Hello there!
I'm new here and I apologise for my English, I'm really happy to be here and I hope to stay here for longtime.
I like Alphasim products and I'm an happy "owner" of some products like Halifax, Sea King and Phantoms even if there are other producer with a "better quality" products like Real Air (not to mention certains freeware authors well knowns here).
The most important thing is that Alphasim is focused on strange or rare planes like Javelin, Caribou, Neptune and so on; generally I've no interest in modern military planes (except Phantoms), I prefer GA planes and I "own" the whole Carenado production, but Alphasim's planes remember me my old Airfix models, not perfect, but with the right feeling!
Latest Alphasim products.......
Moderators: Guru's, The Ministry
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Michael davies
- Trident
- Posts: 341
- Joined: 09 Oct 2004, 21:59
- Location: Felixstowe
- Contact:
Heated, surely not !, must confess it has passed me by and with hindsight was probably not worth getting heated overAndyG wrote:Buenos dÃas senor Trev.
I understand your comments, and have purchased many an "obscure British creation" from Alphasim. I have to say I have refrained on this occasion as, for my purposes, the Javelin from Mr Stone is perfectly adequate; I won't go into more detail on the subject, as Michael Davies and I got quite heated last time!!
I don't want to rock the boat, but I think Alphasim do (occasionally) rely on that 'guilt' factor to make some sales. There have been enough comments on their forum about not announcing projects to stop certain () freeware developers beating them to the punch; possibly they should have a think the other way as well, if there is a reasonable freeware model available, how many people will want a payware version - there are plenty of subjects out there that haven't been done yet!
Now, who had that tin hat last?
AndyG
.I would pick up on the not announcing comment, its true Alphasim dont announce many planes these days for fear of being beaten to the post and yes as you have noted it can effect sales whether we like it or not.
Your further comment about Alphasim considering whats already out there does need some highlight, this is not public knowledge....until now but Alphasim does consider whats out there very seriously, so much so that there are many 'aborted' and 'stagnant' models because of a freeware release or announcment.
Many of these models are not close to completion but many still have several months work in them and probably quite a lot of £ spent on research and most will never see the light of day l'm afraid, simply because there is competitng models around, free and pay.
Some may say this is silly and the more the merrier, well thats true, but then when you do that there are cries of oh no not another xxxx or zzzzz, you just cant win
.More often that not those models that are duplicates are from designers who just want to roll there own, those of you who are designers know just what that feels like
and care not one jot about others, and all the power to them as there decision is based on the heart and not the £.It is, l'm sad to say, truthful that low yield planes are few and far and yes Alphasim does try and support that genre, but as noted above, you just have to add the odd 'common' model to make the books balance.
There will always be models of 'whim' so dont be worried about that
, and yes there will also be models of more common ilk and in some cases models that are duplicates.Above all thanks for the support, even if its a non purchase, personally l'd rather have a non purchase than an unhappy buyer, after sales paper work is so much less.
Now at the risk of this appearing to be a political broadcast l'll STHU LOL, like Dave B says, you cant please all the people all the time.
Enjoy
Michael
Michael,
I meant 'heated' in a nice way!
Just a couple of thoughts. Re the 'not announcing' policy, I thoroughly understand and approve of it; I think you know I have suggested making some 'spoof' announcements in the Alphasim Forum to see if we can get our favourite Japanese modeller to help out with a much needed obscure subject.
On the other side of the coin, I DO understand that some projects will be quietly shelved, and that some projects are a labour of love. I'm not completely averse to purchasing an AS model of something I may have as freeware, IF there is a good enough reason to do so; Itosan's Swift was a good example, the AS version came out soon after and was much better (no Fireflash for a start!) to make sure I had to purchase it - but how many people didn't, because it was the same version, and who might have done if there had been other Swift variants in the pack as well? With the Javelin, Mike Stone's model came out some time ago, there are a good number of repaints and addons available, and I don't see that the AS model is sufficiently different for me to justify the expense - but, again, if some of the other variants had been covered as well, my decision would probably have been different.
I'm beginning to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the process, as I attempt my first model; however, the subject I have chosen has a number of variants with differences, some subtle, some major and I am trying to take that into account in the build so I can move on to those variants. I would imagine, to an extent, that is how DG approached the Hunter; how different is a Swift F4 from the FR5, and how different the F7?
