Building the Virtual "Dora"

Construction Details: Building the Virtual "Dora"

The visual model was built using Flight Simulator Design Shop and Aircraft Animator from Abacus Software and SDL Edit from Mike Croswaithe. It took about 500 hours, and is comprised of 5 different models, from simple (for distance) to complex. Framerates are as recorded on my system, no guarantee you'll get the same results.

The first model has 20 polygons, and gives me framerates of 125-140 FPS. I've given it an outline, but no textures. This is the dot on the horizon.

Some color! This model is not animated, just a basic representation of the Focke-Wulf, with about 300 polygons. It gives me framerates of 90-100 FPS.

This model is a bit more complex, and is comprised of 1600 polygons. There are simple animations, prop, flaps, prop and canopy. This gives me framerates of 40-48 FPS.

The poly count goes up (and framerates go down.) This model is comprised of 3500 polys, with full animation of control surfaces, canopy, pilot step, prop and landing gear. It gives me framerates of 27-32 FPS.

And finally the most complex model. It is 6300 polys, with full animation and detail, including virtual cockpit. I've added as much detail as I dare, including animated pilot step and canopy, animated mechanical landing gear position indicators, and moving gauges in the virtual cockpit. Even with all the detail, I still get framerates of 21-24 FPS.

There is a full virtual cockpit, including working gauges

Thepanel is also very accurate, including all gauges of the original

The sounds are originally from Mike Hambly and were a very early example of his work. Flyingdoc, Dr. Herbert Schneider, took these rudimentary CFS1 files and turned them into a true work of art, adding in start-up and shut-down sounds, and tailoring the sound.cfg file for the Dora.

The flight model was put together by Matt Fox, aka Redwulf 19. This represents an early work, as other obligations have prevented him from further refining his early effort. However, the quality of his effort accurately represented the basic flying characteristics of the Fw-190D series. Hopefully Matt will be able to complete his work in the future, including modeling the improved high-altitude flying qualities of the D-11, D-12 and D-13 models.