Static P-3 Orions for scenery? Any available?

[Navy Chief]

Just wondered if anyone here has made a static P-3 Orion as a scenery object? It would be great to have for sceneries like NAS Whidbey. NC

[trucker17]

Hey Navy Chief.
That would be a nice addition to sceneries.
My dad could have used one at Bidford NAS/Amanda Field. An airport he created for me in Maine.
He has also searched for a coast guard helicopter, but their to are none available. Sad thing.
Amanda.

[Dave Torkington]

I think the best available for you will be a low poly FS9 model like the Mike Stone version and then use SAMM to convert it to a scenery object for use in your own personal scenery...

Not ideal but I can't think of any AI FSX version. I had a look to see if Guy Diotte made a P3 but didn't find one.

http://www.pmstone.com/files/Lockheed_P3_Orion.zip

[strikehawk]

Chief, John Stinstrom's FSX NAS North Island scenery has the static P-3's you want in it. If you are using EZ Scenery you'll find them in one of the bgls. If I get a chance I'll look at it and post which one it is. There is also that program that will convert a flyable aircraft to a static model, the beauty of that is that you can actually have a specific VP on it's flight line if you have the skin for it and Mike Stone's P-3 generated a bunch of them, I know for sure VP-65 was represented. You'll find those textures in probably AVSIM's FS9 library.

[Navy Chief]

Chief, John Stinstrom's FSX NAS North Island scenery has the static P-3's you want in it. If you are using EZ Scenery you'll find them in one of the bgls. If I get a chance I'll look at it and post which one it is. There is also that program that will convert a flyable aircraft to a static model, the beauty of that is that you can actually have a specific VP on it's flight line if you have the skin for it and Mike Stone's P-3 generated a bunch of them, I know for sure VP-65 was represented. You'll find those textures in probably AVSIM's FS9 library.

Charlie,

Let me know if you have more information on which bgl file it is. I am finally getting back into the swing of things now. I am "reinvigorated"! Pete

[strikehawk]

I'll let you know this weekend as to which bgl it is. As for my mention of conversion program, this is the one I was talking about....

http://stuff4fs.com/newpage.asp?JS=True&Folder=SAMM

Static Aircraft .mdl Maker will convert almost any model in your "flying" library to a static one. Just don't release your conversions of someone's model as your own. I have used this before and it is so easy an Aviation Ordnanceman can do it. One more thing about your scenery making spree, make the investment in AFX, it's a commercial version of AFCAD and it does a lot more including laying perimeter fencing. Have fun, I'll help you as able but there are wiser ones here that do it better.

[Navy Chief]

I'll let you know this weekend as to which bgl it is. As for my mention of conversion program, this is the one I was talking about....

http://stuff4fs.com/newpage.asp?JS=True&Folder=SAMM

Static Aircraft .mdl Maker will convert almost any model in your "flying" library to a static one. Just don't release your conversions of someone's model as your own. I have used this before and it is so easy an Aviation Ordnanceman can do it. One more thing about your scenery making spree, make the investment in AFX, it's a commercial version of AFCAD and it does a lot more including laying perimeter fencing. Have fun, I'll help you as able but there are wiser ones here that do it better.

Thanks Charlie,

Yep, am familiar with SAMM, although have not used it literally for years. As for AFX, I am familiar with it as well. Isn't there a freeware version at Scruffyduck that works well too? Gosh, I am so rusty at all of this. Pete

[WarHorse47]

Chief, is this (background) what you're looking for?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a185/WarHorse47/2013-12-20_8-49-48-834_zps79b8150d.jpg

This is at Whidbey Island NAS (this morning). Addons from Jim Cook, Helo is the Cera Sim Blackhawk with Whidbey SAR repaint by Jeansy, and AI package from MAIW (maiw_ep-3e.jpg) .

[Navy Chief]

Chief, is this (background) what you're looking for?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a185/WarHorse47/2013-12-20_8-49-48-834_zps79b8150d.jpg

This is at Whidbey Island NAS (this morning). Addons from Jim Cook, Helo is the Cera Sim Blackhawk with Whidbey SAR repaint by Jeansy, and AI package from MAIW (maiw_ep-3e.jpg) .

Well, the P-3s look better. The helo looks nice, although I am mainly just wanting the Orions. But definitely getting closer to what I am looking for. I have not messed with scenery modifications for so long, that I literally have to relearn EVERYTHING. Pete

[WarHorse47]

Understood.

I just went in a took a couple more shots with another of Jeansy's repaints to give you a closer look at the MAIM models.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a185/WarHorse47/2013-12-20_18-28-48-304_zpsa9397e27.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a185/WarHorse47/2013-12-20_18-34-11-783_zps3bfa51ed.jpg

These shots were taken at different times, same day, because the AI do move around due to the flight schedules.

I'm still playing with my traffic levels to avoid any OOMs since I have all my detail turned up, and I'm flying in ORBX PNW. My Airliners are set at about 50%, and GA at 15%.

Anyways, now that I've converted the MAIM AI traffic (not scenery) over to FSX, I'm pleased with the results but still in experiment mode.

PS - I've gone a little overboard lately with the helos, but do fly fixed wing from time to time. The helos give me a good opportunity to explore the scenery changes and practice my helo skills. My landings still suck.

[Navy Chief]

Those EP-3s look GREAT! And of course, VQ-1 does (or did, anyway) have some P-3s we used for other than reconnaissance. NC The scenery looks great. I am envious.



Understood.

I just went in a took a couple more shots with another of Jeansy's repaints to give you a closer look at the MAIM models.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a185/WarHorse47/2013-12-20_18-28-48-304_zpsa9397e27.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a185/WarHorse47/2013-12-20_18-34-11-783_zps3bfa51ed.jpg

These shots were taken at different times, same day, because the AI do move around due to the flight schedules.