Your comment about "oh no not another xxxx or zzzzz" is spot on! It's like the plastic modelling scene back in the 80s, when Airfix/Matchbox/Revell/Esci seemed to produce nothing more than an endless stream of Spitfire/P-51/F-16/whatevers. The changes to that scene were the limited run/resin/vacform guys; in many ways the freeware community fills that niche, I like to think of Rick/Dave G/Dave M et al as the John Adams' of the virtual skies. The real change happened when the likes of Italeri decided to put out exotica in between the mainstream stuff (tbf the same thing Matchbox had tried and not pulled off).
So if Captain Sim. Level D, Aerosoft, Flight 1 are the Airfix and Revells of the flightsim world, where does Alphasim fit?
Just a little food for thought.
AndyG
I meant 'heated' in a nice way!
Just a couple of thoughts. Re the 'not announcing' policy, I thoroughly understand and approve of it; I think you know I have suggested making some 'spoof' announcements in the Alphasim Forum to see if we can get our favourite Japanese modeller to help out with a much needed obscure subject.
On the other side of the coin, I DO understand that some projects will be quietly shelved, and that some projects are a labour of love. I'm not completely averse to purchasing an AS model of something I may have as freeware, IF there is a good enough reason to do so; Itosan's Swift was a good example, the AS version came out soon after and was much better (no Fireflash for a start!) to make sure I had to purchase it - but how many people didn't, because it was the same version, and who might have done if there had been other Swift variants in the pack as well? With the Javelin, Mike Stone's model came out some time ago, there are a good number of repaints and addons available, and I don't see that the AS model is sufficiently different for me to justify the expense - but, again, if some of the other variants had been covered as well, my decision would probably have been different.
I'm beginning to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the process, as I attempt my first model; however, the subject I have chosen has a number of variants with differences, some subtle, some major and I am trying to take that into account in the build so I can move on to those variants. I would imagine, to an extent, that is how DG approached the Hunter; how different is a Swift F4 from the FR5, and how different the F7?
Your comment about "oh no not another xxxx or zzzzz" is spot on! It's like the plastic modelling scene back in the 80s, when Airfix/Matchbox/Revell/Esci seemed to produce nothing more than an endless stream of Spitfire/P-51/F-16/whatevers. The changes to that scene were the limited run/resin/vacform guys; in many ways the freeware community fills that niche, I like to think of Rick/Dave G/Dave M et al as the John Adams' of the virtual skies. The real change happened when the likes of Italeri decided to put out exotica in between the mainstream stuff (tbf the same thing Matchbox had tried and not pulled off).
So if Captain Sim. Level D, Aerosoft, Flight 1 are the Airfix and Revells of the flightsim world, where does Alphasim fit?
Just a little food for thought.
AndyG
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DaveB
- The Ministry
- Posts: 30457
- Joined: 17 Jun 2004, 20:46
- Location: Pelsall, West Mids, UK
- Contact:
Hi Andy,
On your last comment, I believe that Alpha pretty much have their finger on the pulse with regard to pricing v quality. Not everyone was happy that the Frightnings came out in 3 different packs or the Phantoms too for that matter but I understand why it was done. Differences between the variants are sufficiently different that to have hung on until the combination of all 3 packs was complete, they'd have missed valuable selling time plus the overall cost of such a package would have looked prohibitive. In the meantime, other, different projects were completed giving a much needed variation to their portfolio.
Cost is very important to many buyers and given what you get with an Alpha purchase (eg.. not the in depth detail or quality of the likes of F1/Dreamfleet/CaptSim/Carenado), I don't think they're far off the mark. Given what Alpha produce though, they're pretty much in an area away from the mainstream 'big boys' and I'm sure that many smaller producers look at Alpha as a benchmark for both pricing and quality.
ATB
DaveB :tab:
On your last comment, I believe that Alpha pretty much have their finger on the pulse with regard to pricing v quality. Not everyone was happy that the Frightnings came out in 3 different packs or the Phantoms too for that matter but I understand why it was done. Differences between the variants are sufficiently different that to have hung on until the combination of all 3 packs was complete, they'd have missed valuable selling time plus the overall cost of such a package would have looked prohibitive. In the meantime, other, different projects were completed giving a much needed variation to their portfolio.
