Perhaps you're right there matey. Here's a single shot I took on my first flight from Culdrose to Plymouth..
I can't recall having any Flight Replicas models in my hangar so it's always a tense moment getting the first one.. especially as the subject matter is something I'm au fait with. Brief impressions of the first flight..
It's difficult to criticise anyone that gives an RN paint. Lets get that out of the way first
Nav lights are well done and appropriate to the model.
Frame rates are very good.
Inside the cabin is a bit too bright for my liking. I don't think you'd be able to see individual seats at anything more than close up and you can with this.
FR obviously had the same problems I had trying to get the Heron's 'short field' performance sorted. Speeds and performance are very close to the FD I did for the FS9 model.
The flight model is
very stable.. it can be flown hands off with ease (no bad thing if you want to hand-fly over long distances).
The model 'feels' heavy to fly. Aileron response isn't bad but constant pressure on the stick is required to perform any sort of aileron turn. Release the stick and the model will 'centre' within a few seconds.
The 'round bits' are suitably round and the angled bits.. suitably angled.
I'm so used to seeing DP's model that this one doesn't look quite right. Can't put my finger on it mind you. Maybe DP's isn't quite right
It 'looks' right to me though.
Trim is very low geared. You need a shed load after take-off to keep it off the deck and once you've achieved that.. you need to work the trim to stop it climbing. Again.. not bad but something to look for. I'd sooner have it this way than have the slightest touch having you going ballistic or heading for the deck
Flightdeck looks suitably appointed. Hardly touched anything yet.. just the basics (nav lights and pitot heat!).
View behind shows an inspection hatch in the flightdeck door which can be opened.. not that you can see a great deal through it. Texturing on the FD (including the door) lacks definition. It looks like you're sitting in 'a model' rather than in the real thing.
This goes someway to agree with Garry's comment that the external maps lacked any sort of reality. It looks like a model.. IMHO. Not a bad one mind you but the textures lack 'life'.
Sounds.. if I were you, I'd take the soundset off the FS9 model made by Gary Jones.. they are superior.. as are the cockpit sounds Fraser made. I couldn't make out any pneumatic sounds when the brakes were applied... no pneumatic sounds at all in fact.
So.. very briefly.. the 'Pro's and Con's'.
Pro's: it's an FSX native model
It has a VC with loads of switches e t c
It's great on FR's
You get Srs1 and Srs2 models (or as they put it versions with and versions without retractable landing gear)
You get a fair number of paints to go with it
Con's: It doesn't look as good as Del's Heron
It doesn't
sound as good as Del's Heron
At £21.71 (todays exchange rate via Paypal) it's not exactly cheap
I was expecting it to fly better than Del's Heron but I honestly can't say it does
I'll have another look tomorrow
ATB
DaveB