I’m a bit surprised it hasn’t got its own topic yet. A1R Design Bureau released a Ryan SCW via marketplace on Thursday. It’s MSFS2020 native, but is fully MSFS2024 compatible.
The Ryan SCW is quite a rare aircraft. Only twelve - thirteen were built, with the prototype flying in 1937. It was designed as a three-seat light sport aircraft. While the prototype was fitted with an inline Menasco engine, production aircraft were fitted with a 145 hp Warner Super Scarab radial-engine. Depending on the source, the “SCW” stands for either Sports-Coupe-Warner or Sport-Cabin-Warner. Up to five SCWs were used by the Civil Air Patrol for anti-submarine patrol duties.
To my knowledge four SCWs are still airworthy, with a fifth under restoration back to airworthy status. Of those at least one is powered by a more powerful 165hp Warner engine and one is fitted with a more modern Continental-boxer-engine.
If you’re familiar with A1Rs previous releases, you’ll know what to expect. Some of the best visual modeling, both on the in- and outside, a fantastic soundset and a very nice flight model.
Here is a video preview I made a few days ago, doing some low-level sunset aerobatics over Forwood Farm. It can hopefully serve as a first impression, especially of the flight model and soundset.
Apart from the flaps, mixture and throttle I don’t use key bindings in the Ryan, so I’m the wrong guy to answer that. But at least I can’t think of any unique/non-standard controls in the SCW, it for example doesn’t have a manual ignition timing control like the ST-A.
Only yesterday I learned about the existence of NC18912, I had seen pictures before but never noticed the registration and always assumed it was NC18914 before it received the Firestone logo.
Even though the base paintschemes that come with A1R’s SCW are very similar to the real ones and are obviously based on them, it would be awesome to see a few more accurate repaints. Especially of VH-SCW and NC18914 =) Another great candidate would be this one:
Very beautiful looking bird and i would guess from the good sounds real recordings of the engine?
Btw this dev has some interesting stuff out but very little info on where they are based?
Do they keep on top of updates?
Yeah, their stuff is pretty solid and generally requires few updates. I have all their FS2020 aircraft, and most have had an update or two, but there are generally not issues out of the box.
They’re also very receptive to feedback/communication. Had a friendly email exchange with the author when SimMarket marked their original Ryan as FS2024-compatible but then Asobo did something that messed up the instruments/livery. Turned out that SU1 fixed whatever Asobo had futzed up and the Ryan works perfectly now with no update needed.
Picked this one and it’s beautiful! Hoping someone like @pby5a picks it up and does some magic with their livery talents. The included liveries look great, but I’d love the CAP paints.
Sadly, A1R has posted very little info, but I believe the recordings are from a real Warner engine.
This is the only onboard video of a SCW I’m aware of, it’s 11 years old and recorded with an old GoPro, so the sound quality isn’t great. But from time to time, you can hear the engine and it sounds very similar:
I’m not sure where they are based, but like @Editer wrote, their releases are very solid and get updated from time to time. I’ve now had seven addons from them (including a Yak-50, Yak-55 and Yak-12 in FSX) and have been very happy with all of them =)
Thanks for the info, it does sound good. Just want to make sure they are not based in a country that is doing “less ideal” things to another innocent country to keep politics to a minimum.
From the name “Design Bureau” and their previous FSX releases, I’m pretty sure they are based in Eastern Europe, but where exactly I’m not sure. In the end, no matter where they are based, they are private individuals and I’m happy to purchase awesome virtual replicas of vintage aircraft from them. But I understand your point.
Very classy looking. I love that there is a small niche in vintage aviation for these types of executive/luxury GA aircraft. Much like the Staggerwing or Cessna 195, it’s like the designers wanted to elevate beyond simple utility.
Totally agree. They build some stunning art-deco style aircraft, especially in the 1930s. A few other examples would be the Spartan Executive, the Stinson Reliant or the Lockheed Model 12 Electra Jr. We’re very blessed to now have quite a few of them in the sim. I really hope we’ll see the Stinson and Lockheed somewhere down the road too Especially if they are done to a high-quality level like the Ryan =)
Love this one. Its fantastic. Engine sounds are very good. A bit too tame in outside view maybe. Only thing I miss is a touchdown-sound and a slight rolling sound. Its very hard to judge landings without them when doing a three-pointer. Even in VR. Great job otherwise. Thank you A1R.
The included liveries look great, but I’d love the CAP paints.
Especially if they are done to a high-quality level like the Ryan =)