Cost is very important to many buyers and given what you get with an Alpha purchase (eg.. not the in depth detail or quality of the likes of F1/Dreamfleet/CaptSim/Carenado), I don't think they're far off the mark. Given what Alpha produce though, they're pretty much in an area away from the mainstream 'big boys' and I'm sure that many smaller producers look at Alpha as a benchmark for both pricing and quality.
ATB
DaveB :tab:
Old sailors never die.. they just smell that way!
Dave,DaveB wrote:Hi Andy,
On your last comment, I believe that Alpha pretty much have their finger on the pulse with regard to pricing v quality. Not everyone was happy that the Frightnings came out in 3 different packs or the Phantoms too for that matter but I understand why it was done. Differences between the variants are sufficiently different that to have hung on until the combination of all 3 packs was complete, they'd have missed valuable selling time plus the overall cost of such a package would have looked prohibitive. In the meantime, other, different projects were completed giving a much needed variation to their portfolio.
Going back to my earlier analogy, I think of Alphasim as the Italeri of the virtual skies; Italeri got a reputation for producing superb products at very reasonable prices, in exactly the same way that Phil and the guys at AS do. I had no problems with the Lightnings/Phantoms etc coming out the way they did (I have all of the packs, the same with the Seaking - and I did buy the Canberra!!), and the 'aftersales' service packs have been brilliant, especially with the alternative models in the Phantom Pack 3 paintkit. I consider that I get great value for money every time I purchase from them.
But, let's be fair, some of my other comments were valid. It has been mentioned more than a few times over at the AS Forums how poorly the Canberra sold - but I would have bought a Mk 8 as well, if AS had done it, and the fact that the Mk 8 we do have now was adapted from a B2 original shows how it could have been done. Similarly, I've got a Javelin 9, don't need another one - but I would buy a pack containing earlier Mks, and it's realistically only a question of changing the back end isn't it? Phil has closed the door on any more Swift variants, but how difficult would it be to produce them with the base they have to work from - as I said DG did it, if Alphasim put out a Mk 1/2/4 pack I'd buy it.
AndyG
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Michael davies
- Trident
- Posts: 341
- Joined: 09 Oct 2004, 21:59
- Location: Felixstowe
- Contact:
Andy,
Yes your views are valid, as are all the others and yes l agree more variants can make a big difference, there was so much demand for other Seakings that l buckled and did pack 2 and did two extras for pack 1.
I should have learnt from the Seaking extras with regards to the Merlin but l didnt and l got stung again, its rare l get stung twice and l never get stung three times in a row !.
I see your point on the other Mks but l'm powerless to make a change in policy, the only realistic way is for people like yourself to do exactly what there doing, walk on by. Thats not anti AS but the plain truth.
Again it depends on the author, some add extra Mks as a matter of course, some....like me add them later as an errored after thought, some dont add them at all and l suppose thats one of the biggest concerns many will have....inconsistancy in packaging.
Finding the happy medium will and has so far proved difficult but l'm sure in the end it'll get better....it has to, to remain attractive to end users.
Best
Michael
Yes your views are valid, as are all the others and yes l agree more variants can make a big difference, there was so much demand for other Seakings that l buckled and did pack 2 and did two extras for pack 1.
I should have learnt from the Seaking extras with regards to the Merlin but l didnt and l got stung again, its rare l get stung twice and l never get stung three times in a row !.
I see your point on the other Mks but l'm powerless to make a change in policy, the only realistic way is for people like yourself to do exactly what there doing, walk on by. Thats not anti AS but the plain truth.
Again it depends on the author, some add extra Mks as a matter of course, some....like me add them later as an errored after thought, some dont add them at all and l suppose thats one of the biggest concerns many will have....inconsistancy in packaging.
Finding the happy medium will and has so far proved difficult but l'm sure in the end it'll get better....it has to, to remain attractive to end users.
Best
Michael
This is my opinion about payware (excluding Alphasim), remember that I prefer GA planes:
Carenado is best in town for me, but you can choice only between Cessna, Piper and Bonanza (Mentor is a sort of military Bonanza...).
Flight1- DreamFleet not bad, good planes, good choice.
FSD good choice but......
Real Air: I love their SF260, the Spit is very-very good but she is a Mark 14....
Captainsim: their C-130 is interesting but expensive and I bought the Alphasim long time ago (now freeware).
Cloud9: I'm thinking about the Phantom, may be soon even if she will be hard to fly!
PMDG and similar: sorry they makes modern liners, no interest.
