Without further ado... these are ones I have running in 5.2.

Just Flight DC-8 10-40 and 50-70. Graphically, they're nice--with those big flaps at 48 degrees they are very impressive on final. And the different engine sounds are great, including the starting howl from the early ones. There are big differences among the various models. With the first pack, you get the original ones. The next pack you also get some more advanced avionics, from FMC only to FMC plus glass instruments. These are not what you'd get in a more complete package (for example the VNAV gives you a + to keep centered on the way down, being advisory only) but they work just fine. In the non-FMC models, the INS is NOT represented, unfortunately, but it will track a GPS flight plan just fine.They plug a hole in the classic long-haul lineup in P3D and are a lot of fun. They look realistic enough to me, but Just Flight is known for more casual products. You can fly by the numbers, but that's relatively speaking. Meaning learning what the numbers do what in which airplane, not according to official tables. Takeoff and landing speeds are by guess and by by golly, but no surprises. They are listed for v4, but I just changed the path to 5 in the installer and haven't had any trouble. They do have some traditional Just Flight problems, such as that green glow on the starboard side. Fuel management is touted as realistic, but Just Flight admits it doesn't work very well and when I inquired they just offered me a refund rather than deal with it. I declined. (In fact, they said there are lots of problems with the airplane and due to other commitments well into 2022, they don't expect to address them. And it's true. You can find a lot of problems. I just noticed in a night flight that a couple of the fuel gauges were cockeyed. So, I'm not saying this or any of these planes are flawless. I think they're worth owning and fun to fly--if you're interested in the era and are not expecting state-of-the-art. These airplanes are not only classic jets, they're survivors from FSX and show their age to one degree or another, and some show some sloppiness.) You CAN manage fuel, but the manual isn't very helpful. I'm not saying you need a dowsing rod and a Ouija Board, but... it is something of a dark art. Fuel tends to burn from right to left across the engineer's panel, so some of your fuel management is just countering that. Early. The fill valves are slow and unreliable, so I end up moving the fuel levers to ALT a lot. The main thing is don't let a tank get too low thinking you can fix it later. (FWIW, JF recommends just using the crossfeed levers from the start, but I can't say that's my style, and aren't sure that's even good advice.) But if you're willing to put in the time to experiment, and accept that it is de facto non-supported by JF, then you can have a lot of fun with them. Once you learn the fuel burn per hour for each model (different weights and engines) planning is consistent. I think they're good value for the money, given the entire history of the DC-8 is available, right up to the 80s and 90s. They even have the Hawaiian DC-8 (stop me if you've heard this one, like it would do any good) that I flew from Sigonella to Bahrain during Desert Storm. Complete with attendants in Hawaiian shirts. Well, those aren't modeled in the sim, but, that's one flight I'll never forget. Except the end is sort of hazy. I seem to remember a mostly empty bottle of Jack Daniels being confiscated on arrival. My confidence in the ancient airplane was understandably not 100 percent. Anyway, there's a plus for nostalgia.There are livery packs for both sets on the cheap. I put the freeware RolansRadar into all of mine. Easy, works great if you have Active Sky. (Just Flight includes a dummy weather gauge that makes it easy.) Oh, night lighting is decent. Documentation is pretty good, but vague (with good reason!) when it comes to fuel management. Oh, Navigraph covers the JF FMC. Hey, in the DC-8 heyday, sex was safe and flying was dangerous. Here's a grim statistic: the DC-8 generated 2,255 fatalities.

