Alphasim Blackhawk Released

[BK-117]

Be interested to hear from anyone that gets this bird. Quite pricey at $78 (NZ) Looks very nice though!

The iconic Blackhawk helicopter has finally arrived for FSX and FS9 - seven jaw-dropping variants of the majestic H-60 series make up this superior AlphaSim package. Whether it's humanitarian, transport, medevac, airborne assault or specops, this package covers all bases. The highly accurate models come in various configurations and of course seven masterfully-detailed texture sets. Users of the true-FSX package of course benefit from all the special graphical features (inlcuding cockpit self-shadowing with DX10/SP2) which that sim has to offer. Even FS9 users get an amazing package in terms of detail. The virtual cockpit is not only highly authentic and detailed, is also showcases AlphaSim's 'RealGauge' technology for the first time in a military aircraft. This technique provides 3D-modelled instruments with incredible crispness and smoothness of movement, not to mention collosal FPS improvements over standard, bmp-type gauges. Such is the fidelity of the v-c and the gauges, a 2D panel environment is not required - as with previous RealGauge releases, a minimal 2D panel is provided as a carrier for the simicons. The MFD has been sculpted to perfectly emulate the real-world H-60 MFD system - input of three H-60 personnel was used in order to ensure a high level of accuracy throughout the package. The flight dynamics are carefully researched and offer a fluid and realistic flying experience in both sims. A 61-page, highly informative, illustrated .PDF format user manual and a user paintkit in .psd format provide added value. A wonderful TSS soundset rounds out this superlative flightsim addon.

SEVEN variants included :

1. MH-60K : 160th Special Operation Aviation Regiment (SOAR), 'Nightstalkers', Somalia.
2. UH-60L : USA, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
3. S-70A/9 : AAAC (Australian Army Aviation Corps), A Squadron, 5e Aviation Regiment, RAAF Townsville QLD.
4. UH-60L : United Nations Preventative Deployment Force (UNPREDEP), Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) 1992.
5. S-70A : IDFAF, Tsvah Haganah le Israel Heyl Ha'Avir, IDF, 124 Tayaset, Palmachim AFB.
6. UH-60Q : KFOR, Company A, 1-137th Assault Helicopter Battalion, Ohio ANG, KFOR rotation 6A, Yugoslavia.
7. UH-60Q : MEDEVAC, Company C, 3/2 Aviation Regiment (GSAB), Camp Humphreys Korea.

For FSX (SP1, SP2/Accel) and FS2004 only.
Filesize - FSX : 98MB, FS9 : 77MB.
Price : approx. $58.75 USD, £29.75, 37.25 EUR, 61.50 AUD.

[h290master]

Seems quite pricey for what it is

[Peppermint]

Why so pricey? From my experience Alphasim doesn't offer a full simulation, and their prices were already getting higher...but $78? PMDG's 737 is a full simulation, and only $5 more! What gives with the huge price AS are asking? I was kind of looking foward to getting my first chopper from AS too...guess I'll be keeping my money for another day. Oh, and what's with the no 2d panel? Not everyone likes flying from the VC or can fly from the VC, for the price they're asking I'm surprised there isn't a 2d panel.

[creator2003]

Hhhmm yeah looks like they are over charging again ,i suppose if they charged like $20 $30 for it ,it would go out there doors like hot cakes ,there is just so much you can charged for this type of modeling and not a penny more ,really do you think people are going to by that for that when i can buy FSX or acceleration for like less ,in acceleration i get a F18/EH101/and a mustang plus they are all new gauges come with a ton of missions ,or in FSX in buy the whole world plus 30 plus high detailed models ,
I dont honestly think you are going to make up your costs with $$$ like that you would be more happy with like $18 every 5min than $70 once or twice a week in the future ..

things you mite need to do lower prices to suit the general users of Fsim ,use the SDK to make twin engine start ups ,make all new gauges not knock offs of the old ones / and get a real blackhawk pilot to test it for you ,
there is one in hamilton that would tell you right away if you where anywhere close to the real dynamics ...
plus side i like the look of it really nice but not for the price when i mite only fly it once a month

[Ian Warren]

mmm GO IRENE!

[ardypilot]

QUOTE

mmm GO IRENE! [/quote]
Just what I was thinking- that model looks sweet!

I'm eying this up as my next payware addon, either that or Flytampa's Kai Tak. To help me make my decision, could anyone tell me what this models like on FPS? The only other Alphasim model's I own are the Harvard and B-52, and they run smoothly enough, although the model detail's don't look as complex as this one...

Last edited by ardypilot on Sun Jul 13, 2008 10:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[BK-117]

I would like to get it but the price is putting me off. As Mike said you can buy acceleration for that price.

