A Haven For Flight Simulation Enthusiasts!
Introduction
I have to admit, I’m a relatively new convert when it comes to
RealAir. In fact it was just last year that I first took the plunge
and made a grab for both the Duke B60 V2 and the Turbine Duke V1. I
was glad I did, the RealAir B60 V2 quickly became one of my
favourite add-ons for FSX. The Turbine Duke impressed me too, but I
found myself gravitating toward the piston powered variant more
often than not, as a result of the defective hardcoded Turboprop
routines in FSX.
About RealAir
The developer has an impressive track record. It was back in 2004
that RealAir became the first developer to include animations and
aerodynamic effects in order to enhance the behaviour of their
simulated aircraft. The two man team went on to provide engine
failures in their Spitfire and were the first developer to introduce
realistic stall buffet sounds and visual effects in all of their
aircraft. Add to the equation realistic stalls, spins and slips, and
it’s no surprise that the RealAir Beechcraft Duke has won numerous
awards and become a firm favourite among flight simulation
aficionados.
I look forward therefore to reviewing version two of the turbine
variant and discovering what new and innovative features the team
have brought us, and indeed, discovering if RealAir have
successfully overcome the hardcoded Turboprop limitations imposed by
FSX.
Note: This review is based on my own purchased copy.
History
Development of the Beechcraft 60 turbocharged piston variant began
in early 1965, the aircraft was designed to fill the gap between the
Beechcraft Baron and the Queen Air. The Beechcraft A60 arrived in
1970 and had an improved pressurised cabin which utilised advanced
bonded honeycomb construction, more efficient turbochargers, and
improved elevators. The final variant, the B60, was introduced in
1974, with production finally ending in 1983.
However, the story doesn’t end there. Some Beechcraft Dukes have
been extensively modified by Rocket Engineering of Spokane
Washington. Rocket Engineering is comprised of many highly talented
individuals, not to mention a complete FAA engineering staff with a
combined total of more than 100 years of aviation experience. The
modifications involve stripping out the Lycoming reciprocating
engines and replacing them with Pratt & Whitney PT6A-35 turbine
engines.
Equipping the aircraft with PT6A turbine engines has had a dramatic
effect on performance. The modifications reduce take-off length by
1,500 feet, landing distance by an astonishing 2,000 feet and the
maximum rate of climb increases from 1,600 feet per minute to 4,000
feet per minute. Thus, a climb to 25,000 feet is slashed from 25
minutes to an impressive 9 minutes. As a result, the Turbine
modifications to the Duke have transformed it into a much more
versatile aircraft, an aircraft capable of operating from runways so
short that takeoff would be impossible for the piston powered Duke.
Availability and Installation
The product is available directly from Real Air simulations, either
as the full version or as an upgrade to the Duke Turbine V1. The FSX
full version is currently priced at 32.95 Euros and the upgrade
version is priced at 21.95 Euros. The FSX version of the Turbine
Duke V2 will NOT function in P3D2. A dedicated P3D2 version is
currently in development.
Installation is a very straightforward affair, with the product
being downloaded from the developers website. A key code is issued
via email for installation. In addition to the product, the Turbine
Duke V2 configuration panel is also installed on the purchasers
system.
Documentation
The product documentation is available via the Configuration Panel
and includes a flying guide, pilots checklists, frequently asked
questions and a KFC-225 Autopilot guide. I found the documentation
provided by RealAir to be excellent, not just for the casual flyer
but also for the serious flight simulation enthusiast who wishes to
familiarise him/herself with the aircraft in more depth.
Model Features
The Turbine Duke V2 features no less than 23 major updates compared
with V1. Now that’s impressive, but it doesn’t end there, in
addition there are no less than 19 additional updates and
improvements.
Major improvements:
• High definition 2048 pixel
textures.
• Exterior 3D model and texture
enhancements.
• A major update to the virtual
cockpit modelling and textures, including a more detailed cabin and
higher resolution textures on the
panels, providing
improved detail and clearer panel labels.
• More character and ambience in the
cockpit textures, including dust and minor wear marks.
• Subtle details are revealed as
sunlight moves across the cockpit.
