FSX and FS2004 Canadair Argonaut / North Star
Version 2.1. Model, textures and documentation by Jens B. Kristensen
Flight Dynamics & Pilot's handling notes by FSAviator
The Argonaut and the North Star were Merlin-engined version of
the Douglas DC-4. A total of 71 were produced by Canadair.
In Canada it was called the North Star and was used by airlines
and the RCAF. 22 Argonauts were delivered to BOAC 1949-1950,
and they later had long careers with other operators l
ike British Midland and charter companies.
This package contains versions & liveries for BOAC,
Trans Canada Air Lines, Canadian Pacific, British Midland,
Flying Enterprise and the RCAF.
For more details and flying instructions, please see the
pdf document installed in the \Manual folder.
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New in this version:
Now also compatible with FSX Gold and FSX SP2. Improved flight
dynamics with better taxi and shorter takeoff run. Various
other improvements/fixes.
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*To install for Flight Simulator X:
Just run the included setup program. If you have FSX Gold, SP2,
or the Acceleration expansion pack, remember to select the
FSX SP2 support files in the 'Custom setup' dialog.
If you have already tried to install the original
FS2004-only version (Argo_V10.zip) in FSX, then uninstall it. See below.
*To install for Flight Simulator 2004 - A Century of Flight:
1) If you have the first versions of my Argonaut / North Star
models, please uninstall them manually. Go to Windows
Control Panel, and select 'Add/Remove Programs'. Uninstall the following,
if you have them:
- Canadair C-4 Argonaut for FS2004'
- Canadair Argonaut of Flying Enterprise
- Canadair C-54GM North Star
- TCA Canadair DC-4M2 North Star
2) Run the included setup program. When you get to the "Destination
Folder" dialog, click the 'Browse' button and locate your
Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9\aircraft
folder.
3) Continue the setup!
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Sounds:
The standard DC-3 sounds are used, but we recommend installing
some genuine Rolls-Royce Merlin sounds for this aircraft.
An excellent choice is the Lancaster sounds by
Doug Smith and Des Braban. Search for lancsnds.zip at www.flightsim.com
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Gauges:
The gauges are to some extent default gauges of Flight
Simulator FSX or FS2004, some of them modified by me for four engines.
Other gauges are by me but with much inspiration from
default FS gauges by Microsoft.
Prop feathering buttons and some of the engine instruments are
based on public domain gauges by Mike (MoparMike) Wagner. For use
in FSX, I have had to converted them to xml.
The ILS indicator is based on xml code by
Saviero Maurri (Vickers Varsity panel), bitmaps by me.
The autopilot is by myself, but parts of the xml code (the turn button)
are borrowed from Saviero Maurri (DH Dove panel)
A number of gauges (mostly switches) are, with permission from
Tom Gibson, www.calclassic.com, based on work by Tom himself,
Kevin Trinkle, Ernie Kennedy and Ken 'Mitch' Mitchell. I have used
complete gauges from them (cowl flap switches), or used the
bitmaps from their c-style gauges and made xml-versions of them.
In some cases I have modified the bitmaps from information
in the DC-6 flight manual. Many thanks to Tom &Co. for this, and to
Tom for his support for this project as a whole.
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Textures
The textures broadly follow the layout of Tom Gibson's DC-6 paintkit,
but they have been almost completely remade by me.
Repainters beware: The model is different from the one I released
originally for FS2004, so the paint kit I released earlier does not
fit completely. If you want to repaint this model, use the almost-bare-metal
BOAC G-ADHL as your starting point, or email me for more information.
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This plane was originally made with FSDS 2.24, but has been
remade with FSDS 3.5.1, the textures with Paint Shop Pro and DxtBmp.
It is freeware and must stay that way.
I hope you like flying the Argonaut!
Jens B. Kristensen, october 2008
Jens.B.Kristensen@mail.tele.dk