Robin DR400 / 180 by Lionheart Creations is launched!

[Lionheart]

Hey all,

Lionheart Creations have launched the classic Robin DR400 / 180 Dauphine, the very famous and quite popular aircraft made in France, seen at most all air clubs and flight schools through out Europe.

The aircraft features;
* 5 Paint schemes
* Detailed instrument panel featuring actual reflection gauge glass over the instruments
* Soft glow Instrumentation lighting system (non dome light for night flying)
* Dome light on separate circuit
* A very nice Garmin GNS-430 for NAV2/COM2 and also duel VOR OBS gauges for good cross country navigation flying
* Drag and slide overhead canopy
* Popup gauges which include the Airspeed Indicator with color dots for speeds painted on it, and a good tachometer.
* A Jaeger full size time meter for the total engine time

More here; www.lionheartcreations.com/Robin (http://www.lionheartcreations.com/Robin)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7784603844_46b0d54b97_b.jpg


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7139/7784607762_f0269a413c_b.jpg


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8426/7750252288_d55c598a43_b.jpg


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8293/7750252058_05805c2cd5_b.jpg

[Lionheart]

A heads up on this plane. Most everything is in French on the placcards, except for two plates; heater knobs and GPS nav warning. So please, if you get this, read the manual.

Note, the way you start most Robins is;
* Turn magneto key switch to 'both'
* Mixture to full
* Fuel selector to Center or most full tank
* Hold down starter (red button) that is under the fuel selector till engine starts.

The fuel selector 'hides' the starter button when it is in the 'off' position, so the selector must be 'on' to access the button.


She is very fun to fly. All speeds and RPM ranges are noted in the manual. She has nice 'gauge illumination' for night flights and dark dusk flying.

This model features a 'drag to open' canopy. It must be 'mouse dragged' (down) to open, mouse up to close it. Thus, you can drive around on the ground (taxiing of course) with the canopy half open. (I like new innovations).

Most of the gauges popup. This features a 2D panel, and lower panel popup as well. The GPS has '2' versions of popups; regular avionics stack view mode, and larger map mode popup. This large mode is attained by clicking on the map screen in the GPS face.




http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7280/7750253286_5be59a431f_b.jpg

Yes, it has 'two' throttles; dual controls.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7784609070_3d6bc7caaa_b.jpg

The air speed indicator is in both KPH and Knots. Note, the auto pilot must be armed, (powered up) via a separate toggle switch below it on the lower panel area; placcard for that switch is Pilote Automatique.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8286/7784609248_9e468fc4b8_b.jpg


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8430/7784599930_7b8267b151_b.jpg

Pompe Elec is your fuel booster pump.

[Lionheart]

Now... This is not a shiny 'brand new' airplane. This is a used, well flown bird with a wooden airframe structure (like a Piper Cub). She is not tricky to fly, but rather very stable, neutral flying and fun. She has a nice, low approach speed and is easily trimmed. There is a trim meter on the panel, center bottom that shows your trim state.

You can do GPS Nav flights and work on your VOR intercepts. The VOR1 OBS has ILS glide slopes as well so you can also keep sharp on ILS approaches.

Her 2D panel is 'not' fully loaded. Some things like the throttle and mixture are 'not' in the 2D panel. Dwight asked me to make one, so I did. I had quit making these as people have so many problems with them in use with giant rigs with 3 screens and things. But... This one has a 2D panel. Merry Christmas.


These planes (this model) is supposed to have a Aux fuel tank, (fuel cap, right side) that holds a small amount of fuel. I had to abandon that. The way the fuel really works is you pull a knob on the panel and the fuel of the aux tank flows into the Center tank (under the seats). You just can do that in FS. I and some other developers tried to work out if it could be done, but its just out of the range of FS's capabilities. No way to load a precise amount into the center tank via the AUX tank, etc, etc, etc.


Hope you enjoy it. She is a neat plane. I had fun finishing her for FS. I hate to see her go, but I have so many more to make. The list is long...


Bill

[Lionheart]

Down-loadable Pilots Manual for the Robin DR400.

http://lionheartworld.net/dr400/Robin_DR400_Pilots_Manual.pdf


Bill

[Lionheart]

Sorry to post on this so much. I like to point out all the little details we worked on with this bird.

