FSX Douglas C-117D, Super DC-3, R4D-8, V.2

This package fully replaces V1 Beta, correcting various errors and omissions. The model features a 
"modern" VC, a realistic slow radial engine start, a fuel and payload manager, built-in failure 
conditions, improved engine textures and new engine-focused cameraviews. Sound is aliased to the 
default DC-3. Three C-117D Expansion Packs will be available separately from Sim-Outhouse: a 
custom sound set by Ted "Tufun" Wolfgang, and a paintkit and two alternate VC texture sets by 
Gordon "Gman" Madison. Historical research by John Detrick, models by Manfred Jahn, flight 
dynamics by Alexander M. Metzger, gauges, animations, and failure conditions by Hansjoerg 
Naegele. Startup smoke effect by Ted Wolfgang.

In the official Flight Manual, the C-117D is described as "a medium-range, low-wing land aircraft 
designed for use as a diversified cargo, personnel, or ambulance transport." Originally intended as a 
DC-3 replacement, the Super 3 had a stretched fuselage, more powerful engines, a retractable tail 
wheel, square-tipped slightly swept wings, and an enlarged fin and tailplane. While it could carry 
significantly more payload at faster speeds, it proved no match for new-generation aircraft such as 
the Convair 240. Only three Super 3s were commercially operated by Capital Airlines based in 
Washington DC. However, one hundred U.S. Navy and Marines Super 3s did see extended service 
all over the world under the designations R4D-8 (early years) and C-117D (1962 onwards). The last 
military C-117D was withdrawn from use in June 1982. A few civilian Super 3s are still in flyable 
condition today. 

Minimum system-requirements: FSX SP2. Recommended: FSX Gold Edition or Acceleration. 


INSTALLATION

(1) Extract the zip to a temporary folder or open it in Windows Explorer.

(2) You should see three subfolders: Effects, Simobjects, and Sound. Copy these three folders 
directly to your main "Flight Simulator X" folder using "merge" or "integrate folders" mode when 
asked (do NOT use "replace"). Should you have any misgivings about this procedure play it safe, 
i.e. enter the source subfolders individually and copy the files to the appropriate FSX destination 
folders.

(3) Users of a currently installed C-117D (V1 Beta) should accept overwriting files from the Sound 
and Effects destinations.  After installation, move the old folder "Douglas_C-117D" to a safe 
backup location outside FSX. If you want to use previously downloaded paints, copy these over to 
the new folder. Remember to edit the [fltsim] sections in the new folder's aircraft.cfg to activate the 
paint schemes copied over. 

(4) The single aircraft provided in this version will show up as "Douglas C-117D V2" in the Flight 
Simulator's aircraft selection menu.



SIM-OUTHOUSE C-117 EXPANSION PACKS

In order to use Sim-Outhouse's Add-Ons Library you have to be registered as a member. 
Membership is free at http://www.sim-outhouse.com

(1) For Ted "Tufun" Wolfgang's sound pack download "TW Radial Twin Sound Package.zip" and 
follow the instructions in the Readme.

(2) For Gordon "Gman" Madison's alternate VC texture sets download VCtextures_C117.zip and 
follow the instructions given in the Readme.

(3) For Gordon's paint kit download the package Paintkit_C117.zip and follow the instructions 
given in the Readme. 


FSX OPERATION NOTES

(1)	Fly this aircraft gently, following the checklist. If you don't you will sooner or later 
experience a failure condition from which it may be difficult to recover. The checklist is 
accessible via the usual Shift-F10 keypress. You can also click on the pilot's clipboard to get 
an abbreviated list without FSX-specific tips (for experienced pilots). 
 
(2)	Control Panel. While this model has no 2D panel, you can activate a two-page Control 
Panel popup via Shift-2 (page 1) and Shift-3 (page 2). The default size of these pages have 
been adjusted for 16:9 monitors. If the pages appear squashed you can temporarily drag their 
edges for better display. Alternatively, use Notepad to edit the panel.cfg, which allows 
predefined settings for 4:3 and 16:10 ratio screens to be used. 

Page 1 has a payload and fuel manager (aircraft needs to be on ground with parking brakes 
set for it to work). Select Total Payload and Total Fuel options "EMPTY" to put the aircraft 
into a "cold and dark" state. 

