An open letter to our SOH community re. the An-2

**cavaricooper** · August 2nd, 2017, 05:45

As you may know, the biggest single disappointment of Prepar3D v4, for me at least, has been the absence of my beloved Annuschka.

If ever our collective greatest (Manfred, Jan, Alex, Gordo, Ted, Bjorne, Jan-Kees, Yo-Yo, Nick et al) get together and decide they need another project to sink their teeth into- could I suggest the An-2? Her absence keeps me awake at night, and I have found nothing to replace her as of yet. (Yes, my wife has scheduled electric shock therapy, interspersed with Thorazine treatments)

.

Obviously, I don’t expect anything to come of this, but should this kernel root and germinate, no one would be more pleased than I.

Best- C

***falcon409*** · August 2nd, 2017, 06:03

Actually, on that same vein, it would be nice if whoever is left from Sibwings would come forward and supply updated "dll" files for the AN-2 and Birddog at least. Their unceremonious disappearance has left their loyal customers in the lurch. Posts on their FB page have gone unanswered. The Birddog was a favorite of mine and their attention to detail was excellent. A shame they didn't respect their customers enough to do what is right.

Back to the AN-2!

**cavaricooper** · August 2nd, 2017, 08:01

Just an FYI.... I did write an Open Letter to the SibWings Developers... Their website is now down. If anyone uses Facebook, PLEASE REACH OUT TO THEM THERE... seems to be the only avenue still operational.

Ta- C

***falcon409*** · August 2nd, 2017, 11:20

Originally Posted by cavaricooper

Just an FYI.... I did write an Open Letter to the SibWings Developers... Their website is now down. If anyone uses Facebook, PLEASE REACH OUT TO THEM THERE... seems to be the only avenue still operational.
Ta- C

I have done the FB thing and other than a few people agreeing with what I wrote, there hasn't been any activity from anyone connected with Sibwings in about a year.

**Mr_Dirt** · August 2nd, 2017, 16:22

I agree I would like this plane ported over to P3DV4!

**Brian_Gladden** · August 2nd, 2017, 17:46

I'd be perfectly happy if someone would convert Piglet's FS2004 AN-2 to FSX native....

**Ganter** · August 2nd, 2017, 23:01

No wish to hijack the thread but this AN-2 looks lovely and has had some very good reviews.
Although it appears to still be on sale I'm a bit hesitant to buy it though if Sibwings has gone - as others seem to be stating. You know, handing credit card info over to a defunct company. What do you think?

**cavaricooper** · August 3rd, 2017, 02:39

If you are staying with Prepar3D v3 or under, buy it immediately. It transmits the very best "feel of flight" out of any (under 13,000lbs.) simulation I've flown. For what it costs, if you fly it once, you will still have a good ROI!

It is the sole reason I miss Prepar3D v3.4 and something I will continue to push for in any sim I fly. It is just BRILLIANT!

Best- Carl

**mal998** · August 3rd, 2017, 03:29

Is there no way to engineer a "legal" fix being the developers are MIA? In cases such as these I say cross the line. It could always be pulled back if the owners re-appear. Sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. I understand this may not be a very popular position to take but I hate to see good things go to waste because somebody drops out of sight with out so much as a good-bye. Just saying...

**Ganter** · August 3rd, 2017, 03:37

Originally Posted by mal998

Is there no way to engineer a "legal" fix being the developers are MIA? In cases such as these I say cross the line. It could always be pulled back if the owners re-appear. Sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. I understand this may not be a very popular position to take but I hate to see good things go to waste because somebody drops out of sight with out so much as a good-bye. Just saying...

Making sure, of course, to keep a hard copy of the emails and various attempts at contact/ dates, etc, that have been made. Then, if necessary later on, they can be presented as proof of "All available attempts made" at contacting the dev and seeking authorisation/ permission. I did this with a fs2004 airport someone had made (I converted it over to FSX) - then disappeared from the face of the planet.

**UnknownGuest12** · August 3rd, 2017, 04:35

I keep v3.4 of P3D mainly because of that plane, love it...and JF Mosquito and JF Fu4 birdcage....

**Tim-HH** · August 3rd, 2017, 07:57

There is a new AN-2 for FSX and P3D in the works:

http://www.airdailyx.net/fsnewsbreak...in-on-the-an-2

https://m.facebook.com/OctopusG-1475030196055201/

I'm not sure if it can replace the excellent Sibwings AN-2 but it looks promising. And maybe this competition will force Sibwings back into business.

Greetings
Tim

***falcon409*** · August 3rd, 2017, 08:14

Originally Posted by mal998

Is there no way to engineer a "legal" fix being the developers are MIA? In cases such as these I say cross the line. It could always be pulled back if the owners re-appear. Sometimes it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. I understand this may not be a very popular position to take but I hate to see good things go to waste because somebody drops out of sight with out so much as a good-bye. Just saying...

If the Sibwings airplanes are suffering from the "dll" problem that has caused Alabeo and Carenado to revamp their line, then the only true "fix" would require the source code in order to convert the 32bit dlls to 64bit dlls. So even if you could actually get someone from Sibwings to answer (which is doubtful) it's highly unlikely that they would hand over the source code.

