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We have called it LHA-5, but infact you get FIVE Helicopter Carriers of the US Navy Tarwa Class in this package AND an amphibious tank, the AAV-7A1 that you can drive on land and in the water!!!
AJ Weber is one of our new authors and has been learning along the way building this first project in our FSX Naval Series!
The ships is are wonderful renditions of their class, and a great place to practice your helicopter landings, both by day AND by night. There is not a whole lot of space on the small deck! The ship has working radars, deck lighting for the helicopter operations, and an opening well deck door to allow access to the landing craft dock inside!
The deck landing lights and well deck doors are animated, and are basically triggered by the user aircraft in some way. The well deck doors are will open when the user aircraft NAV2 radio is set to 108.00, and will close if any other frequency is chosen. All other animations such as radars are ongoing and not triggered by anything.
The primary war-fighting mission of the LHA-1 Tarawa class is to land and sustain United States Marines on any shore during hostilities. The ships serve as the centerpiece of a multi-ship Amphibious Readiness Group (ARG). Some 3,000 sailors and marines contribute to a forward-deployed ARG composed of approximately 5,000 personnel. The ships are designed to maintain what the Marine Corps calls "tactical integrity" - getting a balanced force to the same place at the same time. One LHA can carry a complete Marine Battalion, along with the supplies and equipment needed in an assault, and land them ashore by either helicopter or amphibious craft. This two pronged capability, with emphasis on airborne landing of troops and equipment, enables the Navy and Marine Corps to fulfill their present-day mission. Whether the landing force is involved in an armed conflict, acting as a deterrent force in an unfavorable political situation or serving in a humanitarian mission, the class offers tactical versatility.
But that’s not all….. AJ also has included a working model of the AAV-7, the current amphibious tracked vehicle used by the US Marines for beaching operations.Now, please bear with us…. FS was NOT made to model anything but fixed wing aircraft really. It even has problems with helicopters, let alone ships and vehicles.
Having said that, AJ has done a wonderful job in building this tank, with real moving tracks, opening door and hatch, even a firing canon with visible effects and bulging black diesel smoke coming from the exhaust when opening up the throttle (thanks to the kind and much appreciated help of Rob Barendrecht). |
