A little known "secret" is that I bought Prepar3D not for the excellent airliners, nor the wonderful warbirds of A2A.

Nope, I bought it expressly to obtain MilViz's hyper accurate built-for-the-USAF T-38C Talon addon. It was (and remains) a fantastic, highly realistic, and literally "Study Level" addon of this historic Fast Jet trainer. And you can't fly it like most mil jet addons - it needs to be flown "by the book", or you'll crash.

So to say I've been pining for it to come to MSFS for the last 5 years is kind of an understatement. Especially given that BlackBird Sims nee MilViz have teased it a couple of times - even showing it running in v2020 from time to time.

Well, we finally have one, even though it's not(?)* developed by MilViz/BBS. And from what I can see so far, it looks like it might measure up well to their rendition in the older sim.

One thing I can say for sure is that it's one of the most pleasing MSFS military addons I've flown (and i've flown most of the better ones). Y'see, I mainly fly in DCS World, known for its ultra realistic military jets, and based on its reputation for accuracy and physics, it's "the" standard for military aircraft flight simulation. 

So far, the only military jet I've truly enjoyed in MSFS has been the v2 release of Just Flight's T-1/a Hawk. BlackBird's own T-6A Texan II for MSFS (also reportedly developed on behalf of the USAF) is a great addon. But while it's systems are deep, with extensive failures and such, the flight model isn't fantastic. Accurate to the book values? Yes.

But as Scott Gentile of A2A has said, there's a LOT to how planes fly that isn't reflected in any POH or performance charts. He's talking about the elusive "feel" of the flight model, and it seems he knows whereof he speaks. 🙂

So every mil jet I've tried other than the JF Hawk v2 comes up short when measured against similar addons in DCSW.

But, it may be that we finally have another really good fast jet for MSFS that has accurate systems AND handles well (even demonstrating some of the T-38's notoriously dangerous "gotchas" to a certain degree).

I haven't had a chance to dig into Aero Dynamics version of the sophisticated avionics yet (they even seem to have replicated the Talon-C's virtual air combat and ground attack visualization systems (the IRL Talon carries no ordnance at all)). But the basics of what I remember from the MilViz bird seem to be there so far. I'll have to spend more time than my first Kick The Tires and Light The Fires joy ride today 😉

Suffice to say that in terms of handling and hand flying (which is all ya got on the 1960's vintage Talon!), it is genuinely pleasant to fly, and rewarding if you mind the flight envelope properly. 

It's fluid, snappy without being twitchy, and does a lot of "plane stuff" throughout the flight regime. It even gets the critical AoA action correct on approach, including the HUD display and appropriate speeds. Heck, it even handles aero braking well (something that’s exceedingly rare outside of DCSW)!

At first glance, the external modeling is very good (no I haven't checked the wells or wheel lugs yet). The cockpit 3D model also seems above average, but the surface texturing seems a bit flat relative to the more expensive top tier addons out there. Then again, it's fairly inexpensive at $30, and the important systems, flight model, etc., are well done. So it's definitely a good value regardless.

The devs have kicked out almost daily updates to address reported bugs/issues, which is genuinely refreshing for such a small team with no real prior commercial experience.

So, if you have $30 and are looking for something different (and supersonic!) and engaging without the toy-like aspect of many military addons, this is something you should add to your list for consideration. 

p.s.: * Even tho BlackBird is releasing a T-38A model Famous Flyer this coming week, I can't help but wonder if they struck some sort of collaboration deal with Aero Dynamics as they did with IFT and MilTech...? They went all "No Comment" on the T-38C months ago...

In any case, I'll probably get the BBS one, too, even if it is the older steam gauge version. Be interesting to see how the FM's & graphics compare, if nothing else! 🙂

P.s.s., hopefully Bob will give it a go and let us know how it measures up to the real thing!

 

Edited December 7, 2025Dec 7 by UrgentSiesta

Thx for the thumbs up / review @UrgentSiesta!

The T-38 and the T-37 are my preferred military jets, and I look forward for one day having both in DCS World too 🙂

I remember the arrival, in the late 70s of the last Century 🙂  I remember their arrival inside a C5 Galaxy, which landed at LPAR (Alverca Airbase) nearby Lisboa 🙂

The T-37 which I had the chance to fly in during my service in the PAF is the other great jet trainer for me 🙂

All of an era when digital displays were still "science fiction"...

 

35 minutes ago, jcomm said:

Thx for the thumbs up / review @UrgentSiesta!