Page 2 is a table displaying all major settings and readouts including failure warnings and 
context-sensitive tips. We suggest keeping page 2 open and monitoring the various 
readouts, warnings, and tips (hover the mouse pointer over the item in question for 
options) until you have become thoroughly familiar with the Do's and Don'ts of 
handling this plane.

(3)	Failure conditions. The main failure conditions (which are partly dependent on FSX's 
Realism Settings) are battery depletion and engine failure, both of which can happen fairly 
quickly. The battery can be replenished by middle-clicking the battery item on page 2 of the 
Control panel, or by flipping the Ground Power switch on the overhead panel (FSXA only). 
Engine stress is signaled on page 2 of the Control Panel by a numeric counter decrementing 
from 100% to 0, with the final red zero flagging imminent failure. Engine stress can only be 
cured by reducing MAP and RPM to the acceptable 'green' ranges indicated on the 
respective gauges.

(4)	Control Panel settings and VC switches usually act on both left and right clicks, 
occasionally also middle clicks. Side windows, pilot's yoke, overhead spotlights, call sign, 
wipers, and pilot's clipboard are also clickable - click them and see what they do.

(5)	Engine Start. You can choose one of four startup procedures. (i) Ctrl-E will work in mayn 
situations (also reset some conditions), but it will not produce the realistic slow period-style 
engine start we all want. (ii) For a slow engine start, open page 2 of the Control Panel and 
go through the eight steps detailed in the mini-tutorial engstart.jpg. (iii) Use the relevant 
switches of the Engine Start section on the VC's overhead panel (mid-clicking the starter 
button may be more helpful than keeping it depressed). (iv) Use the mini-icons accessible 
via Shift-7 in any view, including spot. 

Note, proper engine start sequence is 2 - 1.

 

(6)	In the VC, propeller control, throttle, and mixture levers can be linked by middle-clicking 
any one of them. To unlink, middle-click again.

(7)	Flip battery switch OFF and apply parking brakes to display wheel chocks and let the pilots 
take a break.

(8)	Cowl flaps open/close in intervals by clicking the "cht" (cylinder head temperature) item on 
the Control Panel or on pressing Shift-Ctrl-V / Shift-Ctrl-C. The recommended settings are 
listed in the checklist.

(9)	The angle of the landing lights cones on the runway can be changed by pressing Shift-Ctrl-
Num8/Num2 respectively.

(10)	With engines off and parking brake set, the port passenger/freight door can be 
opened/closed by pressing Shift-E. The second freight door opens on Shift-E-2. Steps 
appear on Shift-E-3.

(11)	For detailed instructions on how to operate the Garmins consult the docs in subfolder 
"Documentation". When operating the Garmins, use left/right clicks on ON/OFF knob to 
decrease/increase the brightness of the display. Similarly, use left/right clicks to scroll 
through multiple pages. Generally, right=next and left=previous. For the NAV/GPS link 
switch click the CDI button on the Garmin.



CREDITS

We want to thank Janiek Arp and Hans Kaiser for testing, Doug Dawson for his fsx_event_logger 
gauge, Marcel Felde for tips on 3D GPS construction, Don Kuhn for allowing us to create 3D code 
for the GNS430/530 packs available at www.fs2x.com, Jan Visser for tips on volumetric side-view 
props, Bjoern ("Heretic") and Bill Leaming for their PD light splash materials at FSDeveloper.com.


DISCLAIMER AND COPYRIGHT

THE AUTHORS ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE THAT YOU MIGHT INCUR AS A 
RESULT OF INSTALLING THIS ARCHIVE. YOU ASSUME THE RISK OF USE.

The Super DC-3 models were created under Microsoft's Game Content Usage Rules using assets 
from Flight Simulator X Deluxe Edition, (c) Microsoft Corporation. See www.xbox.com/en-
US/Community/Developer/Rules

Redistributing this archive with any files added, removed or modified is prohibited. 
 
This archive (or any parts of it) may NOT be included in other packages without the written 
permission of the authors. 
 
No specific charge may be made for this archive and it may not be uploaded to any server that 
specifies that the server owners hold a copyright (of any sort) on this archive when stored on that 
server. You may NOT use the archive (or any parts of it) for commercial purpose without all the 
authors' explicit, written permission in advance. This includes "free" CD or DVD compilations with 
a charge of any kind. 

All Rights Reserved.


28 October 2013

Manfred Jahn (Manfred [dot] Jahn [at] uni-koeln [dot] de)
