REVIEW: GROUND X TRAFFIC UK & IRELAND EXTENSION PACK

I recently reviewed the Germany Base Pack and since then Dirk Stuck has issued the UK & Ireland Base Pack together with an Ireland & UK extension pack the latter works OK with the German base pack.  As I have said previously, this is a very nice simple piece of software that replaces all of the ground vehicles in FSX and replaces them with new 3-D models.

The vehicles now work in all airports in the UK and Ireland as well as in Germany, Sweden, Norway and Denmark and are partly animated (FSX SDK allowing).  They are also visible at nigh complete with flashing lights, etc.  The new vehicles include, fire trucks; shuttle busses, luggage loaders, tractors, fuel trucks, stair trucks and push back vehicles.  Other vehicles and other FSX areas will be added in the future.  I reiterate that this is a very nice add-on for FSX and it enhances the simming experience at major airports.

GROUND X TRAFFIC BASEPACK – DIRK STUCK DESIGN — The Ultra Mini — Update – review

Installation:
Just run a small exe file which installs automatically.  Activation is easy just insert a code given to you when purchased.  It installs into a folder under FSX\simMarket\Ground X Traffic – UK Extension.

The Manual
None, but not really needed.

In the Sim:
Visiting the UK and Ireland airports shows the new vehicles in all of their glory, and the sport becomes for you to spot the new vehicles as you trundle around the aerodrome.  The vehicles are highly detailed and can be zoomed in a fair bit and still retain their clarity.  I set my settings under \traffic\airport vehicle density to “High” and saw very little effect on frame rates at that setting and saw tons of vehicles.  “Medium” would be a good average setting for most computers without affecting frame rates.

New Airports:
USA and other vehicles to be added in the future.  The software is compatible with 3^rd party add-on airports.

Uninstall:
A method of uninstalling the software is included.

Sounds:
These are the default sounds.

DX10 Preview Mode:
The vehicles run fine in DX10 Preview mode.

Support:
By email and is excellent — by return.  I used it several times and the answers were prompt, accurate and courteous.

Summing Up:
Another nice add-on for FSX gives airports more animated life than before, and I look forward to seeing the USA being added.

WOW Factor: 8 out of 10.

Peter Hayes, Australia August2010

A few pictures:

Figure 2 Shuttle Bus

Figure 3 Utility Truck

Figure 4 Fuel Truck

Figure 5 Busy

Figure 6 Luggage Truck

Figure 7 Push back

Figure 8 Parcels

Figure 9 Stair Truck on the move

Figure 10 Utility Truck Fuel

Table of the Important Bits: