WarbirdSim P-51's

[falcon409]

I sent John an e-mail asking his opinion on what package would be best for someone who enjoys the P-51, but isn't a system oriented flyer. Haven't heard back yet and I'd like to get it bought and start flying some. As far as exterior and interior details, I see John's versions as the best of any I've seen. So what do owners of his aircraft say? I only intend to purchase one package. I'm not a connoisseur of the endless number of variants (Those who are, please hold your ears and look away for a sec), to me when you've seen one P-51, aside from nose art and other decals, you've seen em' all. I understand there are many differences, but I don't really care to know anything about them. I hope that gives you some idea of the direction you should go in suggesting a package that I should purchase, lol, lol.:salute:

[greenie]

I believe the last offerings have a better flight model , so with that, I would go that way . They are all nice aircraft tho'.

[Bomber_12th]

Hi Ed,

I'm sorry, but I can't seem to locate an e-mail from you, but in anycase, thank you very much for the compliments, and even the consideration!

As I have told a few others, my personal favorite is "Little Friends II", if I were to choose just one. It only covers the P-51D-5-NA variant, but within "Little Friends II" you also get two different flight models - one for the 'typical-stock' fillet-less D-5-NA, and another for the filleted D-5-NA, so with this one product, you can 'feel' the difference between the two. (Having said this, you will not find any lesser quality or lesser completeness in Little Friends (I) - they are meant to compliment one-another - though I have been told that Little Friends II is the most 'perfected' of the bunch, but I think that is harder to say, now, with the "Little Friends (I) Redux" that I put up in the file library a couple months back).

Little Friends II is also near-closest to my interests, based on the lines of the D-5, and that fact that so many of the most historical P-51D's were D-5-NA variants. Even if you were to become a connoisseur of the Mustang one day, I can't think of a better product of the four to go after first (though I suspect that perhaps those who may have most of an interest in Iwo Jima based Mustangs, might prefer Little Friends (I) the most, which would be perfeclty fine as well, as it is just a different variant that Little Friends (I) provides - in my view, none of the models/variants in Little Friends II are any better, they are just different types).

(BTW, I don't know how many people I have mentioned it to yet (probably only a few), but there is a plan in action to bring forth texture "reduxes", like I did for "Little Friends I", to both of the Warbirdsim P-51D-restored products as well, so that they will be at the same level as established with both of the "Little Friends" line of products.)

[stovall]

Falcon409, I would say P-51D Little Friends Version3. It has a very nice variety of models and I love the VLR models especially. These were the ones that were "very long range." They were out of Iwo Jima and escorted the B-29's. Also later in the war they flew directly to Japan for missions on the home islands. If you only want one package P-51D Little Friends Version3.

There is a great repaint kit and may repaints done by some great artists. Here is one by a not so great artist, so you can see anyone can do it.

http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss169/tlstovall/Scrshot62.jpg

[Bomber_12th]

I just want to add, that whether you may choose to want to go with "Little Friends (I)" or "Little Friends II", there is definitely not a shortage of repaints (or paintkits) for either!

[falcon409]

Hi Ed,

I'm sorry, but I can't seem to locate an e-mail from you, but in anycase, thank you very much for the compliments, and even the consideration!

As I have told a few others, my personal favorite is "Little Friends II", if I were to choose just one. It only covers the P-51D-5-NA variant, but within "Little Friends II" you also get two different flight models - one for the 'typical-stock' fillet-less D-5-NA, and another for the filleted D-5-NA, so with this one product, you can 'feel' the difference between the two. (Having said this, you will not find any lesser quality or lesser completeness in Little Friends (I) - they are meant to compliment one-another - though I have been told that Little Friends II is the most 'perfected' of the bunch, but I think that is harder to say, now, with the "Little Friends (I) Redux" that I put up in the file library a couple months back).

Little Friends II is also near-closest to my interests, based on the lines of the D-5, and that fact that so many of the most historical P-51D's were D-5-NA variants. Even if you were to become a connoisseur of the Mustang one day, I can't think of a better product of the four to go after first (though I suspect that perhaps those who may have most of an interest in Iwo Jima based Mustangs, might prefer Little Friends (I) the most, which would be perfeclty fine as well, as it is just a different variant that Little Friends (I) provides - in my view, none of the models/variants in Little Friends II are any better, they are just different types).

