Is the Flying Iron B-17G still being developed ?

[Paul K]

F.I. recently posted pictures of their Spitfire WIP rebuild for MSFS2024 on Facebook, and some of the comments asked about the B-17's progress. F.I. didn't respond at all, which is concerning. Maybe they were just trying to keep the thread on-topic ( i.e. the Spitfire ). Personally, I welcome everything they produce, but the B-17 is eagerly anticipated.

Does anyone have any information on the project ? I'm not looking for anything precise - just a reassurance that development continues.

 

[Bomber_12th]

I've noticed that has been the case on their Discord page too - lots of inquiries, but no answers other than to say that their MSFS 2024 Spitfire is the number one (and possibly only) focus at this time.


Counterpoint: the MicroProse B-17G...

It has been just over two months since the last progress report was posted for the MicroProse B-17G (MSFS 2020 and 2024). It's looking really great, both inside and out: https://www.microprose.com/news/victory-in-europe-remembering-the-mighty-eighth-and-the-iconic-b-17/

Also, this update from April mentions that they want to release it as soon as possible as an "Early Access" (first for 2024, and then for 2020): https://msfsaddons.com/2025/04/16/an-update-on-the-microprose-b-17g-for-microsoft-flight-simulator/

If you page back through this thread, there are some great screenshots showing the level of detail being placed into the entire interior of the aircraft, including the bomb bay and turrets: https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/microprose-b-17/646584/156

With the MicroProse development, I'm really impressed by the accurate detail of the interior. For instance, most people would probably just depict the whole of the interior fuselage painted interior green (as many restorations and models have been done over the years), where as in reality, other than the cockpit section, the vast majority of a B-17's interior was actually left bare metal. It's so great to see the MicroProse B-17G interior accurately reproduced in that manner, along with all of the other intricate and accurate details throughout. They've also shown that they've recorded sounds from the B-17G 'Sentimental Journey' (the same aircraft that the miniseries "Masters of the Air" also used for their sound recordings). We can only hope that the flight model and systems modeling will be the icing on the cake.

 

[Killbilly]

Oh, man! Thanks for sharing those links, Bomber_12th, that Microprose Fortress looks absolutely stunning. I will jump on that as soon as it releases.

 

[vipgroup]

I was fortunate to take a press flight in "Sentimental Journey" about 12 years ago when I owned a small independent Canadian news business. They gave me the bomb aimer seat right up front.. What a thrill. It was reminiscent of the VIP era when that business opened many cockpit doors too. Argh.. Getting older makes for reminiscence. Looking forward to a really good B-17 in the sim!

 

[Fnerg]

My son and I had an up close and personal experience with "Sentimental Journey" as well, a bunch of years ago. That was an afternoon to remember! I documented the occasion...

 

[Paul K]

I've noticed that has been the case on their Discord page too - lots of inquiries, but no answers other than to say that their MSFS 2024 Spitfire is the number one (and possibly only) focus at this time.


Counterpoint: the MicroProse B-17G...

It has been just over two months since the last progress report was posted for the MicroProse B-17G (MSFS 2020 and 2024). It's looking really great, both inside and out: https://www.microprose.com/news/victory-in-europe-remembering-the-mighty-eighth-and-the-iconic-b-17/

Also, this update from April mentions that they want to release it as soon as possible as an "Early Access" (first for 2024, and then for 2020): https://msfsaddons.com/2025/04/16/an-update-on-the-microprose-b-17g-for-microsoft-flight-simulator/

If you page back through this thread, there are some great screenshots showing the level of detail being placed into the entire interior of the aircraft, including the bomb bay and turrets: https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/microprose-b-17/646584/156

With the MicroProse development, I'm really impressed by the accurate detail of the interior. For instance, most people would probably just depict the whole of the interior fuselage painted interior green (as many restorations and models have been done over the years), where as in reality, other than the cockpit section, the vast majority of a B-17's interior was actually left bare metal. It's so great to see the MicroProse B-17G interior accurately reproduced in that manner, along with all of the other intricate and accurate details throughout. They've also shown that they've recorded sounds from the B-17G 'Sentimental Journey' (the same aircraft that the miniseries "Masters of the Air" also used for their sound recordings). We can only hope that the flight model and systems modeling will be the icing on the cake.

