Flight Replicas/Warbirsim Series Released!

[mike_cyul]

The combined Warbirdsim/Flight Replicas "P-51K and Bf-109K-4 Dogfight Series" is now available, at both the Warbirdsim and Flight Replicas stores. This package will not be available through other vendors.

The Dogfight Series gives you the Bf-109K-4 (in six new paint schemes) and Warbirdsim's truly superb NEW P-51K together in one package - and at substantial savings over the individual aircraft.

We have teamed up to bring you an outstanding opportunity to fly and compare two of the best fighters of WWII, recreated with exacting accuracy. Be either a test pilot singly comparing strengths and weaknesses of each aircraft, or, with fellow pilots in multiplayer, engage in friendly duels across the skies to see who can best exploit their aircraft's performance to get into the better combat position.

These two aircraft types were in actual combat together over Europe in the final months of WWII, and now's your chance to safely put yourself in the pilot's seat of both sides and see for yourself what it might have been like. Sharpen your flying skills - you'll need them!

To top it off, in celebration of this partnership, Flight Replicas and Warbirdsim are happy to present this two-aircraft package at a price less than the two aircraft purchased individually.

For more information, screenshots, and the like, head on over to either website and have a look:

http://warbirdsim.com/Store.do?state=ViewProduct&product=37&category=1

http://www.flight-replicas.com/Dogfight%20Series.htm

Mike, John and Albert

[skyhawka4m]

Great to see the teaming up of these two top quality companies. I unfortunetly won't be able to put the money out for this set but I do wish you well in this and any possible team efforts. i'd love to have the scheme's for the Mustang but just can't justify it right now.


:applause:

[Bomber_12th]

For the Mustang aficionados that are interested in knowing such things, here are some details pertaining to the P-51K's -