Aerosoft DC-8-50. This is the only one I had to hack my registry to get installed. (If I can do it, anyone can do it--look for the YouTube video showing you how to fool v4 installers into using v5.) It's quite different from the Just Flight products. For one thing, you get just the one model. And (while this is very subjective) it doesn't quite have the character they have. It may be more nicely rendered, though. It is without question the more polished product. It includes a detailed INS and, while fuel management is simplified compared to the Just Flight birds, the Aerosoft model at least works as advertised. There are quite a few non-functioning items (like crossfeed levers, for instance), but I think it is more solid. So, why have I not flown it except briefly? Maybe it's because I got the Just Flight ones first. Maybe I haven't felt like studying up on the INS. Although it does have the option to read a route from a nine-waypoint flight plan. It also has a fuel-and-payload app, and includes performance charts to fly the thing. So, should you get it or the Just Flight package(s)? If you like DC-8s, the answer is easy: both! You still won't break the bank. I can't say I've flown this one enough to give it a proper review. If you are satisfied with the -50 alone, or want to play with an INS, then this is the better choice. If you want variety and (practically) the smell of kerosene, and are willing to overlook some issues, then the Just Flight package(s) might be a good choice. I have seen some opinions here that there's just no question: the Aerosoft is the one to get. By most measures, I wouldn't argue. But, personally, I don't think it's that clear-cut. If I had to get rid of one, I'd get rid of the Aerosoft, but that's just me, not a judgment of relative quality.

Just Flight L-1011-500. Another nice one. Not quite as good-looking or faithful as the Captain Sim L1011-100, but plenty good enough in my opinion. (I wish I had the know-how to increase the resolution on the engineer's panel, though.) That extra 1000 miles of range opens up a lot of new routes for TriStar fans. Transatlantic flights with the -100 are a bit creative. Again, nothing special with installation. One big difference between this one and the CS offering is you get Royal Air Force models that include a tanker. I have not tried that out yet, but I think for the price you get quite a bit. It has options for the INS or the same simplified but functional FMC  There are two livery packs, but only one is available at SimMarket; not sure about the status of the other one. I haven't flown this one enough to give a proper review, either, but I've been favorably impressed with just a few hours that included flying by hand from KSAN to KBUR with a low-level sightseeing tour of Hollywood (courtesy the incredible KBUR Bob Hope Airport scenery from ORBX).

Just Flight BAC One Eleven. This one doesn't get quite the endorsement, but if you're willing to make some concessions, the package gives you lots of models and several different liveries. Another one with that special "Just Flight Glow"--the green starboard one. (Like many a Hollywood star, only one profile is available for shots. It might have been Jack Warner (sounds like him anyway) who said of one actress, "If I can only shoot one side of her face, I'm only going to pay her half." But in practice, it isn't that big of a deal for me. The models are not consistent, and I don't mean that in a good way. I found the trick is to fly them, or at least some, without payload. I haven't figured out how to balance the load to avoid porpoising and eventual lawn dart. I mainly stick to -400s from Luton in the colorful Court Line livery (not included). Once you break the code, they're docile and fun to fly, but s-l-o-w. Did you know American flew One Elevens? Their "Astrojet" livery is included. The One Eleven is an interesting bit of history and fun little nicely-modeled jet. They even have the antenna wire stretched from the tail forward. Like the other Just Flight offerings, it comes with apron toys. This is not one of my go-to airplanes, but nice for the occasional short flight and simple enough to pick up without too much trouble. And it's essential for a Court Line fan.

Flight1 / Coolsky DC-9. Available now as part of the "Megapack," which includes their MD-80 in the "Classic" and "Pro" versions. The DC-9 is superb. It is nicely modeled inside and out and there are lots of liveries. It flies well, everything works as advertised, and it even performs according to the numbers. It has failures you can select or just let surprise you. (You can leave this feature off if you--like me--can't be bothered.) Along with the MD-80, it has a unique setup screen at that allows you to select your panel state, load and fuel, etc. The DC-9 has a cool radio navigation aid that not only helps you navigate, but teaches you that arcane art. A lot of thought went into everything about this airplane and it is very satisfying to fly. Espen made sure everything the captain needs is available without hunting. The DC-9 VC is not as visually dated as the accompanying MD-80, which has a 2-D overhead. (It's not pretty, but after a few looks, I don't even notice it.) Systems-wise  they are both pretty solid but the DC-9 comes with schematics to help you out with those failures. In fact, when I feel like a Maddog, I select the MD-80 Pro, not the (admittedly superior in every way) Leonardo version. When you like to hop around among all different kinds of airplanes, vanilla is the best flavor. So, buy the Megapack for the DC-9, and consider the venerable Coolsky MD-80 as a bonus. (If you had the FSX version, you get a coupon automatically applied for a substantial reduction in price.) I really can't say enough good things about this DC-9, and some people would consider the MD-80 a classic jet, too. There are a lot more "classics" than there were 20 years ago, that's for sure!

