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SSG : Boeing 747-8 Series Development Progress


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Back in June 2013, The Supercritical Simulations Group  uploaded the 747-8 Series 2.0 version. This was a freeware aircraft and is well worthy of a download into your "Heavy Aircraft" folder. The quality of this aircraft is excellent, but only has the standard (although very well updated) cockpit. It was also SSG then noted is that from that point on the updates would only be payware only.

 

My first initial reaction would be that the team would complete the 3d cockpit, add in a host of new systems and do a few nips and tucks here and there before putting the aircraft up on the sales shelves for sale.   The main detail and quality of the aircraft looked fine... a little plain in places but overall fine.

 

However that is not the case. The SSG team has gone back to the very basics to redefine the whole 3d model.

 

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The wing on the -8 Series has been completely remodeled by Boeing and SSG have recalibrated root of the wing chord and its supercritical elements.

 

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The wing now has that twist that highlights the laminiar flow over the wing.

 

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And the completed set of wings is very well done.

 

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The main fuselage has also been remodeled and with the updated wings you can see the difference in quality in the aircraft.

 

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The main cockpit windows have also been re-detailed and remodeled.

 

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This refinement is interesting stuff, because you don't think that the detailing is out or wrong until it is corrected, then the ball drops on the image "It just looks right", go back to the older version and you can see the overall effect is right, but also slightly wrong.

 

The main reason is just time and detailing. to get that realistic perfectly realised reproduction requires more time and fine attention to detail...  In buying payware that is where your money goes.

 

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The undercarriage has also been upgraded and detailed, and it was very well modeled before.

 

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The perfectly canted bogies will give you a great simulation and animation on touching down on the runways, always one detail to give the skills a work out in placing the bogies down correctly.

 

The big feature will of course be the 3d Cockpit, and that is coming along nicely as well.

 

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Finally we will have a fully functional Boeing 747 panel, The inclusion of a realistic programmable FMS is going to keep us long-haulers happy for years and note the routing on the map display.

 

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Detail in knobs, switches and those great throttle levers is very good, and the aircraft systems will be very realistic.  

 

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The autopilot and the overhead systems panel is comprehensive, I just hope SSG will weather the panel textures down a little. But remember anyway this B748 is still a work in progress.

 

For more future information on this project then go to the developers site listed below. SSG and the whole team are creating really exciting aircraft for X-Plane users, they are relatively new on the developer block but are already turning out some excellent aircraft to add to your hangers. The addition of the Boeing 747-8 series is only going to add to the excitement of flying these heavy machines...  and for now until the payware version is available you can still fly the freeware version and get to know the aircraft.

 

Developer Site: Supercritical-Simulations Group

 

12th August 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Guest Stefan Keller

Thanks Stephen:

 

We really appreciate the kind words. As you have noted, we are making a lot of effort to ensure that the external model of the new 747-8 release is as accurate as possible.

 

We are also hard at work on the 3D cockpit, including the modeling and the systems. Rest assured that we will be updating the 3D cockpit textures. The current ones are primarily placeholders to make sure all the objects are properly placed.  

 

Accurate performance and flight modeling are also key goals of the project, and we think that things are coming together nicely to make it a very nice package. Stay tuned!

 

- Stefan

SSG

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