New up-coming Add-On

[rakom]

That's it! Finally uploaded in the Addon Library.
Another short video to brief about the features: https://youtu.be/HUAVzFdIHIw

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[kityatyi]

That is awesome! Such a great idea!

[rakom]

Here is my next release: a 16m stern trawler, steel construction, a common type in some ports of the French Atlantic coast in the 70s and 80s.
The model recreates this type of trawler fairly faithfully in its general characteristics. It is built on the basis of blueprints drawn up by a scale model ship maker (Philippe Madiot) and for details is mainly inspired by the trawler "La Déferlante" from St-Nazaire.

It should be available at the end of September (hopefully!).

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[rakom]

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[Sailorjohn]

Mon Dieu! Magnifique!

As a frequent viewer of "Most Dangerous Catch", I can't wait to join the crew of Princesse!

[rakom]

Finally released!
Designed and optimized for VSF 2.7.6 only. Not working in VS NG so far (version 8.8 checked).

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[rakom]

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[rakom]

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[rakom]

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If you prefer lengthy and boring videos check this https://youtu.be/2_5SP6pplCw

[rakom]

I released also another add-on: it's a set of pelagic trawls for this trawler or other ones. It replace a previous attempt (FAO trawl) which was wrongly tested and ineffective (thus cancelled).
Only for Vehicle Simulator too. These can't properly work in Virtual Sailor NG.

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Available video: https://youtu.be/OszE87YVXeU

[NoBody191]

Very Nice Job Rakom
Let's catch some fish now

[syrphid]

Your reach towards perfection is incredible, rakom.

[syrphid]

Tiny jet Quickie is taking pictures with giant.

Flying over the FDD55.


Between the cranes. Estimate the scale.

[syrphid]

The dangerous stunt.

[Sailorjohn]

Rakom, your model of Princesse is exquisite in VSF! Have you had any progress in making it function in VSNG? It appears to use the same format and coding as SAGAR...which works fine in NG. Have you interacted with Ilan to figure out what's preventing it from loading? A lot of us are anxious to see Princesse in the hyper-realistic NG environment.

[rakom]

@ syrphid
Glad you had some unexpected fun
@Sailorjohn
Today I have both reported the problem in the VS NG forum and released a special version of Princess for VS NG that gets around the problems.
Check add-on library.

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[syrphid]

You wouldn't believe, this wasn't about fun.
I have tested my crazy idea of joining vehicles by means of cables. And your huge FDD55 was the test site.
But after the failure, I got to get a little ridiculous, burn off some of that angst.
Another crazy idea of double towing has unexpectedly been successful. I hope my Space projects (if you saw my old forum reports) can be used in future VSF NG.

[rakom]

Hi everybody! This will be my next delivery (hopefully by end of May): Normandy Trader, a former military landing craft (LCU MK.9) converted in a coaster, based in Jersey and operating between the Channel Islands and French ports.

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[rakom]

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[Sailorjohn]

Fantastic, Rakom. In these days of 'bigger is better', it's these little old, tired, 'rode hard and put away wet' workhorses that do most of the work and get none of the recognition. Can't wait to see this one launched!

[rakom]

Hello everyone! It's finally here! At least for the VSF version. The one for VS NG has some additional features that are not finished yet, the release could be a few weeks later.

The add-on can be downloaded from my website here : https://rakomdesign.wixsite.com/vsf-vsng/normandytrader

2 notes:

1/the file includes a cargo package to copy in the "common" folder.

2/more importantly, this ship is equipped with pump jets and has no rudder, so the model has no rudder control.
The model like the ship is operated with azipod type controls and throttles (not the easiest way for sure; I might make an explanatory note about this or a short video depending on your feedback).

Cheers!

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[RobNeath]

Great Work Rakom!

It's great to see the Normandy Trader in game as i'm from Guernsey. I've created a few of the local ferries myself but nothing quite like this little work horse!

Looking forward to the VSNG version!

[rakom]

Thanks!
Finally the VSNG and the second version of VSF are available on my website: https://rakomdesign.wixsite.com/vsf-vsng.

First of all, many apologies to those who would have downloaded the initial VSF version.
I finally realized that the ship was difficult to handle. I had made some last minute changes to inhibit the rudder control which made the azipods uneasy to use and also inhibited the HDG and NAV functions of the autopilot.
This is now corrected. There are also minor changes to the 3D model [rear deck] and the engine sound.

As for the VSNG version, it benefits from more animations, lights and performance setup. Nevertheless the ship is a bit more difficult to maneuver [naturally with only azipod controls] in narrow harbours than in her VSF version.
Unfortunately VSNG doesn't offer cargo loading capabilities for the moment, so this version is a bit less fun to play with.

Cheers!

[rakom]

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[rakom]

Hi everybody!

Here are some new features in the continuity of the previous submission.
The history of the Normandy Trader and some of her sister ships is that of LCU Mk9s serving the LPD HMS "Fearless" and "Intrepid" and then passing into the exclusive service of the Royal Marines in a particular configuration (nicknamed "Black Pig") before undergoing a civilian career with various adaptations.
I could not resist to recreate, for VSF and VS NG, the ships in 2 of their previous configurations.
Here is a LCU Mk9 from the 70's ...

[rakom]

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[rakom]

...and a Mk9 in Arctic configuration from the 80's.

[rakom]

For those interested in playing with them, the models are available on my website. The VSF versions offer military cargo to load. The VS NG versions offer more animations to integrate cargo visually.
Cheers!

[serkan]

Hello Rakom,
all of them really great and detailed models. thank you for sharing us.

[Sailorjohn]

Wonderful additions, Rakom! Can't wait to try them out.

Have you asked Ilan about restoring cargo loading function to VSNG? I've requested that twice over the past year, each time Ilan responded saying many others had also requested loading ala VSF, so he would restore it. But so far...??? While you can use the loading slider function, it doesn't save at closing. And you miss the great visuals and more importantly, the effect on list and trim of cargo placement. For me and perhaps others, that's a disappointing shortfall in NG.