Aeroplane Heaven Previews B-17F for MSFS 2020/2024
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Aeroplane Heaven has released new development screenshots of the B-17F bomber, including multiple liveries and the previously-teased Memphis Belle. The developer explained their decision to develop for MSFS 2020 with 2024 compatibility rather than native 2024-only builds, citing commercial viability of their existing aircraft lineup and the market incompatibility between versions. Flight model work is ongoing with sound development beginning soon, though no release date or pricing has been announced yet.
Excerpt from Threshold
Aeroplane Heaven has shared new development screenshots of the upcoming Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress for Microsoft Flight Simulator, showcasing several planned liveries, in addition to the famous Memphis Belle, which they have previously teased.
The B-17F is an earlier variant of Boeing’s four-engine heavy bomber, operated by the US Army Air Forces during the Second World War.
In a Facebook update, they confirmed that work on the aircraft’s flight model is progressing, and that sound development will start soon.
In addition to previews, Aeroplane Heaven has explained the thinking behind their current business strategy, and decision to develop aircraft for MSFS 2020, with 2024 conversions, instead of native 2024 models.
They say the reason is mostly commercial, where its existing aircraft, including the Mosquito, B-25J Mitchell, and Lancaster, continue to sell well, making it difficult to justify abandoning the MSFS 2020 market. Although these products can be used in 2024, they are not considered native MSFS 2024 models, so it’s hard to take advantage of newer development technologies and features.
The developer explained that its current approach allows them to serve customers in both markets, where a 2020 aircraft will mostly work in 2024, but a 2024 native aircraft will not work in 2020 without considerable modifications.
Producing separate native versions for both simulators would require considerably more development time, potentially delaying new aircraft by a year or longer, and specifically for the B-17F, Aeroplane Heaven also points out that a B-17G is already available for MSFS 2024, whereas no B-17 at all is in 2020.
The company acknowledged that this approach could change in the future, such as if Microsoft ends support for MSFS 2020. For now, however, Aeroplane Heaven says it will develop mostly for MSFS 2020, while ensuring basic compatibility with MSFS 2024.
Development Continues
The B-17F is still in development, and the developer has not given us a release date or pricing info.
Full info can be found on Aeroplane Heaven’s Facebook page.
We will keep you updated on its eventual release!
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