Sascha Normann's Uetersen Scenery
By Fred Popplewell (21 February 2001)
 Elbe estuary |
n
the lookout for more VFR airfields in Europe for FS2000, I was
agreeably surprised to find that Sascha Normann's package for
northern Germany is very much more than just an airfield. Using
satellite, aerial and ground photos, the designer has convincingly
set down two small airfields near the Elbe estuary, in a superb
representation which every VFR simmer will enjoy. A moderate amount
of dynamic scenery animates the view. Originally started for FS98
with just Uetersen airfield this scenery has been developed over
twenty months.
The Elbe
An attractive part of Uetersen is the extended coverage of the surrounding countryside from the Elbe to the boundaries of Hamburg. The estuary is a major feature of this area and is a useful source of
 The Marsche |
Whatever your reservations about nuclear power generation I was glad of these for, without them, it would have been difficult to find my way back to Uetersen which has no navaids. Keep a lookout for other tall structures such as chimneys and radio antennas that are all included.
 Significant landmark |
Photo Realistic Fields
This scenery has a large area of fields that, unusual for photo add-ons, have seasonal variations, spring with muted colors, and summer. Spring doubles up for autumn (fall) but default takes over in winter.The absolutely flat and low-lying "Marsch" is similar to the fields found in the recent NL2000. Long, narrow, rectangular strips, some quite dark with alluvial soil deposits, are all laid down with photo-realism.
Away from the estuary there are two other field patterns. Admittedly
there is the usual unavoidable repetition but if you set visibility
to a realistic 5 or 10 nm, this doesn't look so intrusive as the
patterns recede into the hazy distance. Extensive areas of forest or
woodland are represented by blocks of trees with photo-realistic
edges.
 Hamburg in background |
 Approach to Uetersen |
Urban Areas
 Elmshorn - can you spot the train? |
Airfields
Situated about 10 nm almost due west of Hamburg-EDDH, Uetersen airfield has 900 usable meters of grass runway. This airfield is very nicely modelled. The designer has convincingly made all buildings and hangars from photographs. The grass surface realistically varies overall in color and texture apart from the main and glider runways. The perimeter is tree-lined but there is a road passing behind the control tower that carries occasional moving traffic.
 Uetersen town |
Shortly after take off on runway 27 you will see what looks like a block of apartments on 300 degrees. As you fly nearer it resolves into a container ship towering over the countryside.
Getting into Ahrenlohe on runway 23 proved quite difficult in my Cessna 182. The forest extends quite closely to the airfield, and despite the trees being cut back I found it impossible to slow the aircraft enough to set it down without running out of tarmac. This was partly due to pilot deficiencies and partly due to the usual unavoidable lack of visual cues, but I was successful with my slower
 Ueterson airfield |
Just as in real flying, both airfields require a certain amount of local flying to gain familiarity with the patterns and learn the turning points, etc. See what you can do! Neither Uetersen nor the smaller Ahrenlohe has night lighting.
Night Time
Night flying isn't usually done in VFR, but doing so revealed a new world outside. The discrete patches of lit-up towns contrasted starkly with the now dark fields, threaded with moving headlights.
 Konig-Pilsener blimp |
Dynamic Scenery
Coming from Hamburg, the home of SCASM, Sascha Normann has made intelligent use of moving objects. We have grown accustomed to aircraft or blimps over our airfields but in this work we can observe trains and vehicles below as well including a busy autobahn. I've already mentioned what I like best of all, moving container ships on the Elbe. On one flight I even saw ships in contra-flow but the designer has resisted the temptation to overdo it.
 Container ship dominates the Marsch |
 Ahrenlohe over the trees |
Installation
 Night time |
Frame Rates
Although the scenery is being laid over the default, effectively doubling the operation, frame rates hold up very well. In day time, with scattered clouds and 10 nm visibility, rates were typically 23-25 falling to 16 at Uetersen airfield where there are most 3D buildings. At dusk, with lighting appearing, the rate slowed to 13.5 at the airfield.
Bugs
 Outbound container ship |
Conclusions
I don't like to award marks or percentages for what I think can't be measured in that way but let's say that what you get here is the result of twenty months work, a visual delight equal to any I've seen so far. There are many "Easter Eggs" and although I'm not sure I've found them all I am certain that all VFR flyers will enjoy Sascha Normann's scenery. When I parked my 182 I would swear that I had the taste of salt on my lips!|
System:
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fredpopplewell@netscapeonline.co.uk
Download Sascha Normann's Uetersen Scenery.