As a part of the Century of Flight theme of the Flight Simulator 2004 review, we here at AVSIM felt it would appropriate that we also include a short list of aircraft (available from the AVSIM library) that have shown they work sufficiently well in FS2004 to be included as part of our presentation.
I've personally checked the aircraft listed here for whether they function in FS2004 or not, and have noted any issues if found.
Because the majority of those that are reading this review are very likely to be the type that are interested in Flight Simulator for more than just the out-of-box edition, the availability of freeware aircraft to fill the gaps is probably of great interest.
Listed below are the aircraft and a link to their download location in the library for your convenience.
1909 Bleriot XI In 1909, Louis Bleriot flew his Bleriot XI across the English Channel (France to England) and he was the first to do so. Bill Lyons has designed an excellent example of Louis' 1909 Bleriot with authentic sounds and aircraft animation (once installed into FS2004, the propeller is not visible from the spot view mode, but that shouldn't effect the enjoyment of this great period aircraft). Bill has also included a small adventure file where you can start your channel flight for the French coast.
1909 Curtiss Reims Racer The Curtiss Reims Racer (1909) designed by Dennis Simanaitis and I found no issues with this aircraft in FS2004. A lot of fun to fly and very accurate to the real Curtiss Racer that Glenn Curtiss flew to win the first ever international air race near Reims (Rheims), France.
1911 Curtiss Kruse Ted Eads designed this very interesting aircraft following the real world aircraft built and owned by his Great-Grand Uncle in 1910 or 1911. Obviously based on Curtiss aircraft plans published in Popular Mechanics of that time period. In the file available at AVSIM, I have added a sound cfg file that alias' to the default Wright Flyer in FS2004. Recommend this aircraft for the FS2K4 adventure duplicating Cal Rodgers crossing of America in 1911 (first ever done) where he used a Wright Flyer EX. This aircraft is very similar in appearance and performance and is a better choice over the default Cub.
1931 Davis D-1-W A classic 1931 Davis D-1-W designed by Steven D. Myers for FS2002 and this aircraft is a real beauty. Works perfectly in FS2004 with no apparent issue and includes a dynamic virtual cockpit. Sound cfg file alias'd to Sopwith Camel, which is no longer in Flight Simulator, so I suggest you change the file to alias to either the Vega or even the Jenny.
1930 Fleet Model 2 Steven D. Myers also designed this very beautiful Fleet 2 biplane and it works great in FS2004.
Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-1 Canary Steven Grant put together this Boeing N3N floatplane and except for a couple of minor issues, works fine in FS2004.
Plane/Flight Tour - Breguet XIX Designed by Jorge Salas and Jean-Marie Mermaz, this replicia of the Breguet XIX that flew from Madrid to Manila (Phillipines) in 1926. Download includes documentation of this historic flight, flight plans, and adventure files. AC works without issue in FS2004 as does adventure files.
Beechcraft Super G18 Another Greg Pepper design, this time its his beautiful Beechcraft B-18 G model. 2D and 3D panel (dynamic) and I found no issues with this aircraft in FS2004.
Ercoupe- All Metal John L. Woodward's really cool little Ercoupe, works great, has a simple dynamic 3D virtual panel, and Leon Louis has a whole pile of repaints this 1950s GA aircraft is unique in that it has no rudder peddles (auto linked to ailerons).
Leon Louis also adds these repaints for John's little Ercoupe:
deHavilland Dh.89 Dragon Rapide A very nice deHavilland DH89 Dragon Rapide by David Garwood. Supplied with a simple panel and default Cessna sounds, recommend re-alais' the sound.cfg file to the FS2004 DH88 Comet (they used the same basic engine in real life).
The Tiger Moth Collection John Woodside-Mike Hambly uploaded this really terrific set of deHavilland Tiger Moths (DH82) and right along with the Jenny (only better) you have some really great biplanes (includes a float version too) to fly.
Felixstowe F2A Seaboat Stuart Green designed this Felixstowe G2A flying boat and it has a great (dynamic) virtual cockpit and you may need to alias the sounds (default is for the F4U Corsair, which may need to be brought over from FS20020).
Savoia Marchetti SM55 X Flying Boat The Savoia Marchetti SM55X designed by Massimo Taccoli has no issues in FS2004 and they are truly historic aircraft and important to the early 1930's Italian aviation programs.
Grumman G21 Goose (v2) Mike Stone's Goose is a matter of record and one of the most popular ever FS aircraft. Also J.L. Stubbs panel (reworked by Dorian Davis for FS2002) looks good (for a panel originally intended for FS98). I had to add the GPS line in the panel.cfg, but that was no real problem (copied and pasted from the default FS2K4 Cessna 182S). Have also alias the sounds to the DC-3.
'P-38 Triple Play' Lockheed P-38F, G & H David C. Copley's "Glacier Girl" P-38 is one of the best warbirds available with actual sounds from the real Glacier Girl, 2D and 3D virtual panel (dynamic) this is one of the best warbirds available as freeware.
Cessna T-50 Bobcat Series Bill Lyons' Cessna Bobcat50s are legendary and they work fine in FS2004, save for one minor issue (the props aren't visible), but the one file includes the original scenery for Skyking's ranch out in Arizona and the Caddy convertible (1959).
Transocean Airlines DC-6B Dave McQueen-Tom Gibson-Gregg Pepper put together this really beautiful Douglas DC-6 that has custom sounds, an accurate 2D panel, and a dynamic virtual panel (bit rough around the edges, but workable. No issues in FS2004.
Convair CV-440 (Delta Air Lines) Gregg Pepper-Tom Gibson also put together this really terrific set of Convair early airliners, including their Turboprops. Every one of these aircraft work in FS2004 without issues that I've found.
B377 Stratocruiser With Radar Chin (Northwest Airlines) (GMAX) Dave McQueen-Tom Gibson-Gregg Pepper-FSAviator-Rui Christina. It seems that with each release of Gregg, Tom, and now Dave, FSA', and Rui gets better and better. These are the perfect propliner for Century of Flight to fill the gap left by Microsoft between 1950 and 1970.
Lockheed Electra 10A If you want to fly an Electra 10A similar to what Amelia Earhart flew, then try out David Eckert-Fred Choate's FS model. Not bad with limited issues, so I highly recommend it and hopefully someone will pick up and repaint this aircraft in the colors of Amelia's.
'60s Era U.S. Air Force Search And Rescue Grumman HU-16 Albatross Had to throw in another float plane and what better aircraft than Gregg Pepper's Grumman Albatross—with custom 2D panel, dynamic 3D virtual panel (just need to alias the sounds to either the Ford or the DC-3), and custom exterior paint in the colors of the US Air Force, this amphibian is really great to fly.
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