(BTW, I don't know how many people I have mentioned it to yet (probably only a few), but there is a plan in action to bring forth texture "reduxes", like I did for "Little Friends I", to both of the Warbirdsim P-51D-restored products as well, so that they will be at the same level as established with both of the "Little Friends" line of products.)
Thanks John. . .and I think I actually sent you a note via your website, not through the normal e-mail channels, so that may have a mistake to do it that way. Anyway, the Little Friends Packages were the ones I was leaning towards, so it shall be. I look forward to the Iwo Jima scenery package also, sounds like a perfect match for the Mustangs. Speaking of which, I saw some previews for the movie "Red Tails" this evening. I will definitely be on top of that one when released. Thanks again John!!

[falcon409]

Chose Ver3. Just waiting for e-mail confirmation so I can make the purchase. Looking forward to my first "Walkaround", lol.:salute:

[Bomber_12th]

Ed, just incase you don't happen to see the e-mail, make sure to check your e-mail spam folder. Unfortunately that seems to happen for some. The order/download e-mail should usually arrive within moments after the purchase is placed, so if it isn't immediately seen it could be that it went to your spam folder.

[Bomber_12th]

Oh, and thank you very much for your support! Should you be interested, please pm me your e-mail address and I'll get a copy of the Little Friends I paint kit to you.

[TuFun]

Fighter Leader is one of my favorite Mustang. Just because they are the early variants and also have Cadillac of the Skies Series. Beautiful Mustangs. I tend to fly the B and C version often.

[falcon409]

Ed, just in case you don't happen to see the e-mail, make sure to check your e-mail spam folder. Unfortunately that seems to happen for some. The order/download e-mail should usually arrive within moments after the purchase is placed, so if it isn't immediately seen it could be that it went to your spam folder.
John this is an e-mail for verification purposes so I can log in to make the purchase. I wasn't a customer, so I had to register before I could go through the purchase process. That's what I'm waiting on now. I've been checking periodically both my regular e-mail and the Spam folder and nothing has arrived as yet, been about an hour now.:salute:

[majorv]

So what do owners of his aircraft say?

falcon409:

You asked for my opinion, so in the interests of promoting objectivity and in order to help out a fellow flight simmer, I shall give it to you. I recently purchased Little Friends II, which I found to be a bit on the expensive side. The models and paints do look great so I understand why the price was set where it was, despite the fact that the systems modeling is fairly light (I understand you are not looking for extensive systems modeling).

However, I do have some issues with these aircraft, which frankly cause me to rarely fly them. First, there are many cockpit sounds missing (cockpit opening, switches, etc.). I was very surprised by this - these omissions are very annoying and bring all immersion to a screeching halt. The startup and engine sounds are quite good. However, I find the in-flight engine and wind sounds to be less than convincing.

As for handling and flight dynamics, which I consider most important, I feel that these P51s leave something to be desired. The planes feel like they have no mass or weight, and the models seems to lack inertia. This makes their handling quite "twitchy" and unconvincing. The ground handling in particular is very unpredictable - if you hold a ground turn too long (even at low speed), the tail builds up torque and then swings around wildly, causing you to lose control. These questionable physics make take offs on narrows runway especially thrilling. If this is how the real plane handled, not many U.S. pilots would have made it into the air to escort the B17s. Once again, these shortcomings make for an unenjoyable simming experience in my view.

Warbirdsim does not maintain a support forum in which to report on such issues, and I feel this is a significant drawback. Consequently, I made my purchase without the benefit of such customer feedback. I was most disappointed that the many threads on these models did not offer any objective criticisms, which is the primary reason I read these forums. Although I had kept my opinions to myself, I could not ignore your request. I certainly have no agenda or desire to "flame" anyone. If others disagree with me, I look forward to hearing what they have to say.

[falcon409]

falcon409:

You asked for my opinion, so in the interests of promoting objectivity and in order to help out a fellow flight simmer, I shall give it to you. I recently purchased Little Friends II, which I found to be a bit on the expensive side. The models and paints do look great so I understand why the price was set where it was, despite the fact that the systems modeling is fairly light (I understand you are not looking for extensive systems modeling).

However, I do have some issues with these aircraft, which frankly cause me to rarely fly them. First, there are many cockpit sounds missing (cockpit opening, switches, etc.). I was very surprised by this - these omissions are very annoying and bring all immersion to a screeching halt. The startup and engine sounds are quite good. However, I find the in-flight engine and wind sounds to be less than convincing.

