Six Years Eleven Months - Roughly

[Tom Clayton]

That's how long it's been since FS9 first hit the shelves. And in that time, freeware devalopers have continued to keep the "bar" going higher and higher. This time, POSKY's knocked a hole in the roof. Their 747-800F has just been released in Boeing's rollout colors. Not only are the all new wings accurately depicted with their extreme flexibility, and not only is the landing gear animation absolutely spot on, but now they've come up with an entirely new trick! Start her up at night, cycle through to Spot view, then pull up the overhead switches via Shift+5. Now cycle each switch one by one. Pay close attention to the light splash on the ground under the wings as the strobes flash. Then pay attention to the light splash on the fuselage as the inboard and outboard landing lights are switched on individually. As far as I know, they're using tricks that nobody has ever thought of before, and the result is simply stunning! (If you use the "L" key, you also get the tail logo light, but there's no switch on the main panel for that.) I blow at screenshots, so the one attached is from their downloads page, and speaking of which...

http://www.projectopensky.com/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=947

[Trans_23]

Looks nice. Downloading now.

[PilatusTurbo]

Good Lord... Has it really been that long? I remember I had Lago send me, for free, my first FS9 copy. I was a beta tester for them for around a year at the time of FS2004's release. I say my 'first' because, as most of us have, I've bought more over the years to keep up to date.

I will buy another archival copy of FS9, as my most recent went to a buddy who wanted to form fly with me, but didn't have the cash or a debit card (at that time, he now does ;-).

If I liked tubeliners, this would be one most awesome release. Not sayin 'it isn't; I may try them again just to see how I can do at a 747 (only flew as big as a DC-10). ;) :ernae:

[Z-claudius24]

Hi,

Thank's for let us know .. :ernae::ernae:
Planes chaser here :running: .. but can miss one sometime :sleep:

[Wing_Z]

Two and a half thousand downloads already...POSKY is a flightsim stalwart.
Thanks for the pointer.

[Flyboy208]

Thanks for pointing this one out Tom.

Magnificent job by Project Opensky!

Mike :jump:

[MIKE JG]

Cool! Gonna have to D/L this straight away!

BTW, when was the official release of FS2004? I didn't get into it until 2005 and hadn't been a "simmer" since FS 2.0, the one with sticks for buildings, LOL.

[Wing_Z]

Interesting how close the Boeing livery is to now defunct** ANA!
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h200/CHARL_photos/SOH/7484.jpg

Composite wing has amazing curvatures and flex, difficult to model.
Leading edge slats correctly retract with thrust reverse
Fluke shot caught strobe reflection on apron

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h200/CHARL_photos/SOH/7481.jpg

It's a significant aircraft, this.
It essentially has killed off the A380 freighter

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h200/CHARL_photos/SOH/7482.jpg

Quite a bit of 787 to the look...

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h200/CHARL_photos/SOH/7483.jpg

** ANA not defunct, see below

[Lazerbeak]

Interesting how close the Boeing livery is to now defunct ANA!
ANA is not defunct, as far as I know. I believe they're doing rather well, even the 787 is almost here. But you're right, there is a resemblance.

I love the serrated engine cowling, gives it an almost "pseudo-stealth" look for it! :icon_lol:

I can't wait to see "what if" repaints.

[Naki]

Nice shots and a great looking model!

Yes ANA is far from defunct and they are the launch customer of the 787 and have just become the launch customer for the Mitsubishi MRJ...its JAL thats having problems

[Wing_Z]

I could've sworn I had read ANA was headed into protective management.
But this means I won't have to fiddle with the AI of yet another airline gone broke :d

Another small inaccuracy (now removed from above post) concerned the main cargo animations.
They are very much there, on calling up the Shift-8 panel.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h200/CHARL_photos/SOH/B7484.jpg

...and aren't those engine fans something out of the 21st century...

[Tom Clayton]

Cool! Gonna have to D/L this straight away!

BTW, when was the official release of FS2004? I didn't get into it until 2005 and hadn't been a "simmer" since FS 2.0, the one with sticks for buildings, LOL.
If I'm not sadly mistaken, the date was July 29, 2003. I remember because I got a copy of FS2002 Pro for my birthday just eight days before that and started looking into it online - only to find out the next version was just about to be released!

Edit: date confirmed...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Microsoft_Flight_Simulator#Flight_Simul ator_2004:_A_Century_of_Flight

[Z-claudius24]

Hi,

Exellent .. exellent :jump::jump:

http://i49.tinypic.com/25ztoh4.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/30xkk7s.jpg

The video (landing test)

http://www.4shared.com/video/cA3k6c9P/Posky_B747-800.html

[Tom Clayton]

Cool video - I'll post it over at POSKY, they'll like that!