Just as in real life, the airport name is "Worlds Greatest Aircraft Collection", code FA08 - the private airfield of the Fantasy of Flight museum. The runways are all grass surface, as Kermit Weeks has a large number of aircraft which either have to opperate from grass, or handle better off grass. There are, however, also hard-surface runways buried below the grass, so that something as heavy as a B-29 can also opperate from the airport (the largest aircraft projects that Kermit owns).

[Greenhouse357]

Nice job on FFL, John. I'll be going there this saturday.

[norab]

You mean this one ? :icon_lol:
61828

[FSX68]

I just purchased the Golden Ages Simulations Pitcarin autogyro Today (23 Mar 12) for FSX and I have a really nice VC cockpit with gauges but it's a different story with the other cockpit (2d)view.
I have a panel with blank blue circles ergo, no gauges. What is up with that? Is that normal? Me thinks something is amiss.

See for yourself:

61805

Edit: was able to get a fix from the author. Those folks at Golden Ages are nice very prompt to help you out.
Now the gauges in standard cockpit mode are visible.

[Bomber_12th]

That sounds great, Rich! I wasn't able to check it out on my install last night, so I couldn't really provide you with a responce - whether I had it too or not. Checking this morning, it is the same on mine, but I never use the 2d panels, so I'll just leave it alone, but it is great that GAS were able to get it corrected for you so soon!

[Bomber_12th]

You mean this one ? :icon_lol:
61828

Yeah, Microsoft got it mostly correct in FS9, by replicating this, where it should be, next to the highway. However, around the few year-span that FSX was in development, Kermit Weeks had the aircraft removed and re-positioned onto a set of well-designed ramps, as well as had special props fitted that make it look like they are turning, so instead of having the DC-3 looking like it just nose-dived into the ground, it now looks as if it were to be taking off. Unfortunately, in FSX, Microsoft just dropped the DC-3, with its nose still in the ground, right in the middle of the Fantasy of Flight ramp (where it was for a little while, but it was parked on its gear!). As also mentioned, it bothered me that they added a second water tower into the FSX scenery, which shouldn't be there, so I gladly removed that as well.

Here's a photo of what the same DC-3 looked like as of 2007: http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/121066.html

[Bomber_12th]

Speaking of this very airport, it would be wonderful to see it given a whole new ground-up treatment, starting with re-doing the textures, in higher resolution, for the default museum buildings. There continues to be expansions at the airport. There is a massive maintenance hangar and ramp on the other side of the main runway to the main museum hangars, and there are two large storage buildings that are filled with aircraft and aircraft parts in storage just outside of the main airport grounds (though you can tour them) - none of these are included in the FSX default scenery. One of the items I most want to see added, are the cool water features that frame the runways and ramps. Kermit Weeks' continued expansion plans include wanting to build a replica of the type of 1930's west-coast sea plane hangars/terminals near to the lake that is used for launching Weeks' seaplanes, and which would likely house the Fantasy of Flight Sunderland. Even if someone would be willing to tackle a project like this, perhaps with a photo-scenery base, and new buildings modeled and textured for this scenery, and release it as freeware to all, I'd be willing to commission it.

Here's a nice aerial shot of the airport. Note the storage building at the top of the photo - now there is another right next to it (http://blog.kermitweeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Two-Storage-Facilities.jpg):
http://images3.jetphotos.net/img/2/5/2/7/26906_1219617725.jpg

[Bomber_12th]

These are some of my favorite photos from the museum (the art-deco style of all of the main museum structures, I absolutely love):

http://image.motorcyclistonline.com/f/newsandupdates/motorcycle_news/122_1011_fantasy_of_flight_festival_of_speed_veter ans_weekend/31233376+w620/122_1011_01_o+fantasy_of_flight+airplane.jpg
http://www.airportjournals.com/Photos/0402/X/0402004_4.jpg
http://navrides.blogspot.com/2010/04/fantasy-of-flight.html

The maintenance hangar, not included in FSX:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Fantasy_of_Flight_Maintenance_Hanger.JPG

Currently they are getting ready at the airport for the "Splash-In" event, all next week, that corresponds with Sun N' Fun, with a wide-variety of sea-planes which will be opperating from the lake on the airport grounds. They also have their Mustangs and Mustangs event coming up soon too.

