Wings Of Power
By Gene Davis (19 November 2004)
rom the skies of war
torn Europe and the Pacific to the skies of present day, comes
Wings Of Power by Shockwave Productions. WOP is by far
one of the best aircraft add-on packages I have seen thus far in this
genre. A price of $29.99 gets you a selection of eight different
World War 2 bombers, each with several different variations plus one
small German jet.Upon receiving Wings Of Power in the mail I was delighted to see that it came in a beautifully decorated box, nicely decorated CD and included a 158 page manual. That's right, an actual book, not a leaflet with a few instructions on it. Installation is a breeze and it offers two types of installation, one being higher resolution textures and the other being low resolution textures for slower computers. Wanting to get the most out of WOP I installed the high end ones, and found that WOP ran extremely well on my system. I have a second computer, so I decided to install the low end textures on that one as the computer has an old MX 400 video card in it. I found that there is a significant difference between the two, but from what I can tell is that it is only in the virtual cockpit.
Each plane is created with a great sense of detail and there is special attention to the flight characteristics of each plane. If you use FS with its reality sliders maxed you will find that WOP offers some exceptional flight modeling. Coupled with superb sound this makes Wings Of Power an excellent add-on to your existing hangar.
AR234 B2 Blitz
The Ar234 was a small two engine medium sized bomber that could have easily changed the outcome of World War 2. An interesting history fact, this plane was the only jet bomber for the Germans to become operational during World War 2. Looking over this plane brought some interesting questions to mind, what ifs, mostly.The cockpit layout is quite simple; putting the pilot at the front of the plane parked in front of a large open cockpit, with what must have been an unbelievable view of the ground below. The plane itself is well modeled, and is complete with a 2-D cockpit and a virtual cockpit. I find myself flying from the VC, just because the view is so much more realistic. I also find that it's kind of interesting to look into the cockpit from the outside and see the cramped space that these pilots had to endure on long flights. I have seen smaller, but for a medium range bomber it is considerably small.
Flying this plane is tough; its takeoff roll is very difficult and easily stalls out on takeoff, fully loaded of course. Once you are in the air, it flies really well and is surprisingly responsive. Flight model alone, this plane really exemplifies the hard work and detail that went into this add-on.
The sounds for the AR Blitz are very good. The gear and flaps have their own sound and the overall engine sound is well modeled. I have never heard an engine from an AR234 so I have no real comparison, but if I had to imagine what it sounded like then this would have to be it.
WOP offers you one variation of this plane with three different load-outs to choose from. Judging by the load-out with the external fuel tanks and a rather large virus bomb it could have posed a very serious threat to the allied forces and their respective countries.
Avro Lancaster
This medium range RAF 4 engine bomber was well known for its exploits during World War 2 as a dam busting plane. They struck deep into enemy territory, all under the cover of darkness. I remember spending hours playing the early dam busting games that were released some years back, and was always impressed with the Avro Lancaster and her history.The cockpit has a remarkable 2D panel, and is equipped with a VC. However, I don't really like the VC panel on this one as it looks a little too generic. I found that it didn't have the same attention to detail that the other planes in this package have, but I really don't have anything to compare the real Lancaster to the WOP one either. But, with the virtual cockpit comes the interior portion of the plane, and for that I think it is really good. As a pilot you have a full 360 degree view of the top part of the plane and it gives you a real sense of the size of this plane.
Looking at the plane from the outside gives a good birds-eye view of the individual stations for each of the planes crewmen. Through the aircraft windows you can make out each crewmen working at their station.
Flying the Lancaster is a treat, she responds like a fighter. It is remarkably easy to fly and maneuvers quite easily. Pretty much point it in the direction you want to go and let it be. Lancaster's flew low and fast, dodging enemy spotlights and anti- aircraft guns, though I don't envy the crews of these planes, it must have been one heck of a ride!