The fuel gauges have 'quantity' amounts printed on the gauge face for reference of how many Liters that is in each fuel cell. Not all people (mainly Americans) know what Liter quantities are, so I also built in mouse overs that are in both Liters and Gallons which make it a bit easier. How it works. If you have 3/4 of a tank on the center tank, the graphics show you that it has 80 Liters left in it.

So, basically, you have 50 gallons of fuel, or 110 Liters on the center and two wing tanks of 10 Liters each for a total of 130 Liters.


The air speed gauge also has both metric and Nautical readouts on the 'mouse over'

[falcon409]

Oh baby, lol. . .payday is almost here....:jump:

[AussieMan]

Oh baby, lol. . .payday is almost here....:jump:

Same here. Only have to wait until Thursday.

[greenie]

How many G.A's do I need ? Man, I think I'm going to buckle on this ! Looks great .

[Dimus]

I always wanted this plane. It was the first GA plane I took a ride in in Switzerland, from Sion to just off the peak of Mont Blanc, a memorable flight. I am definitely getting this!

[snow_white]

Oh baby, lol. . .payday is almost here....:jump:

+1

Geesh friday is LONG way off...

Always looked forward to a really nice Robin

[Thunderbolt]

nice little addon :applause:

71217

71218

71219

71220

[Lionheart]

In working on this plane, I found/discovered that it is mostly made of wood. I hadnt known this. I thought the wings were metal all this time, when in fact, they are wooden ribs covered in a glossy finished fabric, like the older Pipers. The fuselage is wood as well.

There is a brilliant video of how they make the Robin (today at their factory) located here (http://robin-aircraft.com/en/robin-aircraft-10.html)

[SeanTK]

I'm surprised that there are not any in North America!
They look like excellent little planes, very well crafted and well equipped.

I'll definitely consider buying this.

Looking forward to seeing what else you produce! Perhaps the wild looking Robin ATL?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_ATL

[danyboy21]

Great plane ! ! ! Thank you lionheart :salute:

Over Dijon Prenois :
http://fsfiles.org/flightsimshots/images/8012012_08_20_12_29_49_58.jpg

And below APEX, the society at Dijon Darois :
http://fsfiles.org/flightsimshots/images/8722012_08_20_12_35_52_18.jpg

[Lionheart]

I'm surprised that there are not any in North America!
They look like excellent little planes, very well crafted and well equipped.



My sentiments exactly. I'll bet they would sell quite well here in the States. Sharp and modern looking.


I noted that the Robin DR series came out in 1972 which was an incredible time in history for various designs; the Lamborghini Countach came out, the Lancia Stratos Zero prototipo, the Range Rover. Such a great year for vehicle design and this one, the Robin, still looks fresh and modern.

[Lionheart]

nice little addon :applause:



Great screenshots Thunderbolt and Dannyboy.

[Roger]

Great little aircraft:applause:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/rogera/lhcr-8.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/rogera/lhcr-9.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/rogera/lhcr-10.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/rogera/lhcr-11.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/rogera/lhcr-12.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/rogera/lhcr-13.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/rogera/lhcr-14.jpg

[doublecool]

Wonderful little Bird LH :applause::applause::applause:

I sure hope your thinking about redoing the Socata Trinidad TB21 GT :wavey:for 3d and FSX It was a favorite of mine fs9...

and Roger as always you cant take a screen shot Sir

[Lionheart]

Man Roger,

Those pics are awesome. Amazing clouds and resolution... :icon_eek:

[Lionheart]

Wonderful little Bird LH :applause::applause::applause:

I sure hope your thinking about redoing the Socata Trinidad TB21 GT :wavey:for 3d and FSX It was a favorite of mine fs9...

and Roger as always you cant take a screen shot Sir


Hey DC,

Amazingly, I took it off line over the weekend and will start revamping it in the near future. It is due. It would be nice to see some rivets and flaps indentions on those wings, some refinements to the panel, etc.



Bill

[Gdavis101]

Very nice Bill! The cockpit looks awesome.

[Dimus]

Got it last evening! I can't believe you have included a paint of the exact same Swiss plane I flew in in 2004! I can now re-enact the flight that got me introduced to General Aviation! Thank you so much!

[Daube]

Bill, on another forum there's a discussion ongoing about the texture you use for the inside of your plane.
It seems the texture is taken from the XPlane model. Are you aware of this ?

