MicroProse showcases B-17 Flying Fortress in new MSFS preview video

[SpaceHippy1975]

Incoming, Microprose B-17 Flying Fortress for both MSFS 2020 & 2024.

I was aware that something was incoming updating the classic game, but not that there was also an addon for MSFS!

Microprose B-17 Flying Fortress.​

Keith.

 

[Tom Clayton]

with optional modern avionics available for those who prefer additional navigation aids

YEEESSS!!!
I know some of y'all will poo-poo this, but I love the idea of flying vintage types in a modern airspace just like what would happen out in the real world.

 

[Paul K]

Very nice, but as with the old A2A Fortress, the shape of the raised section near the radio operator's hatch seems a bit suspect to me. Over the years, I've examined Duxford's " Mary Alice" and it's a very subtle thing, but I'm sure I'm right.

 

[Snuffy]

Very nice, but as with the old A2A Fortress, the shape of the raised section near the radio operator's hatch seems a bit suspect to me. Over the years, I've examined Duxford's " Mary Alice" and it's a very subtle thing, but I'm sure I'm right.

The fortress was manufactured by three different manufacturers. Each had subtle differences. Not all were identical.

Research sez the original Mary Alice was manufactured by Boeing, and scraped at the end of the war, the aircraft on display in England is a replica. Manufacturers unknown.
---

As for the B-17 TME Game goes, Microprose's efforts at Redux has seriously F.U., the game playability.

 

[Paul K]

Duxford's static B-17 is 44-83735, built by Douglas in 1945, was in the colours of Mary Alice, but has since been stripped down and restored in a new paint scheme. Because she is now bereft of nose art, she tends to still get called Mary Alice.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/70000084

The other B-17 in the UK, the airworthy 44-85784 'Sally B', displays the same fuselage profile - she was built by Lockheed-Vega in Burbank, California.

 

[DennyA]

know some of y'all will poo-poo this, but I love the idea of flying vintage types in a modern airspace

Did you mean to post this on the official MSFS forum? This is probably the least likely forum on the Internet to crap on someone for wanting to fly warbirds in MSFS.

Looking forward to this. All of the buzz I’ve heard about the design process on this is really promising. Which is good, because Flying Iron put theirs on the back burner for now.

 

[Snuffy]

The rumor from MP is once this plane is working in MSFS, they're taking that model and it's workings and planting it in the other B-17 sims, The Bloody 100th, Redux and VR.

 

[Tom Clayton]

There are a few here that prefer all steam without modern avionics. In other words, they'd rather fly vintage aircraft with in their original configuration. My view is that this is a modern aviation sim, and most vintage airframes that have been restored to flying condition in the real world have some form of modern avionics, which are pretty much a requirement if you want to do any regular flights in and out of larger airports.

 

[Killbilly]

There are a few here that prefer all steam without modern avionics. In other words, they'd rather fly vintage aircraft with in their original configuration. My view is that this is a modern aviation sim, and most vintage airframes that have been restored to flying condition in the real world have some form of modern avionics, which are pretty much a requirement if you want to do any regular flights in and out of larger airports.

Indeed. I also believe that choice is never a bad thing. An addon where users can choose steam, digital, or steam + digital is always appreciated. Let folks fly 'em how they like 'em.

 

[heywooood]

modern airspace demands modern avionics to reduce pilot overload - Not too many serious pilots today would fly in active airspace with steam gauges only. Fine for rural airparks and crop dusting maybe, but even those guys use GPS for max efficiency in product delivery, same as the guys flying fire suppression now.
I like the steam panels and period cockpits for nostalgia, warbirds, and reduced night lighting (my eyes can't take the brightness of the big glass displays - I even have to use 'Dark' mode on the forums and websites now too) but if I'm being honest and flying in sim as I would if I were still flying today, I'm using the glass.
I appreciate Big Radials, Inibuilds, and the other developers who offer both options even in their period aircraft by hiding the upgrades in the cockpit behind a click spot or visor etc.. I get why some fellers are sticklers for 'fidelity' and don't like those options but that's the beauty of them being 'optional'

 

[Tom Clayton]

I went to a fly-in today at KHBI, and saw an eclectic mix (pics later). One of the ones I saw was a Storch with what looked like a G3X!

 

[Bomber_12th]

I went to a fly-in today at KHBI, and saw an eclectic mix (pics later). One of the ones I saw was a Storch with what looked like a G3X!

The aircraft you saw would have been N903ZA, which is a fully modern home-built light sport aircraft produced by the company Slepcev, powered by a Rotax engine. It's 3/4 the size of a true Fieseler-built Storch.

 

[Tom Clayton]

You're probably right. I haven't had a chance to go through my memory card yet. The name Slepcev does sound familiar.

I wish I could have stayed longer, but the battery on my camera doesn't last very long with video, and I was experimenting with that. So when my battery died, my knees were killing me, so I decided to pack it in. Shame too, since the Golden Knights F27 was just taking off.

 

[collensr]

There are a few here that prefer all steam without modern avionics. In other words, they'd rather fly vintage aircraft with in their original configuration. My view is that this is a modern aviation sim, and most vintage airframes that have been restored to flying condition in the real world have some form of modern avionics, which are pretty much a requirement if you want to do any regular flights in and out of larger airports.

100% agree Tom. I have repeatedly canvassed a number of Devs who will not provide modern pilot figure options with their warbirds.

 

[DennyA]

It would be nice if MSFS had WW1, WW2, and modern military pilot options for their 2024 avatars. For you folks still back in 2020, Got Friends covers things well with their pilots.

 

[heywooood]

I cant see any reason for the lack of a selection of aviators from every era - antique, WWI, Golden Age, WWII, Korea, to present day - military and civilian - whether in a default library or as a third party pack.
Period correct aviators for everyone who flies flight sim - It's as critical to a good experience for a true aviation enthusiast as a proper default, one touch flyby view - oh right...