ATSimulations unveils development of the Cessna BirdDog, Saab Safir, and MH-1521 Broussard for MSFS

Following their recent success with the Antonov An-2, developed in collaboration with Microsoft, ATSimulations has announced a series of new projects for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The developer has previously graced the MSFS community with the Piaggio P-149D and the MC-15 Cri-Cri, and is now gearing up to launch three new aircraft in 2024.

Andrei Tsvirenko, the talented man behind ATSimulations, has consistently showcased his knack for aircraft development. His previous creations have been met with widespread acclaim, so it’s rather exciting to see the developer back to the game in full force.

These next three new airplanes look already fairly advanced in terms of modeling and texturing, will all use custom sounds recorded from a real airplane, and are all estimated to be released next year.

1. Cessna O-1 Birddog

The Cessna O-1 Birddog, originally known as the L-19, is a two-seater observation and liaison aircraft. Developed from the commercial Cessna Model 170 in 1949, it has served the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps in various capacities. The Birddog played a pivotal role in artillery spotting, front-line communications, medical evacuation, and pilot training. Its versatility and reliability made it a favorite among military pilots.

2. Saab 91D Safir

The Saab 91 Safir (Swedish for “sapphire”) is a Swedish single-engine, low-wing trainer aircraft. Making its maiden flight on 20 November 1945, the Safir has been an integral part of several Air Forces’ training programs. Designed by Anders J. Andersson, the Safir shares design features with the Bücker Bü 181 “Bestmann”. It was primarily of metal construction, with fabric-covered control surfaces. The Safir was used by various air forces, including those of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Austria, Tunisia, and Ethiopia.

3. Max Holste MH1521 Broussard

The MH-1521 Broussard was designed to meet a requirement for a lightweight liaison and observation aircraft. This high-wing monoplane, characterized by its twin vertical tail surfaces, boasts a fixed tailwheel landing gear and is powered by the robust Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial piston engine. The Broussard was known for its robustness and adaptability, making it suitable for various missions, from cargo transport to medical evacuation.

ATSimulations doesn’t provide much additional information yet about these projects besides the note that they will all feature authentic custom sounds and, judging from the preview images above, great attention to visual detail.

As always, we’ll continue to follow all of these projects and report back on any meaningful new development. Andrei’s airplanes have been consistently good and the precedent set by the An-2 is very high, so we can’t wait to see what he will do with these three new products. Stay tuned!

A big shout-out to our reader Sean K for tipping us off on this exciting news scoop!