CAPTAIN SIM LEGENDARY LOCKHEED C-130 HERCULES REVIEW
By
Ali Mujtaba.
Ever since its roll out, this aircraft has been a universal favorite for both military and civilian operators around the world. For most, this aircraft has been a savior in times of war, famine and anything worse you could possibly imagine, for some, it's been a passion and an honor flying it. Yes I'm talking about the ever versatile Lockheed C-130 Hercules. And what better way of getting a hands on feeling (virtually that is) than by trying out Captain Sim's Legendary C-130 for FS2004.
_ Captain Sim burst onto to the scene as a commercial Flight Simulator addon designer more than six years ago and since then, have never looked back. Their Mig-21 and 727 addons proved mighty popular among the flightsimmers. Since then they have had seven addon titles under their belt and each one more distinct with high levesl of realism associated with it. In this review I'll be focusing Captain Sim's latest in a series of their "Legendary" titles- the Lockheed C-130 hercules or the "HERK" as its most commonly known to its cherished pilots and engineers.
The package includes three variants: C-130E, C-130K and HC-130
This is without a doubt an amazingly realistic turbo prop simulation for FS2004. The C-130 was badly required as the main focus of attention of most developers have been the commercial jetliners and its Captain Sim who have delivered the goods for the fs community with a turbo prop addon that is AS REAL AS IT GETS. From the 3D design to the 2D panel to the ear popping sounds, nothing could be more realistic and accurate as the CSIM HERK. After going through the manual, I quickly realised that this addon is not for the faint hearted. With a steep learning curve, the only way to get this baby up and running is to fly it by the book and those who can afford it, get the manual printed. Rest assured by doing so, one can reap maximum enjoyment from this amazing product.
After going throught the manual, I finally decided to test fly the Herk. Since I hail and reside in Pakistan, I decided to first apply Pakistan Airforce logo onto the CSIM C-130 and fly a roundtrip flight from the homebase of the PAF C-130 at Chaklala airbase (OPRN) to Quaid-e-Azam Intl, Karachi (OPKC). The round trip would take me approximately 4hrs 20mins- more than enough to familiarize with the aircraft systems. Befoe firing up FS, I executed the ACE utility provided with the package to configure the aircraft, load essential cargo and fuel. After saving the newly modified settings, I fired up FS and selected my newly repainted Captain Sim C-130 in Pakistan Airforce colours.
Captain Sim's user friendly Aircraft Configuration Editor utility
After selecting and parking the aircraft at the departure airport (OPRN), I opened the control panel by pressing SHIFT+2 and then opened the aircraft's rear ramp by pressing the related icon. Then I tested some of the "eye candy" features incorporated into the addon- the animated Hummer vehicle to name one. The animation was just superb. I wonder if Captain Sim also added other forms of animated cargo as depicted in the ACE utility. Take a look at the screenshots below:
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Smooth and realistically sequenced animation of the rear ramp and an immaculately designed animated Hummer. Details are simply awesome!
The aircraft on the whole looks simply superb. It looks overwhelmingly realistic from all angles. This is arguably the best 3D rendering of the Herk I've ever seen. I have here given a comparison to support my claim.
Smooth ultra-realistic 3D rendering of the Herk. Can you see the difference?
PAF C-130 Parked at the Military Tarmac of OPRN with a Hummer being loaded
After playing with some of the eye candy "toys", I decided to do a walk around of the aircraft. It was simply a treat to watch the beast in its full glory professionally reproduced by Captain Sim. Seeing is believing!
A true reflection of the real thing. Its just like standing infront of the real thing. An awe inspiring sight of this mighty beast!
A closer look reveals the perfectly rendered 3D flight crew and the cockpit.
The most recognizable feature of the herk is its unique under carriage. Captain Sim has left no stone unturned in getting its design right. All the gears have been placed in the right place. The struts, the tires everything just looks perfect.
Putting the undercarriage under the microscope. Right down to the minute details. Accuracy galore!
The Herk is powered by four Allison T56-A turboprops. And what better way to see them perform majestically in FS2004 than on the CSIM herk. The propellors have been designed with sheer precision and feature all the notable animation sequences that one can expect on an FS C-130 model. Check out the feather feature and actually see the blades turning on their axis. The sounds are nothing short of being simply awesome. The interior as well as exterior sounds have been perfectly rendered from idle to spool to max thrust. Feel the thrust of the Herk turboprops without ever leaving your room. Its simply as real as it gets!