[mal998]

I was in Orlando this past week and had planned to take a 20 minute drive over to Kermit's place. Unforunately, I was feeling a bit under the weather and never got there.

However, I have been there a couple of times and it is a must see for anyone who loves planes and happens to find themselves in Orlando.

Here is a link to one of my albums of photos taken at Fantasy of Flight in 2009.

http://rides.webshots.com/album/582530255xesbCh

[Bomber_12th]

I replaced the FSX textures for Fantasy of Flight with those from FS9 (as the FSX textures had been compressed further than those from FS9) but unfortunately there was only very, very little improvement. I also re-positioned the PBY a bit.

Having some more fun... ; )

Edit: Thank you Mal for the link to your photo album!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/fof_1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/fof_2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/fof_3.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/fof_4.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/fof_5.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/fof_6.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/fof_7.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/fof_8.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/fof_9.jpg

[nio]

Speaking of this very airport, it would be wonderful to see it given a whole new ground-up treatment, starting with re-doing the textures, in higher resolution, for the default museum buildings. There continues to be expansions at the airport. There is a massive maintenance hangar and ramp on the other side of the main runway to the main museum hangars, and there are two large storage buildings that are filled with aircraft and aircraft parts in storage just outside of the main airport grounds (though you can tour them) - none of these are included in the FSX default scenery. One of the items I most want to see added, are the cool water features that frame the runways and ramps. Kermit Weeks' continued expansion plans include wanting to build a replica of the type of 1930's west-coast sea plane hangars/terminals near to the lake that is used for launching Weeks' seaplanes, and which would likely house the Fantasy of Flight Sunderland. Even if someone would be willing to tackle a project like this, perhaps with a photo-scenery base, and new buildings modeled and textured for this scenery, and release it as freeware to all, I'd be willing to commission it.

Here's a nice aerial shot of the airport. Note the storage building at the top of the photo - now there is another right next to it (http://blog.kermitweeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Two-Storage-Facilities.jpg):
http://images3.jetphotos.net/img/2/5/2/7/26906_1219617725.jpg

Dimus did a nice freeware job on Tatoi, including a museum, here

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/local_links.php?catid=113&sort=N&page=3&pp=15

Maybe he is your man.

best

nio

[FSX68]

Just as in real life, the airport name is "Worlds Greatest Aircraft Collection", code FA08 - the private airfield of the Fantasy of Flight museum. The runways are all grass surface, as Kermit Weeks has a large number of aircraft which either have to opperate from grass, or handle better off grass. There are, however, also hard-surface runways buried below the grass, so that something as heavy as a B-29 can also opperate from the airport (the largest aircraft projects that Kermit owns).

John,

Any chance that you could share you nice additions (modifications to FA08)? FSX version or will the fs9 version work in FSX?

:engel016:

[Dimus]

I'd be happy to take this up as I've read too much about this collection but never had a chance to visit it. The two issues are information and time. The first one I guess can be solved as I'm sure there are a lot of pictures around as well as maybe photo images of the grounds.

The second, time, is the most difficult as I happen to be very much stressed these days with work and a lot of travelling so patience will be needed.

[Bomber_12th]

Hey Dimus, thank you for your post! There's no pressure, and don't feel that it hasto to be done by some point in time or anything. If you shoud ever start on the scenery, I'd just want to let you know that I'd help support you anywhere needed.

Based on a few private messages I have received, there has seemed to be some early confusion about the Fantasy of Flight scenery in the screenshots I have posted - this isn't an addon, but is actually the default scenery that Microsoft included in both FS9 and FSX for this airport (similar to the attention they gave to other places like Oshkosh). Unfortunately, however, the version of the scenery included in FSX was worse than it was in FS9, so I have tried to improve on it a bit.

