NZFF

As I understand it, if you have a group of, say, 10, in a multiplayer session, with each member using a different texture, then all the members need to have all ten textures loaded, to display the other members planes properly.
Obviously they would need the same aircraft, too.

What I want to know is, what constitutes the "same aircraft"? Is it defined by the .air file, or the .mdl?

I ask because I have just downloaded Dave Carroll's authorised FSX version of the Shupe D18S, one of my favourite planes. I have been using the Shupe portover one. In the process, I found another authorised upgrade, which modifies the FDE to make the plane spinnable. The external physical model should be the same for both (or all three), which means the many FS2004 paints will fit, as well as the 20 or so for the FSX ones - certainly the FS2004 paints fit the portover version. Haven't found any NZ ones, though

So, question two: Would the 'spinnable' FDE also need to be on everyone's computer?

I think the performance of the D18S / C-45 Expeditor would make it a good multiplayer plane, but multiplayer is one of many fields where I don't really know what I am talking about...

That's it Mike, you need all those paints installed , you don't have to go ahead and install , simply load that model and it will show , add the textures at your choice, you then get a better looking picture and see how much better it is.

This is the reason I installed 20 plus paints for the DC3 , a variety of internationals - works by and from JanKees, Janiek Arp and Gordon aka Gman5250 and Ted Wolfgang aka TuFun.

If we, You install a Milton model, a Rick Piper 748 only it will only show the default base texture tho there maybe 20 or so for example regard to Ricks 748.

Hmmm...some old pals of mine, the VFR Fliers in the Visual Flight Forums, moved to FSX and all used the Real Air SM-260, each member with his own paint, i.e. not a MS default (or default-based) plane or texture.
They also used Skype for comms, but that is not relevant to this topic. I didn't join them, because the timezones didn't work out, but they were very active - up to 'VFR20' as a reg., but sadly many have passed away since the great days and it is now a shadow of its former self

Mike , think we have the aircraft sorted the 748 , you are more than welcome to set up , we can go through testing .. I'll get the 748 installed during the couple off days

Time I was in bed - I will let you know what I figure out in the morning