Captain Sim 737-200. Version Base Pack 4 installs without drama into P3D v5 and works... as well as it ever worked. But this is where the Total Overhaul Mod comes in. I found mine in the Russian AVSIM library. It cleans up some graphics problems and adds callouts, but mainly turns the useless original PCS into a marvel of useful information. No, it's not realistic per the actual PCS, but neither was the original from CS. At least this one gives you all sorts of functions, not least of which is driving the EPR bugs in different phases of flight. It even comes with a FSSpotlights profile. If you want, it will also install an FMC OR provisions for the Just Flight GTN GPS if you happen to have that. (I haven't tried either option.) The mod features an installer and roll-back option. Like  you'd ever want to. This is a really nice airplane with the mod and there are tons of liveries available. (The ACE utility hasn't worked for me, but that's no big deal.) The base version is good to go, but I don't think the expansions were updated to v4. But with all these classic jets available, how much are you really going to miss them? (NOTE: only the Base works, as far as I have been able to discover. Also don't confuse this with the Captain Sim 737-300 CLASSIC that's out now. I think it's a nice airplane and I've missed that model in P3D, but the focus here is on non-glass airliners.)

Captain Sim L1011-100. Okay, I've saved the best for last. The L-1011 II performs like a champ in v5.2. This is my favorite. You may hear that it's not a friendly hand-flyer, and I'll agree that it is not as responsive as you might be used to, but I have hand-flown the Kai Tak 13 approach perfectly. (I'll get around to posting the video and a link when I remember.) It's graphically everything you'd expect from Captain Sim, and does a good job capturing the quirks of the Lockheed design. You can use the autothrottle to hold speed--but an L1011 purist won't. It was used only with landing. And the autoland system works flawlessly. The L1011 was a very advanced airplane for its time. Vertical speed is handled by your choice of VS or the surprisingly useful IAS and Mach hold functions. Mind your throttles. It does not have an FMC, but does have a decent INS that  you can play with by tapping in your nine longitude and latitude waypoints OR just have it read your P3D flightplan. It isn't the freeware CIVA you may remember, so if you're really interested in calibrating accuracy using DMEs and that sort of thing, you'll find this one simplistic. However, if such tedium is beneath you as a mighty captain of the skies, you'll love it. Tons of liveries installable via ACE. A beauty, too.

That's it for what I consider classic jets that I have installed and fly in P3D v.5.2. Feel free to add to the list. With just these, you can fly a different one every day of the week, and, if you count all the different models, probably every day of the month. There's plenty of steam gauge fun to be had here, from intercontinental flights in the DC-8s, coast-to-coast flights in the L1011 (or longer), to medium routes or short hops in the smaller jets. They're not "study-level sims," but each has its charms.

They do indeed - a succinct and fascinating summary of these old jets. I would add the updated Thomas Ruth B727 is very nice as well. The JF VC10 (Not the professional version) for those who like their swept wings British!. 

The CoolSky/Flight 1 DC-9 is still one of the best ever really, extraordinary how good this one is!

 

The Ruth 727 via FlyAwaySimulation as complete package 100 and 200 series. Dated VC and limited FE panel but overall not bad either. 

The old CLS/JF DC-10 is also a good one but you need to do all the work (see the separate thread here at AVSIM about that one) it is payware quality now but you got to do it! An no hot pants on the cabin crew!

 

 

Edited August 9, 20214 yr by coastaldriver

Good idea for this thread.

I'd like to mention the Milviz 737-200C, which also works fine in 5.2.

The speciality for this 737 is the gravel set it features and some of them are still flying in the real world. 

