MID-ATLANTIC AIR MUSEUM SIMULATIONS
ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF THE
DOUGLAS XC-47C AMPHIBIOUS TRANSPORT
A FREE ADD-ON FOR THE MAAM-SIM R4D/DC-3 CD FOR FS2004
If you are a bush pilot with a heavy freight contract and that old Beaver just ain't gonna lift it, have we got a plane for you!
MAAM-SIM, consisting of volunteer developers Bill Rambow, Jan Visser, Fred Banting, Rob Young, Bill Womack, Howard Sodja, and Mark Beaumont, are pleased to announce the release of their latest DC-3 variant, the Douglas XC-47C amphibian.
The XC-47C was a prototype attempt in 1943 to produce an amphibious transport by adding a pair of Edo 78 floats to the workhorse C-47 Skytrain. The huge floats were equipped with retractable landing gear and additional fuel tanks. Its flight performance, especially the takeoff, was less than spectacular, and a trial with rocket assisted takeoff proved unsatisfactory. Historical accounts vary on the number of amphibian Gooney Birds that were actually put into service, although 150 sets of floats were reportedly built for field installation. Most authorities cite five field-modified aircraft, some of which were said to have been used in the Pacific and Alaskan theaters for air-sea rescue missions.
This free add-on download, available from the File Library is one of many planned enhancements for purchasers of the MAAM-SIM R4D / DC-3 CD. Installation of the base package in FS2004 is a requirement for the automatic installer to function. The CD is available from the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum's On-Line Store at www.maam.org.
The original Edo floats, including their struts, rudders, and landing gear have been exactly recreated from historical and contemporary photos of both the prototype and the Folsom bird.
The plane features a 20-passenger cabin and port-side passenger and cargo doors.
The virtual cockpit and 2-D panels are aliased from the MAAM-SIM Passenger DC-3, which must be in your FS2004 Aircraft folder.
(The above interior screenshots were taken using Active Camera 2004, v2, by Anticyclone.)
The MAAM-SIM XC-47C has its own distinctive flight model, duplicating the rather sluggish performance of the real plane.
Like her real world counterpart, with her free-castoring front wheels, she takes skillful use of differential throttle and brakes, as well as some practice to ground steer with precision. But if you want to try a DC-3 that is not a tail-dragger, here is your only chance.
But there is even more to come. Until this year, one example of the XC-47C type still existed, owned and operated by Folsom's Air Service of Greenville Maine. Sadly, the floats have recently been stripped from it, probably forever, and it is reportedly for sale as a standard DC-3. Following the XC-47 release by a day or two will be "MAAMAFAS.zip" by MAAM-SIM's Mark Beaumont depicting the Folsom's bird, complete with a distinctive decor.
Mark is also the Vice President of Fleet for the virtual airline, DC-3 Airways, and the DCA pilots are chomping at the bit to get their hands on his company repaints of the amphibian. "DCAMAAMA.zip" includes two DCA liveries. The DC-3 Airways Classic Livery...
...and the DCA Bare-Metal version...
A free repaint template kit will also be issued very soon, and a number of other talented repainters are already planning their own liveries for the amphibian.
If you do not already own it, you may order the R4D/DC-3 CD-ROM from www.maam.org for $34.95, including guaranteed worldwide shipping. All proceeds from the sales of MAAM-SIM products support the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum's aircraft restoration programs.
THANKS FOR SUPPORTING MAAM
October, 2004