Third-party developers released new screenshots of upcoming add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator while an aircraft has been announced.
First of all, we hear from Orbx, which announced the Blackwing BW 635RG, the fastest and most advanced Ultralight in the world. The model was created by artist Russ White and the developer promises an in-depth look at the systems, flight model, and avionics coming soon.
We then get new screenshots and plenty of details about the upcoming Avro Vulcan by Just Flight. You can check them out below.
Model
- Accurately modelled Avro Vulcan B Mk2, K.2 and MRR built using real-world aircraft plans and comprehensive photography of the real aircraft (XM655)
- K.2 air-to-air refuelling variant with Hose Drum Unit (HDU) and animated hose
- Maritime Radar Reconnaissance (MRR) variant with air sampling pods and nose blade aerials
- Many detailed animations, including:
- Crew door
- Bomb bay doors (with realistic deployment speed)
- Multi-position airbrakes (accurately linked to landing gear position)
- Drogue and main brake-chutes
- Deployable ram-air-turbine (RAT)
- Variable-speed wipers
- Tilting main landing gear
- Flying controls (including elevons)
- Animated pilots
- Retractable taxi/landing lights (with realistic ‘blowback’ above 180 knots)- A range of payload options, selectable via the EFB tablet:
- Blue Steel nuclear stand-off missile
- 1,000lb bombs
- WE.177 nuclear bomb
- Saddle bomb bay tanks
- Cylindrical bomb bay tanks- Ability to configure external model options for each livery – refuelling probe, 201/301 engines, TFR dome, modern aerials and tail fin ECM, HDU, air sampling pods and aerials
- Olympus 201 and 301 engine nozzle types
- Ground equipment, including Houchin GPU and Palouste compressor for engine start, and engine covers and chocks
- 8k textures are used to produce the highest possible texture clarity
- Full support for MSFS visual icing effects
Cockpit
- A truly 3D virtual cockpit right down to accurately modelled ejection seats and screw heads - every instrument is constructed fully in 3D with smooth animations
- Cockpit textures feature wear and tear based on reference photos taken in the real aircraft to produce an authentic environment
- Aircraft state system which will automatically save the aircraft state whenever a flight is saved and reload it whenever that flight is loaded
- Aircraft configuration system which allows you to choose between 'Cold & Dark', ‘Ready for Taxi’ or 'Ready for Take-off'
- Many features have been added to help with usability such as the ability to hide the control sticks for a better view of the instruments and pre-set angled views for the autopilot and rear crew panels
- Tablet EFB for controlling various aircraft states, options and payloads, with Navigraph and SimBrief integration and a moving map
- Developed using the latest MSFS standards, including intuitive and easy-to-use controls for rotary knobs, multi-position switches and levers
- Fully compatible with MSFS VR mode
- Realistic V/UHF radio unit – save and recall commonly used frequencies
- Fully functioning magnetic indicators, warning lights and push-to-test buttons
- Numerous animated blinds and visors
- Realistic flight instruments, including direction horizon, beam compass, control surface and CG indicators
- No detail is too small – even the option to switch between day and night modes on the landing gear indicator is included!
Aircraft systems
Custom-coded systems based on real-world manuals, including:
- Fuel system – fuel tank groups, transfer and cross-feed
- Custom-coded electrical system - alternators, Airborne Auxiliary Power Plant (AAPP), Ram Air Turbine (RAT), synchroniser busbar and AEO panels for controlling the AAPP, RAT and secondary supplies
- Flying controls system - Powered Flying Controls (PFCs), Mach trimmer and auto-stabilisers
- Engine start system – rapid or normal engine starting, cross-bleed and Palouste external air supplies
- Hydraulic system, including the electrically operated hydraulic power pack unit (EHPP)
- Oxygen system, including oxygen regulator system with realistic consumption based on altitude – watch the oxygen quantity drop with usage
- Air conditioning system – cabin pressurisation and air conditioning, emergency depressurisation controls
- Thermal anti-icing system, including airframe and engine anti-icing
- Autopilot, including pitch and bank hold
- TACAN and VOR navigation, including navigator IFF and TACAN panels
- Airbrakes, bomb doors and brake-chute can be operated using standard control assignments for ease of use
Liveries
The Vulcan B Mk2 is supplied with eleven paint schemes covering its life in RAF service:
- XM655 (XM655 Maintenance and Preservation Society)
- XL426 (Vulcan Restoration Trust)
- XH562 (Kiwi roundels)
- XL361 (anti-flash white)
- XH538 (white belly)
- XM607 (Red Flag)
- XH534 (No.230 OCU, RAF Coltishall)
- XM600 (No.9 Squadron, RAF Cottesmore)
- XM607 (Black Buck)
- XL426 (anti-flash white)
- XH558 (RAF Vulcan Display Flight, 1992)
The Vulcan K.2 is supplied with four paint schemes:
- XM571 (50 Squadron)
- XL445 (50 Squadron)
- XJ825 (50 Squadron)
- XH558 (50 Squadron)
The Vulcan MRR is supplied with two paint schemes:
- XH560 (27 Squadron)
- XH534 (27 Squadron)
Lighting
- Independent lighting controls for Captain and Co-Pilot
- Dimmable dynamic flood lighting for a highly immersive and customisable night environment
- Freely moveable spot lights
Sounds
- MSFS-native (Wwise) sound package taking full advantage of the new MSFS capabilities
- Studio quality Olympus 301 howl engine sounds, recorded from the real aircraft
- Hundreds of flight deck sound effects
- Detailed physics-based effects on engine and wind noise
- Accurately positioned 3D sound sources (best enjoyed in VR!)
- Custom crash and scraping effects
FDE and effects
- Realistic and accurate flight dynamics based on real world performance and handling data
- Custom effects for enhanced immersion, including engine, Houchin GPU and Palouste compressor exhaust haze
- Accurately simulated exterior lighting, including independent taxi/landing lights, and refuelling lights
Other features
- Comprehensive PDF manual with flight tutorial, systems guide, procedures, limitations and handling notes
- Multiple interior and exterior camera presets, including wing views
- PSD paint kit included so you can create your own paint schemes
- Full support for MSFS checklists (manual and Automatic/Co-pilot modes)
- Support for numerous control assignments for compatibility with controllers and hardware
Next is a new look at the Airbus A330 by Aerosoft showing some really neat details on the livery.
Last, but not least, iBlueYonder released a single new screenshot of Dallas Love Field (KDAL) and mentioned that the release with iniBuilds is very close.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is currently available for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, including Game Pass. If you'd like to learn more, you should stay tuned on TechRaptor as we have daily Microsoft Flight Simulator news to keep you updated on the many add-ons coming and released for the sim. We have also recently interviewed Microsoft's Jorg Neumann about the Antonov An-225 "Mriya" and reviewed Orbx's Oslo Gardermoen Airport and RHDSimulations' Boeing 767-300ER.