• Custom sounds on all cockpit
switches, table, doors, armrests, and more.
• Extensive custom camera animations
simulating engine and ground vibration, overspeed and stall buffet,
propeller torque reaction,
landing forces,
plus more.
• Extensive custom sounds designed to
enhance the custom camera effects.
• Many more custom sounds and
animations all designed to breathe life and character into the Duke.
• Seven all-new panel and cabin
colour schemes.
• 3D model and texture performance
optimisation to ensure similar performance to the previous version,
despite the much higher
texture resolution.
• Multiplayer performance
optimisation to allow for good performance, and trouble-free flying
in multiplayer.
• Extensive flight model
improvements.
• New more realistic engine sounds
with improved separation between the turbine and prop sounds.
• Improved, more realistically sized
gauges with dust, dirt and finger marks on gauge glass (with the
option of hiding these dust and dirt marks
if that is your
preference).
• Improved gauge lighting.
• 3D lights in exterior and VC views.
• 3D landing lights with custom
runway light splash.
• Completely reworked VC night
lighting.
• Improved click spots and the option
to disable them for EZDOK camera and Track IR users.
• Flight1 GTN 750 and GTN 650 virtual
cockpit integration.
• Improved Reality XP GNS 530 and GNS
430 integration - RXP Unlimited installations are now supported, for
example 2 x GNS 530 or
2 x GNS 430 with
cross-fill.
• User configurable radio and GPS
panel layouts.
• A new, easier to use config panel
with a number of new features and more easily accessible help
information.
Additional improvements and updates:
• An option to keep the VC textures
in memory for a smoother and faster transition between cockpit and
exterior views.
• Turn coordinator bug fixed (turn
coordinator allows for perfect rate-one turns).
• Improved VC glass texturing.
• Screws added to the panel face.
• Optional suspension and touchdown
sounds for both hard and soft FSX runway surfaces.
• More complex generator load
modelling.
• Engine icing improvements.
• Custom pressurisation code with
more realistic operation and extra controls when compared to
standard FSX pressurisation.
• More realistic audio panel
functionality.
• Control surfaces and yokes move
realistically in response to trim commands.
• Control yokes and control surfaces
move fluidly in response to autopilot commands.
• ADF dip simulated (user
selectable).
• Three dimensional blurred
propellers - the blurred propellers are not just a flat, two
dimensional plate - they have depth when viewed from
the side, and the
propeller twist is visible even when blurred.
• Pilot headset added and the pilot’s
head features smoother animation.
• Flap buffet animation (flaps gently
vibrate when lowered).
• Optional flap failure when safe
flap operating speeds are exceeded.
• Improved cockpit door animation.
The door closes with speed, and gently buffets if not properly latched. Wind roar can be heard
when the door
is open and the engines are turning, even while
parked.
• Overspeed flutter animations on the
ailerons and yoke, with accompanying sounds.
• All switches and knobs can be
operated by the mouse wheel in addition to our other interaction
methods.
Paint Schemes
RealAir provide us with a total of seven HD liveries for the Turbine
Duke V2. [Shown below] A paint kit in currently being prepared.
D-NSYR |
|
G-BXTR |
HK-4628-G |
N157JT |
N626N |
N710DS |
VH-AFX |
Visual Appearance 1 |
Visual Appearance 2 |
Underside Engine Stain |
|
Tyre Wall Lettering |
Front View |
Virtual Cockpit 1 |
Virtual Cockpit 2 |
VC Yokes Removed |
Folding Table |
Cabin |
Config - Home |
Config - Graphics |
Config - Realism |
Config - Panel.jpg |
Config - GPS & Radio |
Config - RealView |
Scores: | ||
● External Model: | 10/10 | |
● Internal Model: | 9.5/10 | |
● Sounds: | 10/10 | |
● Flight Characteristics (does it fly by the numbers): | 10/10 | |
● Flight Dynamics (does it feel like what it looks like): | 10/10 | |
● Documentation: | 10/10 | |
● Value for Money: | 10/10 |
RealAir Turbine Duke V2 is awarded a Mutley’s Hangar score of 9.9/10, with an "Outstanding" and a Mutley's Hangar Gold Award. |