[grunau_baby]

It directly moved in on top of my list!!! Too much dough spent at the moment, but soooon...;-) One of my favourite GA aircraft.:applause:

Alex

[snow_white]

Bill, on another forum there's a discussion ongoing about the texture you use for the inside of your plane.
It seems the texture is taken from the XPlane model. Are you aware of this ?

I am sure there is an explanation. Bill is not the kind that would copy a texture deliberately

[Daube]

I am sure there is an explanation. Bill is not the kind that would copy a texture deliberately

Just to clarify, if I understood correctly the XPlane model and/or textures are under GNU licence, so technically Bill is allowed to use them.

[Lionheart]

Bill, on another forum there's a discussion ongoing about the texture you use for the inside of your plane.
It seems the texture is taken from the XPlane model. Are you aware of this ?


Hey Daube,

I wasnt aware. If possible, can you IM me or post me the link to that forum? I would be greatful.



I purchased the platform mesh from Eric Levi who had created it. The plane has also been in that freeware flight sim, I forget its name (very popular). The mesh was purchased here;

http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/robin-dr400-3d-max/658202

I then went in and rebuilt alot of the structure (mesh) and created some new textures for some areas (like the panel and dash top, etc).

The plane was very well mapped and some great base textures. I almost redid the seats and changed my mind at the last.

Brilliant textures though. I wrote Turbosquid and told them to complement Eric. His quality was very nice. I wanted 'his' email, but they wouldnt give it to me.

I did redo the dash drastically. Bazels were redone, the bottom panel totally redone. The top dash cover (very big gray/black panel on top) was totally redone and given its own map page. The center tunnel and fuel selector were redone. Some knobs (like the throttles) were odd shaped (sort of squarish) so I 'lathed' out some very rounded versions. The textures on the panel are new and mine. Round glass added to the instruments; (his was based on squares in the ceter of the mesh and didnt reflect right in FSX). Tons of things revised.


So, yes, Erics textures are there, they were purchased from Turbosquid. I am very happy with it.


If you look carefully at the plane, on the exterior, I have rebuilt the cowling from the firewall forward and also the landing lights cavity was HUGE, so I filled that in and recut it smaller and to size.

EDIT: And the prop blades. Redone and the still version Spinner was cut for blade openings and my own screws parts added to the perimeter. I also added my own Diamond aircraft pilot man. ;) The package didnt have a pilot in it.


Bill

[Dimus]

Flying by the top of Europe. I have waited a lot to re-enact this flight in FSX. Thanks again Bill!:applause:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/VDimus/fsx2012-08-2122-21-04-60.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/VDimus/fsx2012-08-2122-25-34-62.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii181/VDimus/fsx2012-08-2122-20-34-75.jpg

[Lionheart]

Ive been wanting to do a trip to Italy from Innsbruck. Michel (BlackBird) just did a 'real' flight over the Alps into Corsica for holiday in a 120 HP model. Should be interesting.



Bill

[italoc]

Bill, c'est vraiment magnifique (in Prepar3D also) :applause:

71272

What's next ??? http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/images/icons/icon23.gif

Italo

[snow_white]

only 2 more days'..! cant wait.!

[bstolle]

Looks like the x-plane vs FSX discussion has reached a new level....

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/383032-lionheart-robin-dr400-180-launched/

[T6flyer]

Having yesterday purchased a new PC (10 days delivery)....am very interested in purchasing this as have a lot of time in the DR.400 (in fact was the last thing that I flew three weeks ago) about 60 hours in total.

I note that all of the placards are in French as I suppose this was the base paint with British schemes added? All the DR.400s I've flown - 6 of them had all their placards in English. A small point, which should not make any real difference to how it flies. May be in a position to let you know how I get on in a few days time.

Although my old machine was capable (just) of running FSX, but new one should last me for years, even though I am still part of a development team for FS2004....I feel I need to move on. Have already bought the Horizon VFR Scenery, the UK Airports and the Scillies scenery (a few miles from me now) and looking keenly at Orbx etc.

What is needed is a trusty mount (apart from my Austers) and the DR.400 fits the Bill nicely (sorry!).

Best wishes,

Martin

[n4gix]

Looks like the x-plane vs FSX discussion has reached a new level....

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/383032-lionheart-robin-dr400-180-launched/

Apparently, Mr. Levi has been a very, very bad boy. It's interesting that several of the models mentioned have been withdrawn from TurboSquid's portfolio already...

I've been tempted to buy models from TurboSquid myself over the past few years, but something's always held me back, especially since TS will not provide any way to contact the alleged "artist."

