Solo Flight original release variants

[Farb]

We have come across three different variants of the original release of Solo Flight (note that this is different from Solo Flight 2nd Edition which is visually quite different). Here is what we have so far:

 

1. Solo Flight (1983)(MicroProse Software - U.S. Gold)(GB-US)[!].atx

 

We have identical dumps of this with both an early MicroProse 1983 label (with their Caribou Court address) as well as a 1984 white U.S. Gold label. Copy protection includes missing sectors and a phantom sector.

 

2. Solo Flight (1983)(MicroProse Software)(US)[a].atx

 

Unfortunately, this dump was submitted without a photo of the label but the description submitted indicates it is a 1983 U.S. MicroProse release. Identical copy protection to #1 but significantly different data. Both #1 and #2 seem to work on XL/XE so that doesn't seem to account for the difference.

 

3. Solo Flight (1984)(MicroProse Software - U.S. Gold)(GB-US)[!].atx

 

We have identical dumps of this with both a newer MicroProse label in 1984 U.S. Gold packaging as well as a 1985 MicroProse flippy-style C64/Atari release. This release appears to use skew alignment protection much like F-15 Strike Eagle so is different from #1 & #2 minimally in that regard.

 

If anyone can provide any insight or opinions into what is different about these beyond what I've stated (and especially whether #1 or #2 is the earlier release), it would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks in advance!

Solo Flight.zip

Edited July 10, 2018 by Farb

[Mclaneinc]

Has anyone looked at the data on the 2nd copy to work out if the data is real and not just added data at some point, its a possibility if you have no supporting evidence other than its still has a valid protection system in place and works (as far as you know so far)

 

Any reason the person had for not adding a pic?

 

1 and 3 make sense with old and new releases ie budget label etc but 2 is either an update or possibly bogus but maybe not in a deliberate way..