The sound package is above par, as are all the sounds in this add-on. What I like the most though is the fact that they just didn't alias the sounds from a different plane, they are the actual sounds for each specific aircraft.
Boeing B-17F and B-17G
The B-17 Flying Fortress is probably one of the most celebrated aircraft of World War 2. Its beauty and reputation speaks for itself; when you look at Wings Of Power's seventeen you really get a sense of history, feeling for those who flew it. For me, the deciding factor in buying WOP was because it included the B-17.The Boeing B17 F and G are beautifully modeled in WOP and truly celebrate the men who flew these planes. You will find that there is one texture variation with the F model ("Knockout Dropper") and two with the G model ("Bit O Lace" and "Shoo Shoo Baby"). Each are beautifully rendered and historically accurate. If you look hard enough on the web, there are already repaints starting to appear. I have managed to pick up the "Memphis Belle", the "909" and I am sure there will be a lot more out there as time goes by.
When you climb into the cockpit you will find a well detailed and beautifully rendered environment. It comes with a 2D panel, but I recommend flying this one from the VC, as it is completely interactive. Everything is in the right place and most of the switches and knobs work. You will also learn a lot about cockpit management when you fire this one up. I have found that it is so well modeled that you can use the actual flight manual to conduct your flight.
The flight dynamics for the B-17 in this package are the best I have seen when compared to some other B-17's out there for FS2004. The seventeen flies like the real thing. One of the best parts of this add-on is that your really have to fly it by the numbers, paying close attention to fuel mixture, pitch, prop levels, weight and fuel management. B-17's have a reputation for almost being able to fly themselves, and this is very well modeled in WOP. On the other hand though, if your weight is off and you're not properly set up for your takeoff roll you can easily stall out and crash.
One of the nicest features in WOP is that you can belly land these planes. FS will not just go into a crash, it will actually allow you to complete the landing and watch it in replay mode. I found that following the emergency landing procedures in the actual B-17 F and G manual was a welcome help. One can't imagine how scary it must have been for the guys who flew these planes and had to accomplish such a feat.
B-24 Liberator And PB4Y-2 Privateer
The B-24 Liberator has a reputation all its own. In many ways it's kind of an ugly aircraft but in the eyes of the men who flew her she was beautiful. WOP comes packed with two variations for the B-24 Liberator "Hail Columbia" and "Cocktail Hour". And if that wasn't enough the naval version of this wonderful plane is also included.I have spent some time climbing around on a real B-24 and what impressed the most was the size of the cockpit area. It was roomier than the B-17 and seemed a little more comfortable. Wings Of Power delivers an accurate virtual cockpit experience and really gives you a sense of the power that this plane encompassed.
Flying the plane is much like flying the B-17, but there is a significant difference in size and aerodynamic design. This plane really flies heavy. When you are taking off it lumbers down the runway and requires a good deal of airstrip to get airborne. The more I have the opportunity to fly this one, the more I like it.
My only complaint with the Liberator is the colors that the variations come in; although historically accurate I don't care for the shades of color. But, I am sure repaints will soon surface on the web.
The naval version of the plane, the PB4Y-2 is a lot of fun to explore. I especially like flying this one out over the Hawaiian Islands and if you have Bill Lyon's Golden Hawaii installed you can go ship hunting.
Boeing B-29
Almost gone from FS2004 existence is the Boeing B-29. I only know of one other B-29 and that is a freeware one that was released not too long ago. These lumbering tanks are an unbelievable aircraft. When you see one in person you have to wonder how does something like that fly?I found this plane to be one of the hardest out of the eight planes to fly in WOP. Its sheer size plays into its own flight dynamics. Fully loaded, the takeoff roll is the most difficult. I found that after takeoff you are only climbing about 200 feet per second and that is with throttles wide open and flaps set where they need to be. Now, I have not tried changing my fuel load and cargo and I am sure that would make a significant difference, but in reality most of these planes flew fully loaded with bombs and crew. I tried getting one of these off of Midway Island and ended up in the water. After take-off I was climbing about 100 feet a second and when I tried to increase my vertical speed the plane stalled out and plunged into the sea.
