My flight today departs from Moscow Sheremetjewo and brings us to St. Petersburg. The plane is the venerable Tupolev Tu 160 Blackjack, published by AlphaSim for FS2004.

This is what Wikipedia has to say about The Tu 160:

The Tupolev Tu-160 (NATO reporting name: Blackjack) is a supersonic, variable-sweep wing heavy strategic bomber designed by the Tupolev Design Bureau in the Soviet Union in the 1970s. It is the largest and heaviest Mach 2+ supersonic military aircraft ever built and is next to the experimental XB-70 Valkyrie in overall length. As of 2021, it is the largest and heaviest combat aircraft, the fastest bomber in use, and the largest and heaviest variable-sweep wing airplane ever flown.

Entering service in 1987, the Tu-160 was the last strategic bomber designed for the Soviet Union. As of 2016, the Russian Air Force's Long-Range Aviation branch has at least 16 aircraft in service. The Tu-160 active fleet has been undergoing upgrades to electronics systems since the early 2000s. The Tu-160M modernization program has begun with the first updated aircraft delivered in December 2014.

While similar in appearance to the Rockwell B-1 Lancer, the Tu-160 is a different class of combat aircraft; its primary role being a standoff missile platform (strategic missile carrier). The Tu-160 is also larger and faster than the B-1B and has a slightly greater combat range, though the B-1B has a larger combined payload. Another difference is that the color scheme on the B-1B Lancer is usually subdued dark gray to reduce visibility; the Tu-160 is painted with anti-flash white, giving it the nickname among Russian airmen "White Swan".

 

I haven’t flown this bird for ages, but when I saw her by accident in my old FS9 hangar, I remembered not only her graceful lines and impressive speed but most of all her amazing sound. First, I had to port her to FSX standard, and then it took me almost two days to make her flyable in MSFS.

And here she is now in all her beauty:

 

 

 

 

 

These slats on the wings that stick out like towers, will integrate into the wings when they spread out at slower speeds

 

 

I still have to figure out, which cockpit to adapt for this kind of plane, because the old FS9 panel isn’t worth showing and 2D isn't supported by MSFS

 

 

 

 

Maybe it’s just me, but I think that these old FS9/FSX planes look better in MSFS than they ever did in the simulator they were designed for

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

My next project will be Tu 114. Only thirty were ever produced. It’s military brother, the Tu 95 Bear is still in use today. Just like the good old, jet-powered, B 52.

 

Thanks for viewing.

 

Edited January 13, 20215 yr by bernd1151

Looking rather fine, Bernd

Very impressive conversion Bernd.

I do wish the Historic Jetliners Group would follow your lead & bring some of their superb aircraft & liveries into MSFS.

Cheers

T45

3 hours ago, bernd1151 said:

 

Maybe it’s just me, but I think that these old FS9/FSX planes look better in MSFS than they ever did in the simulator they were designed for.

 

Judging by your amazing set I'd say there is no doubt about that. 😁

Looks fast standing still

2 hours ago, edetroit said:

Judging by your amazing set I'd say there is no doubt about that. 😁

 

That does look rather good... there'd be some Ilyushin requiring a state-of-the-art panel transplant, certainly!

 

 

Great shots and also the plane..

A little bit like a Concorde ☺️

cheers 😉

Many thanks my friends for your kind comments! The Tu 114 is almost ready, pics will follow soon 😉

This one is looking extremely sharp, Bernd....!!

(Can't wait for the Tu-114, another sleek and powerful plane...)....!

On 1/14/2021 at 3:18 PM, bernd1151 said:

The Tu 114 is almost ready

Looking forward!

im struggling to get the textures converted over, do you have any tips on how to do it?

 

wonderful shots of an aircraft that we don't see very often