When building these aircraft, having never covered the specific variants (the P-51K-1-NT and P-51K-5-NT), I went back and reviewed as much resource material pertaining to these aircraft as I could, relying in large part on the various "Summaries of Changes" issued by North American Aviation. These documents are extremely useful as they outline all of the production changes that occurred between production models and production blocks of the P-51D and K. As it turns out, the P-51K-1-NT followed the same production as that of the P-51D-5-NT (<st1:City w:st="on">Dallas</st1:City> produced version of the P-51D-5-NA), and the P-51K-5-NT was the same as that of the P-51D-10-NT (<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dallas</st1:place></st1:City> produced version of the P-51D-10-NA) - except of course for the propellers and spinner. The reason for that is that the first P-51D prototypes (only four built) were titled P-51D-1-NA. These didn't go into production however, and the first production variant of the P-51D was the P-51D-5-NA, followed by the P-51D-5-NT at the <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Dallas</st1:place></st1:City> factory. The P-51K only first came about at the time of P-51D-5-NA/NT production, so despite starting at Dash-1, they were built to the standard of the Dash-5 D-variants. This is confirmed in period photos, showing the few P-51K-1-NT variants (only 200 produced in all) sporting details that are the same as the P-51D-5-NA/NT, including the white recognition light on the spine of the aircraft, no canopy unlock button (as seen on all further models, next to the emergency release handle from the outside of the aircraft), and the early "B-model" style instrument panel. The P-51K-5-NT, being the same as a P-51D-10-NA/NT, has a lot of the early elements still in-place, such as the circular gun camera port, fabric elevators, early Warren McArthur seat, and early canopy frame, but it also has the 'new' instrument panel, the 'new' main switch panel (redesigned following the deletion of the white recognition light), and the addition of the canopy unlocking button.
<o:p></o:p>
(Regarding the early Warren McArthur seat, these are the only seats to have ever been seen fitted in the cockpits of P-51D-5-NA's, and thus would have likely been the same seat installed in P-51D-5-NT's and P-51K-1-NT's as well. A couple of production photos of a P-51D-10-NA cockpit also shows the same seat fitted in that variant, which might confirm that they were also fitted in P-51D-10-NT's and thus P-51K-5-NT's as well - but, what actually confirmed it, was the fact that the seat recovered from the wreck site of the P-51K-5-NT "Rusty" (as flown by Bill Preddy), is that of the same early Warren McArthur type. Unlike the later standard design, the early Warren McArthur seats didn't have the "dip" in the forward edge of the seat pan. Although every P-51K-1-NT and 5-NT were manufactured with the N-9 reflector gun sights installed, each of the aircraft chosen are seen to have had K-14 gun sights fitted in the field. As a result, all of the examples are fitted with K-14A gun sights, installed following the early installation layout, with the gun sight control box mounted on a shelf under the right-hand side of the instrument panel shroud. Although all of the backup bead sights that would be fitted in front of the windscreen have been removed, the hole in the panel for which the bead sights would be fitted through, remains.)
<o:p></o:p>
These Mustangs, being as early as they are, didn't yet have a carburetor heat control, nor did they have an emergency rich selection for the mixture control. They also didn't switch over to the standard green/red indicator system for the gear lights until P-51D-15-NA/NT and P-51K-10-NT production - so for the landing gear, there is only a simple red light that turns on when the landing gear is not locked. In the position that would later be filled by a green indicator light, there is just a button that serves to test the red gear light (the same as most P-51B/C's had fitted atop of the instrument panel shroud). As was the case for nearly each and every Mustang, once they left the U.S., the beacon receivers (Detrola and Setchell Carlson types) and antenna wires are removed, as they were only good for use while in the U.S., and served no purpose abroad. Although I've had those items incorporated in past depictions, it really is far more accurate to not have them installed rather than to do so.
<o:p></o:p>
As has come to be expected, everything is done as close to being absolutely correct and accurate as can be imagined. Although it might be taken for granted, you'll find that all of the landing gear wheels and tires are absolutely correct in design and dimensions, the brakes are correct to the correct wheels (both sides of the main wheels are correct to those fitted to the P-51D, and the brakes are correct, not being those of the P-63 type), the tail wheel strut is on the correct side, the drop tanks are plumbed exactly as outlined for the early P-51D/K's (common amongst the vast majority of P-51D/K's that served during WWII), the static grounding whip and relief tube exit can be seen under the tail, all of the major stains are drawn from all of the actual common points of leaking on the aircraft (including on the lower surface of the wing, around the landing gear wells, etc.), a pilot that actually looks the part (period correct), and each model has all of the individual items that the aircraft depicted had originally, including; tail warning radar, or not, external mirrors fitted in the field (P-38 and Spitfire types), or not, exhaust shrouds that are either in-place or removed, and either the factory-installed Aeroproducts propellers or field-replaced Hamilton Standard propellers fitted. Furthermore, examples like "Nooky Booky IV" have the "foul weather lights" fitted (common amongst leader's aircraft in the 357th FG), just as done originally (complete with the switch panel modification in the cockpit).

The exterior textures are, in large part, brand new for this project (paint kit still in the works!). All of the rivets were re-done (each individually), the materials further refined, and there are new bump maps covering the exteriors of the aircraft.

Here's a direct comparison between the Aeroproducts propeller blades fitted to all production P-51K's, and the Hamilton Standard propeller blades fitted to all production P-51D's (and some P-51K's in the field - and as included).

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/p51_parked_5_aeroproducts.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/p51_parked_6_hamilton_standard.jpg

The P-51K-1-NT was fitted with the same early instrument panel and cockpit as the P-51D-5-NA/NT, while the P-51K-5-NT had the redesigned panel that would become the more well recognized type.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/P-51K_Cockpit_2_zpse39179de.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/P-51K_Cockpit_1_zps9f280339.jpg

All of the models illustrate an early field-installed K-14A gun sight installation.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/P-51K_Cockpit_7_zpsc1fe6974.jpg

The "Dallas canopy" seen to good effect, as well as the accurate design elements of the entire aircraft (note the early dorsal fin fillet, of slightly different design and construction than would later be used - with a slighlty curved profile, and different internal construction, resulting in different panel and rivet lines):

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/p51_inflight_2.jpg

[Bomber_12th]