Superb 3D rendering of the Allison T56-A turboprops with full feather animation feature.
Beautifully designed wings with accurate Flap animation.
After loading up and refuelling the aircraft, it was time to get the big bird flying. I planned a round trip from OPRN-OPKC-OPRN. Our first leg would be of 2hrs 10mins. After performing a touch and go at OPKC, I will head back to the base (OPRN). After starting up the engines, and getting clearance I taxi onto RWY 30. After pushing the throttle the aircraft smoothly and gently performs the take-off run. The roar of the engines is simply awesome. After passing V1 I gently rotate the aircraft at V2 and climb to an altitude of FL 200. After climbing to the set altitude, I set the autopilot which finally gives me the chance to have a look around the virtual cabin and also to go through the 2D panel. The 2D panel is simply awesome. The day and night textures are soothing to the eyes. The most notable feature of the 2D panel is the TCAS system which works perfectly well in 3D mode as well. The 3D cabin is by far the best feature of this addon. The textures are photorealistic and astonishingly .crisp, clear. The virtual cockpit is simply out of this world. It is fully functional and I find it simply irresistable flying in 3D mode. Each and every gauge has been programmed to work as it should in real life. The refresh rate of the gauges could be slightly better in 3d mode but still the clarity is something that I find very impressive. To me the gauges in 3D mode are more readable than in 2D mode. The wingviews is another wonderful feature both in 2D and 3D mode. The 2D views are superb as well- especially the the co-pilot and engineer panel views. Have a look at the screenshots below to judge for yourselves
Take-off from OPRN, Climb and cruise enroute to OPKC.
2D Panel with TCAS in action.
The spacious Herk 3D virtual cockpit in all its glory
The navigator's panel in 3D mode.
Fully functional overhead panel in 3D mode.
Co-pilot's panel in 3D mode.Virtually all gauges are
fully functional in this mode. Note the superbly rendered
3D yoke.
Clear and crisp gauges depicting engine gauges, throttle, gear and feather levers along with navigation gauges.
Co-pilot's panel in 3D mode.Showing propellor governor and feather
controls alongwith panel flood lights knobs.
Captain's panel in 3D mode.Showing paratrooper light signal switches and oxygen regulator controls.
Captain's panel in 3D mode.Showing Flight yoke, rudder pedals and
nosegear steering wheel.
Centre console in 3D VC MODE.
wing and engine view from the left side of the cargo hold
Performing touch and go at OPKC just before dusk.
Flying back to OPRN
Dusk setting in
Sun setting over Pakistan
Sunset from the left wing view enroute OPRN
Beautifully rendered graphics in 2D mode. Here you see the first officer busy with his calculations.
Wingview from the captain's seat in 2D mode.
Navigator busy at work in 2D mode.
Beautifully rendered Virtual cockpit nightl ight textures
Highly realistic night lightin of the cargo hold
Exit door at the rear left of the cargo hold. All exit doors can be opened and closed by clicking on them.
Night light effects on the overhead panel in 2D mode.
2D Navigator's panel with an operational TCAS.
Overhead panel showing fuel and fire emergency instructions.
Night approach on RWY 30 at OPRN in 3D VC mode.
Throttle and autopilot controls in 2D mode.
Night approach on RWY 30 at OPRN in 2D mode.
After executing a night approach to OPRN, the reverse thrust is applied upon touch down which work perfectly well in slowing down this beast of an aircraft. The aircraft is taxied back to its ramp and thus the OPRN-OPKC-OPRN flight comes to an end.

Conclusion:

Captain Sim's Herk has simply been a joy to fly. It performs wonderfully well and replicates the true spirit of what the real thing is all about. It has a steep learning curve but thats what its all about. As I mentioned earlier that this addon is not for the faint hearted and certainly not for those who just want to kick start by pressing CTRL+E. This wonderful piece of addon is designed by professionals specifically aimed at the professional flight simmer. For those who're Herk buffs and simply wish to recreat its experience on their desktops, than the Captain Sim Legendary C-130 is the way to go. Clearly, Captain Sim's C-130 is the best thing that has ever happened to the FS world. This wonderful piece of addon would remain on my hard drive for a long time to come. I would give it a 10/10 for the ultra-realistic 3D design, Crisp and clear photoreal texturing and 2D panel programming. Captain Sim's Legendary C-130 Hercules is professionalism personified! Well done Csim and keep up the good work.