simMarket: REALPHYSICS - DORAND AR1 A2 200 MSFS
We have a World War I aircraft! This sim is becoming somewhat cool if you like historical aircraft. Lots of those coming lately. I am downloading right now and will post some pictures and findings in a little bit.
One thing I love about this sim… so many independent developers covering vintage/niche aircraft. And basing off these pictures this looks like a very decent quality by the textures+modeling
Yeah, I definitely welcome some new blood we have seen coming in and doing really cool stuff! I am looking forward to flying this as soon as it downloads.
im excited for this one, i just hope we can dismiss that tablet!
having a gps in this kinda kills it for me
Yeah that GPS panel is a bit off-putting for me. Would be nice if you can hide it. Dials and instruments look a bit modernised as well which is unfortunate but not a huge deal breaker. Hopefully it sounds and flies well though, looking forward to some impressions.
no, its not a deal breaker, but id like to see more aircraft configurable without the ubiquitous gps screens
its just especially jarring here
We couldn’t see any Pilots so we’re looking forward to viewing your Pics.
Just got done with my first flight. She is AWESOME!!!
GRAPHICS:
Gorgeous modeling throughout. Really well-done, on par with MSFS in terms of the way she looks. No complaints whatsoever here. No pilots in the outside view to those wondering (I really don’t mind it that much, because I never really fly with that view - everything strictly from the cockpit)… Comes with 6 nice liveries.
SOUND:
Gorgeous engine sounds - that low end stuttering of the engine when you first start her is something to behold. Overall, this is all very well done. She sounds amazing from the outside view too.
FLIGHT:
OK, this is a “modernized” cockpit. You get your radio, transponder, and a Garmin Aero. No autopilot. The Aero simply helps you to know where the **** you are so I actually welcome that considering there is no other navigational equipment on board besides the compass.
I purposely nosed her over on taxi once (just to see if that can be done)… I didn’t nose her over HARD (to the point where MSFS detects a crash), but enough for a prop strike. Which… stopped the prop! AND no matter what you do, it can’t be restarted anymore. So… that’s nice.
She is very easy on takeoff (for a taildragger), mostly because she doesn’t have that much torque. So, pretty docile on that part. She is VERY easy to trim for a level flight. Climb performance is pretty much on point. I did power on stall (dropped left wing at 750 feet AGL, recovered successfully, though much too close for comfort), power off stall (dropped right wing, recovered successfully from 1000 AGL), the dynamics are GREAT. Sideslip, etc…
Landing is a little more of a rudder pedal dance, but not too crazy, just fly her by the numbers and you will be fine - about 45 knots at touchdown, rudder until the tail comes down.
Not sure of the purpose of the GPS/NAV switch, because it’s on NAV by default and that shows GPS. If you turn GPS on, that turns off the screen for the Garmin Aero. So if you don’t want that screen on, that’s how you turn it off. Avionics switch controls radios and transponder only - not the Garmin.
I am very impressed by the first offering of this developer and if you enjoy low and slow flight in a historic taildragger from WW I, this is your ticket. It’s cheap ($15), REALLY well-done and I can’t recommend this enough.
From the store page description it says it is based on a restored model which would explain the modernised instruments and GPS panel. I’d have preferred a more period era cockpit but you gotta play with the hand you are dealt eh.
Sounds quite promising. Thanks for the review as always. I might pick it up later.
Thanks for your review.
Interesting that there have been so many releases of less well-known aircraft recently. I would have expected more common planes from the era. Nice - a little more diversity is a good thing.
I was just thinking about buying the new Stearman, but it seems quite similar to the Waco that I already have … Now this plane looks really interesting as well. Decisions, decisions 
I just really dig when new blood comes in with an aircraft that’s well-done and is up to par with the new MSFS standards… Forgot to mention, there IS a checklist in-sim too. Very detailed one. This just looks better than the ports of P3D/FSX planes that didn’t have any visual upgrades at all. And the fact that it flies this well is really what makes this one stand out. Just absolute joy. It’s nice to see so many old birds. We have plenty of default modern stuff and more is on the way too. But these ones have a lot of character.
Is there a pdf manual included?
No manual of any kind that I could find.
A Stearman for me is a no-brainer and belongs in every hangar. The DC Stearman’s flight model IMHO is more sophisticated than the Carenado Waco anyway. Also the Stearman is more old-school. The WACO is still built today with relatively modern avionics and radio. Also the Stearman is the more nimble aerobatics aircraft
Yeah, I don’t think YMF5 and PT-17 are similar at all other than they are both taildragger biplanes.
Bit of a shame about the lack of a manual. I don’t expect DCS style 400 page manuals for msfs planes but even the shortest of pdfs with a bit of background and some cruise specs etc is something all planes should really come with.
But at least they included in game checklists. Not all Devs do that.
Well, tbh looks like with new pbr invasion some devs are just - hmm, I’ll drop wood/metal/fabric material at this mesh and job is done, ez 
Hope I’m wrong 
Yeah, the in-sim checklist gives very specific info on all performance metrics during every stage of flight.
