Author: Alexander Belov Date: 02 Jun 2010
FS2004 R-23 Rigid Airship. R-23 belongs to the first class of rigid airships ordered by the British Admiralty in 1915. No 23 and No 26 was built by Vickers, No 24 - by Beardmore, and No 25 - by Armstrong-Whitworth. The first three entered service in October 1917, joined by R.26 in April 1918, but further planned models were cancelled. Mainly used for training and experimental purposes, the 23 Class undertook only limited patrol work and all four were scrapped in 1919.
Author: J.R. Lucariny Date: 28 May 2010
FS2004 Comac C919. The Comac C919 is a planned 168-190 seat narrow-body airliner to be built by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Comac. It will be the largest commercial airliner designed and built in China since the defunct Shanghai Y-10. Its first flight is expected to take place in 2014, with deliveries scheduled for 2016. The C919 forms part of China's long-term goal to break Airbus and Boeing's duopoly, and will compete against Airbus A320 family and the Boeing 737 Next Generation.
Author: A. F. Scrub Date: 28 May 2010
FS2004/FSX Polikarpov I-152. The I-152 represented an extensive modification of the earlier I-15. The distinctive "gull" shape of the upper wing was replaced with a more traditional "straight" wing. The nine cylinder M25 radial engine of 775 horsepower was enclosed in a long chord cowling. The cantilever single strut undercarriage was retained, and some machines were fitted with wheel spats.
Author: J.R. Lucariny Date: 28 May 2010
FS2004 Supermarine 224. Issue of Specification F.7/30 in 1930 for a single-seat fighter led Supermarine to build its first aircraft intended for this role. Designed under the direction of Reginald J Mitchell as Type, or Drawing, 224, Supermarine's proposal was one of three to gain Air Ministry backing for prototype construction, along with Westland and Blackburn, an order for one aircraft being placed in 1932. Based on experience gained with the Supermarine float seaplanes designed for participation in the Schneider Trophy contests, the Type 224 was of all-metal construction with fabric covering of the wing aft of the mainspar and of the tail surfaces. Its 600hp Rolls-Royce Goshawk II engine had an evaporative cooling system, which was to prove to be a major reason for the eventual failure of the Type 224 to gain acceptance. Armament comprised two 7.7mm guns in the fuselage and one in each mainwheel fairing. First flown on 19 February 1934, the Type 224 failed to achieve its performance estimates, and, after a prolonged sojourn at the RAE Farnborough, went to the A&AEE and eventually ended its days as a gunnery target.
Author: Edward Cook Date: 23 May 2010
FS2004 Boulton Paul Type P.75 Overstrand, Version 5. The last biplane medium bomber to enter RAF service. The first RAF use of a power gun turret. Fitted with an autopilot and heating for all crew positions. Aircraft of No. 101 Sqdn. based at Bicester C.1936 Recast with upgraded sound, VC and gauges.