[Lionheart]

Apparently, Mr. Levi has been a very, very bad boy. It's interesting that several of the models mentioned have been withdrawn from TurboSquid's portfolio already...

I've been tempted to buy models from TurboSquid myself over the past few years, but something's always held me back, especially since TS will not provide any way to contact the alleged "artist."


Yes.... I have been talking with Joe Munger there. I believe the Diamond DA40 is ours. I paid John Macneil a very good price to make that. If it is Johns, I am sure John (and me) are going to be a bit upset.


This is the first time something from TS has turned up stolen.


Bill

[Lionheart]

I note that all of the placards are in French as I suppose this was the base paint with British schemes added? All the DR.400s I've flown - 6 of them had all their placards in English. A small point, which should not make any real difference to how it flies. May be in a position to let you know how I get on in a few days time.

Martin

Hello Martin,

If you can find Placcards in English, and take very good, high detail (high resolution) photos of these, I can insert them into the textures to create English versions for use in the British version Robins. We have none in America to go see, so it is up to you all in Europe to get me the media to place in the panels. I do have the 'no step' on the planes in French on the French paint schemes, and in English on the British planes.

Very doable. Just need very nice photos of them.



Bill
LHC

[falcon409]

Got mine. . .woohoo. Won't get to try it for a few days as I'm flying with Willy and the guys right now. Thanks Bill!!:salute:

[T6flyer]

Hello Martin,

If you can find Placcards in English, and take very good, high detail (high resolution) photos of these, I can insert them into the textures to create English versions for use in the British version Robins. We have none in America to go see, so it is up to you all in Europe to get me the media to place in the panels. I do have the 'no step' on the planes in French on the French paint schemes, and in English on the British planes.

Very doable. Just need very nice photos of them.

Bill
LHC

Will see what I can do for you. Am away with work for the next week or so, but upon my return will try and take the necessary photos for you.

Best wishes,

Martin

[Lionheart]

I would just like everyone to know that have been watching the forums concerning the textures and model, Bertrand and myself have come to an agreement we are both very happy with. Perhaps this will be a blessing, a good thing.

I have given Bertrand the full rights of the LHC Socata Trinidad for use in making it for X-Plane. He will let folks know that the base package he started with was by LHC. I have been given full rights on the Robin for use in Prepar3D and FSX and will change out the credits for the base package from Eric Levi (criminal mesh thief) to Bertrand and the XPFR design team.

I am very glad that I have an email to the 'real' maker of this model. The work on the mesh, like on the wing ribs, is brilliant. Some very cool mapping techniques as well.



Bill
LHC

[fsafranek]

I would just like everyone to know that have been watching the forums concerning the textures and model, Bertrand and myself have come to an agreement we are both very happy with. Perhaps this will be a blessing, a good thing.
Excellent news.

I just spotted this thread tonight and had decided this is where some of my paypal monies should be directed. A pilot friend's daughter spent a semester with a family in France a few years ago and somewhere around here I have a couple photos from her flight in a DR400.

Then I started reading further (here and at avsim) and was concerned that it might go off market. Glad to hear that that's not the case.
:ernae:

[Roger]

That's great news Bill! So glad that Betrand and yourself have come to an amicable agreement and X-Plane users will have the benefit of a Socata Trinidad in the future.

[Lionheart]

We have discovered a bug in the fuel gauges. When fuel drops below 50%, the needles give the wrong fuel amounts.

We have fixed the gauge codes for all three gauges and posted the fix file. Please download this CAB folder and drop it in the main Gauges folder in your sim; FSX or P3D.

Link (http://lionheartworld.net/dr400/LHC_DR400.CAB)

Sorry about that. I logged 50 hours in that baby. I should have caught that. (smacks self).

[snow_white]

I would just like everyone to know that have been watching the forums concerning the textures and model, Bertrand and myself have come to an agreement we are both very happy with. Perhaps this will be a blessing, a good thing.

I have given Bertrand the full rights of the LHC Socata Trinidad for use in making it for X-Plane. He will let folks know that the base package he started with was by LHC. I have been given full rights on the Robin for use in Prepar3D and FSX and will change out the credits for the base package from Eric Levi (criminal mesh thief) to Bertrand and the XPFR design team.

I am very glad that I have an email to the 'real' maker of this model. The work on the mesh, like on the wing ribs, is brilliant. Some very cool mapping techniques as well.



