Hi all !

Just a quick message to notify you that the "beta" (almost final, though) version of the AMD Etendard is now available for download. This plane is in real native FSX SP2 format and provides great framerates. It has a magnificient virtual cockpit, one of the most detailled I've ever seen in fact.

The plane is built for FSX Acceleration since it's made for aircraft carriers.

I strongly recommend you to download the latest version of the French carrier Clemenceau available on the same page. This latest version has been adapted for this new Etendard jet. There is a very cool animation of the launch officer which really adds to the immersion during catapult launches

Also, be advised that the launch procedure with that plane is not exactely the same as in Acceleration. You still need to press SHIFT+U and SHIFT+I to attach the plane to the catapult (the catapult then goes backwards under the plane and the wires appear  ), but YOU MUST NOT press SHIFT+SPACE to launch. The "default" Acceleration launch is too strong, too fast. Instead, you just need to go full throttle (100% power), and press the brakes shortly.

The plane will not launch immediately. The launch officer, who was holding the green flag up in the air, will first look left then right, then he will lower the flag to confirm the launch, and after some seconds your plane will get launched.

This is seriously one of the coolest features I've ever seen 

There is a detailled PDF documentation in the package.

Here are three pics to show you what happens from the cockpit. First, when you press SHIFT+U and SHIFT+I, the plane gets attached and the officer raises his arm with the green flag:





Then, you go full throttle, and press shortly the brakes. The officer looks around to check if everything is clear, and lowers the flag. The plane will not launch immediately, just 2-3 seconds later.





In this final picture, I just have enough time to realize that I'm dumb and I should not try a launch without flaps  Impact on the water just 2 seconds later.   




You can download this stuff here:
http://royalefrenchnavy.gratisim.fr/FSX_Projets.htm
AICarriers2 is needed for the Clemenceau to appear, of course.

Until I saw your photos, I thought my Phantom was about the last A/C to use the bridle.  Everything now days is nose tow.  Last night on the military channel, in a program about dogfighters, they had film shot on this carrier with the Rafael.  I found is interesting than none of the flight deck personnel wore "float coats".  The lack of flotation devices is accurately depicted in this model.  Jettison of your external stores may have saved you off the cat.  Then again, it may have just prolonged the agony.

No idea, but as you can see, I covered this release yesterday. 

Nobody seems to look in this forum....

Indeed Sean you've been faster than me.

I have this feeling that this topic would not have been moved if the download would have been at SimV...

HU!  An update to the beta has been released today.