On July 30th, 2024, Aircraft Development Studio, BlackBird Simulations went over a host of updates on their development efforts in their State of the Sim Live Stream.
Colin, BlackBird Simulations’ Creative Director, kicked off the broadcast by addressing issues with the release of their T-6A Texan. A number of hotfixes have already been released to address major issues with the turbine military trainer, and several more are forthcoming in the near term. A larger update centered around power-curve revisions in the engine model is due at the end of August, which will coincide with the planned Microsoft marketplace release.
Aircraft Updates
SR:71 Blackbird
Blackbird is starting a new series of “Dev Diaries” where lead developer Dutch Owens will provide insights into the ongoing development process of the supersonic spyplane. According to Colin, the SR-71 is intended to be a “premium product” that the developer “throws everything at” with features like in-flight refueling. Release is targeted around Christmas of 2025 for MSFS2024 only. MSFS2020 support for the SR-71 is not planned– unless easy backwards compatibility between the two sims exists.
C-130 “Dirty Thirty”
Colin highlighted that the aircraft has proven to be “complicated” to transfer over from Prepar3D. 4 different cockpit variations for the C-130 are planned. The AC-130J will not be modeled because of existing agreements with the SOCOM franchise. The Dirty 30 is planned to be an MSFS2024 release. Colin expressed optimism that recent innovations in their development process surrounding external code injection might make a Microsoft Marketplace release possible, although that is TBD.
UH-1H
Blackbird is continuing ahead with development of the UH-1H Helicopter despite competitors releasing their renditions of the Huey already. Colin noted that Blackbird has a more modern variant of the Huey- the TH-1H, currently in use for armed forces flight training. While no release timeline was provided beyond it being an MSFS2024 product, Blackbird mentioned the Huey will be a detailed simulation equipped with “Lots of Weapons” and a “Fortunate Son Button” as a tribute to the famous Creedence Clearwater Revival song.
Skyraider
While BlackBird have sold off the model to another development firm, Colin mentioned the customer is actively working on bringing the airplane into MSFS.
Otter and Turbine Otter
The DeHavilland Otter variants were covered briefly in the update. No timelines were provided, but the models were brought up to parity with new techniques found in their T-6 Texan Platform.
Boeing 737-200
Blackbird have settled on a modern Nolinor-style cockpit layout featuring a Universal 1E FMS and digital flight displays. No timeline has been provided for release, but the visual model is being updated to come to parity with the techniques found in the Texan.
Mitsubishi A6-M Zero
Coding has just started for the Zero project, with two variants planned- “clean” and “dirty” based on the condition of the airplane at the start and end of combat in the Pacific Theatre. Due to the development infancy, no timelines were provided.
F4-U Corsair
Blackbird is planning on releasing a new rendition of the F-4U Corsair in tandem with the A6M Zero aircraft. It will be a rebuild from the ground-up as opposed to an overhaul, which means previous F4-U customers will not receive a rebate or discount.
The team mentioned they are working with other developers to explore the potential of bringing air combat functionality into MSFS for the two piston fighters, though the discussions are still in their early stages.
While specific timelines for the release of both the Corsair and Zero were not provided, Colin did indicate they would be for MSFS2024.
F-16 Falcon
Progress continues on the F-16 Falcon. One of the developers from the Falcon BMS milsim series was brought on to the team to ensure systems fidelity and detail in their rendition of the 4th generation fighter. No timelines were provided beyond it being an MSFS2024 release.
