Maybe what CS should do is hold off on the release of the C-130J and release one of the other ones, because quite frankly, what is the fun of flying a "J" if all it is is a 6 bladed "E".  Being a fighter pilot, I am woefully uninformed about the differences in specs, but it would make sense that it would be faster, more fuel efficient, and have a higher service ceiling.  Maybe one of the many "trash haulers"  on this site can inform this tired old fighter puke on the specs.

I realize that FS 2004 is just a game, but would we fly a 747-400 without the glass cockpit?  Or an F-14 with the default Cessna cockpit?  I know I wouldn't because the flight experience just wouldn't be the same.  The fantasy would be gone.  Most of us who use the simulator want, at least, a reasonable facsimile of the real deal, especially if we are asked to shell out money for it.

What CS could do instead is this:  Totally rebuild the Herc from the ground up as a "J", complete with a glass cockpit and updated specs and release it as a seperate download, independant of the other Herc's.  We would probably have to pay over 50 bucks for it, but to me it would be worth it.

I give high praise to the CS team for developing such high quality downloads.  I own and fly them all.  I hope that they don't think me ungrateful, because I am not. 

I open the floor for feedback (good or bad, agree or disagree)

What do you guys think?

J.R.
Captain, USN Ret.
4000+ hours in the F-14

I agree. If everything that is going to be changed is the exterior, I would rather buy a model that is somewhat similar in panel layout and performance to the C-130E.

I guess that's nothing much we can do about it though... they have a poll open and the official announcement has been made. Well, I just have a feeling that Captain Sim won't let us down!

It would be interesting to create a separate model of the c-130j with the single panel 2d I would even pay gladly also 20$.  survey would be right to make you as other times you have made for the customer of your beautiful products

I agree completely.
There are so many other variants that could be produced using the basic airframe that it doesn't make sense to put everything else on hold to produce what would only be a mongrel.

Steve Keating

guns210 has a valid point and I want to raise this issue again

I have the C-130pro package and I think it's terrific. However, I am hesitant in going for the "J" model upgrade. I agree and feel the "J" should be consideded as a new product. The avionics as well as performace issues should be addressed and the whole aircraft redesigned from scratch. The "J" is a completely different aircraft than earlier versions. I also, would be willing to spend the extra bucks for a new remodeled J, not just an upgraded E with new exterior textures.

Yes I completely agree with all u guys!
I already bought it, and there are some same caracteristics that I already found in the "E" model meanwhile in the "J" model are completely different!
1. Cockpit! "J" has MFD and not the old "E" panel.  
2. Exterior completely COOL, AWESOME totally "J" model  
3. Engines, are those real powerplant? I cannot even do an AAR with Lago KC/VC-10 (and the a/c flies about 315kt, while I have    
   to  go below 80kt going to complete stall without refuelling).   

I would have to agree with everyone here Captain Sim.  I bought the expansion pack thinking it was going to have the performance of the J-model and was severly mistaken.  As an active duty USAF C-130 Flight Engineer I have very current knowledge on how the C-130 should perform; this one doesn't even come close.  To be perfectly honest I would hold offf on making the J-model until after you get the current model fixed.  The aircraft yaws a great deal more than the real aircraft, the cruise speed is too slow, the fuel flow and fuel burn is not at all realistic and unfortunately the engine indicators don't indicate what C-130 would indicate at max power. 

The C-130 power is measured with TIT and torque...I gurantee you take any C-130 out to Goose Bay, Canada in the winter and throw those throttles up to max power and your likely to rip the engines off the wing.  The torques should going screaming past 19,600 inch-lbs and upwards of 25,000 inch-lbs or more (don't know exactly since it's strictly forbidden in real-world).

As for fuel burn yeah not even close..you should be burning anywhere from 4,500 to 6,200 lbs of fuel per hour at cruise depending on altitude.  The lower you go the more fuel you burn; low level yeah your burning higher than 6,000 lbs an hour.

But honestly from a real-world Herk driver take the time to perfect this beauty before you move on to another totally different beast because the J-model mine as well be another aircraft it's definately not the same thing.

If you guys need technical advice contact me, I've volunteered before but never got utilized for what you seem to need.  Take care all!

Thank you all for input and kind comments.

As you all know, in real world even one modification of the C-130 model can have many different cockpit layouts and equipment sets. So talking about 10 different models (J, T, A etc) we are looking at hundreds different cockpit layouts and equipment sets.
Assuming one good 2D and VC package development takes about an year... see?

As for  comments concerning accuracy, please read: http://www.captainsim.net/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1132944896

Happy holidays to all   !