Mike has done an absolutely magnificent job of reproducing the Me-109K-4 as accurately as anyone I believe would be capable of doing for flight simulation. This project has led to the reproduction of several new depictions of historical examples of the Me-109K-4. It's been a huge privilege of mine to work together with Mike, somone who I've deeply respected for many years now.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/Image8_zpsf43d47ed.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/Image10_zps1b345bd2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/Image9_zpse41ac411.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/bf109_inflight_8.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/Image12_zps79d85258.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/Me-109K_Cockpit_9_zpsfc888cd5.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/Me-109K_Cockpit_6_zpsd284ccca.jpg

[Bomber_12th]

And just a few more of my favorite screenshots from while working on this project with Mike:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/formation_1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/Image6_zpsff1095a3.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/formation_2.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/Image1_zpscbb11121.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/p51_inflight_5.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/Image13_zpsfecd0676.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/p51_inflight_8.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/Bomber_12th/European%20Combatants/bf109_parked_1.jpg

[skyhawka4m]

LOL...ok...I have to ask......do the Mustangs have the pilot with the moving head?

[WarBert]

LOL...ok...I have to ask......do the Mustangs have the pilot with the moving head?

Yes they do!

Albert
www.warbirdsim.com (http://www.warbirdsim.com)

[skyhawka4m]

uuuuggghhh.......you guys are killing me....lol......I've got a funny feeling this set will be in my hands by the end of the weekend

[skyhawka4m]

ok...one more question.....is there any chance a bare metal skin will be put out with this P-51? I'm actually hoping that new updated baremetal skins are put out for all the non-warbird aircraft.

[mike_cyul]

ok...one more question.....is there any chance a bare metal skin will be put out with this P-51? I'm actually hoping that new updated baremetal skins are put out for all the non-warbird aircraft.

I sent an email to John about this, but I think he's unavailable for a few days. I'm sure you'll get an answer soon. Just don't want you to think you're being ignored. :)


Mike

[Bomber_12th]

ok...one more question.....is there any chance a bare metal skin will be put out with this P-51? I'm actually hoping that new updated baremetal skins are put out for all the non-warbird aircraft.

John, I'm sorry for not getting around to answering your question until now (some crazy life happenings in the past week - still developing, hopefully). It's funny you should ask this, as I have had (yet another) new paint kit in the works, which will cover all previous products, and will incorporate the latest research and experiences I have. This product does open the door for some interesting repaint ideas, with these variants of the Mustang having never been done before. There is a particular repaint or two that I have had in mind, accurate for these aircraft, that are very much factory-schemes, but with a few subtle additions - I'll see if I can't put something together this evening.

[skyhawka4m]

Thank you John and WBS crew!! :applause:

This is still on my back burner....trying to fit the $50 into my tight budget....I'd really like to have this one along with all the other I already own. I will never have enough P-51's or WBS products.

[Mach3DS]

John & Mike,

Fabulous! I really love this match up. What a great idea to merge two great devlopers work into a single product line. I would love to see more of this sort of thing in the future....not that one person can just demand such a thing, but in general. There are many great developers out there, and teaming up seems like great idea in some cases. Congrats on the new product! John, I love the Dallas canopy on the -K!

[Mach3DS]

Forgot about this thread. John, I know you mentioned you had some life events unfolding...hopefully good ones! Did you ever manage to complete the factory repaints, or the paint kit mentioned above? Just picked this one up this weekend, and absolutely love it. Thanks again.

[skyhawka4m]

Forgot about this thread. John, I know you mentioned you had some life events unfolding...hopefully good ones! Did you ever manage to complete the factory repaints, or the paint kit mentioned above? Just picked this one up this weekend, and absolutely love it. Thanks again.


Same question here.....I now have this awesome set and now once again have all WBS products. Looking forward to that F-51D now!!!

[Mach3DS]

http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/q782/000rick000/fsx2012-10-2800-54-00-12copy.png

http://i1359.photobucket.com/albums/q782/000rick000/fsx2012-10-2800-54-29-61copy.png