Hi there,
I already own the DC Design Stearman and (probably like many others) was wondering whether the Golden Age Stearman is worth purchasing. So far there hasn’t been much coverage or reviews about the new Golden Age Stearman. And there’s also been no comparing review.
So are there people out there who have both and could tell us their impressions about the pros and cons of both versions - and whether they prefer one?
Thanks very much 
I would say the DC one has better sounds but the GAS looks and flies better.
I have both, and I prefer GAS’ rendition. It lacks Wwise, but in all other aspects its a higher quality addon.
Caranado WACO and Ant’s Tiger Moth
GAS has been in a “sort of” pre-release stage so will be more widely available after tomorrow (22nd) I think. You’ll get your sought after reviews then, I’m sure. I’m enjoying the GAS versions a lot but then I didn’t get the DC one as I was waiting for these.
Well I was in Lagaffe’s Beaver thread and saw he was the developer for the GAS Stearman, and he seems like a glutton for punishment in the details department. May have piqued my interest in the Stearman, when as of an hour ago I considered the TM and WACO all anyone would ever need for classic post WW1-era/envelope bipes. 
Well, but that wasn’t really the question, was it? 
Also comparing a Tiger Moth to a Stearman is comparing a Piper Warrior to a Mooney. Just because they look alike in some respects doesn’t mean they are comparable.
The GAS is better in every area other than sounds…which still aren’t bad.
The visual model of the DC Stearman isn’t very accurate, with a lot of details wrong or missing. For example, the cockpit proportions in general are a bit off and the instruments should not stick out of the panel and shouldn’t all be the same size, the clock for example should be way smaller.
When it comes to the outside model, some of the more noticeable mistakes are the missing metal panels at the tail section of the fuselage, the oversized & wrongly shaped handgrips in the lower wings, and the simplified engine model. Another issue are the fabric surfaces, in real life they are smooth with tapes (fabric stripes) over the rips, to cover the stitching. Here it looks like the fabric surfaces only consists out of tape stripes.
The GAS visual model might not be to the extremely high standard of for example BlueMesh or Carenado, but it’s a very accurate depiction with all details you’ll find on the real one depicted. Furthermore, the GAS Stearman comes with three variants, the Continental powered PT-17, the Lycoming powered PT-13 and a modernized version with a 300 hp Lycoming R-690, like they often get restored/modified by Rare Bird Aviation in Hungary.
When it comes to the flight model the original DCs one isn’t very accurate, for example the roll rate is waaaaay to high. There is however a fantastic mod by Stearmandriver making it much more accurate and a lot of fun to fly.
The GAS Stearman has individual flight models for all three variants. They are much more authentic, with a realistic roll rate, spin capability and it’ll do hammerhead turns like a champ. Like with a real Stearman you’ll run out of altitude quick when doing aerobatics. Apart from the ground handling (which is a lot tamer than a real one) it feels like a real Stearman (as far as I know, Stearmandriver was also involved in the flight model of this one).
I think the best way to test a flight model is with aerobatics, with the goal to replicate maneuvers you would see a real one doing at airshows.
Here is a video I made with the DC Stearman a few months ago, using Stearmandrivers flight model mod. As you can, with the mod it’s a lot of fun to fly and comes close to the real thing, however the roll rate is still a bit too high and it’s much harder to do hammerhead turns with it.
And here is a video with the GAS Stearman. The roll rate is much more accurate and it’ll do hammerhead turns much more precisely. Overall, it feels more authentic and you’ll be able to do more maneuvers with it.
My goal isn’t to bash DC Designs. With the flight model mod, it’s a lot of fun to fly and the engine sounds are to die for. I had a lot of fun with it. However, if you want to fly an accurate depiction of a Stearman you’ll need to fly the GAS one.
What I was saying is you can get good aircraft on either side of the Stearman envelope. Although now I saw who the actual developer was for the GAS and suddenly have much higher expectations.
ETA: I like the video! Looks every bit as good as the WACO but with a better loop(for some reason the WACO is very stubborn over the top). Is the video a bit laggy because it’s in VR? It doesn’t look like a FPS hog of any sort. The WACO/TM get 40fps+ easy on XBSX. Would like to see a wheel landing too
I upgraded the pedals on my setup to the TB’s and found new life in all the bipes, I’ve even had the FSR 500 for a month(which should be my hero) and haven’t touched it because I can’t get out of taildraggers now that you can wiggle a toe and make an adjustment. I loathed them on the ground with TFRP’s. Can even get the Husky to taxi-turn on it’s mains with a flying tail before letting off the brakes with these pedals.
Very excited now! Spent 100 hours focused on only learning the G1000 and have hardly flown anything more complex than just coms for two months since I got the pedals.
Thanks =) That’s true the Waco does need a bit of persuading to do a loop 
No, I’m not using VR. Sadly, my MSFS install has become a bit laggy in general over the last few weeks and I can’t figure out why =/
If I find the time tomorrow, I’ll try recording a wheel landing.
As promised, here is a short video doing a two-point / wheel landing.
Very nice!
Where can the GAS Stearman be purchased?
There’s currently (it may have just ended) pre-release sale on Sim-Outhouse as well as the GAS Facebook page for members and FB followers. It will then appear on GAS own website in the coming days/weeks (https://goldenagesimulations.com/) as their first MSFS release, and the MSFS Marketplace in the coming month or two whenever MS/Asobo can upload it after testing.
Thanks very much for info
No problem! GAS is a small but good and responsive team, and as they brought a new person or two onboard, they seem to be handling the transition to MSFS well. I know it was a challenge for them. I hope they continue to make strides in the graphics department (always a weakness) but I know that their systems and flight fidelity is already there.
And I spent two months dedicated to flying everything I have thoroughly to establish any hidden neglected gems or confirm the ■■■■■. The WACO is my hero for biplanes that don’t have to worry about birdstrikes from behind, and now the wait for the Marketplace version of this begins…
We have no plans to use the Marketplace at this time. We started an application which was suddenly and without notice canceled. As of yet have found no way to appeal or discuss with a living human being. Pure IT support hell!
Currently available at SimMarket
Is that normal?