**cavaricooper** · August 3rd, 2017, 08:20

I have been watching and waiting for Octopus G for a while now, but what makes the SibWings An-2 special is the FDE that our very own Alex Metzger wrote. Heck, I’d fly a brick if it flew the same

Despite being painted as Eyore, I shall remain cautiously optimistic for the moment.

Don’t we have any SOH members in Russia that can pay them a visit with some Borscht, Vodka and a Babuschka (or two)?

C

**Desert Rat** · August 3rd, 2017, 08:39

http://www.dllwrapper.com/dllwrapper_home.htm

it does have a trial version.

**Bjoern** · August 3rd, 2017, 08:50

I don't own the An-2 and am not interested in owning one, much less P3Dv4, so how am I supposed to update it?

**cavaricooper** · August 3rd, 2017, 09:35

Bjorne-

IF THAT’S AN OFFER... I’m happy to purchase both for you. PM me at your convenience. Hope your new job is going well?

C

**spatialpro** · August 3rd, 2017, 11:19

Originally Posted by Tim-HH

There is a new AN-2 for FSX and P3D in the works:

http://www.airdailyx.net/fsnewsbreak...in-on-the-an-2

https://m.facebook.com/OctopusG-1475030196055201/

I'm not sure if it can replace the excellent Sibwings AN-2 but it looks promising. And maybe this competition will force Sibwings back into business.

And for those who also miss the Bird Dog don't forget Black Box Simulations have had one for P3D (inc. v4 now) available for a fair while now:

http://www.blackboxsimulation.com/in...s/prepar3d-v4/

Curious to know how good it is? Give the free demo a try first! I wish every developer and vendor would do the same!

Perhaps BBS could even be talked into doing an AN-2...!

Andy

***falcon409*** · August 3rd, 2017, 12:07

Originally Posted by Airtrooper

And for those who also miss the Bird Dog don't forget Black Box Simulations have had one for P3D (inc. v4 now) available for a fair while now:

http://www.blackboxsimulation.com/in...s/prepar3d-v4/
Curious to know how good it is? Give the free demo a try first! I wish every developer and vendor would do the same!
Perhaps BBS could even be talked into doing an AN-2...!
Andy

Tried the Demo. What immediately stood out just installing it was that it was close to a Gig, Wow. The Demo is good for 9 or 10 minutes, but it also pauses every 2 or 3 minutes during that time to remind you this is a demo, lol. Yep. . .got it!
Interior and exterior are OK, but if you had the Sibwings version, this is not close. The exterior especially is very rudimentary in it's handling of panel lines and rivets and most, if you have a penchant for repaints, will probably be inclined to redo the exterior. Interior modeling is well done, but again, in comparison, remembering the excellent texturing/weather/wear and tear of their interior. this is basically pretty clean and free of nicks and scratches.

The sound set seems a bit more throaty than I would imagine, but I don't have anything to compare to (I'll check some YouTube videos to see) and as for the FDE, not something I'm familiar with at all. . .maybe someone else can chime in about that. I did think it had a bit more pep on Take Off than I expected. . .but again, I've never flown one.

Bottom line, I miss the Sibwings version, it's never going to see the light of day in V4 so this will be my "suitable sub".

***TARPSBird*** · August 4th, 2017, 01:54

The Sibwings website appears to be functioning at the present time: http://www.sibwings.com/an2.php
Has anybody recently ordered the An-2 and had their order go through OK? And did you receive your download email?
I don't want to purchase the plane and then not be able to download it.

**Ganter** · August 4th, 2017, 02:34

Originally Posted by TARPSBird

The Sibwings website appears to be functioning at the present time: http://www.sibwings.com/an2.php
Has anybody recently ordered the An-2 and had their order go through OK? And did you receive your download email?
I don't want to purchase the plane and then not be able to download it.

+1
Me too - hesitant to hand over credit card details, etc.

**Limekiller** · August 4th, 2017, 03:48

Has anybody recently ordered the An-2 and had their order go through OK? And did you receive your download email?

Placed the order on May 26th. Download appeared in my inbox almost immediately.
Looks like I used PayPal, so I can't comment on credit card issues.

**musterpilot** · August 4th, 2017, 04:28

I for one would like to see this a/c fixed for p3dv4
I have loaded it in p3dv4 flies great all systems work apart from
vc view can't see out of the cockpit glass is grey
in external view heading face on I have a black bar across the wings flying away tail view all ok
changing from external view to vc the engine shuts down

***falcon409*** · August 4th, 2017, 04:40

Originally Posted by musterpilot

I for one would like to see this a/c fixed for p3dv4
I have loaded it in p3dv4 flies great all systems work apart from
vc view can't see out of the cockpit glass is grey
in external view heading face on I have a black bar across the wings flying away tail view all ok
changing from external view to vc the engine shuts down

Yep, and as you've read, it won't happen. Unless someone at Sibwings wakes up from the deep sleep they appear to be in, their airplanes will not be updated for V4.