Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:17 amWell, I promised, that I’ll upload my review on the Justflight Viscount, so here we go.
I’ve been hesitating for a long-long time, as according to other forums “it’s just eye candy without in-depth modelling of the aircraft’s systemsâ€. But then I though: this is not the first payware aircraft that I have to tweak a bit after purchasing...
After the download I started the setup. I had to put in my JF account details prior to register the product. After the installation, you’ll find the Viscount in your SimObjects folder, and a manual (pdf) in the Justflight folder located at the FSX root directory. The manual contains a brief history, model and animation feature list, a checklist, and a couple of pages about managing the aircraft and its systems in flight.
MODEL / TEXTURES
It’s quite nice, featuring hi-res textures inside and out, however it also has some inaccuracies around the outside of the cockpit area. I don’t mind, I’ll fly it from inside
The VC is rather nice; however 20 per cent of the gauges are hidden behind other objects or the dash itself. You’ll need TrackIR or Freetrack for those…
My favourite feature of the VC is the night lighting, it’s very atmospheric.
Almost all switches are clickable, and the ones that are inactive are listed in the manual. The cabin is a nice touch, with multiple passenger views available.
SYSTEMS
When I purchase a new addon, first I try to familiarize myself with the cockpit layout, then I follow the checklist step-by-step to perform an initial test flight.
Unfortunately you won’t be able to tick all the items on the checklist, as some of the switches are just not there, or inactive (generator switches, air pressure controls, etc).
I decided to download Fraser McKay’s Viscount 800 panel, which comes with a full explanation of the aircraft systems, and a much usable checklist. I learned how to use the spill valves, the de-icing equipment and the ideal power settings throughout the flight. It made my experience a lot more immerse and realistic.
The spill valves and fuel trimming controls are clickable, however they don’t have any background effect whatsoever (as stated in the manual). At least they are there, providing the feel of a realistic system management. The de-icing equipment is pretty spot on (compared to real world photos), but again, I’m not sure their effect is modelled or not (other than an RPM drop when turned on).
The biggest mistake I found was that the High Pressure Fuel Cocks are replaced with Propeller Pitch Levers…At least that’s what the label says below them. Well, not much to say there. It’s not a showstopper, but it’s not an acceptable glitch with a $37 payware addon... By the way, you can still start the engines even if they are in the SHUT position…
Other things I really miss is a DME and an elevator trim gauge.
SOUND
Well, JF tried to reproduce that whistling sound of the Darts engines, but they sound rather strange. For some reason the RPM peaks right after startup, and settles 2-3 seconds later. Once again, I used freeware resources to fix the issue, and replaced the sounds with the ones from Rick’s HS748 for FSX. It made a huge difference, and provided a much more realistic sound altogether.
FLIGHT
The performance was true to both manuals (the original and Fraser’s), and it wasn’t hard to hand-fly this bird either, although it felt a bit too sensitive for its size. I loved the amount of power those engines produced. I loaded it up to its limits using FSPassengers, and I still managed to climb 1500 fpm maintaining 160-170 knots.
Using the power settings advised by Fraser’s manual, I was able to maintain 220 KTS at FL130.
The decent and the approach were smooth and controllable. Make sure that you don’t pull too much on the yoke on the flare, otherwise the old lady starts climbing again
SUMMARY
What I like:
The looks
The handling
VC
What I don’t like:
Sounds
A couple of essential systems are not modelled
Glitches in the cockpit (prop levers instead of HP cocks, no DME, no elevator trim gauge)
Dispite all the problems, it’s still the best Viscount available for FSX, therefore I didn’t regret the purchase. I hope I can get Ian to make a NAC paint for it
I’ve been hesitating for a long-long time, as according to other forums “it’s just eye candy without in-depth modelling of the aircraft’s systemsâ€. But then I though: this is not the first payware aircraft that I have to tweak a bit after purchasing...
After the download I started the setup. I had to put in my JF account details prior to register the product. After the installation, you’ll find the Viscount in your SimObjects folder, and a manual (pdf) in the Justflight folder located at the FSX root directory. The manual contains a brief history, model and animation feature list, a checklist, and a couple of pages about managing the aircraft and its systems in flight.
MODEL / TEXTURES
It’s quite nice, featuring hi-res textures inside and out, however it also has some inaccuracies around the outside of the cockpit area. I don’t mind, I’ll fly it from inside
The VC is rather nice; however 20 per cent of the gauges are hidden behind other objects or the dash itself. You’ll need TrackIR or Freetrack for those…
My favourite feature of the VC is the night lighting, it’s very atmospheric.
Almost all switches are clickable, and the ones that are inactive are listed in the manual. The cabin is a nice touch, with multiple passenger views available.
SYSTEMS
When I purchase a new addon, first I try to familiarize myself with the cockpit layout, then I follow the checklist step-by-step to perform an initial test flight.
Unfortunately you won’t be able to tick all the items on the checklist, as some of the switches are just not there, or inactive (generator switches, air pressure controls, etc).
I decided to download Fraser McKay’s Viscount 800 panel, which comes with a full explanation of the aircraft systems, and a much usable checklist. I learned how to use the spill valves, the de-icing equipment and the ideal power settings throughout the flight. It made my experience a lot more immerse and realistic.
The spill valves and fuel trimming controls are clickable, however they don’t have any background effect whatsoever (as stated in the manual). At least they are there, providing the feel of a realistic system management. The de-icing equipment is pretty spot on (compared to real world photos), but again, I’m not sure their effect is modelled or not (other than an RPM drop when turned on).
The biggest mistake I found was that the High Pressure Fuel Cocks are replaced with Propeller Pitch Levers…At least that’s what the label says below them. Well, not much to say there. It’s not a showstopper, but it’s not an acceptable glitch with a $37 payware addon... By the way, you can still start the engines even if they are in the SHUT position…
Other things I really miss is a DME and an elevator trim gauge.
SOUND
Well, JF tried to reproduce that whistling sound of the Darts engines, but they sound rather strange. For some reason the RPM peaks right after startup, and settles 2-3 seconds later. Once again, I used freeware resources to fix the issue, and replaced the sounds with the ones from Rick’s HS748 for FSX. It made a huge difference, and provided a much more realistic sound altogether.
FLIGHT
The performance was true to both manuals (the original and Fraser’s), and it wasn’t hard to hand-fly this bird either, although it felt a bit too sensitive for its size. I loved the amount of power those engines produced. I loaded it up to its limits using FSPassengers, and I still managed to climb 1500 fpm maintaining 160-170 knots.
Using the power settings advised by Fraser’s manual, I was able to maintain 220 KTS at FL130.
The decent and the approach were smooth and controllable. Make sure that you don’t pull too much on the yoke on the flare, otherwise the old lady starts climbing again
SUMMARY
What I like:
The looks
The handling
VC
What I don’t like:
Sounds
A couple of essential systems are not modelled
Glitches in the cockpit (prop levers instead of HP cocks, no DME, no elevator trim gauge)
Dispite all the problems, it’s still the best Viscount available for FSX, therefore I didn’t regret the purchase. I hope I can get Ian to make a NAC paint for it
. 
, maybe the company could not make up its mind and course the final paint/skin .. City of Christchurch parked up in Ferrymead , all these not to far away .