Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'hampden'.
Found 2 results
-
/images/notams/notams21/virt1206/virt1206.jpgThe Handley-Page Hampden was an aircraft that was very nearly obsoletewhen it went into service. One of the first British bombers to see service inWorld War, it carried a payload similar to the Wellington and Whitley, butwas much faster and more maneuverable. It was the newest design of thesethree, sporting a very slender fuselage and fixed guns. It was indeed fasterand more agile but the defensive armament was inadequate and was laterupdated. Known as the "Flying Suitcase" due to its narrow fuselage andcramped crew positions, the Hampden was nearly as fast as the Blenheim butcarried 4 x the load twice as far. It was initially used in daylight raidsuntil combat losses dictated an improvement in defensive armament as well asa switch to night ops. At night, the Hampden continued with success in raidson Germany and participated in the first "1000 bomber" raid before beingwithdrawn in 1942. /images/notams/notams21/virt1206/Virtavia_HP_Hampden_for_X-Plane-1.jpgThis old AlphaSim/Virtavia favorite has been completely overhauled forX-Plane 11. Whilst improvements have been made to the already very goodexterior model, the main attraction is the all-new and highly detailedcockpit model. The PBR textures and an FMOD sounds package really bring this1938 British medium bomber to life. And totally VR ready ! Extensive flighttesting was done using the HTC Vive to hone the experience to perfection. TheHampden pilot enjoys superior visibility compared to similar aircraft of theera, making this a superb classic sight-seeing platform for VR users. Two bigradials and a taildragger configuration require some skill to master on theground, this will appeal to those who enjoy sharpening their skills. Onceairborne, the Hampden, whilst certainly not fast, is agile and delightful tofly. A landing speed of only 70kts makes the experience very similar tomodern GA types, but the roar of the old single-row radial Pegasus enginesare a reminder that this early monoplane was not intended to be'civil'... /images/notams/notams21/virt1206/Virtavia_HP_Hampden_for_X-Plane-4.jpgAircraft Variants IncludedB.Mk.1, 185 Sqn., Cottesmore, 1939B.Mk.1, 144 Sqn., North Luffenham, 1942B.Mk.1, 1404 (Met) Flight, Coastal Command, 1943B.Mk.1, Torpedo Development Unit, 1939TB.Mk.1, 415 Sqdn, Royal Canadian Air Force, 1943TB.Mk.1, 489 Sqdn, Royal NZ Force, 1944 /images/notams/notams21/virt1206/Virtavia_HP_Hampden_for_X-Plane-2.jpgFeaturesPBR materials/textures used throughoutVR readyFMOD sounds package with 4-stage engine sounds, canopy muting, switch clicks and other unique cockpit soundsvery detailed cockpit with numerous animations and mousable controlsworking Automatic Controls (VS hold only, limited to 200kts)working Lorentz Instrument (uses DME/NAV1 LOC)animated automatic leading edge slatstogglable crew figuresseperate animated front and rear canopies, animated ventral hatch and bomb bay doorsanimated cowl flaps with rotary handle control in cockpitauthentic flight model with checklist19-page illustrated User Operating Manual /images/notams/notams21/virt1206/Virtavia_HP_Hampden_for_X-Plane-3.jpgPurchase Virtavia - Handley Page Hampden for X-Plane 11 See other Virtavia add-ons for X-Plane
-
Handley-Page HampdenPublisher: VirtaviaReview Author: Peter WatkinsSuggested Price: $18.00/images/fsc/wbicons/store-buy-now-button.pngGeneralI have always had a fondness for theHampden. It was fast (for its time) and manoeuvrable with long rangecapability. Together with the Vickers Wellington andArmstrong-Whitworth Whitley the Hampden formed the backbone of theRoyal Air Force's bomber offensive in the early war years before theintroduction of the four engined heavy bombers. Its main drawback anddownfall was the totally inadequate defensive armament. /images/reviews/hampden2/t/virtavia-hampden7.jpgThe Virtavia model is still the only Hampden available for FSX. Version 1 of the Hampden was reviewed in detail by Wells Sullivan in 2011(read review here). The FDE has not been changed for V2 and Wells' comments regardingflying characteristics of the model are still applicable. I am primarily a painter