Oleg Maddox's Room #1

[major_setback]

Originally Posted by csThor

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Quite frankly the Su-26 is more a proof of concept than the autogyro. I don't want to cling to this example too much,though, as I'm talking about a general principle here. As I said above the core of a historical simulation is its attempt to simulate historical air combat. Any other ... derivated use ... is and has to be secondary to historical accuracy. Such use can be derived from a historically correct base, but a historically correct use cannot be derived from a fundament made of "KeWl" objects which aren't historically relevant.

I don't see the Su-26 as just 'proof of concept' or 'Kewl object'.
It is an important inclusion for gaining the interest of those who are mainly orientated toward General Aviation aircraft. There are people who will buy SoW:BoB just for this aircraft knowing Olegs reputation for accurate modelling (look at the price of some third party add-ons for FSX, some cost more than '1946'). More importantly third party devlopers will (probably) use the SoW engine to make GA sims when Oleg releases his third-party tool set allowing aircraft and limited map modelling. This isn't a minor inclusion, it may well lead to GA add-ons that out-sell combat related ones (probably requiring users to buy a SoW title to host the add-ons).
The Su-26 model's performance can be compared to real world aircraft performance. It will prove the accuracy of Olegs modelling, as well as giving him a bench-mark when calibrating amounts of turbulance/wind/buffeting/ground-effect etc. for the game.
The involvement of third parties in making add-on releases (especially General Aviation types) will determine the sucess of the game series IMHO.
It don't think it will take too long after the release of the third party tool-kit before we see a Red Bull air racing add-on.