Erik's 2022 Paint Thread

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

they'll give our users the option of experiencing the increased weight package

YEP .... that's precisely what it's/they're there for and why we do/did it (base pack-wise) folks

What HJG's always "tried to do" (since it's beginnings) is represent the "actual specifications" of any aircraft type and their sub variants .... "IN SO FAR AS FS PERMITS" (these being the key words) .... rather than offering single packages for each basic aircraft type and irrespective of their sub types (as is done by many other FS groups/companies). By doing this we're able to offer correct/more authentic weight, engine thrust, and other performance defining specifications, and which "DO" ultimately influence performance "in FS" .... provided each simulation is flown properly to start with of course. It also enables us to be able to offer specific textures/operator liveries for particular aircraft subjects and which are then supported by the correct aircraft type specification base packs too. Doing this does make things "a little more complex" (more time consuming for the developers rather), but, it "DOES" ultimately make for better simulations in the long run .... in preference to offering something more basic that performs no differently than anything else within the same product line. This type of customization is also represented/offered by us among our panel and sound pack range too.

"WELL DONE" Erik

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[Tony Madge - HJG]

Nice one Erik, look very similar to my 50 versions

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

The liveries are "similar" but these 2 are both "L-1011-100's" .... for our "-100" base pack

Whilst engine thrust for the -1's, -50's, -100's, and -150's is identical (except in the case of SHIP ONE which has its derated testing period thrust statement), there's a roughly 17,000 LB MGW weight increase "in the case of the -100's", promoting higher payload and/or fuel loading's, which (in basic FS terms) should promote slightly increased range for the same/similar overall performance .... according to the way Mike and I compiled supporting data for our L-1011's.

All of our L-1011 versions "before the -150's" reflect progressively lower weights and the same engine thrust rating, whilst each those "following the -150's" reflect progressively higher weights again .... as well as greater engine thrust ratings too .... each of which "DO" influence FS performance

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

More official portraits .... this time of some of Erik's newest TRISTAR's ....


AMERICAN TRANS AIR/LTU L-1011-1 N183AT (1995)


AMERICAN TRANS AIR/AER LINGUS L-1011-50 N190AT (1990)


AMERICAN TRANS AIR L-1011-100 N194AT (2005)


AMERICAN TRANS AIR L-1011-100 N198AT (2001)



Some nice "ODD-BALLS" there Erik


Mark C
AKL/NZ

[darrenvox]

good stuff erik

[Erik Ingram - HJG]

Thank you!

Catching up on a C-135 requested a while back, this is the 89th MAW's 62-4126 as it looked in VIP service circa 1968, in particular when it brought the commander of the US Pacific Command to Australia in August of that year. After serving as a VIP transport for the better part of 20 years, it was pressed into special operations service, and eventually became an RC-135W.



Then we have KC-135E 59-1514 of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing circa 1990, in use as a support/training aircraft.



Finally, here's 4126 in its anonymous scheme; it was operated in this capacity for the Twenty First Air Force by members of the New Jersey ANG, and in addition to secretive missions, it also served as a general government transport for organizations including the DEA, FBI, and others.

[mrfsu00]

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for what you do, Erik.

[alex94]

I never tire of seeing c-135s, especially in those beautiful liveries, I especially love seeing photos of old aircraft in pristine condition like the real life’s one are/were

[Erik Ingram - HJG]

Thanks guys! I've probably said this before, but the C-135 family is definitely one of my favorite military aircraft, so I'm glad for the opportunity to represent so many variants of it for you all.

Back to some twin-engine aircraft, here's a selection representing a chapter in German aviation from the late '80s and early '90s:

Air Berlin USA was the earliest incarnation of what would become Germany's second-largest airline by the mid-2000s; it was originally established by a group of Americans and owned by a lumber company in Oregon (hence the 'USA' part of the name), and operated charter flights around Europe on behalf of various German vacation organizers. Early on, it leased a selection of aircraft (mostly 707s and 737-200s), and in 1986, it acquired its first new plane, this 737-300 N67AB. It was actually their only airplane until 1991, and is seen here as it looked in service in mid-1988. It would operate a separate fleet of them between 2006 and 2008, but this one was sold to Southwest in 1991.



In 1990, the airline acquired two 737-400s, including N11AB.



Following German reunification, the airline was opened to German investors and leadership, and was officially shortened to Air Berlin shortly thereafter. The scheme was modified accordingly, and is seen here on D-ABAD circa 1992.

[Klaus Hullermann]

I saw those Air Berlin 737s very often at my local airport (EDDG). Great memories, too bad that this airline is now history.

I have one question: What does the 'SL' mean after the 'Boeing 737-300'-line at N67AB?

Klaus

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

What does the 'SL' mean after the 'Boeing 737-300'-line

Don't think it's a formal Boeing marketing designation.

Found the following though and which may explain it ....

"The Boeing 737/300, non-EFIS (Electronic Flight Instrument System); ours was ... as a 737-300 SL, which is German shorthand for Super Leise, or Super Quiet".

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[Klaus Hullermann]

Thanks Mark for the answer. I didn't know that, but I never saw that on other 737s (either domestic ones aka Lufthansa or from foreign 737 Classic-operators). I also never saw something similar on their 737NGs which 'visited' also EDDG.

Klaus

[aerofoto - HJG Admin]

It was "a new detail" for me too .... since I'd never heard of it previously either and had to research it .... hence the answer I found as quoted above

Mark C
AKL/NZ

[christrott]

Kinda like American Airlines "Super80" - never an official McDonnell Douglas model name for the MD-80 series (American did have some changes made to the airplane interior and cockpit, but that's another thing). Airlines often put their own marketing on their aircraft models to make them "stand out" even if there's nothing different between their planes and the next guy's.

Now that I think of it, American kinda has been notorious for self-branding.... The DC-10LuxuryLiner comes to mind as well.

As for the "SL" designation - Since the aircraft was delivered new to Air Berlin USA and was one of the earlier -300s, I would think their idea with self-marketing the "super quiet" was to hype up how much quieter inside and out the -300s were over the -200s that were then extremely common in Europe, and especially in European charter operations.

[Klaus Hullermann]

That's what I love about HJG (apart from the fantastic freeware jetliners) is all this knowledge about aviation history and its great and helpful community.

Klaus