I think alphasims argument is that this is because it is both a fully fs9 and a fully fsx model along with there new 3d gauges, and aswell you get 7 models.

I think maybe they should have two separate versions on sale. One for fs9 and one for fsx.. then maybe they could drop the price a bit?

$78 bucks if pretty darn step so would like make sure its worth every penny before I buy.

Richard

[Naki]

If this was $20-$30 bucks i would be showing you previews already and telling you maybe how good it was ,the 7 modeling is just the same model normally with little extras on it and a different paint job ,fs9 and X well thats hard for someone who knows what they are doing?
as for them learning new things about how to do there gauges 3d that should not really filter down to us or new ways of mapping etc . i know this as im learning the same way but that learning or time learning really isnt added to what i would release in $$$
So i brought the as355 with twin start up for Fs9 so why is this from what ive read not had the same detail put into it

QUOTE

The MFD has been sculpted to perfectly emulate the real-world H-60 MFD system - input of three H-60 personnel was used in order to ensure a high level of accuracy throughout the package. The flight dynamics are carefully researched and offer a fluid and realistic flying experience in both sims[/quote]
ok im corrected but all the same i would think realism would be twin start etc.. hey i havent flown the model so im only going on what ive read and could be corrected but i wont know because im not forking out that kinda money ..

maybe im being harsh to alpha team but if i had there knowledge and skills id be putting everything i can into good pricing /advertising /and work into learning new things everyday to make my models better and better so know one would be saying these things about my business ..instead they really do keep to themselfs even though they live in NZ ,advertising is done by people like us and reviews are in screenshots on as many forums you can get on out there ..
good comments about your work will only depend on how you price /model /and move forward within your business .
i know times are getting hard but thats all of us out there ,see how many cars are on the roads now ? well that will be the same with addons if they keep on putting up prices

[Naki]

Alphasim models seem to be getting better and better but yeah $78 is way too much

[beaufighterguy]

$78 Thats a bit over the top don't you think but it still looks awesome

[BK-117]

If this baby had twin start up then I would prob pay that price. I emailed alphasim about the price and suggested to packages. This is what they said.

"Sorry but the price cannot be any lower, production of this model package was expensive and has to be paid for. If you are using FS9, you are getting a full SP2 FSX upgrade for free, most developers charge full price again for their so-called FSX models, which are often only FS9 portovers. You should also look at the pricing of model packages in the wider sim world, such as airliners - these are often up to $100 USD."

[creator2003]

Yeah i get a upgrade for free how about if im buying it for fsx then what i get the downgrade for free ?
like i said before ten peoples paying 20-30$ dollars each is better than out of that ten only one buying it for 78$, so what if everyone else charges 100usd pdmg i mean that thing really is what they say it is not a half dynamics ?

nice that he is answering you though

[Ian Warren]

IRENE be a little bit later on for me ... wonder how it compares to the nemethCH53E cockpit operation

[Ian Warren]

One of my overseas friends got it Ian and all he could say really was that it flew like a bus with one wheel and was no were near what it was hype to be ,also a mention of was the textures loading between views seemed to take for ever and you where stuck with white a hell of a long time ..plus your question about the copit ,the modeling from what ive seen is good but have read not many of the switches work at all ..
Ive done a bit of research on it and what people are saying other than just my mate ,there is a bit of disappointment all over the show with price and what they have got for that price ,this is real shocking really and id stay fully with your nemeth bros choppers those guys really do build something from the ground up and really do do the research on what they build themselfs or they dont build it at all ...

bad reviews are bad for business and ive never seen that before with the crews that really do build good choppers ..

QUOTE

even the Aerosoft jayhawk is better than this and that handles like a bus with two wheels[/quote]

do your research on this before you take the plunge

Last edited by creator2003 on Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Ian Warren]

Cheers Mike , bit hard to beat a Nethem Helio , possible will get a later date , pleased spent allowance on the Rick Pipers Hawk

[Kiwi149]

Firstly, please let me apologise for bringing up an old thread.

Secondly, the Blackhawk. I bought this thing because I found a US Customs texture pack for it and working in law myself this appealed. It's very expensive and I feel their reasoning for it being as such is flawed and arrogant. That out of the way, I can't love this aircraft. I mean, it flies "OK" but nothing great. The panel is a let down. Supposedly it was made with the help of UH60 crew but I do wonder if perhaps it was the guys on the ground who wash the bird.

Frame rates are great, but I have a reasonably new computer so that's probably it.

All in all I would not recommend this addon, for this price at least. While I will keep it and probably fly it to get my money's worth, I would now feel reluctant to buy anything from Alphasim again.