LOCAL FIRM STAINLESS GAMES ENHANCE FLIGHT SIMULATORS AT WIGHT AVIATION MUSEUM

A pair of flight simulators at Wight Aviation Museum (WAM) have been enhanced with the assistance of Island-based videogame development studio, Stainless Games. When WAM needed a high-performance graphics PC to run the latest software on a 3D flight simulation exhibit, Stainless Games provided us with suitable hardware. The exhibit uses a 3D headset, enabling anyone who wants to practice the real-world challenges of flying. It is housed in our genuine Bulldog fuselage, and visitors using it can experience taking off and flying above the Island. Another fully playable exhibit is of Stainless Games’ 2008 title, Red Baron Arcade. The original Red Baron was released in arcade cabinet form by Atari in 1980, and was notable for being the first “first-person” video flight simulator. A spiritual successor to this pioneering title, Red Baron Arcade was built on Stainless Games’ advanced physics code, resulting in an experience that closely mimics the experience of flying these early planes. “The Red Baron”; was the nickname of German ace-of-aces, Manfred von Richthofen – inspired by the paint schemes on his Albatross and Fokker planes. Between 1916 and his death in April 1918, he had downed 80 planes. His 39th attributed kill was 18-year-old pilot Keith Mackenzie, born in Ryde. Mackenzie’s name is commemorated on Ryde Borough’s War Memorial, and as part of the museum’s “Island People”; display. The Red Baron is the fourth flight simulator in the museum. WAM’s oldest simulator is a Link Trainer static display. These were sold from 1934 through to the late 1950s. The trainer was a safe way to teach new pilots how to fly by instruments at night and in fog. It predates computers by a long way, and relies on valve technology. Helen Blake, Chairperson, from WAM said:

“We are very fortunate to be supported at WAM by such a prestigious internationally known company who have really made a huge difference to the operation and attraction of our ‘Flight Simulators’”

Stainless were delighted to be involved in supporting this local attraction and Neil Barnden added:

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“The Wight Aviation Museum is a brilliant celebration of the Island’s rich aviation heritage. The founders of Stainless and many of our staff are Islanders by birth or marriage and can trace family lineage that has been involved in some way with that aeronautical heritage. Stainless is therefore proud to be able to help the museum in a way that brings our 2 industries together”

Stainless Games were welcomed to the museum and given a tour before being set free to put the Red Baron and other simulators through their paces. Neil also volunteered to create new head-in- the-hole boards for the museum using graphic AI tools. The picture shows the new boards being donated by Stainless Games directors to WAM volunteers.