I’m tempted…
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I’d be tempted to hang on until someone on YouTube reviews it. It looks like it might be a redo of their X-Plane version for MSFS.
Here’s a review of the XP11/12 version, which does indicate that version is pretty good:
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This looks surprisingly good and the feature list is solid. I might grab it today!
Please let us know your initial impressions!
I wish the F7F had counter-rotating props…
Still, this airplane looks really cool.
It’s on my watchlist.
With the Tigercat being one of my favorite aircraft, I bought it. I have to say in its current state I can’t recommend it.
There are three models, two military versions (one with one droptank and one with two droptanks and rockets) and one racing version without guns and added spinners. The military versions only have one texture each and the racing version comes with 3 fictional liveries.
All textures are very simplified with only 3 “No step” labels on each wing and the propeller warning on the fuselage. There are barely any rivets & fasteners, many inspection panels are missing and the fuel caps are only visible as circles. The overall shape is good, but the freeware FS2004/FSX model by Milton Shupe was more detailed.
The flight model feels strange. When doing aerobatics it feels stuttery, like as if the controls would go back to neutral for a split second about every 2 seconds.
Systems wise it is very simplified. If you open the cowl flaps for instance, there is no animation, they just spring open.
I think the virtual cockpit is very nicely done, as well as the landing gear, wing internals (when the wings are folded) and the tailhook. And since the overall shape is correct it does have potential. A lot of detail could probably be added with nice textures and I’m sure the flight model could be tweaked. But in its current form I can’t recommend it, especially not for 22 Euros.
Here are a few closeup shots:
For comparison here are a few closeup shots of a real Tigercat:
http://www.primeportal.net/hangar/mark_hayward/f7f-3p_tigercat/
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Nearly 23EUR is a bit steep without any reviews, maybe why few have purchased/reviewed it on simmarket.
A few different variants and the cockpit graphics look pretty good. Wonder how much in there functions/clickable.
Love a good warbird but holding fire for more info.
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Quick review and not in depth. From flying it for about 1 hour.
I’m using Flying Iron as a quality bar. Overall I say the F7 is a 5 out of 10 compared to the Flying Iron F6F hellcat. Texture quality is acceptable but not great. On par with DC designs.
The BAD:
A few bugs that should have been fixed before release.
Brake peddles don’t animate when brakes used.
Flaps lever is reversed. When flaps are fully up it shows flaps fully down and vise versa.
The propeller animations are not great.
Rudder is way to sensitive when ground handling the plane.
One paint scheme per version of aircraft.
No checklist.
Most controls don’t show a pop up description.
Engine sound lacking and as you run them up through diffent power levels the sound jumps from low idle to mid speed and wide open. Not a smooth transition.
Gunsite doesn’t work.
Pilot model very basic.
Flight model is very basic. Not sure what else to say.
The GOOD:
There are a lot of click able switches and levers.
The load outs are cool looking.
It’s fast.
It’s carrier plane and all animations are there… Folding wings, tail hook.
It has potential but needs an update for sure.
Update: so I have put about 10 hours in this plane. Overall pretty disappointed. I should have waited for some reviews before I purchased. It’s really lacking in a lot of areas. Lots of bugs and flight model is weird. One can only hope the developer updates it. It will have to be a big update to make this plane worthy of flying in the future.
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Thanks for the first look! I ended up deciding to wait anyway because I believe tomorrow we’ll get another Local Legend so I’m holding onto my cash until I know for sure. Sim Solutions DA20 is coming out today as well. I’ll see how everything shapes up.
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I wish the first look could have been more positive! That’s great news about the Local Legend, can’t wait to see what it’ll be =)
I hope it coming to the Xbox series x
So I picked it and I definitely hope to see some tweaks, but overall, I definitely feel like it’s a good value for $20.50 US, and I had fun flying it around on some trial flights.
I’m not expecting Flying Iron levels of detail and system simulation from Virtavia. Their planes are 2/3 the cost, it’s a one-man operation, and Virtavia releases more planes every year. People are wont to “benchmark” compare in this hobby, where everything that follows has to match the standards of the best release. So every WW2 plane should be Flying Iron-level, every GA plane should match A2A, and every airliner PMDG. With different price points, different team sizes, and different production schedules, that’s not realistic, and it’s just setting yourself up for a ton of negative disappointment.
I’d rather get 4 or 5 Virtavia-level classic aircraft a year at reasonable prices, if it means I’ll get more niche planes like the Stirling, Tigercat, Skyray, etc. It’s priced appropriately for the depth and detail, and it’s advertised as what it is. If it’s not the Flying Iron P-38, I’m okay with that. My Mazda CX-50 doesn’t compete with a Porsche Cayenne feature-for-feature, but I’m okay with that too.
I know this is non-traditional for this forum, but I’ll start with what I like:
- The model looks great. Shape is good, really nice details in the gear, hook, wing folds, most of the animations. It nails the Tigercat appearance.
- Similarly, the VC is excellent and looks really good in VR too. Lots of functionality.
- Three different model variants: WW2 clean, racer with spinner hubs, and post-war interdiction.
- With the exception of turn radius (see gripes), it feels convincing.
- Not the most detailed plane, but it’s priced appropriately and advertised for what it is.
- Detailed, well-written manual. I’d like to see numbers added to the instrument screenshots, but otherwise it’s pretty complete.
Areas I hope Phil improves:
- The radial sounds in general sound right, but the changes with speed are pretty bad. If you throttle back, it sounds like you’re idling on the ground, which is not right when you’re doing 250 knots in the air. This is the one fix I really hope Phil makes.
- The flight model feels good from an overall performance (speed/acceleration/roll rate) aspect. But I’ve seen a Tigercat at an airshow, and it really feels like at turning speed I should be able to turn much tighter. It’s a fighter, after all.
Weirdly, I didn’t encounter this issue. I do think the flight model needs work, as mentioned above, but I wonder why you encountered this and I didn’t…
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Sure do love me a good Mazda… I’ve owned 4 and drove them nearly 1M miles combined before selling (except my current) to others who drove them further. The CX-50 has me intrigued… Don’t know if it’ll knock me out of another 3 when I need a new car in a few years.
Thanks for the review. At $29.95 which I thought the price was I wouldn’t be so keen. But at $20, I’ll be getting it.
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There is something plastic over the livery i don´t like ~ sorry 
Assuming it’s got comp files, that’s easily fixed. Pictures I’ve seen of real ones look quite a bit glossier, you’re right. I’m sure there’ll be some repaints.
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I love Grumman planes and I doubt there’ll be another of these F7’s anytime soon - but I’ll probably wait until some adjustments are made. Sound, textures, apparent ground and flight models, the usual.
Hard to resist though, for a Stan
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i hope it coming to Xbox
since Mr Grumman is very popular in MSFS by appearances - F3F Barrel, F4F Wildcat (soon), F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, F14 Tomcat - Possible an F8F Bearcat and maybe an A6 Intruder are on the horizon?
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I don’t know a lot about the different variants of the real life F7F Tigercat, but just comparing screen shots of the product to real life photos, it looks to have a shorter fuselage and wings. Or maybe it’s just my eyes.
Can anyone confirm the plane dimensions are correct?
Dimensions are right on. MSFS cameras can distort the heck out of things at standard magnifications.
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