1946 ERCO Ercoupe 415-C

[HardCub]

The 1946 ERCO Ercoupe Model 415-C is a beautiful 2008 freeware design from Kazunori Ito. I was so excited the very first time I discovered this pretty FS9 model, and I was overjoyed when I discovered that it also included the wheel pants model versions too! Mr. Kazunori is a highly talented modeler who has given us some very interesting, and beautiful FS model designs thru the years.

However, on both of my last two computer systems, the Ercoupe's air.file and corresponding model files have performed horribly for me. It was a nerve-racking real shame, very unfortunate, because I wanted this little aircraft so badly. The airplane was very heavy, would not leave the ground, and behaved very erratically. If I could get even it into the air (usually using the "slew" mode button to achieve some type of height) it then flew like a fighter jet, and landed in excess of 90mph!!! Remember also, the Ercoupe does NOT have any flaps ~ which didn't help the situation @ all.
I solved the problem after a few years of trial & errors with a sudden decision one night recently: I decided to stop tweaking the current aircraft.cfg file included with the original model, and just completely "swap out" the air.file and edit/merge the aircraft.cfg files to match the real-world aircraft specs. as closely as possible. The result? The Ercoupe now flies very nicely, albeit with some "occasional" very light twitching movements in a slow turn (rarely)... but otherwise, it really flies great! I did have to make one or two cfg.file entries, but nothing major... just a minor tweak or two.

Does anyone know if this was considered as "okay" to do this??? I don't wish to get into trouble with anyone, but I did want so badly to be able to "fly" the little Ercoupe on my computer system. I have not uploaded or shared the tweaked files with anyone else @ this time.

Here's some pictures of the Ercoupe. I think it is a beautiful airplane design, and I wish I owned one in real-life. I think this would be a fantastic way to spend a long weekend taking a cross-country trip in your very own personal Ercoupe! Nice!

This is the Microsoft FS2004 simulator.
February 21, 2012































Microsoft FS2004 + 9.1 update
1946 Ercoupe 415-C (freeware by Kazunori Ito)
Hi-Fi Technologies ASE (Active-Sky-Evolution)
REX2004 cloud/sun textures
2004 replacement envmap.bmp by Robert Rivera
Ground_Environment PRO
Ultimate Terrain USA
FSGenesis 19m terrain mesh South Carolina
KCDN Woodward Field Airport Camden, South Carolina (freeware add-on)
FSScreen
EZ-Thumbnails v3.0
1920x1200x32m pixels original size .bmp converted to .jpg (resized / Not Edited)

[HardCub]

The Ercoupe also comes in a polished aluminum finish as well.










This pictures shows off the envmap texture from Bob Rivera very well. You will get widely varying results,
depending on the envmap.bmp file you choose to use on your particular system.



Standard 2D cockpit (with Yokes removed)



Showing all additional 2D Pop-Up windows



3D virtual cockpit viewpoint, zoomed out 31% for a wider viewing field



Typical 3D virtual cockpit viewpoint







Climbing out over KCDN Woodward Field, Camden, SC









~Thanks for viewing everyone ~



Microsoft FS2004 + 9.1 update
1946 Ercoupe 415-C (freeware by Kazunori Ito)
Hi-Fi Technologies ASE (Active-Sky-Evolution)
REX2004 cloud/sun textures
2004 replacement envmap.bmp by Robert Rivera
Ground_Environment PRO
Ultimate Terrain USA
FSGenesis 19m terrain mesh South Carolina
KCDN Woodward Field Airport Camden, South Carolina (freeware add-on)
FSScreen
EZ-Thumbnails v3.0
1920x1200x32m pixels original size .bmp converted to .jpg (resized / Not Edited)

[707jet]

That is a very amazing plane, Glenn! Great shots as well. Enjoyed them a lot!

Thorsten

[peer01]

Great memories, a friend of my parents owned one in the 60's and early 70's. Beautiful pics of a great liitle bird Glenn, great job!

[HardCub]

Thanks very much Thorsten. It's a dream to fly now that I finally got it 'flyable' on my system.

Thank you so much Jan. I found a DVD showcasing the Ercoupe. I am going to buy myself a copy of it.

[peer01]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITl9yxtC8ek You'll like this!

[aircav1970]

Great set Glenn,I've always been a huge fan of these little birds having had a friend that had one years ago,like you,I really wish I could have owned one myself but.....well,you know how some things are just never meant to be.Oh,and I wouldn't worry about modding the .air files or the cfg,I'm sure that no one would mind as you are doing it for yourself!

[HardCub]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITl9yxtC8ek You'll like this!

I absolutely loved it!!! Thanks so much for sharing that link with me Jan.


@ aircav1970: Thank Gary. I'm glad you liked them. And thanks for the comment about the "mods" I made to the cfg. file.

[lifejogger]

Beautifule bird Glenn, I knew a guy in Houston who owned one and he flew it to airshows on a regular basis, it was nice aircraft.

[HardCub]

@ lifejogger: Thanks so much John ~ I'm glad you liked them.