For anyone who is interested in the adjusted scenery as I have it, here are all of the files to download and install. First, however, please read and then follow these instructions when installing.

1. Copy and paste the Fantasy of Flight folder into you FSX Addon Scenery folder.
2. Go into the folder C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Microsoft Flight Simulator X\Scenery\NAME\texture and delete these files (they are all right next to each other):

Fantasy_Main.dds
Fantasy_Main_LM.dds
Fantasy_Tower.dds
Fantasy_Tower_LM.dds

3. Copy and paste the four .bmp versions of these textures included with my files, into the same folder that you just deleted the .dds files from.
4. Run FSX and activate the "Fantasy of Flight" scenery through the Scenery Library menu.

The Catalina, B-25, C-47, and Stearman aircraft featured in the scenery are all by Guy Diotte. All of the scenery adjustments were done using ADE.

By choosing "Parking Space 1" your aircraft will be the main feature item on the ramp, and "Parking Space 3" is out in the grass, so that if you are flying an aircraft with a tail skid you can start out in the grass and taxi to the runways, just like what is really done. Both of these locations are often used, each day, for the "aircraft of the day" in which a selected aircraft flies each day at the museum. For finding the airport, either search "Worlds Greatest Aircraft Collection" or simply FA08.

[FSX68]

Thanks John for sharing your FA08 with us.

:salute:

[Bomber_12th]

No problem, Rich! It isn't much, but perhaps it might provide for a more interesting and more accurate stop-over than the default scenery provides.

[Dimus]

It is a challenging and interesting project so I would like to work on it Bomber. I will get your file and when I've managed to have a look at it and do my own small research I will contact you.

[Bomber_12th]

Looking forward to it, Dimus! Mind you, the files I put together are extremely basic, just taking Microsoft's version and deleting and adding a few things - to do it right, would require a ground-up rebuild.

[Dimus]

For once all the buildings and other objects will be made custom. As for the ground we will have to see if there is a good resolution aerial image available that we can use. We'll see how it goes in small steps.

There was a nice feature on the collection recently at the Aeroplane magazine. I'll have a look.

[Bomber_12th]

Besides photos, I find that videos also tend to help out a lot when conducting research, even if only for extra inspiration.

Here is just a small sampling of videos that I think are worth watching, that showcase aspects of the airfield/museum and the type of activites that take place there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7zYepVelMA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1v7Iq9KRq8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1v7Iq9KRq8&feature=related)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQuBE4F6tFA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTObiBEJXwM

This is the Fantasy of Flight channel on Youtube, that has quite a number of videos from the airfield/museum:

http://www.youtube.com/user/FantasyOfFlight/videos

The "Splash In" event is held at the Fantasy of Flight location every year, coinciding with "Sun N' Fun", as there is a very nice sized lake on the airport grounds (big enough that the museum's Sunderland opperated from it), with a ramp for amphibious aircraft to transition back and forth between land and water. While I'm sure there are a number of other, better videos covering this event as posted to Youtube, the second-half portion of this video shows some of the "Splash In" events at Fantasy of Flight, including the ramp from land to water:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc_SHXMZWvY

[Bomber_12th]

Had to share this - a cool in-cockpit video filmed by Kermit Weeks while flying his P-51C low over Fantasy of Flight last week. He initially put it up on his Facebook page, but it's now available on Youtube as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUh_88HbriM
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUh_88HbriM)
The Pitcairn at FOF last week:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tuwz2qoJ110

And Kermit Weeks' very original Fokker D.VIII reproduction on one of its flights last month:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv4E83QzSzg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv4E83QzSzg&list=UUBEGbI4_GmxjVKIqCwrG66g&index=4&feature=plcp)

[Dimus]

I just wanted to add that after a couple of weeks of travelling for work I managed to have a look at this and I am willing to at least try. I installed your version with the parked planes and will continue from there by replacing the MS buildings with higher resolution ones, as well as adding the big hangar. Then I will see if a good satellite image is available to add in the background.

I'll keep you posted on the progress, which is most probably going to be slow as things are very busy lately.