Important to make it work at the moment is to remove the WX-Radar, which is still not compatible with 5.2

MVAMS, the tool to configure Milviz planes, seems to work only with P3D4.5. I still have this version on the drive and can copy the modified aircraft.cfg to v5.2. Maybe somebody here has a solution. 

Sorry no pictures, since I'm at the office. 

Dan

I just finished my longest flight in this iteration of my simming career: Miami to Curitiba, Brazil in a DC-8: 3550 NM... a little more due to a go around. About that night lighting I mentioned as being decent: once the landing lights come on, the cockpit becomes blinding. So... decent except for that part. Who needs coffee to wake up for landing? Ah, well... still cool. And that should have been -500s in the Court Line livery, not -400s. Autair had some, but traded them in for -500s when they became Court Line and painted everything in groovy colors.

Thanks for your review.

Just a note; 737-200 Advanced expansion works in 5.2

Thor

I added all the expansions for  the CSim 737 - the 100, ADV, Freighter all work just fine. 

Mark

29 minutes ago, Bunkie said:

I added all the expansions for  the CSim 737 - the 100, ADV, Freighter all work just fine. 

Hope you got the Total Overalls Mod to work 🙂 The base was updated to v4. The v3 ones work, then, huh? I'm supposed to know this stuff as the mind-numbed Captain Sim zombie. Thanks to Coastaldriver I'm about to check out the heavily modded DC-10. Got to agree with him: the DC-9 is probably the pick of the litter, although the 737-200 is awful nice, too.

Hi Tim,

I honestly don't know if the V3 freighter/ADV etc  work - I never had the V4 version of any of them, so I went and purchased them all.  So all I know, the V4 versions all work correctly - and I do strongly suspect that the V3 "additions" would work, but can't honestly say as I don't have the ability to try...

I also just tried installing the McPhat Freighter addon to the DC-9 pack; it killed the panel in all the DC-9's... I had to re-install the Mega pack, and then manually added the 32CF model - and just used the regular DC-9 panel.  All good again...

I think I'm going to try the Sky Simulations DC-9's as well, heck, why not ? 🙂

 

It’s too bad the Coolsky DC-9 didn’t have other models; would have loved to see a -10/-40/-50.

Agreed, but the Sky Simulations version filled the void - not nearly as well as the F1 Coosky DC-9 does, but there are models available.

I just loaded the Sky Simulations DC-9 package for P3D and it works fine in P3D V5.2.  I also noticed that they've re-released their free MD-10 model for paid customers who own their MD-11.  I may be late to the party here, but that was a nice surprise!

1 hour ago, Bunkie said:

I think I'm going to try the Sky Simulations DC-9's as well, heck, why not ? 🙂

I remember that one. It was very intimidating and a tad rough, but I enjoyed it. Meanwhile I'm doing touch and gos in the DC-8-21 at Edwards... nice big runways ;-) I'm having trouble avoiding a skew on landing. Don't know if automated landings have ruined me or what, but this DC-8 is a bit touchy. I minus-ed the curve in FSUIPC for my rudder pedals, but I need a lot more practice. I second Mike's recommendation on the modded DC-10. Wow, wish the DC-8 got that sort of love!

What an informative and enjoyable post.

1 hour ago, Tim_Capps said:

JF DC 10-40, "They are listed for v4, but I just changed the path to 5 in the installer and haven't had any trouble"

I have been trying that but the Installer keeps looking for P3D v4 & balks when it can't find it.

Did you leave v4 on your PC?

T45

1 hour ago, Treetops45 said:

have been trying that but the Installer keeps looking for P3D v4 & balks when it can't find it.

Did you leave v4 on your PC?

I get this. Then it goes on to let me browse to my v5 folder. Never had v4.

1 hour ago, Tim_Capps said:

I get this. Then it goes on to let me browse to my v5 folder. Never had v4.

Hmm

Thanks

I get the same but when I Browse & point to v5 it says it can't find v4, which I had on my PC.

I'll have another look at it.

T45