Aircraft XP11 Update : DHC-2 Beaver by SoulMadeSimulations

[Stephen]

 

Aircraft XP11 Update : DHC-2 Beaver by SoulMadeSimulations

 

This is not a full version update for SoulMade Simulation's excellent DHC-2 Beaver, but really an adjustment for the aircraft fly correctly in X-Plane11 with all the required X-Plane11 dynamics and performance details.

 

The full update for XP11 which is v1.3 has been promised for quite awhile, and understandably users were getting a little hot under the collar as the aircraft was quite unflyable in the X-Plane11 version of the simulator, and if you wanted to fly this amazing bush aircraft you were restricted to only the X-Plane10 version. 

 

So Peter Krouse certainly wanted to deliver the full v1.3 update, but like in many cases real life just gets in the way.

 

 

So this update is not really an update at all but the X-Plane11 version of the DHC-2, the required performance and dynamic tweeks have been done and they are excellent, it flies and very well thank you very much. In fact it flies "really" well and my take a few fliers off-guard as the inputs are now really fine, but gives you excellent feel and control...  the fact is this Beaver now flies far better than ever.

 

In fact now you really have to also relearn your input skills...  Takeoff was fine (note to lock via a key input the tail-wheel, as that is only for the very, very experienced bush fliers out there).

 

But landing back at Stewart's CZST RWY36 the XP11 Beaver was quite a handful...

 

 

...  the handling is quite different now and may I say even a bit edgy, but in reality quite perfect once you tune into the feel and also adjusting your inputs. Lowering your flaps still I feel needs a little adjusting, they come in too strong and can lift you even with the first step down and at a low approach speed, but once lowered the stability at the lower speeds are very good even if it puts you at the mercy of the wind.

 

 

So wind direction and strength is of course a factor, but you will need a few circuits to get the feel right and of course with XP11 performances the throttle control becomes as much a factor as the your arm and footwork inputs, overall the DHC-2 is now simply brilliant.

 

 

There has not been any PBR effects or anything else done to this Beaver yet, which is a shame. But the X-Plane11 lighting dynamics are still very much present...

 

 

...  and that exquisite sensational instrument panel looks even more better than ever and the instrument glass is now beautifully reflective

 

 

Cabin looks great as well, well fitted out for both Full passenger, Pass+Cargo or Full Cargo layouts.

 

 

 

Amphibious and Tundra (large tyres) versions are also still included.

 

 

The full overview and detailed X-PlaneReview's release review of the SMS DHC-2 Beaver is available here: Aircraft Review : DHC-2 Beaver by SoulMade Simulations

 

Summary

This update of the SMS DHC-2 Beaver to X-Plane11 is confined only to the dynamics and performance aspect of the aircraft. But it does more than just allow you to fly the aircraft in the XP11 version as the actual flying dynamics are quite different and has to be skill wise adjusted to, for everything else associated with X-Plane11 including the PBR effects and FMOD sounds then we will still have to wait for the v1.3 release.

 

But in the mean time this lovely and the most famous of all Bush aircraft is at least now available to be used quite well in X-Plane11, and it is this SoulMade Simulation Beaver that is still the very best Bush and Beaver aircraft you can fly in X-Plane, in either the X-Plane10 version and now in the X-Plane11 version. Highly recommended!

 

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The DHC-2 Beaver by SoulMade Simulations for both XP10 & XP11 is available from the New X-Plane.Org Store here :

 

DHC-2 Beaver

 

and is priced at only US$29.95

 

To update then go to your X-Plane.OrgStore account and download the X-Plane11 version. Download size is 261.60mb.

 

Special Features:
    Very realistic flight model.
    Flight tested by real former DHC-2 Beaver pilots.
    Realistic sound environment provided by DreamEngine, Sonic Solutions and SoulMade Simulations.
    Awesome and extremely accurate modeling of the DHC-2 Beaver cockpit, interior and exterior.
    Fully animated and realistic 3D cockpit. Every switch and control can be operated.
    Realistic cockpit instrument and cabin lighting for dusk/dawn and night flying activities.
    Detailed animations for the interior and exterior model.
    Many different pre-set views for the cockpit, cabin and exterior can be selected via a 2D pop-up menu.
    Options menu to easily change wheel configurations, cabin configurations, pre-flight parts and other things without re-loading the aircraft.
    2D pop-up window for the STEC-50 autopilot to allow an easy operation when there is no time to look down in the cockpit.
 
Features:
    SASL plug-in enhanced flight model and systems, where many systems have been coded to replicate the behavior of the real DHC-2 Beaver, like:
    Flight Model
    Engine and Engine Systems
    Electrical System
    Fuel and Oil System
    Carburetor Heating
    STEC-50 Autopilot
    SoulMade Simulations floatplane docking feature (first in X-Plane) to realistically tie down your aircraft and move it around on water naturally.
    STEC-50 Autopilot coded from scratch to re-plicate real behavior and functionality
    Plug-in enhanced ground model to improve ground handling in cross-wind conditions
    Realistic failures in case the engine is overly abused during operation.
 
Designed by Pete @ Soul Made Simulations
 
Support forum for the DHC-2

 

Requirements:

X-Plane 11 or X-Plane 10

Windows XP, MAC, Linux
2Gb VRAM Recommended - 4Gb VRAM Recommended
Current version: XP11 (March 28th 2018) 1.22. (Aug 2017, for X-Plane 10)

 

Changelog

Added an 'XP11' version. 

Now you have the choice to download the XP10 or XP11 version

 

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Update Review by Stephen Dutton

31st March 2018

Copyright©2018: X-PlaneReviews

 

(Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions)

 

Review System Specifications:

Computer System: Windows  - Intel Core i7 6700K CPU 4.00GHz / 64bit - 16 Gb single 1067 Mhz DDR4 2133 - ASUS GeForce GTX 1080 8Gb - Samsung Evo 512gb SSD 

Software:   - Windows 10 - X-Plane 11.10

Addons: Saitek x52 Pro system Joystick and Throttle : Sound - Bose  Soundlink Mini

Plugins: Environment Engine by xEnviro US$69.90 : XPRealistic Pro v1.0.9  effects US$19.95

Scenery

- CZST - Stewart by beti-x (X-Plane.OrgStore) - US$25.80 ( X-Plane Reviews Scenery Review: CZST - Stewart by beti-x )

 

 

[olderndirt]

An interesting thing I've found with Pete's Beaver, it's never the same.  Perhaps this is due to my installation but each flight seems to produce different reactions to the different problems.  I installed a tailwheel lock per your review and it seemed whizzo but will it be the same next time?.  By and large it's a great plane - just listening to that R985 at cruise makes me nod off, relaxed with the knowledge that Laminar will have it fixed and ready at the threshold ready to go.

[Stephen]

Yes I totally agree with that comment. My assumption is that Peter tunes the aircraft very finely to the Laminar dynamics and then any changes are then instantly mirrored, this update was not just different, but as you noted it is very different from before... but once you feel your way through it is very good and very challenging. The really weird thing about the X-Plane11 dynamics are the way that they affect the aircraft and in all their very different ways, so you have to readjust to each one differently and not the usual get "one sorted and the rest will behave the same" but that is a good thing as you know deep down the simulator is actually doing what it is supposed to do, and that keep us on our toes as well.

[chrstphd]

Just a note: in the linked support forum, you'll find some modifications done by Franz (now in the SMS team). Absolutely mandatory !