Not sure if this even matters, but Mike Stone's work is scattered throughout Simviation and other download sites. Im one who enjoys flying different aircraft, and always enjoyed Mr. Stone's interpretations of such, along with the small file sizes to boot. Went by the site yesterday to pick up something else to play around with, and I get the message "Mike Stone Hangar is closed." Im guessing this is a permanent change? Will definitely miss the ease and accessiblity of some great work.

Alas thanks to some gormless teenagers Mike has decided to quit due to all the abuse and the like he got from people who are not worthy to lick his boots. I can only hope Mike changes his mind and returns as he really is one of the great designers and I've got most of his kites in my hangar.

Ozzy

Anybody that is prepared to devote as much time to help other flight simmers as Mike has done should be praised, and it is very sad indeed that he has decided to shut up shop.

Perhaps the "Gormless Teenagers" can step into his shoes, but I very much doubt it!

Thanks for the hard work Mike.

I've never been a fan of Mike's work, but I know alot of people out there are and really enjoy his aircraft. It's a great shame that it has come to this, but I don't blame him... 

What he's done?!? Well I thank you for the Arrow.

Thats people who don't appreciate Mike's hard work into creating those aircraft, so what if you don't have VC's or are not the best of detail they are still very nice and good, I wish he made a Cessna 

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Yep, and A LOT of people really like it, judging by the number of repaints people have made of it.  It is sad to see Mike retire.  I fly quite a few of his planes, and really enjoy them.  I also can't blame him for his decision, and wish  him the best.

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Where did you get that idea? I've never used a Mike Stone model but I've always had plenty of aircraft.

Of course it's sad to see any freeware designer stop making things because people are sending nasty messages to him, but let's be honest, his models were far from the best.

If it wasn't for ?????guys like????? Mike Stone most of us would only have about 15 or 20 planes or less.
That is just saying he and others like him not just him.

I feel that most of Mikes kites were superb, well made and purely a joy to fly. I think a lot of people get fixated on the gizmos, buttons and shiny lights. Maybe Fozzer has the truth of it trundling up and down California in his Cessnas and microlights. Sometimes I think we forget that planes are there for the joy of flying not the "mine is bigger/better/louder than yours".
I've been chuffin' around today in my Vulcan and an Antonov. The Ant wouldn't win any beauty awards and the VC isn't all that hot but I've had hours of pleasure from it as it is a wonderful plane to fly. I think it is a case of beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Most of Mikes planes are in my hangar and every now and again I'll just grab one and zoom off for 3 or 4 hours of pure stick time in some remote locale and just enjoy them for what they are PURE FUN.
Mike you'll be missed

I have used a few of his aircraft and yes very frame rate friendly and nice to fly. Its a shame he has closed down, I bet he will be back. Those Gormless teenagers shouldn't of bothered him in my opinion but what can you do.

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I have to agree. Stone made a couple of decent planes that I personally have in my hangar but I promptly deleted most of his stuff that I downloaded.

I can't say that I agree with people sending him nasty messages, that just isn't cool however, I am not going to throw undue praise at the guy.

I thank these designers who supply us with these "freeware" aircraft and I appreciate what they do for us ... some of their stuff is AWESOME! On the other hand though, some of them put out some pretty cheesy stuff. You guys who are bashing those who criticize Mike's work need to understand that MANY of us are in it for the REALISM and we get a bit ticked when we see something we want, download it, go through the trouble of installing it (which isn't easy sometimes with the flawed directions some of them include with the model) just to find that it doesn't work or is a very unrealistic aircraft that looks like a toy. I know that ticks me off!

Creating these aircraft is absolutely NOT easy and takes TONS of work, I know because I am trying to learn it. However, if someone DOES make these aircraft and puts them out for public display and use then they better be prepared to catch some flak if it is a junky or unflyable model. I am definitely NOT going to praise someone who puts out junk just because he worked so hard to make that junk. Personally, I would never put-out a model like some of those I have seen Mike put-out. For one, if it isn't perfect, I won't release it not just because it isn't perfect but also because I wouldn't want that substandard aircraft to spoil my reputation as a modeler. 

Sure, free is great but free junk is still junk!

i use a lot of mikes work my self flying and as AI'S  mainly becuase one they look bloody good i dont really care for any one esle VIEW it's my choice not yours theres or any one esles .
he made FREEWARE  models so that other could use them he put a lot in to those models THERE some out there that dont really know how long it takes to make a model some models take bloody ages  NOW come saying i am not going to thanks the guy for his hard work even if you dont like his work is rude sodding rude !!
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THE FINGER OF BLAME FALLS ON EVRY WEBSITE THAT HAS A FORUM WHEN THE MODS DONT DO THERE JOB AND JUMP ON BRATS LIKE THAT 
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and are not told to pack it in or the post they put up is not deleted then what do you expect
you expect mike to sit there and do nothing come be real and pull your heads out of your arse's and put a stop to the bitching that goes on

I WOULD like to see mike return on day with more support but i cant see that happening

regards ed

( if you feel you have to relpy as you have been insluted then please feel free to park your head down some sewer ) and dont waste my time or yours it my view and i dont wnat to hear what some sploit little brat has to say so p** off

In my opinion if he made a Cessna of any kind and it flew perfectly like a real Cessna (even better than the defaults) I wouldnt really care what it looked like, (Texturing(What i do  )is the only thing thats supposed to look great when you make it)

Dr.bob7 wrote on Apr 12^th, 2008 at 11:34am:

Mark Rooks isn't a model designer. He repaints

Kazunori Ito is a name that comes to mind when I think of prolific designers today. Like Mike, a great guy.

EDDIELOFTY wrote on Apr 9^th, 2008 at 10:18pm:


People like YOU are the ones the moderators need to have a word with. You are OBVIOUSLY trying to provoke someone with this extremely aggressive post of yours! I don't mind your opinions ... they are yours to have. Just don't come in here acting like this and tell us to "pi**-off" if we feel like responding to you. That is acting like you are above us and better than us and I for one, WILL call you on it!!! This is a FRIENDLY forum and I for one would like to see it stay that way. We don't ATTACK others in here.

If designers put their stuff out there, they had best be sure that it is good work if they don't want negative feedback on it. Put out junk, and people are going to gripe whether you like it or not. I will call-out junk IMMEDIATELY because if I give others the heads-up on a crappy or flawed aircraft I can help them avoid having the same problems I did with it. If the designers don't like negative feedback, then they need to work harder on their models.

FREE JUNK IS STILL JUNK!!!

He got death threats over freeware aircraft  ?

I was fortunate to get everything he had that was of interest to me before he shut down. I am glad I spent the time to do so...