Final thoughts on DCS: F-100D by Grinnelli Designs ahead of its launch
Quick summary· AI-generated
The author wraps up a multi-part preview series on Grinnelli Designs' first commercial DCS module, the F-100D. The module reaches parity with recent Eagle Dynamics and Heatblur releases in visual detail, featuring laser-scanned cockpit geometry and a well-worn but readable aircraft exterior. Flight dynamics reflect the real F-100D's unforgiving reputation—difficult in some flight regimes but offering character that appeals to Cold War sim enthusiasts. The author reserves full judgment until official release but offers qualified praise for the team's evident experience and attention to detail.
Excerpt from Stormbirds
We should be learning about the launch plans for the DCS: F-100D by Grinnelli Designs any day now and that means that its time to wrap-up my preview series. If you’re curious about what I’ve written so far, check out part one which focuses on flying the airplane. Part two is about using it make things go boom. This article is going to be more of an overview of the module itself and how I think it will be received. I’ll be reserving full judgment on the module until its out and fully released but I will be talking about what I like and don’t like here too.
Overall impressions
Oh it’s a good one! But I will qualify that slightly by the end.
This is the first commercial module release for Grinnelli Designs, however, its clear that the team behind the DCS: F-100D clearly have experience from past development (and at least one of them comes from another well known developer). These folks know what they are doing and that was evident on getting into the module and starting the jet for the very first time.
The visual impression is of an aircraft that is reaching for the same kind of quality level that we’ve seen from Eagle Dynamics and Heatblur most recently. I don’t think the F-100D breaks any new ground but its certainly a highly detailed aircraft that has benefited from photos and laser scanning as well as a careful attention to detail. The cockpit is especially beautiful though I feel like it is sometimes too dark in certain lighting situations and some of the beauty is lost unless you look very closely. When you do, its stunning!
The aircraft certainly has a well-worn look but I don’t think they took it too far either as everything seems readable. The instrumentation is crisp and clear which I appreciate a whole lot!
How does it fly?
The F-100D, as many of you will know, is the improved version of earlier F-100 models which had a reputation as a particularly difficult airplane to fly. Real world accident rates on the F-100 are, in general, quite sobering. This improved model as presented in DCS World remains unforgiving.
While the real world aircraft designers may have made the F-100D more approachable than earlier editions, this is still a bit of a beast and quite a handful in some regimes of flight. I think that’s really going to appeal to 2026’s Cold War era DCS World flight sim fan who isn’t necessarily chasing the best airplane but rather enjoys something that has character and the F-100D from Grinnelli has quite a bit of character!
The Pratt…
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