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XTREME PROTOTYPES LAUNCHES THE X-15 FOR FLIGHT SIMULATOR SERIES

Montreal, August 14, 2007 - Xtreme Prototypes Inc. is proud to announce the release of the X-15 series of add-on rocket aircraft for Microsoft® Flight Simulator 2004 and Flight Simulator X. It consists of 11 highly detailed models of the legendary North American X-15 experimental rocket plane, available in three separate packages:

Each add-on aircraft package comes with a comprehensive 100-page user manual in PDF format, inspired and adapted from the original X-15 utility flight manuals. English and French versions of the manual are included with the software.

The three packages are available on CD-ROM or download and can be purchased online from Xtreme Prototypes or from add-on resellers. Each package has a suggested retail price of $34.99 USD.

THE CHALLENGE OF AN X-15 MISSION ON YOUR PC

The Xtreme Prototypes X-15 for Flight Simulator series of add-on rocket aircraft brings the excitement of high-speed and high-altitude flight and the challenge of an X-15 research mission to flight simulation enthusiasts and X-15 fans.

Contrary to the real-world X-15 that was launched at a high altitude from a carrier airplane, the X-15 for Flight Simulator can also take off from an airport runway like any other Flight Simulator aircraft! The flight model allows the airplane to accelerate up to approximately Mach 4.65 (about the maximum speed in Flight Simulator), reach an altitude of over 354,200 feet (altitude is limited to 100,000 feet in FS2004), burn all its fuel, complete its ballistic trajectory, decelerate, jettison its remaining propellants and finally glide its way back to the nearest dry lake runway or airport.

Each virtual aircraft comes with fully functional instrument panels and custom gauges that allow the desktop pilot not only to fly the airplane, but also to recreate and simulate nearly every step and procedure required in a typical X-15 mission. But for those who would rather quickly start the engine and fly the X-15 without going through the complete check list and procedures, a set of "quick start" procedures are included in the manual.

HIGHLY DETAILED MODELS OF THE REAL-WORLD X-15 ROCKET PLANE

Each add-on aircraft has been carefully modeled based on archive material in order to conform as closely as possible to the real-world X-15. Each model is built from more than 300 parts and shows over 60 different animations.

The airplanes feature different reflective textures, unique markings, movable control surfaces (horizontal stabilizer, upper and lower vertical stabilizers with a jettisonable ventral section, flaps and speed brakes), extendable landing skids and front gear, a movable canopy, animated sticks and levers, and an animated eyelid, a dummy ramjet and "jettisonable" external propellant tanks on the X-15A-2. Selected airplanes may also carry a tail-cone box, wing-tip pods and a vane-type boom nose.

The X-15-1 is available with the twin Reaction Motors XLR-11 four-chambered rocket engines or the million-horsepower Reaction Motors XLR-99 rocket engine. All other airplanes are equipped with the XLR-99 engine.

ADVANCED INSTRUMENT PANELS AND SYSTEMS

Each X-15 add-on aircraft comes with one main instrument panel and at least seven secondary panels, either in their original black version or the later light blue-gray version. Special (X-15-specific) systems have been integrated into each panel to simulate the complex operation of the X-15 rocket plane, including a custom fuel management system for the three propellants (water-alcohol or ammonia, liquid oxygen and hydrogen peroxide) and gases.

Nearly 300 identified custom gauges have been developed for the X-15 for Flight Simulator series, and each one has been carefully designed based on the original analog instrument found in the real X-15 aircraft during the 1950s and 1960s. Virtually all gauges, switches, light indicators and flight instruments found on each panel are functional and behave like the original ones described in the real-world X-15 flight manuals.

An interesting aspect of the X-15 for Flight Simulator is that because the aircraft systems and panels have been designed according to their real-world counterparts, the original X-15 flight manuals (available today on the Internet or in book form) can also be used by experienced desktop pilots, along with the software, to go through the check lists and procedures, just as the real X-15 test pilots were accustomed to doing back in the 1960s.

SPECTACULAR VISUAL EFFECTS

All aircraft feature more than 20 animated visual effects such as XLR-11 and XLR-99 engine flame and contrail effects, XLR-99 first and second stage igniter effects, APU and engine turbopump exhaust effects, propellant jettison effects, engine precool and prime effects, and a fuselage frost and condensation effect/texture (around the frozen liquid oxygen tank when filled).

Visit Xtreme Prototypes website: www.xtremeprototypes.com

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