The T-38 and the T-37 are my preferred military jets, and I look forward for one day having both in DCS World too 🙂

I remember the arrival, in the late 70s of the last Century 🙂  I remember their arrival inside a C5 Galaxy, which landed at LPAR (Alverca Airbase) nearby Lisboa 🙂

The T-37 which I had the chance to fly in during my service in the PAF is the other great jet trainer for me 🙂

All of an era when digital displays were still "science fiction"...

 

Ha - good stories! 🙂

im sure you’re aware of the pending DCS T-38A mod? It’s looking pretty good already, but no idea when it might release. 

the T-37 would be SWEET in DCS, esp if we got both the trainer and the light attack Dragonfly (kinda like the Aviodev C101 & CC). 
I never tried the freeware MSFS version - did you?

2 hours ago, UrgentSiesta said:

Ha - good stories! 🙂

im sure you’re aware of the pending DCS T-38A mod? It’s looking pretty good already, but no idea when it might release

Yes!

2 hours ago, UrgentSiesta said:

I never tried the freeware MSFS version - did you?

I did try it once from flightsim.to I Guess(?)

Wasn't bad...

Sorry for stolling ya thtread 🙂 

The T-37B, free for FS 2024:

VrilleAPlat Releases Impressive Freeware Cessna T-37B for MSFS - FSNews

Cessna T-37B Tweet for Microsoft Flight Simulator | MSFS

 

Edited December 8, 2025Dec 8 by jcomm

That sounds pretty good so far! Thanks for the shoutout. I wonder though, looking at the screenshot in the OP, isn't the opening of the engine air intake on the real T-38 "slanted" forward at the top? The screenshot looks like the model has a straight/vertical intake lip...?


*EDIT* I did some more research and yes there is a version where the intake opening is exactly like that. So... I learned something new.

Edited December 8, 2025Dec 8 by DieselTen

9 hours ago, jcomm said:

Sorry for stolling ya thtread 🙂 

The T-37B, free for FS 2024:

VrilleAPlat Releases Impressive Freeware Cessna T-37B for MSFS - FSNews

Cessna T-37B Tweet for Microsoft Flight Simulator | MSFS

 

It’s a thread about a military trainer, so it’s welcome here. 🙏

42 minutes ago, DieselTen said:

That sounds pretty good so far! Thanks for the shoutout. I wonder though, looking at the screenshot in the OP, isn't the opening of the engine air intake on the real T-38 "slanted" forward at the top? The screenshot looks like the model has a straight/vertical intake lip...?


*EDIT* I did some more research and yes there is a version where the intake opening is exactly like that. So... I learned something new.

Sharp eye there!

The Charlie (which is the one pictured) has slightly different engines and other related parts. But tbh, I can’t remember the specifics offhand…
 

So where is the Blackbird? 

35 minutes ago, St Mawgan said:

So where is the Blackbird? 

Yeah, interesting…

I have the Boom in My Library, but the T-38 isn’t in the store where it should be….

Whatever you do don't get slow... especially in the pattern :)

11 minutes ago, Flyfaster_MTN002 said:

Whatever you do don't get slow... especially in the pattern 🙂

Yep - any turns while configured, particularly a tight base to final, are especially risky in this bird. 

And those same tiny little wings mean this thing needs an 8,000 foot runway due…!😮

On 12/7/2025 at 2:36 AM, jcomm said:

Thx for the thumbs up / review @UrgentSiesta!

The T-38 and the T-37 are my preferred military jets, and I look forward for one day having both in DCS World too 🙂

I remember the arrival, in the late 70s of the last Century 🙂  I remember their arrival inside a C5 Galaxy, which landed at LPAR (Alverca Airbase) nearby Lisboa 🙂

The T-37 which I had the chance to fly in during my service in the PAF is the other great jet trainer for me 🙂

All of an era when digital displays were still "science fiction"...

 

Back in the early 80's, they hauled a T-38 on a flatbed truck and placed it in our mall parking lot.

I guess it was some sort of recruiting promotion.

Anyway, I remember it, not well, but I was probably under 10 years old and thought it was an F-104 until my dad corrected me.

I don't know if they disassembled the wings or not to get it there.  I know it didn't fly in vertically like an AV-8 Harrier/Matador!

23 hours ago, UrgentSiesta said:

Yep - any turns while configured, particularly a tight base to final, are especially risky in this bird. 

And those same tiny little wings mean this thing needs an 8,000 foot runway due…!😮

I notice the same thing with the SC/DC Designs F-5.   If you get cute turning final, you are done.

10 minutes ago, Mace said:

I notice the same thing with the SC/DC Designs F-5.   If you get cute turning final, you are done.

How do you like their rendition? I have some of their jets, but have never been “in love” with them (as I already am with the T-38!).