by Daube » Tue Apr 05, 2016 1:55 pm
I'd say it will depend on what kind of experience you're looking for.
Jetranger has mentioned the two best P-51's available for FSX:
- the Warbirdsim Mustang(s)
- the A2A Mustang
The strong point of the Warbirdsim Mustang(s) is the visual fidelity. The various models depicted by Warbirdsim are as close a possible to the visual characteristics of the real airplane. For example, if Twilight Tear has this kind of canopy, and this kind of mirrors etc... then the Twilight Tear made by Warbirdsim will have exactely the same canopy shape (there were two or three different bubble canopies on the Mustangs at that time), and the exact same mirrors. The flight model and sounds are also said to be very enjoyable.
The strong point of the A2A Mustang is the Accusim expansion which makes the aircraft and especially the engine handling the most realistic and immersive thing currently available for FSX. If you don't know what Accusim is, then I will summarize it by saying it's something that makes your aircraft alive and aging. The behavior of the various organs of the plane is sumulated independently by an external module which records the wear and damage, depending on how you use the plane. This wear and damage is then saved automatically, no matter if you save your flight or not, or if you restart your sim or computer. On the next flight, your aircraft will be in the same mecanical state it was when you left it. Of course you can repair it anytime.
Here is a video showing what Accusim is about for the Mustang:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUOmJzxoaCA[/youtube]
If after this video you decide these features are not interesting for you, then it means you want to consider the A2A Mustang without Accusim.
And in this case, the Warbirdsim Mustangs are more valuable than the A2A Mustang without Accusim, from what I could read on various forums.
My personnal summary is as follows:
A2A Mustang with Accusim > Warbirdsim Mustangs > A2A Mustang without Accusim.