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Marutaka Beech Craft D17 Staggerwing5/4/2021
One instrument I struggled with at first was the fuel gauge, until I thought to Google the model and found it online with documentation.I was enraptured by the design of the aircraft and the fast back look I had always found catchy in cars, with the large slanted-back front window.I suppose I shouldnt be surprised as both planes feature unique design elements.
Ive been pleased with Carenado products in the past and had yet to try anything from Alabeo so I figured Id give the Staggerwing a whirl. Done. I personally prefer installers to give me the option to open the documentation after install, but this is not given to you at the end. Since there are no Start Menu folders created, you need to navigate to the install folder to open the included documents. Note however that it will still install as if its going into the default FSX directory so youll get a SimObjectsAirplanes folder along with Sound, Effects and Gauge folders as well. Unless you want to move the non-Airplanes folder files to their proper place yourself, I recommend letting the Staggerwing install normally and then simply moving out just the aircraft folder, which is self-contained and doesnt rely on any external assets for sounds and textures. If youre keeping track, you may notice some Sound and Effects files left behind after the uninstall but those are probably shared files if you have no other Alabeo products you can remove them as well yourself (or with a program like Revo Uninstaller). Remember that if you moved the aircraft folder out of the original install location the uninstaller wont find it and you need to delete it manually. While finalizing this review I found on the Alabeo product page a link to additional documentation including performance charts, the POH for the very-similar military version and a link to the Beechcraft Heritage Museum website. If that was there the whole time, I missed it while flying around for my review and Im a bit disappointed it wasnt included in a ReadMe file or something. But at least for the future (and this writing) I have a better insight to how this craft operatesperforms. I would argue that Beechcraft should be the proper term to use for locating the Staggerwing under the Aircraft manufacturer sort rather than Alabeo (which is what youd look for, and properly find, under the Publisher sort). Thankfully this is an easy change in the aircraft.cfg file by editing the uimanufacturer property of each fltsim.x entry. The rivets pop off the surface, and the ribbing of the fuselage and wings shows off the modeling and texturing talent of the Alabeo team. ![]() The textures are shiny and reflective but not over-done, and you can see areas that are actually a bit dull from wearmaintenance. The pilot also looks around, and youll even see him respond to all your control inputs (yoke, rudder, throttle). The landing lights extend and retract with the gear, which is similar to most retractable-gear tricycle aircraft, except that there is one light located under each wing since there is no nose gear on the Staggerwing. When its dark enough, you can see the internal cockpit lighting as well. If youre a Shockwave3D user you will be out of luck here as all lights are attached to the model, not via the aircraft.cfg file. Leather seats, wood accents, carpeting beneath our feet this truly was a luxury aircraft of its time. The 3D-modeled instruments are all easy to see and read as well as fully-functional when it comes to things like setting your compass or your attitude horizon.
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