CLS’s Airbus BelugaReviewed by Ludo Lambrechts
Ever since it’s founding Airbus has had a rich history of it’s development of aircraft. The process of manufacturing an Airbus always followed a set procedure and a combined building over several regions. Tradition has it that the wings are built in Britain, the tail in Spain, , the fuselage in Germany, and then the nose and centre-section in France. These different parts where all transported by road to Toulouse or Hamburg to be put together. Today this is still the process but transporting these parts by means of roads was very expensive and air transport was considered.
This prompted the development of the A300-600ST or better known as the Beluga. The Beluga is designed to carry light, awkwardly shaped cargo, or prefabricated airbus parts. This aircraft has never been developed for Flight Simulator 9. Due to its ugly appearance in reality, this aircraft might still look great and be very fun to have in your simulator. CLS has developed an expansion to its critically acclaimed Airbus 300-600R aircraft- the Beluga!
As I stated above the CLS Beluga is an expansion of their A300-600R so the only difference in this aircraft will be the exterior model. The panel and sound will remain the same as they have been aliased to the original A300-600R. If you liked the sound and panel included in the original A300-600R you won’t have a problem with the Beluga’s as they are both the same.
The exterior model as I stated above is the only change. The change is very significant though. The bottom of the fuselage is clearly the same as the A300-600R, but everything on top of that has been changed. The A300-600ST gets its nickname from the way it rises up and extends back on top. It is a very round dome which looks very similar to a Beluga Whale. CLS has done a tremendous job including this detail into the exterior model. The tail wings have also been changed as they are much wider and longer on the real Beluga. CLS has done an amazing job including these as well. Overall, there is only a very small part that is taken from the original A300-600R.
The animations included on the Beluga are very well done too. The front cargo door which is used to transport Airbus prefabricated parts opens up to reveal the inside of the cargo area. Inside the cargo space you will see the nose of an Airbus aircraft in production. The only downside of this animation is the amazingly long time of opening the door, it may be like this in reality but this is a simulator and we just like to fly. Also featured in this add-on is the tug truck which has been something standard on CLS aircraft. However the tug in this add-on has been reversed due to the low nose of this aircraft. The animations on the Beluga are an amazing part of this add-on aircraft.
The texture included is done very nicely, but it also leaves room for disappointment. This disappointment is not CLS’ fault but mainly other FS artists. The problem with the Beluga is that it only serves a purpose for Airbus, and therefore flies only in Airbus liveries. However, this is just a simulator and it would be very fun to just fly some fictious liveries. This however hasn’t happened yet, but I am still hoping that some artists will attempt it as it would be a lot of fun to have an Air Canada Beluga.
The sounds and flight dynamics are the exact same as the original A300-600, they are very good and leave me no room to complain. If you loved the original A306 and are contemplating on buying the Beluga you will not be let down by this.
CLS A300-600ST is the first Beluga development for Flight Simulator. It is a relatively inexpensive add-on and does add a lot of opportunities to your Flight Simulator. Unfortunately there is only one livery, but that is how it is supposed to be. The sound, panel, and flight dynamics all carry over from the original A300-600R so there is no need to complain as they are amazing. Overall I would award CLS an 8.0 out of 10 for their Beluga add-on.
Reviewed by Ludo Lambrechts for CLS
CLS's Airbus Beluga, My Review
[GK-customfield]FSX[customfield-GK] 
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