Very nice planes from such small file sizes

[Bigfun]

I have downloaded many fine sim aircraft, and some perhaps not so fine.  What I am curious about, in my own quaint, computer ignorant way, is how can some aircraft be so realistic-looking and nice flying when their file size is so relatively small?  The plane that comes to mind, for example, is Gerald Lindell's Mig 3.  I enjoy looking at this plane as much as flying it.  Not only is it simply a very nice looking aircraft, but it has nice visual touches like sun highlights visible as you roll around the plane in "spot" view,  but it's file size is only about 1.4 MB. How can such a nice plane be made of so little? I have  many other aircraft that have file sizes that are two to four times as large but don't look nearly as nice. What up?

[Felix/FFDS]

Are you talking about download size, or model (*.mdl) size..?

Several things combine to make large file sizes -

bitmaps - some downloads include several liveries/schemes, and high resolution bitmaps take up space .. even compressed.   Then add the panel/views bitmaps ..

Sounds - if your download includes sounds ....

gauges - again, if your download includes special gauges...

Without checking the Mig3 you're talking about, he may also have been economical in his use of high resolution bitmaps.