Bill
LHC


Absolute awesome news.:jump::applause::applause:

[Lionheart]

I have had a request for a female pilot on the Robin. Some members are ladies.

Coming soon. I just need to circulate the Installer to the vendors. This will be Build 1.1.

If anyone that already had the Robin wishes to get the udpate parts to add the two ladies, let me know. Contact me via IM.


I couldnt make up my mind which girl to add, (actually which hair style, I like them both). So I added both versions.

She is in two of the planes, separately set apart, 'Lady in Red' and 'Lady in Yellow' variants. Still male pilots in the Red and Yellow versions.


Bill

[Lionheart]

Ive gone ahead and created a kit for the Lady pilots. Has instructions in the file.

Download here (http://lionheartworld.net/dr400/RobinFemailPilotKit.zip)

[danyboy21]

Thank you Bill :salute:

[Firekitten]

Ive gone ahead and created a kit for the Lady pilots. Has instructions in the file.

Download here (http://lionheartworld.net/dr400/RobinFemailPilotKit.zip)

Just like to say Thankyou to Lionheart here... I sent him a message the other day, asking if this aircraft had the option of a female pilot, like some of his previous products... his answer was no, but he'd look into it.

Now seeing that he's done it, I must say this is quite possibly one of the best examples of fs customer service. I didn't ask for it... I didn't hint, and he went out of his way for his customers.

Thankyou Lionheart :)

(Satisftied DR400 owner)

[expat]

Nice work Bill. VC looks great.

[Lionheart]

Hey FireKitten,

Most welcome.

:salute:


I couldnt make up my mind on the hair style. I had two ladies that would fit in the cockpit with two different hair styles. I decided to put both in there, two model versions. I know that hair and things are important to the ladies. I had one lady customer asking about jewelry. She wanted a ring on hers and some other things (I think a necklace).


Note that the texture for the lady pilot can be easily changed if you have a graphics program that can open DDS files and modify them. You will easily see the blouse, hair, and pants colors on there. Just select that area and edit the Hue to change the color. You can also copy/paste/flatten another image into the blouse and hair and pants sections. Just be sure to save a copy in case you mess it up, you can go back.

It can be good fun to customize these aircraft. So many things you can do. Mud under the wings, your own N numbers, etc, etc, etc.


Bill

[Firekitten]

Oh don't worry, I'll be giving her a makeover with the plane for my own personal scheme! (Loving the D&G shades btw)


One critical comment I have. Have you noticed the specularity of the seat material? it seems extremely shiny... makes it look very 'flat' and fake. I've yet to see fabric glint in the sunlight like that making it matte in future would be my only criticism that could be improved in a future patch)

I love the gauges, artwork, and model, the flight dynamics are great, and is it me, or does it actually ditch... then SINK? :D That's brilliant!

[Motormouse]

Hi Bill,

Have to say that makes me wish fsx would work on my system ( strangely demo does, but not full program with sp2 or acceleration!)

f I recall correctly, DR400 is not certified in USA, which is why you don't have any your side of pond.
Several plans are available for homebuilders of other Joly and Delemontez designs, wonder why they haven't caught on?

Ttfn


Pete

[Lionheart]

Hi Bill,
Have to say that makes me wish fsx would work on my system ( strangely demo does, but not full program with sp2 or acceleration!)


Hey Pete,

Please try Prepar3D for 30 days. By the Dev License for 30 days, single month purchase, and see if that works for you. Prepar3D was ESP (FSX) and has been improved through 4 generations now; Build 1.4. I use it and have replaced FS2004 over it now. Runs awesome. FSX was just a mess for me. (Sorry guys that are FSXr's. My rig just couldnt run it).



If I recall correctly, DR400 is not certified in USA, which is why you don't have any your side of pond.
Several plans are available for homebuilders of other Joly and Delemontez designs, wonder why they haven't caught on?

Ttfn



Thats grim to hear. That explains things. They are beautiful planes, very modern looking. I hope they get into the USA soon. They have some very nice planes now that they have just released, newest production models. I am tempted to make one of those with the new panel and Diesel engine.



Bill

[Lionheart]

I just released a new Robin addon per a request from a French gentleman.

Pure, invisible interior plexi. No reflections or tinting, interior only. Exterior remains tinted in appearance.

Download here (http://lionheartworld.net/dr400/Clear_Inner_Glass.zip)