I'm still playing with my traffic levels to avoid any OOMs since I have all my detail turned up, and I'm flying in ORBX PNW. My Airliners are set at about 50%, and GA at 15%.

Anyways, now that I've converted the MAIM AI traffic (not scenery) over to FSX, I'm pleased with the results but still in experiment mode.

PS - I've gone a little overboard lately with the helos, but do fly fixed wing from time to time. The helos give me a good opportunity to explore the scenery changes and practice my helo skills. My landings still suck.

[Bushpounder]

My son-in-law was in VQ-1 at Whidbey. I need to find that scenery. It will save me time making one! I was just there today (FSX) in a Citation X. It sure needs some P-3's and Ea-6B's. Those things were constantly in the air.

Don

[navy81]

Chief,
I have d/l a number of the MAIW packages and converted them to FSX - It really is not difficult nor time consuming. There is a Whidbey Growlers package (number 188) and a USN EP-3E package (number 96) that have a great Whidbey AFCAD - very realistic. I grew up there. There is also a Florida Orions package (package number 95).

Owls Nest MAIW packages link: http://www.interkultur.de/gossmann/fsx/maiw.php

You can create your own traffic file using traffic tools to pull in the P-3C's at Whidbey. I have created some traffic files to place A-6's, A-3's an EA-6B's there which also come and go.
Traffic tools can be d/l here: http://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/1231/traffic-tools-v202/

You also will need AI Flight Planner - This is critical to convert the FS9 traffic bgl files from the MAIW packages to FSX.

Here are a couple of screenies from my Whidbey:. The last one you will see an EP-3E from VQ-1 taxiing to RWY 31.

171417151716

Good luck.

Deke
Navy81

[Navy Chief]

Deke,

I truly appreciate your taking the time to post about how easy converting from FS9 to FSX is....but I really have tried and am not able to understand it. I guess it is just too daunting for this old man. NC



Chief,
I have d/l a number of the MAIW packages and converted them to FSX - It really is not difficult nor time consuming. There is a Whidbey Growlers package (number 188) and a USN EP-3E package (number 96) that have a great Whidbey AFCAD - very realistic. I grew up there. There is also a Florida Orions package (package number 95).

Owls Nest MAIW packages link: http://www.interkultur.de/gossmann/fsx/maiw.php

You can create your own traffic file using traffic tools to pull in the P-3C's at Whidbey. I have created some traffic files to place A-6's, A-3's an EA-6B's there which also come and go.
Traffic tools can be d/l here: http://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/1231/traffic-tools-v202/

You also will need AI Flight Planner - This is critical to convert the FS9 traffic bgl files from the MAIW packages to FSX.

Here are a couple of screenies from my Whidbey:. The last one you will see an EP-3E from VQ-1 taxiing to RWY 31.

171417151716

Good luck.

Deke
Navy81

[WarHorse47]

I tend to agree with Navy Chief to some degree.

I procrastinated on the MAIW scenery conversion until recently. The main reason is that the instructions are somewhat intimidating and complex.

I did not have to create a Virtual FS9 directory and redirect everything just to extract the packages. I was successful in just extracting everything to a temporary directory, convert the traffic files, update the FSX.cfg, and copy the folders over to FSX.

I haven't done the scenery parts, yet. I'm still trying to digest everything. The instructions tend to use other packages as an example, so things have to be translated to apply to the Whidbey stuff. Perhaps there could be a simpler, more condensed version of the instructions for those of us that have senior moments. :untroubled:

At the moment I'm content just seeing the traffic parked and moving at each of the local, default air bases. I'd like to update the airbases with the MAIW AFCADs and scenery, or even bring over some FS9 scenery for those air bases, but that's where I reach the limit of my skills.

[Butcherbird17]

There is a very nice NAS Whidbey Island over at SimV that is made to fit right in with Orbx/FTX PNW. Search for WINAS-1.zip. Then go over to the MAIW FSX General forum, and on page 2 there is a post from a member here (Felixthreeone) that did an afcad that uses the MAIW AI. Make sure to read the whole thread as there are some things to be deleted or moved to make it work.

Joe

[Navy Chief]

There is a very nice NAS Whidbey Island over at SimV that is made to fit right in with Orbx/FTX PNW. Search for WINAS-1.zip. Then go over to the MAIW FSX General forum, and on page 2 there is a post from a member here (Felixthreeone) that did an afcad that uses the MAIW AI. Make sure to read the whole thread as there are some things to be deleted or moved to make it work.

Joe

Thanks for the tip. I have ORBX PNW, but uninstalled it. It was slowing things down too much. But I had not seen this particular NAS Whidbey file. It looks interesting! NC

[Butcherbird17]

Here are a few pics from the scenery with MAIW's AI P3's and Growlers.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/Butcherbird17/NASWhidbeyIsland_00_zpscd0d7b10.jpg~original (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/Butcherbird17/media/NASWhidbeyIsland_00_zpscd0d7b10.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/Butcherbird17/NASWhidbeyIsland_01_zps324ad221.jpg~original (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/Butcherbird17/media/NASWhidbeyIsland_01_zps324ad221.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/Butcherbird17/NASWhidbeyIsland_02_zps5e7974de.jpg~original (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/Butcherbird17/media/NASWhidbeyIsland_02_zps5e7974de.jpg.html)

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/Butcherbird17/NASWhidbeyIsland_03_zps43cff0f4.jpg~original (http://s20.photobucket.com/user/Butcherbird17/media/NASWhidbeyIsland_03_zps43cff0f4.jpg.html)

Joe