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At RIAT last weekend, I was at the Skysim stand and suddenly noticed something - in their wide selection of software they had nothing earlier than a Spitfire.  Plenty of modern jets, plenty of airliners, WW2 aircraft, but no sign of Sopwith Camels, Fokker Triplanes, Eindekkers, etc.  I asked and it seems such things just don't exist!  And sure enough I can't find much payware of early designs, beyond the DH2/Eindekker from AH.

Is this a case of nobody buying the early planes simply because they aren't available?  Or are they not available because nobody wants to buy them?

Answers on a postcard please.

Gryshnak
Frustrated early bird flyer

At RIAT last weekend, I was at the Skysim stand and suddenly noticed something - in their wide selection of software they had nothing earlier than a Spitfire.  Plenty of modern jets, plenty of airliners, WW2 aircraft, but no sign of Sopwith Camels, Fokker Triplanes, Eindekkers, etc.  I asked and it seems such things just don't exist!  And sure enough I can't find much payware of early designs, beyond the DH2/Eindekker from AH.

Is this a case of nobody buying the early planes simply because they aren't available?  Or are they not available because nobody wants to buy them?

Answers on a postcard please.

Gryshnak
Frustrated early bird flyer

Maybe its because there are lots of extremely high quality freeware early birds.  Anything by Stuart Green is payware quality

my favorite.... pfalz, albatross and camel...not to mention the tiger moth........freeware ones not bad at all....

Just Flight were in the process of making a Tiger Moth, don't know how its progressing though.

*I* think that the problem with the "Earlier" birds (hint:  MY definition of 'early birds' is pre-1915) is that those that like to see them in the Flight Simulator series are somewhat daft.  Those that like to build them are daftier.

My unscientific polling of flightsimmers' tastes lead me to believe that most like the latest and greatest sardine cans (faster, more gizmos), as well as the latest and greatest in GA, bizjets, etc.  (Again, more flashy eye candy and electronics).  All fine and dandy, but there are still a number out there that consider navigation lights on an aeroplane an unnecessary luxury, and you know the wings aren't on properly if they're not restrained with suitable amounts of flying, landing and just plain wires.  BRakes?  Who needs brakes?

[quote]*I* think that the problem with the "Earlier" birds (hint:

Just as some people like vintage cars or steam engines, some of us think those early machines have a level of character that is missing in most modern aircraft.

Gryshnak

I mean, when discussing aerobatics, which is a better plane, a Grebe or a Gamecock?  What looks better, three Bulldogs doing acrobatics tied together?  Can you imaging the Red Arrows even trying to stay tied together (presuming you could find somewhere on their airplanes to tie enything on?)

What looks better, three Bulldogs doing acrobatics tied together?

If you mean Bristol Bulldogs, it would look good.  Scottish Aviation Bulldogs would be silly

There is no substitute for a radial engined, open cockpit biplane.

Gryshnak

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