I don't/can't agree with that ..... to be perfectly honest .... but .... not intending to denegrate Eduardo's view, in any way shape or form, I'll elaborate sf to why .... as follows ....
The payware CLS and freeware SGA/CANTU DC10 simulations are both "pretty good" .... BUT .... the freeware SGA/CANT models better meet my own personal acceptance standards than those of the payware product .... by virtue of the fact that "ceratin aspects" of the freeware modelling is, indeed, more accurate according to details associatedwith the various DC10 versions .... something which Erick CANTU was reknowned for trying to get as right as possible with most of his 3D aircraft modelling for FS.
There are a total of at least 7 different 3D models which make up the freeware SGA/Erick CANTU range of DC10 models .... according to what I've so far accumulated .... some of which the payware CLS versions (whilst they are good .... very good in fact) simply don't represent quite as well/authentically as CANTU's work.
There are 2 variations of freeware SGA/CANTU DC10-10 model .... one featuring the very early Splitter Plates on the exhaust tail pipes of each engine ....
.... and the other featuring the later modified engine exhaust tail pipes .... and which is also the same model used to represent the rare hot and high DC10-15 version which is, externally, almost identical to the DC10-10 ....
There is, unfortunately, no freeware DC10-10CF/F model featuring an animated port side forward fuselage maindeck cargo door though .... so far as I'm aware.
The payware DC10-10 is represented by one only model version for "the whole lot" .... as I recall .... BUT .... I don't think it represents the convertible DC10-10CF/F either.
There are two variations of freeware SGA/CANTU DC10-30 model .... one with a standard PAX configuration featuring the short, rather than long, or extended, engine exhaust tail pipe (there are about 3 different realworld configurations as such) .... and which does, unfortunately, create the impression that the tail pipe, on the # 2 tail engine in particular, may be a little bit too short .... but .... which is a configuration that does/did actually exist, on some aircraft, and which is also the only type represented by the freeware model version. These two models also both feature the standard DC10-30 CLG unit .... the PAX version of which is also used to represent the rare higher gross weight DC10-30ER which is, externally, almost identical to the standard DC10-30 ....
.... the other freeware DC10-30 model features the very same engine exaust tail pipe configuration, but, represents the convertible DC10-30CF/F aircraft version with an animated port side forward fuselage maindeck cargo door .... and the standard DC10-30 CLG unit also ....
The payware DC10-30 is represented by 2 model versions as well .... if I remember correctly .... both of which feature the long,
(not the extended) engine exhaust tail pipe configuration .... also including, I think, a model featuring an animated freight door for the convertible aircraft version.
There are three variations of freeware SGA/CANTU DC10-40 model .... one representing the NORTHWEST ORIENT/AIRLINES P&W JT9D-20 engine configuration with its "bulbous MD11-like #2 engine intake and slightly different underwing
P&W engine nacelle shape .... all 3 engines featuring the long (not the extended) exhaust tail pipe .... and .... also including the CLG unit ....
.... then one model representing the rare JAPAN AIR LINES DC10-40D (domestic) aircraft version featuring the P&W JT9D-59A engine configuration with its "bulbous" MD11-like #2 engine intake and the same underwing engine nacelle shape as the NWO version .... but .... all 3 engines featuring the very short engine exhaust tail pipe configuration .... and .... no CLG unit ....
.... and then one model representing the higher gross weight JAPAN AIR LINES DC10-40I (Intercontinental) aircraft version .... which also features the same P&W JT9D-59A engine configuration as the "D" version .... but .... includes the CLG unit ....
There's no freeware DC10-40F (conversion) model featuring an animated port side forward fuselage maindeck cargo door though .... so far as I'm aware.
So far as I'm also aware .... the payweare DC10-40 is represented by one model only version .... which is, disappointingly, not authentic .... completely lacking the unique "bulbous" MD11-like #2 engine intake common to all DC10-40 aircraft versions. I can't recall whether or not the payware DC10-40 is represented by both "D" and "I" aircraft versions with and without their respective CLG units.
All/Most textures currently available for the freeware SGA/CANTU DC10's fit each of the 7 SGA/CANTU 3D DC10 models .... regardless .... but .... if people unwittingly apply some of these textures to the wrong model versions .... then they're simply not going to see the right end results for reason of the different detail/shaping which is correctly associated with the various 3D model versions.
"THIS" .... I can/do agree with .... but again .... I, personally, believe that the freeware SGA/CANTU DC10 FDE's .... "even in their current very raw state" .... are somewhat superior to those of the payware version/s .... each of which, I think, uses the very same FDE and which simply "IS NOT" right/accurate.
Over the past several months myself, and another trusted FS colleague, have been trying to further improve these existing SGA/CANTU DC10 FDE's .... "as and when time permits" .... BUT .... we're nowhere near to releasing any of these, yet, or even deciding where these will eventually be released once we're first satisfied.
Again .... the payware CLS DC10 simulation "IS", indeed, a very good product .... and one that even I'm still happy to endorse despite some of its cons which I've hilited above .... BUT .... at the end of the day .... and excluding the obvious advantage of the CLS VC panel (again one only panel version for each version though .... and which is all wrong also) ....as well as its KC10 TANKER represention too .... in my own, personal, oppinion .... the pros of freeware SGA/CANTU DC10 simulation do give this product version "a slightly greater edge" by virtue of the aircrsft variation they represent and in terms of their essential/correct model detailing .... each looking "PARTICULARLY DC10-LIKE" (given the limitations of FS design and any potential end user image/monitor distortion too) .... to me at least ....
Between the late 1970's and early 1990's .... I did spend "a lot of time" around DC10's .... and once again .... feel that the freeware SGA/CANTU DC10's do measure up more satisfactiorily/accurately ....
according to what I, personally, want/expect.Those interested in the (very slowly evolving) DC10 project which I've been working on can read more about this on both of the following threads, but, kindly appreciate .... before asking/querying please .... that no promises, at all, are being made by me .... or HJG .... in regard to this particular project ....
tonymadgehjg.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=4688tonymadgehjg.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=otherscreenshots&action=display&thread=5381 Mark C
AKL/NZ
