Virtavia releases the F7F-3 Tigercat for Microsoft Flight Simulator

Virtavia is back with a new aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Following the Short Sterling and the A-4 Skyhawk, the developer has now unveiled the first twin-engined fighter of the US Navy: the F7F-3 Tigercat.

The F7F Tigercat’s roots can be traced back to Grumman’s first twin-engine fighter, the XF5F-1 Skyrocket. Born from a Navy request in June 1941, the Tigercat was developed as a larger, twin-engine fighter for use on the planned large aircraft carriers, specifically the Midway-class. As the first twin-engine fighter ordered in large quantities and the first carrier aircraft to incorporate tricycle landing gear, the Tigercat marked a significant evolution in naval aviation.

Built in both single and two-seat variants, the Tigercat served various roles, including ground support, night fighting, and photo reconnaissance. Its service extended beyond World War II, playing a part in the Korean War as well.

Virtavia f7f TIgercat MSFS 5

Virtavia f7f TIgercat MSFS 1

Virtavia f7f TIgercat MSFS 4

The Virtavia F7F-3 Tigercat for MSFS comes in three distinct variants:

  • Clean Variant: A sleek design with no external stores, including three fictional ‘racers’, devoid of guns or cannons.
  • Fighter Variant: Equipped with a belly drop tank, representing the typical day fighter loadout.
  • Rockets Variant: Armed with two underwing drop tanks and eight unguided rockets, symbolizing the typical ground attack loadout.
Virtavia f7f TIgercat MSFS 3

Virtavia f7f TIgercat MSFS 2

The features of this aircraft are promising:

  • Folding wings and PBR materials/textures used throughout.
  • Wwise sounds package, including multi-stage engines, pilot’s slide canopy muting, switch clicks, and other unique cockpit sounds.
  • A highly detailed cockpit with numerous animations and mousable controls.
  • Retractable crew steps, togglable pilot figure, canopy glass rain effects, animated cowl flaps, tail hook, and oil cooler exit doors on wings.
  • An authentic flight model, checklists, three unique flight models, and a 23-page illustrated User Operating Manual.
  • Source texture files available for livery artists, allowing for customization.

Early reviews seem to point to a decent rendition of the Tigercat, with an accurate model and appreciable flight dynamics.

The Virtavia F7F Tigercat is out now via simMarket, priced at around $20 USD.