The cockpit is incredible; both the 2D and virtual cockpit are extraordinary. This is another plane that you really need to fly from the VC, as that really shows the true size of the aircraft. Again, most of the switches and knobs function and allow you to do most of your cockpit management from the VC.
The package includes one variation and if you register at Shockwave Productions when you buy it they will send you a link to get a free nighttime variation of this magnificent aircraft. The package includes "Docs Deadly Dose" and with the free download you will get a night time variation called "El Pajaro De La Guerra". Each is historically accurate and very well done. Overall the exterior model is gorgeous, but I found the aluminum textures a little too bright for my taste.
Heinkel HE 162 A Salamander
The He 162 is a small and sleek German fighter jet. Looking at it for the first time must have been a real thrill for pilots who had only flown prop driven planes. My first impression of this plane was, "What happens if you need to bail out, the engine is right behind you?" The aircraft saw only test flights and never saw any real combat. In testing though, it had developed a reputation for being quick and deadly.The Salamander is probably my favorite out of the three German planes in this package. It is a real trip to fly and getting this one slowed down for a successful approach and landing is quite challenging. It is very fast, and maneuvers insanely well. One thing you need to remember when you are landing is that you need to come in fast, and drop your airspeed otherwise you will stall out quickly and crash.
The cockpit has some nice detail; both the 2D and VC cockpits are very good. This is another plane that I think you will find it better by flying it from the VC. It offers some real nice views and gives you a really good sense of flight. Looking around in the cockpit is also kind of fun, look backward and up to the rear. The engine is right there!
As far as the sound goes, I would have thought that it would have been much louder, with the engine being where it is, and in reality it probably was. In WOP though the sound is toned down, but very well done.
Focke-Wulfe Ta 183 Huckebein
This little monster never saw action, nor did it ever see flight. Derived from actual Luftwaffe blue prints, this plane has been given life. Actually seen as a father figure to the early Russian MiG 15, this plane would have been a definite threat to allied fighters and bombers had it gone into production.The virtual cockpit and 2D cockpits are very well done, and designed from actual blueprints of the plane itself. There is an extensive section in the manual covering the plane's checklists and flight characteristics.
I enjoy flying this one every now and then; it's quick so you really have to watch your fuel and speed. It is also very maneuverable; even at 600 MPH, the plane is surprisingly maneuverable for something as old as it is. Getting this little plane to slow down is another trick all in its own. So take yourself back in time to 1945 and test out one of Germany's secret weapons.
Maintanance Cart
From what I have found some bugs do exist in WOP, but they are little ones. However, Shockwave Productions has said on their website that there will be a patch to correct some of these issues.After installing the package, I found that I didn't care for the default internal zoom settings, so I changed them quite easily in the each plane's individual config files.
I also didn't really care for the preset external view settings either and these are pretty easy to change; in some cases the preset settings made the planes look too small.
You will also find that some things in the virtual cockpit are not totally clickable and require you to switch between the 2D and VC regularly. This is not a real big problem, but I really like doing all my flying from the VC in the Flying Fortress.
Conclusion
Wings Of Power offers excellent sound, a good variety of aircraft and the best bang for your buck. If you have an interest in WW2 era planes or have an inkling to try something totally different then WOP is the package for you. You will not be disappointed.Just recently Shockwave Productions announced that they will be selling planes for download. Recently announced was a new P-51 and judging by the screen shots it is going to be a must have.
If I had to rate Wings Of Power I would rate it at a 5 out of 5 simply because there is nothing out on the market that compares to this genre of aircraft. It is a refreshing change to get a collection of planes versus just one and getting a printed manual allows you to do a little research outside of your personal computer.
Gene Davis
GeneDavis101@hotmail.com