Now the special ones:
Aeroplane Heaven: I've the Spifires (from Just Flight) not bad, but with some problem of shape (just my opinion).
Wings of Power: well.... I spent a lot of money with them....
Plane Design Spitfire: soon, may be just after the other Phantom.
Skyunlimited: a lot of variation for a good price, I like their Spit V!
Carenado is best in town for me, but you can choice only between Cessna, Piper and Bonanza (Mentor is a sort of military Bonanza...).
Flight1- DreamFleet not bad, good planes, good choice.
FSD good choice but......
Real Air: I love their SF260, the Spit is very-very good but she is a Mark 14....
Captainsim: their C-130 is interesting but expensive and I bought the Alphasim long time ago (now freeware).
Cloud9: I'm thinking about the Phantom, may be soon even if she will be hard to fly!
PMDG and similar: sorry they makes modern liners, no interest.
Now the special ones:
Aeroplane Heaven: I've the Spifires (from Just Flight) not bad, but with some problem of shape (just my opinion).
Wings of Power: well.... I spent a lot of money with them....
Plane Design Spitfire: soon, may be just after the other Phantom.
Skyunlimited: a lot of variation for a good price, I like their Spit V!
Thanks Michael, comments appreciated. I hope it's coming across that I am trying to be positive, as I would love Alphasim to remain the Italeri equivalent, rather than the Matchbox equivalent. Will we ever see Seaking pack 3, I've got some gaps on my italian airfieds I need to fill.
The post from panty had a couple of good points. Plane Design were pretty sharp with the version of Spitfire they chose, as that neatly plugged a gap; some people may hesitate when they look at the Real Air Spit, as there is that seeming duplication with the AH/JF Spits. Similarly, I'd be interested in knowing how well the AH/JF Lancaster has sold, as I can't have been alone in being perfectly happy with Ed's meisterwerk.
FSD, hmm......
The other comment about the Real Air Spitfire's marque is interesting, as this ties in with a discussion over in E & S.
http://www.cbfsim.org/cbfsimv5/cbfsbb/v ... php?t=7474
AndyG
Will we ever see Seaking pack 3, I've got some gaps on my italian airfieds I need to fill. The post from panty had a couple of good points. Plane Design were pretty sharp with the version of Spitfire they chose, as that neatly plugged a gap; some people may hesitate when they look at the Real Air Spit, as there is that seeming duplication with the AH/JF Spits. Similarly, I'd be interested in knowing how well the AH/JF Lancaster has sold, as I can't have been alone in being perfectly happy with Ed's meisterwerk.
FSD, hmm......
The other comment about the Real Air Spitfire's marque is interesting, as this ties in with a discussion over in E & S.
http://www.cbfsim.org/cbfsimv5/cbfsbb/v ... php?t=7474
AndyG
More Sea Kings?
Yeah!!!!
HH3F!
Also the Italian Air Force VIP version....
The Spifire from Real Air it's a masterpiece, but I prefer Merlins.
The Mark 16 from Plane Design I'm sure I'll love her even I prefer the IX, about the AH/JF collection my opinion is that there is little difference between models, the nose of V and IX are quite too similar, and also there is a little if not difference in performances.
I'm not a real Spit pilot so that's my humble opinion.
But I've bought all Spifires in commerce, the WOP and the Plane Design will follow as soon as possible, the AH/JF collection is complete, but not "definitive" !
When I was a plastic modeller I bought Spifires (and all the loved models) from every producer:
Revell, Matchbox, Italeri (?), Airfix (Johnnie Johnson), Frog and even Russian, Czech and similar strange manufacturers so why not for FS?
Panty
Yeah!!!!
HH3F!
Also the Italian Air Force VIP version....
The Spifire from Real Air it's a masterpiece, but I prefer Merlins.
The Mark 16 from Plane Design I'm sure I'll love her even I prefer the IX, about the AH/JF collection my opinion is that there is little difference between models, the nose of V and IX are quite too similar, and also there is a little if not difference in performances.
I'm not a real Spit pilot so that's my humble opinion.
But I've bought all Spifires in commerce, the WOP and the Plane Design will follow as soon as possible, the AH/JF collection is complete, but not "definitive" !
When I was a plastic modeller I bought Spifires (and all the loved models) from every producer:
Revell, Matchbox, Italeri (?), Airfix (Johnnie Johnson), Frog and even Russian, Czech and similar strange manufacturers so why not for FS?
Panty