As for handling and flight dynamics, which I consider most important, I feel that these P51s leave something to be desired. The planes feel like they have no mass or weight, and the models seems to lack inertia. This makes their handling quite "twitchy" and unconvincing. The ground handling in particular is very unpredictable - if you hold a ground turn too long (even at low speed), the tail builds up torque and then swings around wildly, causing you to lose control. These questionable physics make take offs on narrows runway especially thrilling. If this is how the real plane handled, not many U.S. pilots would have made it into the air to escort the B17s. Once again, these shortcomings make for an unenjoyable simming experience in my view.

Warbirdsim does not maintain a support forum in which to report on such issues, and I feel this is a significant drawback. Consequently, I made my purchase without the benefit of such customer feedback. I was most disappointed that the many threads on these models did not offer any objective criticisms, which is the primary reason I read these forums. Although I had kept my opinions to myself, I could not ignore your request. I certainly have no agenda or desire to "flame" anyone. If others disagree with me, I look forward to hearing what they have to say.
I appreciate your response. Up to this point I had based my decision to purchase on the amazing exterior/interior detail I've seen in screens posted by others and what John has on his website. As for the FDE, I can't say that I've seen much posted by other owners that would indicate that they were unhappy with the aircraft in any way. Your information gives me pause however and I'd like to hear what others have to say now. I have still not received an e-mail (that was supposed to arrive within minutes) so that I can register as a new customer and then make the purchase. Maybe it's an omen I should heed. Thanks again for your insight.:salute:

[JAllen]

Ed, it flies just fine. Wasn't built from a systems point of view so no problem. Doesn't taxi like a J3, it has 1700 hp under the hood and swings a huge 4 blade prop. I imagine it took some training. I've learned to use the tailwheel lock/unlock and have toe brakes so no problem. On take off, some warbird models have been a huge problem to keep on the runway to lift off. Not this one, and you know how to counter the torque by now, so no problem.

It's a beautiful model in all respects and maybe this thread should be locked before the more passionate among us make it necessary. LOL

[Bomber_12th]

Everyone has a right to one's opinion and to express criticism, that is perfectly fine by me.

Ed, if you have checked your spam folder too, and the e-mail isn't there either, just send a quick note to warbirdsim support and it will be taken care of ASAP (as it always is): support@warbirdsim.com

[EMatheson]

Just to point out, the pilots that flew the p-51 got there after long arduous training - which many men failed and or outright died... and it was designed to be manueverable. If you want a p51 that flys like a truck, your expctations are wrong.

Edit: I was a little groggy typing this post... Hope my words aren't too sharp. sorry

[jp]

I'm a bit behind the ball here, but for anyone else pondering the same descision, you can't go wrong with any of the packages, I have the Little Friends II pack, which is my favorite because of Cripes A'Mighty, and the Restored Part I. Both are great, and are one of, if not the most flown aircraft I have.
jp

[falcon409]

. . . . . .Ed, if you have checked your spam folder too, and the e-mail isn't there either, just send a quick note to warbirdsim support and it will be taken care of ASAP (as it always is): support@warbirdsim.com
Thanks John, e-mail has been sent as nothing has shown up in any of the expected areas (Regular e-mail, junk mail, Spam folder).:salute:

[fsxar177]

Okay,
Just my $.02

I consider the WBS mustangs at the very top of the payware list, which is saying a lot.

1. As a long-time fan of the P-51, I have flown probably near every flight model since FS98, that has been done for the mustang. I have never been real convinced, or trilled with a flight model, UNTIL Warbirdsim. I love the ground handling, and the authentic use of the tailwheel. I love the take-off roll. I love the cruise, I love the "lightness" at high altitude, It acts to me, what it should, given I've never flown the real-life counterpart. It is very enjoyable to fly, yet at the same time difficult enough to "put you there".

2. The authenticity of the visual model, especially in these last few packs, with the D-models, is unsurpassed...The lines are perfect, there isn't one place that doesn't look right. You might get away with modeling another warbird sub-par, and have nobody notice, but with the P-51, if it's not perfect, it will stand out, at least to my eye. I've always been critical of real life replicas, RC models, static models and the like, and very few ever come close to the exacting quality of John's offerings.

3. Price? Puleeze... there have been alot of payware renditions of this most famous WWII fighter, WBS exceeds them all, why shouldn't these guys reap the rewards of their labor?

