Hi all
I can see that this topic is getting rather heated now.  It's not very often that I speak up about things but here is my take on this discussion.  I'll add some points to the items listed by mach 1

Tyrion I think you need take a step back from fantasy land and take a look at reality my son...some of your naive and obvious points about the Virtual cockpit taking a long time to develop and Devs having exterior models hanging around and what would you do statements etc are just plain stupid!..
What would you do if you were a Dev let’s look at this point you made!
Well if I was a Dev that cared about my reputation and future credibility, I certainly wouldn't start a huge project like the B52 and after a few yrs of promoting it with amazing EXTERIOR mouthwatering screenshots ...announce I haven’t done the interior modeling!...
No if I was a Dev I wouldn't have even started such an ambitious project without FIRST ensuring I HAD started the Virtual cockpit!...surely if the VC takes longer to develop then why can’t Capt sim understand this and focus on this area FIRST!...and surely EVERY payware deserves and potential customers EXPECT a Virtual cockpit..So stop preaching the obvious and look at the BIG picture here! Capt sim must have known from the beginning they wouldn’t be doing a VC for this payware release!

Exterior of Interior?  I can see your point Mach 1 but look at it this way.  What would you rather have?  An interior that has no external model? Or and exterior where you could either add your own choice of cockpit or wait for the official one?  You could have both if you are willing to wait a few more years.
From the Dev's point of view - You can make cash from selling an exterior model but what can you do with a cockpit with no exterior?  It's all business, we at McPhat do what we do because a) we enjoy texturing aircraft and b) we are now starting to making money from our hobby.  Developers are exactly the same.
On a project development side of it.  Our UHDT textures are taking us a hell of a long time to create.  The basic repaint kit took many many hours of research and creation.  Then it's at least 80 to 100 man hours to research and create each repaint.  In the end that time is worth the results we have been achieving.  The Buff is the same.  CS are using 4 X higher resolution than any other of their products.  Now look at the physical size of the Buff.  The texture tiles must be in there high numbers and each one needs alignment and detailing.  At the resolutions they are working at that means getting every word of each stenciled part of the aircraft.  I work on C-130's and out external marked panels are in the hundreds.  Again think of how many the Buff has.

As for Jonny Test he is in my opinion only trying to highlight the ridiculous short sightedness and credulity of some of the forum members here to SEE  the reality that it is highly unlikely that Capt sim will even bother to develop a Virtual cockpit,.....DONT YOU SEE they haven’t even announced a virtual cockpit YET!..Let alone are working on one! And by your own admissions Tyrion the VC takes LONGER to develop! so if you take the bait and purchase the exterior shell only, when do you seriously expect to see a vc addon???....2011-2012.....2013?????...i will give you a hint..try..NEVER!
So what you and other devoted and loyal Capt sim fans are being  offered is an Exterior only shell ...
I don't think that there will be any issues with a cockpit in the future.  again it's down to time.

The 727 for FSX was released with no cockpit to speak of.  CS came through with a great updated version of the 727 cockpit.  I think it will be the same for the Buff.  But as they have to start from scratch, hence the longer development time.
On to the cockpit.  CS's Legendary C-130 for FS9 took 3 years to develop.  Most of that you can imagine is on the cockpit, vc and gauges.  The Buff has six seated positions. That's five full cockpits so to speak.  

so we have a real dilemma here..do we support a Dev by their own admission refuses to play ball and EVEN make a promise of a VC! ..or do we boycott this nonsense now once and for all and reward Capt sims audacity with the proverbial two fingers?
I  remember the recent  Alphasim C17 fiasco of late releasing their (Gathering dust!..what would you do with a model hanging around blah blah!) unfinished model that once again was bereft of even the most basic options included in most Freeware models!!!..is this what you all want?..the FUTURE of payware!...dodgy promises and half hearted statements???
My take on all this from REALITY land and not naive  two fingers crossed goody two shoes brown lipped CS fans land....  you can kiss goodbye to a complete and authentic B52 from them!.....just like their f117....half a job...yet FULL price!
So its your choice either be Naive like yourself and purchase this half baked puppy and perpetuate this imprudent nonsense of a policy or ALL make a bold statement to NOT part with your hard earned cash!...i for one sadly will be opting for the latter!...i do hope the great Capt sim is listening to all this.....

In Reality (as seems to be the sentence for this topic).  CS moved to the modular retail solution with the 757.  You bought the product in blocks so you can enjoy the aircraft as they develop it.  You get what they finish.  This also means they can concentrate on one part at a time to bring it out for you to enjoy as quickly as they can.  This was not embraced by everyone but it is a policy they have stuck to.  They are also working on multiple projects with a team that can’t be much bigger than when they worked on the 757.

and the biggest solution to all of it is....if you don't like it don't buy it...no one is forcing anyone too.

A note to all who read this topic too.  Captain Sim doesn’t accept any impolite behavior in there forum.  If posts get too heated members can find themselves blocked and their posts removed.


Hope everyone is having a good weekend.  Now it's back to the Monarch UHDT 757 repaint for me.

Dave