X-Hangar's Norseman Mk IV Review

The is a Canadian single-engine designed to operate from unimproved surfaces.

Designed by Robert B.C. Noorduyn, the Noorduyn Norseman was produced from 1935 to 1959, originally by Noorduyn Ltd. and later by the Car and Foundry company. The Norseman remained in production for almost 25 years with over 900 produced. A number of examples remain in commercial and private use to this day. Norseman aircraft are known to have been registered and/or operated in 68 countries throughout the world and also have been based and flown in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Noorduyn's vision of a bush plane revolved around a few basic criteria: it should be an aircraft with which a Canadian operator utilizing existing talents, equipment and facilities could make money, it should be a high-wing to facilitate loading and unloading of passengers and cargo at docks and airports and, finally, it should be an all-around superior aircraft to those in use in Canada. From the outset, Noorduyn designed the transport to have interchangeable wheel, ski or twin-float gear. Unlike most aircraft designs, the Norseman was first fitted with floats, then skis and, finally, fixed .

The Mk IV became the "definitive" model powered by a Pratt & Whitney Wasp R-1340, and is the example modeled by X-Hanger. The production run might have ended at a few hundred examples if not for the advent of the Second World War. With the outbreak of war in Europe, demand for a utility transport led to major military orders. The and the Army Air Forces became the two largest operators. The last Noorduyn Norseman to be built was sold and delivered to a commercial customer on January 19, 1959. A total of 903 Norseman aircraft (Mk I - Mk V) were produced and delivered to various commercial and military customers.

General characteristics

Crew: 1 Capacity: 10 Length: 32 ft 4 in (9.86 m) Wingspan: 51 ft 6 in (15.70 m) Height: 10 ft 1 in (3.07 m) Wing area: 325 sq ft (30.2 m2) Airfoil: NACA 2412 Empty weight: 4,240 lb (1,923 kg) Max weight: 7,400 lb (3,357 kg) 7,540 with floats Fuel capacity: 242 Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN1 9 cyl.air cooled radial piston engine, 600 hp (450 kW) Power Loading 12.3 lb/hp Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard, 9 ft 0.75 in (2.7623 m) diameter Power Loading 12.3 lb/hp

Performance

Cruising speed: 150 mph; 241 km/h (130 kn) KTAS @ 10,000ft Stall speed: 68 mph; 109 km/h (59 kn) Range: 932 mi; 1,500 km (810 nmi) @ 10,000ft Service ceiling: 17,000 ft (5,182 m) Rate of climb: 591 ft/min (3.00 m/s) Wing loading: 22.8 lb/sq ft (111 kg/m2) Best rate of climb (Vy) 87 knots (161 km/h) Maximum - Flaps extended (Vfe) 94 knots (174 km/h) Maximum - operating (Vmo) 130 knots (241 km/h)/141 mph (wheels), 138 mph (skis), 134 mph (floats) Stall, clean (Vs1) 65 knots (120 km/h) Stall, landing configuration (Vso) 59 knots (109 km/h)

X-Hangar: Mr. Gerald Rader is Mr. X-Hangar, and he has been developing aircraft for X-Plane for over 15 years now. The hallmark of his designs are excellent frame rate and customizability. His FPS are usually double what other developers provide, and his panels are easily modified using "Plane-Maker" if you feel the need to change or add something.

Cockpit: The cockpit is basic, but keep in mind it needs to be in order to use standard XPlane gauges so the panel can be customized. Even at that Gerald has added a period Artificial Horizon, and fuel gauge to better represent the Norseman's vintage. The simplicity fits the Norseman. Thus you will not find the new GPS 430 installed. However, there are install instructions near the bottom of this review. Instead you get the original old style basic XPlane GPS. Of course, if you are a hardcore classic person like many of us, you may not want a GPS at all. X-Hangar original panel. My custom panel with new GPS 430 and yoke on copilot's side.

Cabin Options:

Left: Cargo only Right: Cargo and Passengers

*More options are available as described in the docs folder.

Models:

This an impressive package as you get:

1. Float version

2. Normal sized wheel version

3.

4. A special one with wheel fairings and prop spinner.

5. You also get 13 custom liveries that work for all versions. Included in the livery section is a blank white and blank silver for those that wish to use their own paint brush.

I personally like X-Hangar's use of faded colors on many of their liveries. It makes the age of this grand old classic bush plane more evident. The external model is excellent, and well represents the lines of the real Norseman. The interior could be better, but then you would sacrifice function for form. I personally get tired of classic payware airplanes without an ADF. So, for me I'd rather have a panel I can adjust to my liking rather than eye candy without function. I really like the Norseman!

Flight Dynamics:

The Norseman handles pretty much like I would expect it to. The represented model is fitted with the P&W R1340 engine developing 600hp. With a light load it leaps off the ground, and with a full load of 7400 pounds, It takes that extra runway length as expected. The float version does take about 1 1/2 minutes to remove itself from smooth water at gross weight. That is normal.

The fuel flow numbers and speeds obtained with different power settings are very close to the real airplane. The landing and takeoff distances are also very close to real. The brakes fitted are of the weaker, original type. If you'd like better braking power as would be obtained with today's retrofitted aircraft, there is a mode at the bottom of the page.

The handling of the Norseman, in the air and on the ground, is very good. A better control response than I would expect. A real joy to fly both the wheel and the floats version.

Special Features:

Many interior objects are selectable: cargo; cup holder; pilot; loads; passengers, and visor. See the docs inside the Norseman folder for instructions.

All doors open and are shown in the thickness of the real airplane. There is high detail to the exterior model, without a sacrifice of FPS. Night lighting is a bit weak, but here again, it would also be that way in the real airplane.

Documentation is good. They include "how to" sections on customizing your panel and load out.

Summary:

The Norseman shows a step upward in the building of X-Hangar airplanes. The external model and the panel/cabin are better than some of his past efforts, and the extra gauges to enhance realism are a good touch. The flight characteristics are excellent as always. Most things are programmed to work as they should, with a couple of modifications, if you wish to try them, listed below.

Recommended changes by EPOCH Air, VA can be found here: http://www.unex-planedapps.com/apps/forums/topics/show/13072701-bc-s-brake-shop- x-hangar-mods-?next=&page=3

How to install the new GPS430 video found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gcoU_f8W3w

The X-Hangar Noorduyn Norseman can be found here: http://www.x-hangar.com/store/ or http://www.111sim.com/

Suitable for XPlane v9 or v10

Cost: $18.95

To install the new GPS 430 (X-Plane Version 10.3+):

1. Go to Plane Maker - STANDARD / 2D PANEL

-Highlight the old GPS on the yoke. Then delete it using the button at the top of the screen, just left of the PNG button.

2. Go to STANDARD / SYSTEMS

-select the button next to FMS/GPS "to use modern ARINC424 capable" on the PILOTS side.

3. Go back to: STANDARD / 2D PANEL

-Go to RADIOS / GPS FMS / Garmin 430 PNG and move it to your desired location.

4. If you want the un-popped up GPS to show all information, then increase the size to 2.0 (at bottom of screen).

Review by “jetjerry”