Again, just my $.02

Joseph

[falcon409]

Thanks Joseph, now if I can just clear the e-mail hurdle and get set up so I can make the purchase. I know John is busy, just unfortunate that it is taking longer than it should have really. Still looking forward to being able to fly the Little Friends ver3.:salute:

[Eoraptor1]

I have the Restored V.2 pack and got the P-51B/C pack as a Christmas present and I absolutely love both of them. I did expect the interior sound to have much more midrange, as every in-depth article I've ever read about this fighter mentions the noise, but this is a quibble. My only caveat is the price. I'd have every version WBS offers but I'm on an austerity budget at least til the end of winter - BUT (a second 'but') - once you see the model on your computer, especially if you have a good gaming video card, you will see where that money went.

JAMES

[falcon409]

Just made the purchase via SimMarket. Unfortunately the automated system within Warbirdsim was not working for some reason. Nothing against John in any way, I just have little patience when it comes to "instant replies" that never show up, lol. So I am currently downloading "Little Friends II" and will be in the air somewhere in the world this evening. Thanks John for a beautiful airplane!!:salute:

[thunder100]

Hi Ed,

I'm sorry, but I can't seem to locate an e-mail from you, but in anycase, thank you very much for the compliments, and even the consideration!

As I have told a few others, my personal favorite is "Little Friends II", if I were to choose just one. It only covers the P-51D-5-NA variant, but within "Little Friends II" you also get two different flight models - one for the 'typical-stock' fillet-less D-5-NA, and another for the filleted D-5-NA, so with this one product, you can 'feel' the difference between the two. (Having said this, you will not find any lesser quality or lesser completeness in Little Friends (I) - they are meant to compliment one-another - though I have been told that Little Friends II is the most 'perfected' of the bunch, but I think that is harder to say, now, with the "Little Friends (I) Redux" that I put up in the file library a couple months back).

Little Friends II is also near-closest to my interests, based on the lines of the D-5, and that fact that so many of the most historical P-51D's were D-5-NA variants. Even if you were to become a connoisseur of the Mustang one day, I can't think of a better product of the four to go after first (though I suspect that perhaps those who may have most of an interest in Iwo Jima based Mustangs, might prefer Little Friends (I) the most, which would be perfeclty fine as well, as it is just a different variant that Little Friends (I) provides - in my view, none of the models/variants in Little Friends II are any better, they are just different types).

(BTW, I don't know how many people I have mentioned it to yet (probably only a few), but there is a plan in action to bring forth texture "reduxes", like I did for "Little Friends I", to both of the Warbirdsim P-51D-restored products as well, so that they will be at the same level as established with both of the "Little Friends" line of products.)

Sorry to hijack and derail the thread a bit

John,Will there ever be a P-51 H ?

Thanks

Roland

[Bomber_12th]

Roland, I'm not really all too interested in the P-51H myself (though I know there are many that are), but there is an Allison-engined Mustang variant, of a different kind, on the drawing board right now (though the P-39 is the main focus).

I'm very sorry Ed that the e-mail issue didn't get worked out soon enough, but I'm glad you were able to acquire it through SimMarket, and I hope you will enjoy it! As soon as I am back from work tonight, I'll get the Little Friends II paintkit sent off to you.

[CP1207]

Allison Mustang, smells different, like an A-36?...:jump:
Whatever, I'll buy it when it comes out.

But really want to see the P-39 first.


Edit- Aack, what happened to the avatar pics? My B-25 makes me look as short and fat as I am.

[fsxar177]

but there is an Allison-engined Mustang variant, of a different kind, on the drawing board right now

You Don't say....!?!?....you don't say!

2 is better than 1

Joseph

[thunder100]

Hi

Pulled the trigger on Little Friends 2-->was tough choice,but fially happy especially with the fillet plane

Exterior stunning great but not unexpected as I have B&C as well.
Interior very good
FDE OK but a bit on the easier side*

For me all in all best available now**

Last push were the swedish paints(upcoming)

Roland

*I made man FDE's in the past including payware-->so I had a deeper look-->Still on the easy(ier) side
** have almost all from Wozza(still really great) via CWDT,WOP,A2A

[jankees]

Last push were the swedish paints(upcoming)



sorry for that push...

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww230/jcblom60/Belgie/FX14779.jpg

[fsxar177]

sorry for that push...

Hehehe...yeah, exactly!