FS2004 Lockheed L-1649A Starliner, Version 1.0 (W.I.P.
FS2004 Lockheed L-1649A Starliner, Version 1.0 (W.I.P.) The Starliner marked the end of the line of Constellation designs. It had an entirely new wing of greatly increased span (150 feet as opposed to 123 feet on the “Super G” Constellation), more powerful Wright R-3350 engines spaced further outboard for reduced cabin noise levels, and a strengthened undercarriage to support a gross weight of 160,000 lbs (138,000 lbs on the Super G). It was designed to fly the polar routes Los Angeles-London or Paris-Tokyo in just over 21 hours non-stop, and it established numerous long-distance records, many of them still current today. Providing accommodation for ninety-two tourist-class or twenty-six first-class and forty-five tourist-class passengers, the Starliner entered service with TWA in May 1957. Other operators included Air France and Lufthansa. It was arguably the largest, widest-range, and most expensive piston-engine airliner of its day (reportedly $3,219,550.00). While, in the real world, work has begun on bringing one of surviving Starliners back to flying status, you can get the factory-fresh prototype, fittingly registered N1649, for nothing here. Model and textures by Manfred Jahn, 2D-panel by Hansjoerg Naegele, effects and flight dynamics a communal effort by the FS9 Starliner team. Note well that, this being a W.I.P. release, there is no VC yet, the documentation is incomplete, the flight dynamics are tentative, and a proper soundset will have to be downloaded separately. See the Starliner project thread at www.calclassic.com for FAQs, future plans (fictional L-1549 model, paintkit, VC-equipped 1649A), and a host of rare historical, technical, and pictorial material. Manfred Jahn (model), Hansjoerg Naegele (panel). 5.8MB
