Hi Mike
I think the secret.. the mystery if you will, of the 146 is that it's become a 'Holy Grail' for many of us here. We're blessed with what I consider to be the very best freeware models of their type in existence and those that don't quite fit in with that profile now, we've grown up with.. they're part of the family. DM's jets.. the Trident, VC10, One-Eleven, Comet.. these are the best you can possibly get and bang up to date for FS9. Garry's CL-44 and Bristol Freighter.. likewise. Rick's old but still very capable piston and turbo props are unique examples, the majority of which have not been made before and while the models may be old, Fraser continues to breath new life into them with his panel/sound updates. Derek's Dove and HP42.. DaveG's brilliant Hunters and Rapides for FS9 updated for FSX. There's almost everything a boy could need all under one roof
One aircraft has eluded us over the years.. the 146. Best of the bunch back in 2002 was considered the payware Eurowings model. It had a smashing panel and the model looked right but the texture map was a nightmare! This moved across to FS9 but was quirky enough to remain hangared. Freeware models were also here and could be mated to very capable panels but all the boxes were not ticked. Those who could tolerate the accuracy of the panel often found the models lacking in some respect. Some who could tolerate the model found the panel too quirky so once more, it's use as a package became limited.. similar in many ways to the various Concordes that have been made over the years. Some are cheap and cheerful and will get you from A to B.. others were neither cheap nor cheerful and required a fortnights groundschool just to get into the air. The secret is finding the balance.. the right balance be it a freeware or payware model and the winner will be the one which ticks the most boxes for the most people. Does it look right, does it sound right, is the panel good, does it fly well.. these I think are the 4 areas we all look at.. certainly I do and the more boxes that get ticked, the more likely it is that the model won't find itself in file 13!

This can be painful (costly) with payware as for the most part.. the first time you get your hands on one is the second after you've handed over money so if anything isn't quite right, you're out of pocket and disappointed. With freeware, it's simply cost the price of the telephone line download and easily deposited in file 13. Better to be disappointed than disappointed and out of pocket
So.. the 146 is one such model. In the absence of a 'viable' freeware version, one has to look at whatever is out there.. in this case it's payware. We're careful to throw detailed info at one another here so if someone buys a product, we know we can ask the right questions and make an informed judgement on the replies because we trust them. Sometimes you find yourself drawn like a moth to a flame.. you've been told a product is so-so but your heart really wants one so you buy it anyway and suffer the same disappointment

I can't recall any time where duff advice has been given so if you want something.. you suffer the consequences, good or bad of ignoring or accepting the advice

You have to want the model of course. If you're borderline, it's much easier to resist
Right.. back to the drawing board. Hope this answers your question
ATB
DaveB
