I just found a Must-Have Add-On for Concorde-Fans who use FS 2004, New Set of Dark-Blue Skies Options

[afterburner]

Hello Everybody,

I have flown the Concorde on FS2004 a few times (I did so with the FS2000-model in the past, and I must admit that I purchased SSTSIM just two days ago, what a wonderful implementation of a jewel of engineering BTW (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ), but I found that FS2004's sky color in extremely high altitudes (from 45000 to 60000 ft) never matched the real darkness of the blue that can be seen in some videos filmed from Concorde's windows (and in reality I guess).

So I was browsing the world wide web in search for a remedy that would create a more impressive high altitude experience - until I found this one:
Highsky

I just tested around a little bit and concluded that I won't be flying Concorde without the new sky files in the future.

Let me show you from an upward viewing angle how the sky color looks like with the new files for ascending flight levels (The date set in the sim was April 4, and the time was "noon". I used the slew mode for convenience, hence the speed of 0 knots). Here we go:

Flight Level 010
(IMG:http://i43.tinypic.com/oje87p.jpg)


Flight Level 100
(IMG:http://i44.tinypic.com/25gwkk9.jpg)


Flight Level 200
(IMG:http://i41.tinypic.com/f53fwi.jpg)


Flight Level 300
(IMG:http://i44.tinypic.com/6p45t1.jpg)


Flight Level 350
(IMG:http://i41.tinypic.com/10zcz9l.jpg)


Flight Level 400
(IMG:http://i41.tinypic.com/1gnp50.jpg)


Flight Level 450
(IMG:http://i41.tinypic.com/wb2vlj.jpg)


Flight Level 500
(IMG:http://i42.tinypic.com/akg7pk.jpg)


And the Last One: Flight Level 560
(IMG:http://i41.tinypic.com/2w7h0t4.jpg)


If you want to see the sky from FL600, you have to climb up with your own Concorde, ha ha ha (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)


What do you think? Now I feel that I am close to the edge of space when flying in FL500 or higher. I have copied each screenshot into Microsoft Paint, and obtained the color parameters (such as luminance, etc.) of the darkest part of the sky out of curiosity. I figured out these values:

FL010: Hue 160, Sat 223, Lum 81, Red 6, Green 30, Blue 166
FL100: Hue 156, Sat 240, Lum 65, Red 0, Green 13, Blue 138
FL200: Hue 159, Sat 240, Lum 48, Red 0, Green 3, Blue 102
FL300: Hue 156, Sat 240, Lum 65, Red 0, Green 3, Blue 138
FL350: Hue 159, Sat 240, Lum 31, Red 0, Green 1, Blue 66
FL400: Hue 158, Sat 240, Lum 24, Red 0, Green 2, Blue 51
FL450: Hue 160, Sat 240, Lum 13, Red 0, Green 0, Blue 28
FL500: Hue 162, Sat 240, Lum 8, Red 1, Green 0, Blue 16
FL560: Hue 160, Sat 240, Lum 4, Red 0, Green 0, Blue 8

As you see, the sky virtually (and mathematically) becomes nearly black when climbing toward FL600.

For FSX users these files are irrelevant, since the FSX simulates the darkening of skies in high altitudes already, but I am glad that we FS2004 users also can get the pleasure of feeling almost like astronauts when hitting the magical Concorde ceiling of 60000ft.

If the author of this cloud texture set is reading this thread: Thank you so much for your great work! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/winner.gif)


PS: To download the file, you need to register at Surclaro. Unfortunately, you can't download without registration, but the process is quick and simple. And before you copy the files into the FS Texture folder, make sure you create a backup copy!

[mari8it]

o greath....

This post has been edited by mari8it: Jan 18 2013, 03:37 PM