There's a new Ford Trimotor coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator

The Microsoft Flight Simulator community is about to get a new addition to its vintage aircraft lineup with the upcoming release of the Ford Trimotor 5AT by TukanFlightSim. This upcoming release has sparked considerable interest and excitement among simmers, promising to deliver not just an aircraft but an experience that harkens back to the golden era of aviation.

Before diving into the specifics of the MSFS version, it’s essential to appreciate the historical significance of the Ford Trimotor. Also known as the “Tin Goose,” this aircraft was instrumental in the early days of commercial air travel, setting benchmarks for reliability and utility. With its all-metal construction, the Trimotor was ahead of its time, capable of carrying passengers and cargo over distances that were challenging for other aircraft of the era.

The TukanFlightSim version of the Ford Trimotor 5AT was first shown almost a year ago. It’s a labor of love that has been meticulously crafted to pay homage to the original aircraft. From the corrugated metal skin to the period-accurate cockpit, every detail has been considered to ensure an authentic experience in a very detailed aircraft.

The Ford Trimotor is a reasonably simple airplane, so it should be simple to simulate from a systems standpoint. The nuances of the flight model will undoubtedly be a challenge for the developer, but one thing looks certain: in terms of visuals, this rendition of the Trimotor looks stunning!

While the visuals are what sets the TukanFlightSim Trimotor apart, the developer details a series of additional interesting features. Highlights include:

Highly Detailed Models and Textures: Both the exterior and interior of the aircraft have been created with an eye for detail, ensuring a faithful representation of the Trimotor’s historic design.
Authentic Cockpit and Controls: Simmers will find themselves surrounded by period instruments and controls, all fully interactive.

Dynamic Cargo and Passengers: Reflecting its role as a workhorse, the Trimotor in MSFS will come with versions configured for passengers and cargo, including unique items such as watermelons, sinks, and, notably, chickens. This variant of the Ford Trimotor was featured in ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom‘ and the developer seems keen to add some references to the film in the airplane’s cabin configuration.

Comprehensive Liveries: A selection of over 16 liveries will allow virtual pilots to fly under the colors of various operators, including American Airways, Eastern Air Transport, and even unique liveries like the “Spanish Civil War” versions.

It’s worth noting that the Ford Trimotor is already available for the sim, since it was released as a Famous Flyer developed by Aeroplane Heaven.

As you can see, this looks like a very interesting offering from TukanFlightSim! The developer just put up a website dedicated to the project, and all signs point to an imminent release. Stay tuned!

Thanks for the tip Sean!