The "Sportsmans" Package From Bill Lyons

By Roger Gaylor (16 January 2003)

I'm sure anyone who hasn't been living under a rock are familiar with Bill Lyons' wonderful classic creations for the flightsim world. Creations such as the Waco, the Cannibal Queen Stearman, the T50 Bobcat and even a blimp and hot air balloon just to name a few. His last release being the Classic DH82a Tiger Moth biplane collection.

His freeware contributions have been around for several years now. But to obtain his ingenious creations today it's now necessary to contribute to his retirement fund a bit :-) But, unlike a lot of the payware offerings today, to quote a simmer from a recent forum message, "you get more bang for the buck" from Bill.

And Bill Lyons has done it again with his new "Sportsman" package from the Golden Eagles Squadron. This package features the beautifully crafted classic Ryan STA/YPT16, but that's just for starters. Along with this stunning aircraft, you get for the first time anywhere a human snow skier to experience the slopes of Aspen with. And also a skater to hurry on down to the corner grocery to pick up your favorite six-pack between commercials. If that's not enough to wet your appetite, there's also a fabulous 1934 Ford convert-a-top to see the scenery from the ground view. And to explore all the waterways Bill has included a wooden cruiser that will blow your mind. So let's break it down some to show you just what "Bang" you're getting.

Let's start with the plane itself. It comes in two models, one a float version with a variety of color schemes for each. It is a very fun aircraft to fly as you scoot through the clouds. It is designed with all the latest features including reflective textures and virtual cockpit. Bill has been almost a pioneer in the use of the virtual cockpit. I think he was the first to design a VC utilizing gauges way back in FS98. Pressing the "/" key inserts animated pilots. The pilots have animated scarfs blowing in the wind, a nice touch. The plane even has animated flames coming out of the exhaust pipes, which is sooo cool. The beautiful antique gauges even have a lighted glow when you're flying at night and the cockpit is fully animated. And of course Bill is one of the best FD crafters there are bar none. So you'll enjoy flying this pretty bird just as much.

The 34 Ford is a work of art. From its classy lines down to the exquisite chrome capped rims. Both doors open to show a fully textured interior including a wooden dash and cloth seats. The stearing wheel turns with the front wheels and the ahooga horn blows also. What more could you want?! It has great night lighting including exterior and dash lights. The convertable canvas top pops off with the strobes key and you can even see the smoke from the exhaust while the engine is running. The ahooga horn can be heard by pressing the F8 key.

As you're driving along the dash with its wooden look and the antique gauges make you really feel like you're back in the 1930s with the wind blowing through your hair. A most magnificiant addition to the package. Oh, and in case I forgot to mention it, the "/" inserts two passengers in the Ford.

The Garwood boat is another invaluable collection piece which, if you owned a real one or similiar today, it would truely be a most expensive collector's item. It as with the Ford, has an animated virtual interior and is even more in depth. You will see two entries in the aircraft menu. Garwood and Garwood Cabin. The first entry will put you behind the helm in the interior while the second entry puts you into the hull or living quarters below of the cruiser. The helm which is animated along with the throttle gives you a feeling of complete control. The cabin area is fully detailed from an old Philco radio and books on a shelf to pictures on the wall of Bill and Lynn. There are some charts and a lamp and you can see out the portholes. The cabin door to the upper area will even open when using the Shift+E key. All that's missing is Popeye :-)

The Garwood has several special features besides the unique virtual interior, one of which is the anchor. The anchor can be retracted with the F5 key and dropped into the water with the F8 key. Or once you start moving, it will retract automatically. If you're inside the cabin you can even hear the anchor chain as it is raised or lowered into the water. Very cool. Also once the cruiser starts moving, you'll notice the flag will appear and flutter in the wind. As with the car and plane, the "/" key inserts a driver and a passenger in the rear seated at the table. It has a full aray of individually controlled night lighting and if you'll notice in the flights image, you can even see some colored lights when choosing the "Christmas on the Columbia River" flight. As with the Ford, it has lots of chrome all over from the railing and lights, and just smells of the aristocratic nature of this exquisite vessel. You will have hours of enjoyment and check out the flights that come with the package for exploring sights that I'll bet you've never seen before.

Along with this package as his others, are some included scenery areas for you to enjoy. Bill has a knack for bringing out the best of FS2002 default scenery with his outstanding flights to go along with the packages and it's no less the same with this one. Included are over forty flights featuring all facets of this wonderfully fun adventure.

When selecting any one of the forty flights you can see the Empire State Building in the Ford to cruising in the Garwood looking at the Arch in St. Louis to skiing on the slopes of Mount Ranier. Bill has a unique way of creating flights that always shows you something new. His uncanny tweeks brings out the weather settings like no other for his scenery excursions.

Bill is not only a great aircraft designer but he also has the magic touch when it comes to creating scenery to go along with the theme of his collections. There are some old rustic looking hangars with that "worn" look to them which you can access through the flights mentioned above. Watch out for the cobwebs...

One of the flights will put you looking for Crystal Creek road to take you to Jackson cabin on top of the mountain. Looking at the cabin in daylight the area around it is breathtaking with the mountains looming. The cabin itself is without words. The "Bush" flyers will be extremely ecstatic with this cabin and its many unique features. The cabin has see through windows and the door opens as you near it. As you can see in the image, it has a bed inside, an old timey stove to cook with and a great looking fireplace with a bearskin rug on the floor. And there's that picture of Bill and Lynn again. And check out the bedspread on that antique brass bed. The fire even glows at night. Only thing missing is a rocking chair. Outside you can see animated smoke from the chimney and an outhouse out back.

For the first time in FS history (I think) Bill has created a couple of human figures for the package. One in the form of a skier and one as a roller skater. I don't know why he didn't create an ice skater instead but never the less these are unique to the package. You can access them through the flights mentioned above which will put you on the slopes of Mount Ranier to Aspen. These are really fun and open up a whole new area of FS exploration as do the boat and automobile. The humans are also animated to lean into the turns and slopes. Maybe Bill can add a "water" skier and an "ice" skater later, hint hint...

Last but not least, when you purchase one of Bill's creations, he has made a point of adding that little something extra to make you feel like he made it just for you. Custom made so to speak. It is the same with the "Sportsman" package. When you get your files, you'll get a file with several extra textures in it that will have your name on a plate on the aircraft panel, in the pilot's license on the seat, on the Garwood cruiser, and possibly on the license plate of the Ford. Oh, and check out the sign on top of the airport office building. These are a nice touch and one of many that you get when you purchase Bill's great collections.

You can't miss out with Bill. You will have more fun and discover more places you never seen before in Bill's adventurous package. Oh and did I mention reasonable prices? I'll bet you DO get more bang for the buck and won't be disappointed either.

Visit the Golden Eagles Squadron at the links below.

Golden Eagles Squadron located at:

http://windrfters.com/index.htm

Direct link to the Sportsman Package:

http://windrfters.com/STApage.htm

Roger "Maddog" Gaylor
namvet@sigecom.net