Research aircraft and systems

Dornier Seastar ↗Pilot account

The Dornier Seastar

Peter Pigott interviews Jim Holcombe · 14 April 2010

Dornier Seastar ↗Pilot account

New Generation of Dornier Seastar Completed First Flight

Wolfram Cornelius’s comments · 28 March 2020

Douglas A-1 Skyraider

A large piston-engined attack aircraft represented in several Skyraider variants.

The Miltech catalogue lists this product for MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024. Its product page and developer documentation describe the simulator-specific equipment and available configurations.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain ↗Simulator documentation

C-47D Skytrain · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024

The manual identifies its chosen engine and fuel installation

The simulated installation uses the twin-blower engine arrangement described in the manual. Additional cabin ferry-fuel tanks are excluded. These choices define this package’s represented configuration; the many civil and military aircraft in historical accounts should not all be assumed to share it.

Gathered C-47 manual · PDF p.4

Douglas C-47 Skytrain ↗Simulator documentation

C-47D Skytrain · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024

Cockpit shortcuts prepare the aircraft and reveal its controls

The overhead panel provides Quick Start, Cold Dark Start and Ground Power selections. Clicking the red warning panel toggles the yokes. The manual separately labels the jump control for parachutists on the lead ship, keeping its purpose distinct from general cockpit setup.

Gathered C-47 manual · PDF pp.7–8

Douglas C-47 Skytrain ↗Simulator documentation

C-47D Skytrain · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024

A period Gyropilot and hydraulic system

The C-47 has separate trim controls and a Sperry Gyropilot for maintaining a selected attitude and direction. Its hydraulic system also serves landing gear, flaps and other auxiliaries. The manual explains the pump and selector arrangement, providing context for a cockpit that predates modern route-following autopilots.

Archived simulator manual; installed package revision not observed · PDF pp.5,10,28

Douglas C-47 Skytrain ↗Simulator documentation

C-47D Skytrain · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2020

The original MSFS 2020 release

Famous Flyer 09 was released as a combined C-47D and Waco CG-4A package in June 2024. The C-47D has U.S. Navy and fictional Olive Drab “M5” liveries.

2024-06-06 · release and package scope

Douglas C-47 Skytrain ↗Simulator documentation

C-47B Skytrain · VSKYLABS · X-Plane 12

Released product and variants

The C-47B product represents the wartime military aircraft, with passenger/cargo configuration, optional GNS530 navigation and skis. It is a separate product from the modernised DC-3C.

Official developer / designated-store reference · checked 2026-09-14

Douglas C-47 Skytrain ↗Research-based aircraft background

Douglas C-47 Skytrain

The C-47 adapted the DC-3 airliner to military work, retaining the low wing, two radial engines and tailwheel configuration. Cargo handling and military equipment changed the aircraft's role. It became one of the major Allied transport types of the Second World War.

The Dakota name is familiar in British and Commonwealth service. A Waco cargo glider was often its partner, but remains a separate aircraft with its own controls. This catalogue keeps the tug and glider identities separate even where a simulator sells them in one package.

Aircraft / family

Douglas C-47 Skytrain ↗Pilot account

A father flies with his son

Steve Alred · civil freight flight in former military N12907

Douglas C-47 Skytrain ↗Pilot account

What it is like to fly a DC-3

Sam Wright · author confirmed in the original page

Douglas C-47 Skytrain ↗Pilot account

WWII veteran reunites with former aircraft

Alston Daniels interviewed by 2nd Lt. Shelley Gregory · 17 April 2015