an open letter to aircraft designers...

**hcmb_05** · 09-26-2011, 08:52 PM

Hi to all, first posting here, I don't know if I should post this in the aircraft designers section or something...

(to the admins & mods, please place this wherever appropriate... thanks!!!)

I have a bit of a request... would somebody do an updated (more accurate) model (both for the exterior & interior) for the King Air 350?

We all have seen how inaccurate the model of the default 350 is, and I was hoping that somebody would do an updated one to replace it...

No need to do the other stuff like the FDE (aircraft.cfg), panel, sound, gauges, etc. those have been done well by other designers already... just the 3D model...

if someone will take the case, I will provide him with every reference he will need (official documentation BTW), including the real airplane itself... I fly this same plane as a co-pilot...

I've contacted Tim Conrad thru his published e-mail address on his readme file of his OV-10, no response yet... I was hoping too that he will do it...

hoping for any response, will be much appreciated...

thanks much!
hans

P.S. here's our ship

**xxmikexx** · 09-26-2011, 09:14 PM

Hi, and welcome to FlightSim.Com.

I'll move this thread to the Aircraft Design forum for you. While you're waiting for an answer, other people might be interested to learn that what appears to be an accurate FS2004 King Air B200 model is available in this product from the Pilot Shop. This isn't what you're looking for, and anyway it's payware, but there it is.

You might also put your question to EagleSoft Development Group to see whether they have any plans in this area. Again, they're a payware shop, but they do exremely accurate and detailed work.

Sorry that I can't really help.

**hcmb_05** · 09-26-2011, 09:33 PM

Thank you very much sir Mike for the move!

I also got the Flight1 B200, and have been using it along with the freeware AFG King Air 300, both are excellent! But I'm still hoping for somebody (free or payware) to do the 350...

will do your suggestion as well too

**xxmikexx** · 09-26-2011, 09:56 PM

I don't understand how this thread ended up here in FS2004 given that I moved it to Aircraft Design, where it also is found. Maybe some other moderator copied it here. ... ...

Oops, this post was made in FS2004 yet it showed up here in Aircraft Design as well. I will send an email to webmaster Nels Anderson reporting this strange behavior.

EDIT: Email has been sent to Nels.

**hcmb_05** · 09-26-2011, 10:00 PM

yup, I can still see it in the FS2004 section sir...

but when opened, its going straight to the aircraft designers section just fine...

marvic · 09-26-2011, 10:01 PM

Also Carenado (payware) is in development of the King Air C90 for FSX. Preliminary pics look awesome......

**hcmb_05** · 09-26-2011, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by marvic

Also Carenado (payware) is in development of the King Air C90 for FSX. Preliminary pics look awesome......

I'm also watching for their work as well, we have a King Air E90 (almost identical to the C90), and I'll be taking ground lessons for that one as well... still, I sure hope somebody will do a 350 for FS9 too (at least the 3d model and VC only, just to replace that mishappen default one on FS9)

**hcmb_05** · 09-27-2011, 07:50 AM

that reminds me...

I was thinking, is there a converter out there (even under-development ones) that can backwards compatible FSX aircraft mdls to FS9? I know I'm asking too much for this... but I have to say, its only in FSX that Microsoft got the shape of the airplane well...

(I have a legit copy of FSX by the way... but I haven't used it because of the add ons I have for FS9, plus my PC can't handle it)

**xgeraet** · 09-28-2011, 12:07 AM

No need to do the other stuff like the FDE (aircraft.cfg), panel, sound, gauges, etc. those have been done well by other designers already... just the 3D model...

Thats a relief! I'd HATE to have to do something really tough like a panel config, or FDE. I'll hop right on that 3D model. tomorrow too soon?
I've been poking at FSDS and GMAX for years (3!) . so far, I managed to make a box with an opening lid. Getting it to export...*^%$*%^*!!
3D modeling seems to be more of an intuitive art. You can read the tutorials, and try making the jenny, and find out that there is as much as a 'feel' for it as anything, and if you don't have it....
Hundreds to thousands of hours go into these things to get an accurate model with a few animations. I don't know how Milton or Rob or Dave or Piglet do it, other than lots of practice, and that indefinable 'feel' No one is going to run home and start smashing out a freeware King air unless the designer really wants one. Which I can't see because it been done to death by payware providers and default, even if it isn't a 350 and has a few boo-boo's. Its just not a really inspiring airplane. One of the payware devs may take a stab at it, but only if they figure there is enough simmers who wear short sleeve white shirts with 4-ring epaulets while simming who want to pay for it.
Usually, these sort of posts in forums produce lots of snickering and head shaking at home and derisive commentary in the closed forums.
Down load gmax and try it your self. Who knows, you may get lucky and find out you have the touch. BTY- Mr.Conrad hardly ever responds to e-mails, rarely about permissions for what not for his models, never to the storm of 'could u plz mak me...' e-mails.
Good luck

**hcmb_05** · 09-28-2011, 01:54 AM

thank you for the reply sir!

yes, I did considered making one, and in fact I have all of the recommended modeling software (GMax, FSDS, etc), since I was making my own sceneries as well... but as fast as I learned how to make sceneries, I learned that making aircraft models as opposed to buildings, objects etc. is altogether a different beast... I think I have the "feel" but I guess I don't know how to translate it into the program (yet...)... I guess one of my best hopes is that a payware guy (or guys) will tackle it, and if they do, I'll be more than happy to help them... (I did tried to contact the people from the AFG team to ask permission to have a copy of their source files for their 300 to try build the 350 from there, but no answer... and only a few moments after sending my e-mail, their site went kaput...)

You're (most probably) correct - the 350 may not be a very inspiring airplane, that's why not much is taking notice... then again, the people that do take notice aren't so much as "few", its just that nobody from them is a designer... or maybe its just me... because I like this airplane very much (actually my favorite), and that I do wear short sleeve white shirts with 3-ring epaulets and flying the real thing, and getting paid for it... (I have yet to get the 4-ring one... but my captain says I'm nearly there)

sir Tim Conrad did sent me an e-mail, unfortunately, as much as he wanted to make one, he can't do it anymore because all of his modeling tools and his FS9 are gone...

oh well... I'll se what I can do with FSX's 350, at least MS got their 350 model there right... and I've found some guys that have reverse-convert the FSX aircraft mdl for FS9... but they didn't told how...