Aeroplane Heaven has released their Douglas DC-3 Dakota and Douglas C-47 Skytrain. Announced on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day, the developer has released each aircraft as a separate add-on. The DC-3 is the original airliner variant, while the C-47 is a military variant of the DC-3. The most prominent difference between the two is the large rear cargo door at the back of the aircraft and the rounded tail of the DC-3.
Both aircraft have been rendered with great care. The 3D model make extensive use of PBR materials. The entire cabin has also been modeled, down to many minor details that you can see on the screenshots below. The cockpit has the option to include the Flight1 GTN and the Milviz WX radar, which require a separate purchase. Old school flyers can of course choose not to show these , and can navigate using the freeware sextant by Dave Bitzer, Mark Beaumont and Kris Ogonowski that is directly included with the aircraft. The Aeroplane Heaven Dakota also features custom sounds. The flight dynamics recreate as close as possible the real aircraft behavior, which can become somewhat challenging. Most of the aircraft systems have been modeled, such as the hydraulic systems.The engine start procedure must also be respected, with the counting of “blades” necessary before startup. You can watch this video posted a few days ago for further help. The aircraft also comes with dedicated GPU and ground service vehicles. If weather go bad, pilots will be treated with the A2A Rain Effect.
The Douglas DC-3 was first introduced in service in 1936 with American Airlines. The outbreak of World War II led to the production of a military transport and paratrooper aircraft, the C-47 Skytrain. The aircraft was also produced under licence in Russia (Lisunov Li-2) and in Japan (Showa L2D). The total aircraft production, all variants and licenced included, are close to 16,000 airframes. The DC-3 itself has been produced in relatively small figures, with 607 airframes. After the war, the C-47 was extensively used as a civilian airliner all over the world. The availability of cheap airframes helped many airlines launch their services. According to Wikipedia, around 2,000 DC-3 family aircraft were still in flying conditions in 2016.
The Aeroplane Heaven DC-3 and C-47 are available for purchase separately on Simmarket for respectively €39.75 for the DC-3 and €36.05 for the C-47. They are both stand-alone add-ons. A bundle is also available for €60.
DC-3 screenshots
C-47 screenshots
Feature list
- Pratt & Whitney engines, left passenger door (DC-3)
- Pratt & Whitney engines, Passenger and Cargo/Passenger doors (DC-3)
- Wright Cyclone engines, right and left passenger door (DC-3)
- Optional, fully-modeled compliment of paratroops in realistic pose and 18 droppable parachutists (C-47)
- Optional Howitzer cargo and support Jeep with realistic army figure (C-47)
- Highly accurate, fully detailed models with many working animations.
- Exceptionally high detail, authentic 3D modeled engines complete with individual cylinder fins, valve gear, spark plugs and leads etc.
- High Definition modeling including detail down to opening telescopic battery doors, batteries and compartments Passenger versions have detailed galley areas including tea and coffee urns, crockery, teapots and coffee pots! (DC-3)
- Full PBR (Physical Based Rendering) texturing of the entire exteriors and detailed components like landing gear, tires etc.Texture techniques allow for dull,natural and highly polished alloy surfaces and paint.
- Realistic animated flight crew and static ground personnel.
- Support vehicle, chocks, pre-flight flags etc.
- A “working” GPU power cart to supply power to the aircraft for starting.
- DC-3 civilian style cockpit or C-47 military style cockpit with detailed fittings and controls.
- C-47 has a full paratroop cabin with paratroops preparing for a drop.(optional)
- Flight 1 GTN and REX/MilViz WX integration in switchable panel (requires separate purchase)
- Highly accurate and beautifully modeled controls and equipment as per the real cockpit.
- Instruments have “3D paint” faces and are equipped with 3D modeled needles complete with pivot pins!
- Realistic starting is modeled with “Start/Mesh” combination switches. “15-blade” starts are possible.
- All hydraulic and pressurized equipment is modeled and fully functional.
- Correct actions for throttles, mixture (gated) and prop levers.
- Full PBR materials and textures throughout the entire cockpit.
- Flight dynamics are authored by some of the best in the business and are very accurate to the real machines. Which means they are challenging.
- Sounds are authentic and dynamic, sourced from real aircraft starts and running.
- 8 liveries (DC-3) and 10 liveries (C-47)
- A2A Rain Effects
- Freeware sextant by Dave Bitzer, Mark Beaumont and Kris Ogonowski.
