Recce's Reviews 1.0
Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2005 10:31 pmHello Everyone!
I've been working on something for awhile now and have just been too lazy to take it anywhere. The thing I've been working on? Why evaluating some of the best downloads out there of course. I've written a couple of reviews of some of these aircraft but I've never published them on the web. So without further ado and with the understanding of the Simviation staff, I'd like to review VCDG's CT-114 Tutor packages.
Aircraft: Canadair CT-114 Tutor
Panel Detail: 5 Stars
Model Detail: 4 Stars
Sound Detail: 3 Stars
Liveries: 4 Stars
Framerate Friendly: 5
Overal: 4.2
Panel
I have to hand it to these guys. They did an amazing job with this panel. Almost overloaded with custom gauges all the primary flight information is readily available. With the Snowbirds 2004 package a couple of modifications are made that bring the Tutor alive in it's arial demonstration aircraft role. The pitot heat from the trainer is traded for the smoke switch. The effect is amazing. The warning systems test button is also replaced with another warning systems test button that is fun to use if your flight in the Tutor ever has a dull moment.
The panel also has both left and right seat panels that are easily switched between. This adds an interesting change to Flight Simulator and is a welcome break from the left seat.
There really isn't anything bad to say about this panel other than the reflection can be a little strong sometimes. However go fly the real thing and then complain about the reflection....
Model
This aircraft has a fairly well done model. The only real problem I have with it is the defect in the nose. The design team did mention this in the documentation so you can't say you weren't warned. The detail is pretty decent as well. For example extend the spoilers and examine them closely. The hinges are modeled and rotate from the correct place. Overall this aircraft visually is a moderate looker as the real jet itself is.
The Tutor jet may be fully aerobatic but it does not have an extremely fast roll rate. In that sense the research the designers did on the aircraft really paid off. Congratualtions guys. Not having ever flown the jet in real life I feel your representation of it's flight characteristics are very decent.
Sound
Unfortunately for this download this is where the plane fell apart. The sound is aliased to the default 737 sounds. This means that you have the sound of twin jets on a single jet aircraft. A saving grace though comes in the Snowbirds04 package. You'll have to find the hidden sounds yourself though. I don't want to ruin the surprise. Great effect guys!
Liveries
For this section I'm going to have to break the aircraft into it's packages:
Tutor Jet Trainer: I probably should count the number of liveries but I am as I have said before, lazy. Some of the liveries are pretty basic but repainting some of them shouldn't prove too difficult. Personal favourite: AETE - Clean
Snowbirds: In one word? Wow... Check out the detail beside the cockpit. LEGIBLE NAMES! And with 13 aircraft you can be which ever snowbird you like!
OVERALL
This is a great download and it is available right here on simviation at http://www.simviation.com/fs2004military48.htm . Apart from the nose light issue as well as the sounds (correctable with a search of the net I'm sure) this aircraft is a keeper. They are framerate friendly on all systems that I have tested them on. If you're not a jet pilot yet, then this bird may be your ticket to begin flying the fighters of the world. Thanks Donald Radke, Ken Goodale, Herbert Praille and Shane Strong! You did a great job!
I've been working on something for awhile now and have just been too lazy to take it anywhere. The thing I've been working on? Why evaluating some of the best downloads out there of course. I've written a couple of reviews of some of these aircraft but I've never published them on the web. So without further ado and with the understanding of the Simviation staff, I'd like to review VCDG's CT-114 Tutor packages.
Aircraft: Canadair CT-114 Tutor
Panel Detail: 5 Stars
Model Detail: 4 Stars
Sound Detail: 3 Stars
Liveries: 4 Stars
Framerate Friendly: 5
Overal: 4.2
Panel
I have to hand it to these guys. They did an amazing job with this panel. Almost overloaded with custom gauges all the primary flight information is readily available. With the Snowbirds 2004 package a couple of modifications are made that bring the Tutor alive in it's arial demonstration aircraft role. The pitot heat from the trainer is traded for the smoke switch. The effect is amazing. The warning systems test button is also replaced with another warning systems test button that is fun to use if your flight in the Tutor ever has a dull moment.
The panel also has both left and right seat panels that are easily switched between. This adds an interesting change to Flight Simulator and is a welcome break from the left seat.
There really isn't anything bad to say about this panel other than the reflection can be a little strong sometimes. However go fly the real thing and then complain about the reflection....
Model
This aircraft has a fairly well done model. The only real problem I have with it is the defect in the nose. The design team did mention this in the documentation so you can't say you weren't warned. The detail is pretty decent as well. For example extend the spoilers and examine them closely. The hinges are modeled and rotate from the correct place. Overall this aircraft visually is a moderate looker as the real jet itself is.
The Tutor jet may be fully aerobatic but it does not have an extremely fast roll rate. In that sense the research the designers did on the aircraft really paid off. Congratualtions guys. Not having ever flown the jet in real life I feel your representation of it's flight characteristics are very decent.
Sound
Unfortunately for this download this is where the plane fell apart. The sound is aliased to the default 737 sounds. This means that you have the sound of twin jets on a single jet aircraft. A saving grace though comes in the Snowbirds04 package. You'll have to find the hidden sounds yourself though. I don't want to ruin the surprise. Great effect guys!
Liveries
For this section I'm going to have to break the aircraft into it's packages:
Tutor Jet Trainer: I probably should count the number of liveries but I am as I have said before, lazy. Some of the liveries are pretty basic but repainting some of them shouldn't prove too difficult. Personal favourite: AETE - Clean
Snowbirds: In one word? Wow... Check out the detail beside the cockpit. LEGIBLE NAMES! And with 13 aircraft you can be which ever snowbird you like!
OVERALL
This is a great download and it is available right here on simviation at http://www.simviation.com/fs2004military48.htm . Apart from the nose light issue as well as the sounds (correctable with a search of the net I'm sure) this aircraft is a keeper. They are framerate friendly on all systems that I have tested them on. If you're not a jet pilot yet, then this bird may be your ticket to begin flying the fighters of the world. Thanks Donald Radke, Ken Goodale, Herbert Praille and Shane Strong! You did a great job!