Part 3 of my MSFS 2020 memories.... the eve before 2024 arrives.  Most of these are from this year....  I spent a LOT of this year repainting general aviation addons haha!  I even painted some of the official liveries in the Black Square Dukes, along with TimHH.

This was also the year I tried to get to know the FBW Airbus more in depth.  I did do a few flights, but I think I'm just a GA guy at heart.  I was on my way to TEB here

This was a interesting freeware aircraft, the E-3 Sentry (AWACS), it was mostly an external model, but I thought it looked pretty nice!  Most likely the real version would be based at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma.

We finally got the FSW Beech Sierra!  It is very similar to the Musketeer Super III that I fly irl!  (the musketeer has the dual G5s as well!)  Les has done a great job working with Mark at FSW on this one.  It's got some of the best sounds and visuals of any addon!  Did you know they are working on an all analog panel??

The year of the Working Title G3X upgrade!  I had been hoping for this replica since we first saw the original when the sim came out (major disappointment from the real unit!)  But this one is very accurate to the real one...we've been spoiled by WT being part of the Asobo team!

It's got a nice little engine monitor too - here it is in the XCub

Here's a paint I'm quite proud of - it took a very long time as well... it has 3 different metallic properties/layers and was quite difficult to paint (not perfect but decent!)  I ended up doing a German and USA registration.

Here it is, one of my paints included with the Black Square Piston Duke!  It looks great on the Duke.  I've put many hours on this addon!  I've always enjoyed Nick's addons as they make use of the dynamic registration (tail number - you can type whatever you like and it still looks decent)

Here's a lesser known addon (and my paint - it contains red - shocker haha) - the Cockspur E50P Phenom.  It's a decent addon, not quite as in depth as a Black Square etc, but still fun!  Raul from FSReborn is making the E55P, which will be a welcomed addition to 2024.

FlightBeam's SFO came out and as usual it's incredible!  The best of the best without a doubt.  Those lucky controllers have a sharp looking tower!

The Asobo Aviat Husky... did not come out in 2024 haha.... but I finally caved and purchased it this year.  I find it to be a nice little addon for VFR low and slow.  The flight model isn't awful either.  It comes with tires, skis, and floats!  Let's just say that this amazing paint (not mine) was a factor for me deciding to finally buy it LOL!

Orbx's MSFS version of 2WA1 Diamond Point arrived....  I have 155 airports in my Pacific NorthWest addon linker folder!  I think a majority of my flying was in this region.

The Classic Aircraft Simulations J-3 Cub!  Out of nowhere, a beautiful rendition of the classic cub.  You can even hand-prop this thing.  It's a superb addon with a few beloved paints.

 

Check out this beautiful Pro Line 21 mod by 'Husk' for the default king air 350i.  It's quite good for freeware!  Husk also did a G1000 NXi variant.  The freeware and payware community really make MSFS shine!

The SWS RV8 arrived with the new G3X - paired with my precious TDS GTNxi as the navigator, it became one of my most flown recent addons.  It cruises around 180 ktas - so it get's up and goes.  Here's a WIP shot of one of my paints.  It was done in Adobe Substance and Photoshop.

Here's an immaculate RV8 paint done by guru @Tim-HH.  It's easily in my top 5 favorite paints of all time category.  I'm at my virtual hangar in McCall, Idaho. (Orbx KMYL)

After working on some RV8 paints, I was inspired to paint up a lovely Evoke design for the SWS RV14.  I was suprised at how good this turned out.  I've learned a TON over the last year+ about painting.  MSFS 2024 holds some new challenges - can't wait to start painting those aircraft.

Another paint of mine (a collab with Master Painter @Steve Dra )- for the incredible Black Square TBM 850.  This was one of the most popular TBM paints (toot my own horn!)

Tim refurbished the stock paint (this is the nicer version which adds metallic properties) on the Piston Duke - mind blown on how lovely this paint and addon are!  Here I am in the summer flying to KMKE.

Tim painted another stunner, replicating the factory demonstrator for Rocket Engineering's B60T Royal Turbine Duke.  I'm flying over the Big Apple with SamScene New York Times payware.

This was a paint that would not have happened if it weren't for my good friend TimHH.  He was able to masterfully design the cowl on Carenado's Waco - I did not have the skill to make it so beautifully.  I am extremely grateful for TimHH!  He's shared so much of his knowledge and talent with me.

This is a great last pic of 2020!  It's the excellent CL-415 from the 2024 pre-order.  Someone just got a free car wash LOL!!! It's been a real journey from 2020 on with new developers, new users (tons of new younger users - it's a great thing!) and new memories.  I can't to see everyone in MSFS 2024! 

 

 

 

Edited November 18, 20241 yr by ryanbatc

another lovely series!

good to see you got to use substane, I keep struggling...

5 hours ago, jankees said:

another lovely series!

good to see you got to use substane, I keep struggling...

Thanks!  

I'll send you a DM!

Fantastic pics Ryan!

Substance is an absolute game-changer in the painting community.  I'm still learning it, but see the incredible possibilities with 3d painting.

Regarding the TBM paint....glad I could help you bring it to the community...the TBM is by far the best looking propeller driven aircraft IMO....an your livery is one of the finest. 🙂

 

It's always looking good on the screenshots Ryan.

Darryl

Wonderful serie of first class shots(also in previous posts of Part 1 and 2) and a large variety of planes that we will see also in MS2024.

Edited November 19, 20241 yr by ikbenik

Well.  This post isn't aging well LOL!  Maybe I still have some 2020 memories to make HAHA!

On 11/19/2024 at 8:10 PM, ryanbatc said:

Well.  This post isn't aging well LOL!  Maybe I still have some 2020 memories to make HAHA!

You beat me to this. THERE'S STILL LIFE IN THE OLD LADY YET!!!😜  

Wonderful recap, Ryan, on the eve of the MSFS2024...🙂...with a nod to the masters of the art...

BTW, your own metallic and boldly colored aircraft skins are also nudging these masters...in terms of perfection ...🙂...

What an awesome final part! Gorgeous pictures as always.

On 11/18/2024 at 11:17 PM, ryanbatc said:

I am extremely grateful for TimHH!  He's shared so much of his knowledge and talent with me

Ah, thank you so much! I learned just as much from you. Painting together with you is always a lot of fun 😃