Thanks very much for the info and links, John. Interesting, certainly, but I'll probably hold out for the Flying Iron B-17. The Microprose group are unknown to me, whereas Flying Iron's reputation is peerless. I'm open to persuasion, of course. Thanks again.

 

[Spook48]

Microprose unknown ?

You never heard of : European air war or pacific air war to name just 2. ?

 

[Snuffy]

Microprose unknown ?

You never heard of : European air war or pacific air war to name just 2. ?

Or B-17 The Mighty Eighth?

 

[DennyA]

I mean, Microprose has only done military flight sims since 1982.

That said, the new Microprose is a spiritual successor, not the same folks. Though at this point in time I'd trust the team doing the B-17 I've seen more than I would Sid Meier as far as aircraft modeling goes!

 

[Paul K]

Microprose unknown ?

You never heard of : European air war or pacific air war to name just 2. ?

Or B-17 The Mighty Eighth?

I mean, Microprose has only done military flight sims since 1982.

That said, the new Microprose is a spiritual successor, not the same folks. Though at this point in time I'd trust the team doing the B-17 I've seen more than I would Sid Meier as far as aircraft modeling goes!

Yes, I know of Microprose flight sims in the past. I owned EAW, PAW, B-17: The Mighty Eighth and Falcon 4, along with such titles as M1 Tank Platoon.

However, the Microprose of that era was wound up in 2003, and eventually the brand name was bought by David Lagettie, an Australian simulation software entrepreneur. That's where it stands today - same name, different company and people.

 

[heywooood]

he's right - only the Microprose name is familiar - not the current iteration. That said, their screenshots and PR to date is making a good impression...for what it's worth.
This does remind me of that time 'Rise of Flight' produced / converted their very nice Fokker DR1 to FSX and made it a freeware offering as a promotion for their sim.
I don't think current Microprose is giving away their B-17 when it's finished - but I do think this is the same idea. To recruit customers for their sim from MSFS users.
They'll want it to be as good as they can make it.

 

[Javis]

Thanks very much for the info and links, John. Interesting, certainly, but I'll probably hold out for the Flying Iron B-17. The Microprose group are unknown to me, whereas Flying Iron's reputation is peerless. I'm open to persuasion, of course. Thanks again.

What about Flying Iron being as quiet as a mouse about their B-17 project (i can recall only *two* mysterious piccies in total...) while we know by now what Microprose is up to regarding their B-17G project according to a truckload of amazing screenies and reports. (thanks John!) It has been and very much still is always a dilemma for a payware aircraft model developer to take the chance and decide to go full throttle on a model while the chance of another dev doing the same model is always lurking behind the corner. And because of the possible much higher workload developing for MSFS2020/24 it might be an even much higher risk compared to the 'bygone' FS era before the MSAsobo period.

No doubt F.I. is up to date with what's going on at Microprose like we are i.e. If i was F.I. i would close the B-17 WIP hangar doors and sneak out the backdoor ever so quietly...

I mean :


What's not to like about this WIP shot of the Microprose B-17G cockpit ?...

The A2A B-17 has always been on top of my fav FSX aircraft models but still i can't remember it that vividly anymore. It just might be that what we see here above surpasses the once amazing beautiful VC of the A2A B-17. What do you think, Paul ?... ;-)

The beauty of this all is that we don't know, it's only guessing what the B-17 (Memphis) Bell(e) tolls and personally i always love that kind of thing. Who knows maybe me thinking that I.F. has thrown the towel into the ring re their B-17 project is total baloney and eventually they *will* deliver an even better looking and performing B-17 model for FS2020/24 compared to the Microprose offering. ( personally i *do* like the fact that Microprose puts the release of the FS2024 version in front of the FS2020 version so as to make use of the much more advanced potential that 2024 has to offer (sorry guys, i'm from the dark side..)Also 'Early Access' sounds pretty good to me ;-)

I *do* think that the utter quietness of Flying Iron regarding its B-17 project is atleast very suspicious...