Boeing 727-2M7 Republic / Hughes AirWest transition markings
==============================================================
AFX and FDE Copyright (c) 1996 by Brian Quayle
Mods to AFX Copyright (c) 1997 by Frank Safranek
Boeing 727-200 textures (c) 1998 Frank Safranek and Andy Jung
Republic Repaint Copyright (c) 1998 by Frank Safranek

This Boeing 727-2M7(A) represents N728RW in the markings it initially 
carried after the Republic Airlines / Hughes AirWest merger in October 
1980.  It is based on photos by AirNikon taken in Phoenix in September 
1981.  This particular aircraft was originally delivered to Hughes 
AirWest in July 1979.  In October 1986 Republic merged into Northwest 
(then Northwest Orient).  The aircraft is still in service with Northwest 
and retains its RW registration number from the original operator.

The transition markings of former Hughes AirWest aircraft consisted of 
retaining the American flag by the left front passenger door, painting 
a Republic title behind it (on both sides but not aligned) and painting
over the Hughes AirWest titles beneath the passenger windows with a broad 
band.  Because the purple Hughes AirWest markings had faded to dark 
blue by this time the new markings were in dark blue as well.  These 
"banana" aircraft were eventually repainted in Republic's then standard 
fleet colors of white, aqua and blue.  

For examples of this type aircraft in Republic's markings visit Michael 
Pickney's "Michael's Wisconsin Flight Simulator Page" at 
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/4925/.  You can find many 
more Republic and Northwest aircraft there.


FILE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
------------------------------
Use 32-bit Winzip 6.2 or better to extract the files to the \AIRCRAFT
directory of FS98.  A directory named B727-2M7 will be created along
with the required subdirectories.  If that doesn't work, follow this...

\FS98
	\AIRCRAFT
		\B727-2M7
		   B727-2M7.AIR
		   AIRCRAFT.CFG		
			\PANEL
			   PANEL.CFG
			\SOUNDS
			   SOUND.CFG
			\TEXTURES
		   	   B727-2M7.?AF (? = 0 through 9)
			\MODEL
			   B727-2M7.MDL
			   MODEL.CFG	

To use this aircraft in FS5 unzip the 7272M7V5.ZIP file and copy the 
B727-2M7.AIR file to the \PILOTS directory.  Copy the B727-2M7.?AF texture 
files to the FS5 \TEXTURE directory.

To use this aircraft in FSFW95 copy the FS5 files (see above) to a temporary 
directory and run them through the MS Converter Program.  

The FS98 model includes landing lights (CTRL-L) and an improved force-feedback
definition file.


OPERATION:
----------
The flight model for this aircraft is stock from Brian Quayle's B7272NW2
aircraft (version 2).  There was not much discussion of the aircraft's 
flight characteristics in the text file accompanying version 2, so I have 
borrowed his discussion from B7272NW1 (his initial version) and included 
it here.  The discussion from version 2 follows that.

From Version 1...

"The flight model of the 727 is based on my 737 project with the obvious 
changes made in the geometry, weights, and propulsion areas.  This flight
model can therefore trace its origins back to a DC-9-51 by Mike Vidal.
The weights are set up to reflect full fuel but with a light load of PAX.
That is, the airplane's not set up at max takeoff weight even though it
has full fuel.  I find the takeoff roll is much too long if I use MTOW
in the FDE.

"The 727 has been described as flying like a Cessna Skyhawk, only bigger 
and faster.  I have tried to capture this in the model's handling 
qualities, but with only limited success.  There is a tendency for the
nose to hunt in pitch, and the speed stability is not great, but it will
fly a good coupled approach almost down to the IM if you keep your speed
above 160kts and avoid major configuration changes after glide slope 
capture.  It behaves well at altitude and maneuvers well on the ground.  
Rotate at 140kts, clean up by 180kts, and approach at 160.  Watch your 
speed on final;  if you get too low and slow you'll get behind on the 
power curve and have to use your "contingency" thrust to recover. 
There's a lot of drag in those triple-slotted flaps so expect to carry a 
lot of power on final."

From Version 2...

"Improvements over version 1.0 include numerous visual model cleanups and 
some tweaks to the flight model.  Among the flight model tweaks is a 
reduction in speed brake effectiveness and some improvement to longitudinal 
stability."


COPYRIGHT AND RE-DISTRIBUTION
-----------------------------
While a percentage of the effort towards producing this aircraft can be 
attributed to others I do consider my efforts to be copyrighted in as much 
as they can be.  This Flight Shop aircraft was not created with the intention 
of making any money.  Therefore no one has my permission to use this aircraft 
in any way that could lead to profit unless they have first acquired written 
permission from me.  That includes any sort of distribution for which there 
is a charge -- be it diskette, CD-ROM, pay-per-use BBS or FTP, or whatever.

Copyright (c) 1998, Frank Safranek
Email: frank.safranek@eudoramail.com
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arcade/6721/
(The Pre-Flight Checklist Web Site)

For more of my expanding freeware aircraft collection, my Flight Simulator 
aircraft Pick of the Week, and a really cool panel/sound/situation control 
program visit the Pre-Flight Checklist Web Site.

Be sure to check out the FREEFLIGHT Design Shop for a great selection of Flight 
Shop AFX/PCX files.  All are authorized by the original designers for repainting 
and alteration. (http://www.geocities.com/~freefltdesign/)