so I will tailor my review to commentingon changes to the model and paint schemes and also on the use of therepaint kit. Version 1 of the Hampden was effectively a port-over of theoriginal FS2004 model, however Version 2 has been remastered for FSXand is now also available in Steam Edition form. /images/reviews/hampden2/t/virtavia-hampden6.jpgLooking at the visual model, it's clear to see that bump maps havebeen added and there is improved glass reflectivity. The repaint kithas also been updated and is available from the Virtavia site. Other changes to the model include: tailwheel now castoring, reargunner now animated, night lit landing light discs added, instrumentsnow lit individually in the VC, improved pop-up autopilot graphics,parking brake added to yoke, switches in the VC can now be operated bythe mouse, and aircraft exterior now visible from VC.<?p> Individual Aircraft Paint Schemes IncludedThere are now five aircraft to choose from, two of the threeaircraft included in the V1 release are again present, together withthree additional examples. The three new paint schemes are asfollows: P1272, built by Handley-Page at Cricklewood and delivered in 1939,was one of several aircraft used by the Torpedo Development Unit in1941, based at Gosport in trials lasting six months. Aircraftundersides were painted yellow. /images/reviews/hampden2/t/virtavia-hampden5.jpgAT114, built by English Electric, Preston. Used by No 415 Squadron,Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943, based at RAF Thorney Island. /images/reviews/hampden2/t/virtavia-hampden4.jpgAN120, built by Canadian Associated Aircraft Ltd, Quebec. Used byNo 489 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1943, based at RAFLeuchars. /images/reviews/hampden2/t/virtavia-hampden2.jpgThe quality of the included paint schemes is very high. The paintcolor shades and markings applied are exactly right. The weathering,wear and tear effects are impressive and as a painter myself I canappreciate the effort that has gone into these. Exterior ModelThe outline and shape of the airframe is modelled veryaccurately. The cockpit canopy, nose and gun position glazed areasshow good use of reflections. The addition of bump mapping hasimproved the look of the surface texturing. The two twin-Vickers 'K'machine guns fitted in ventral and dorsal positions are wellmodelled. Control surfaces are all animated, as are the engine cowlflaps. Interior ModelBoth the cockpit and nose compartment interiors look authentic,instruments are easy to read and most of the switches and levers areoperable with the mouse. The control column can be hidden ifdesired. Interior wear and tear is shown but not overdone. Iparticularly liked the worn leather effect on the pilot's seat andbomb aimer's position in the nose. The wear on the rudder pedals isnicely done. /images/reviews/hampden2/t/virtavia-hampden1.jpgPaint KitThis is not included in the release but is available from theVirtavia site. It is in PSD format and is of a high standard withexcellent weathering layers. Six camouflage scheme layers areincluded, one for each of the individual schemes included with themodel. This will make it very easy for painters to change squadronmarkings, etc. to create new paints. I have used the kit to paint aSwedish Air Forceexample (which meant that I had to create new camouflage layers inSwedish green/blue and add Swedish Air Force markings). The weatheringlayers saved me a lot of time in producing the paint. /images/reviews/hampden2/t/virtavia-hampden3.jpgConclusionI really liked this model. The accuracy of the exterior model andthe high quality of the paint kit were a big plus for me. The interiordetail and quality is not up to current standards but it should beremembered that this is an update of a model originally released in2007! I consider it good value for money and do not hesitate torecommend it for its rarity as a WWII British bomber. /images/reviews/hampden2/hampden.jpgPeter Watkins Purchase Virtavia - Handley-Page Hampden Shop other Virtavia products Download Hampden repaints Other Virtavia ReviewsB-36 Peacemaker C-17A Globemaster III XB-70 Valkyrie B-29 Superfortress Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
