Piper PA.28-181 Archer II

This set contains multiple versions of the Piper PA.28 Archer II. Two full liveries based on real-world examples, three generic ones, three further repaintable ones, one white and one bare-metal version are included. They are available starting in 1961 and can carry three passengers each.

The model comes with a load of animations, it will age over time and also show dirt traces if not washed regularly.

Please note that this set requires the Aircraft Toolbox to work.

A few words on the type and its history:

The Piper 28 is one of the most built aircraft models in the world. It was designed as a two-to-four-seated aircraft for recreational and flight training use and first flown in 1960. It is a solid, conservative design that comes with docile flight characteristics and without too demanding systems installed. A fixed landing gear, a fixed pitch propeller attached to a well proven Lycoming O-320 four-cylinder carburated opposed-piston engine and simple flaps together with good field performance and a moderate maximum speed all make this aircraft suitable for hobby pilots. 

Over the years, various derivatives were developed from this design. Simplified versions, some with a T-tail, others with a retractable landing gear and constant speed propellers joined the lineup. Some examples even were equipped with floats, and also the two-engined Seneca can trace its lineage to the PA.28.

Here is the 181 Archer II version that was built until the late 1990s.  This is a four-seated version that has received various revisions over the earlier models, not the least of which is a completely new low-drag wing that now comes with some taper instead of the fully rectangular wing of the older variants. It is in use all over the world in flight schools and with private owners and will certainly be around for many years to come. 

Multiple versions are included that differ not only in liveries but also in some little outside details. Three exhaust variants and four possible wheel fairing configurations are included. Five fixed liveries are included as are three generic versions that show typical paint schemes for the PA.28 but can receive a freely selectable colour via the depot or line menus.

For those interested in going deeper into the files including repainters, the model files are rather easy to handle. It is possible to select exhaust stacks and gear fairings with three simple flags that can be set in the .mdls header, also duplicating the model for repaints has been made as easy as possible and follows the conventions set in my other models.

Any repaints of this model will only be uploaded to a site where I uploaded the original set and will only contain the new .mdl, .mtl and .dds files.