FS98        Boeing 727-230  ZS-OBO   Comair (in British Airways 'World Images' scheme)    

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On the 10th June 1997, British Airways launched their 'World Images' colour scheme by 
rolling out nine newly painted aircraft at different airports worldwide. The basic scheme
was pretty similar to the previous one but to the amazement of the World's press, each 
aircraft had a different tail design representing one of the countries to which 
British Airways flew. The effect was spectacular even although it wasn't actually
very inovative (Mexicana had had a similar scheme for some years) and aviation enthusiasts
loved it because it meant that, if they took photographs, they now had to get
one of EVERY British Airways aircraft, to be certain of getting all the variations.
Virtually every aircraft is different because, even although it might share its
tail design with another aircraft, the original design canvas was often so large
that the various aircraft could display different sections of the design, making it
look like a completely new scheme.
Naively, British Airways hoped that the British press, the Government and their customers would
applaud this innovative and cosmopolitan design, but instead, following a ridiculous
display of disgust at the lack of British symbolism by the ex-Prime Minister,
Margaret Thatcher, the press and a number of so-called customers decided to try and 'sink' 
the new scheme.
Sadly, they succeeded, and now all British Airways aircraft are being repainted
into a new scheme which features a 'sort-of' Union flag, with two unpleasant
'painted on 'highlights, which ruin the aircraft from a photography standpoint
if nothing else!
Some schemes were, of course, more attractive than others - usually those which kept 
fairly close to the standard BA colours of Red, white and blue. 'Chelsea Rose', one of the
most effective (in my opinion)has been given a reprieve, and will be used on aircraft which fly
with British Asia Airways titles. However, the real beaty of the BA fleet is not a BA aircraft
at all - its Comair of South Africa's Boeing 727! British Airways never operated a 727 (AMTRANS
lease excepted) so any Comair aircraft would be special, but the version of 'Bennyhone'
applied to this aircraft looks absolutely stunning.
Strangely, the underlying colour appears green, whereas all the other tartan-tailed aircraft 
have a blue base, but thats just the way it is - diferent parts of the tapestry use different 
colours. Soon, perhaps even already, 'Bennyhone' will be gone. But if you have this aircraft 
on your system, at least you can always experience the short period of time when BA caught the 
attention of the World by doing something a little bit different!

TECHNICAL NOTES

Painting tartan is very difficult! The tail pattern occupies four different texture files, which
all overlap. In addition , the scale of each file appears different, so it is very difficult to 
get all four files to line up. Finally, the blue-green colour on the tail does not exist in the 
FS98 pallette, so this colour is created by using alternate pixels of two other colours. Very 
time consuming! You might possibly find some problems if you dont have a 3d card, but I havent
been able to check this out. I hope its not a problem. There are one or two small areas where 
things are not perfect, but I think the overall effect is excellent. I hope you agree. 
I might try to do 'Columb' as well, but I will probably only put this one on my website.
I see a great number of British Airways aircraftand the general impression I have of the engine
and lower fuselage colour is that it is dark blue. I have chosen the best colour I could find
in the FS98 pallete, but I notice that many other painters use a lighter colour. I think my colour
looks correct, although I accept that, in strong low sun, the blue is somewhat richer - more
indigo.I could use this colour, but it is not an FS pallette colour so I have stuck with the 
'politically' correct blue. Let me know if you think its too dark to be acceptable.
Like many FS colours, they do not work correctly in Hong Kong and Japan. Blame Microsoft for
that one -  this plane probably has never been to Japan or HK anyway!

CREDITS

Brian Quayle originally made this aircraft, and it not only looks good, it flies well. Thank you,
Brian! Thanks also to Chuck Dome for TEXBMP2, which makes re-paints possible. Thanks also to anyone
else who has played a part in making this plane -Steve Kempf, Rafael Hidd and others. I only did 
the re-paint, but I also reduced the power of the reverse thrust, which is far too powerful in 
most FS aircraft, and I changed the pilot's eye-view which I felt was too low.

 LEGAL NOTES

This aircraft model is an enhancement for Microsoft's Flight Simulator 98. It is
Freeware and must not be sold under any circumstances, either singly or as part of
any software package whatsoever. All the various elements of the model are the 
copyright of the creator of that element, who has agreed to its free distribution
as part of this file only. 
In particular the repaint is my copyright and I will not give permission for
my work to be sold. 

NOTE: Nothing in this zip file will harm your computer; however, by installing the plane
you accept the risk. 

INSTALLATION

Unzip the file (using Winzip or similar) into a temporary folder or, at your own
discretion, straight into the AIRCRAFT folder of FS98. I have tested it with Winzip v.7,
and it zipped staight in, but I tried Winzip 8 previously with another aircraft, and it
installed it in the 'aircraft' folder but still inside the folder which I use to zip it up.
If you are not confident that your unzipping software will keep the stored folders intact,
use a temporary folder, and create the aircraft file as follows:-
	put all the .AF files in a new folder called 'texture'(without the inverted commas)
  	put all the mdl.files, PLUS the notepad or Word file called 'model' in a new folder
      called 'model'
	put the notepad or Word file called 'panel' in a new folder called 'panel'
      put the notepad or Word file called 'sound'in a new folder called 'sound'
	delete the file called FILE_ID - you dont need it any more
	delete the image file for the same reason
	make a new folder called 'Comair 727-230'and put everything inside it;
      then put this folder into the AIRCRAFT folder of FS98. Start FS98 and the aircraft
      should be there!

You can download a panel for the 727 from WWW.Flightsim com - also a very good sound 
file, but I had to spend some time adjusting the volume of some of the wavs because I felt they
were too quiet or too loud.
.
Have fun flying!

 Gerry McLaughlin										16 May 2001

For more 727s, and other great planes, visit my site at:- 
           www.geocities.com/gerrys3dflyin
