Gloster Javelins by AlphaSim (Mk.5, Mk.9 and Mk.9R)
Our old friends at AlphaSim have been busy again and have just released a completely new package of Javelins for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004.
This is a new payware product set of five Javelins, comprising three Mk.9s; in three different colour schemes of camouflage, natural metal, and A&AEE red and white. In addition there's a Mk.9R with refuelling probe and ferry tanks, and finally a Mk.5 which of course is XA699 herself; packing four Aden cannons and wearing 5 Squadron markings from her time at Laarbruch in Germany.
The models all feature a virtual cockpit and a great panel. There are nice smooth animations of all moving parts - undercarriage, control surfaces, airbrakes, flaps and tailplane trim. SHIFT+E even opens the hood.
Click on AlphaSim to see more ... there's a promotional video too!
XA699 by Shigeru Tanaka
A freeware version of XA699 is on offer from Shigeru Tanaka; I believe this is currently the only freeware version of a Javelin FAW5 painted to represent XA699 in her cold war No.5 Squadron markings.
The animations all work nicely; that's ailerons, elevators, flaps, upper airbrakes and landing gear. Whenever the aircraft is turning, the crew move their heads slightly, looking into the turn.
This model does suffer from having no panel, so it uses the default panel from the Cessna 182. This is a strange experience! The main problem is that the Cessna's airspeed indicator isn't suited to Javelin speeds, so that much of the time your airspeed will be off the clock.
This is available by free download from Shigeru's own website at: http://www.flightsimnetwork.com/shigeru/warbirds.htm
(Here's a tip: just hit the 'End' key to scroll to the end of Shigeru's page, that's where you'll find the Javelin! Be patient, it takes time to load...)
Javelin Mk 9 Ferry Flight
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Flight Lieutenant Alex Saunders was a navigator on Javelins and you'll see some of his photographs in the 'Javelins in Service' picture gallery. Since his retirement he's become a keen Flight Sim Javelin pilot and he has sent me some news about a forthcoming virtual 'flight' that he intends to make. Together with other members of his Flight Sim group, they will fly a formation of Mk9 Javelins like the one pictured above, from the UK to Singapore. This is a re-enactment of an actual delivery flight in which Alex took part in his service days.
The flight in question took place in July 1961 when six new Mk9 Javelins took off from Waterbeach in England and set course for Tengah in Singapore, to be delivered to 60 Squadron. Two of the aircraft were lost on the way, one was lost in Malta, the other was climbing out of Calcutta and lost power causing it to crash into the jungle. Unfortunately the pilot, Flt Lt Ted Owens, the Flight Commander; was killed parachuting into the jungle. W/O Tony Melton, the navigator, ejected safely and survived.
I think this virtual trip is a good way to commemorate a remarkable achievement; and to remember those crew members that lost their lives in the attempt.
Alex has sent me these pictures, the screen shot above shows him putting in some practice flying hours before the big trip. The map below shows the route that was flown on the original flight in 1961.
Good luck to you Alex, please keep us updated with how the trip goes!
