Blackbird Developer Update

collensr

collensr

SOH-CM-2023
The boys put out an update on Twitch a couple of days ago -

T-6A - rocky start - working on a couple more hotfixes for a few things (inc. power curve) - these will be issued in last week in August
S-54 Skycrane -in development for MSFS 2024
C-130J - will be for MSFS 2024 only. Includes 4 separate cockpit variations and short & long versions. Not doing AC-130J. 30+ liveries. FMS is faithfully modelled. No release date. Potentially including MAFF ability and para-drops.
SR-71 - will be for MSFS 2024 only. Development is well advanced. Described as a "Premier Product". Will include Air Refuelling. Real SR-71 crew coms featuring Brian Shul. Estimating Christmas release.
T-38C - In pause at the moment due to NDA legal issues (presumably with AETC or maybe DCS?)
T-38A - Can't comment on this model - again NDA prohibits updates.
UH-1H - Not stopping development because of the Taog competition. Based on their TH-1H USAF contract they believe their model will be very good. No release date.
A-1H Skyraider - Sold to another developer
Turbo Otter / Twotter - Will be MSFS 2024 models. Completely re-done. Christmas release hopefully.
Zero A6 - Started code work. 2 base birds - clean & weathered. Christmas release hopefully.
F-4U - Being redone as a new product. New code & new model. No release date.
737-200 - Re-done from scratch. Not doing analogue version. Doing the Nolinor glass cockpit. Work started on FMS. No release date.
B-1B - Still working on it but very complex. No release date.
F-16C Block 52- Still being worked on. Will be MSFS2024 release in c February.
F-15C - Still coming but slowly. Code is good. Staff member let go. No release date.
UH-60 Blackhawk - cannot discuss.

Some of the above could be released under the Shrike name (not the Totter/Twotter, SR-71, C-130 and the 737-200).

Not decided on whether they will charge for moving MSFS2020 product into MSFS2024. Will depend on how difficult the implementation turns out to be in each case.
 
The Skyraider and the Twotter are the only two I am actually interested in. And neither are sounding like they are happening anytime soon.
Bummer but that’s life I guess.

Cheers
Sunny
 
Thanks for posting this summary, going to be a busy Christmas?

Keep waiting for the Skyraider to turn up, so strange it looked mostly completed and then completely disappears to another dev.
380656f4115051a3859c6467471c0a58c20a3dd8.jpeg
 
Can see no point in doing the 732 as yet-another-glass-panel 737... No buy.

So those of us that bought the existing and very expensive F-4 Corsair are expected to buy it again?

Bit of a 'Sad State'....
 
keithb77 said:
Can see no point in doing the 732 as yet-another-glass-panel 737... No buy.

So those of us that bought the existing and very expensive F-4 Corsair are expected to buy it again?

Bit of a 'Sad State'....
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I agree. As for the rest of the "announcement", almost everything is delayed. This says quite a bit: "Code is good. Staff member let go. No release date".

Always loved the stuff that they released, but Milviz/Blackbird has always been somewhat erratic in their releases. Such a shame.

Just a thought.

Priller
 
collensr said:
The boys put out an update on Twitch a couple of days ago -

T-6A - rocky start - working on a couple more hotfixes for a few things (inc. power curve) - these will be issued in last week in August
S-54 Skycrane -in development for MSFS 2024
C-130J - will be for MSFS 2024 only. Includes 4 separate cockpit variations and short & long versions. Not doing AC-130J. 30+ liveries. FMS is faithfully modelled. No release date. Potentially including MAFF ability and para-drops.
SR-71 - will be for MSFS 2024 only. Development is well advanced. Described as a "Premier Product". Will include Air Refuelling. Real SR-71 crew coms featuring Brian Shul. Estimating Christmas release.
T-38C - In pause at the moment due to NDA legal issues (presumably with AETC or maybe DCS?)
T-38A - Can't comment on this model - again NDA prohibits updates.
UH-1H - Not stopping development because of the Taog competition. Based on their TH-1H USAF contract they believe their model will be very good. No release date.
A-1H Skyraider - Sold to another developer
Turbo Otter / Twotter - Will be MSFS 2024 models. Completely re-done. Christmas release hopefully.
Zero A6 - Started code work. 2 base birds - clean & weathered. Christmas release hopefully.
F-4U - Being redone as a new product. New code & new model. No release date.
737-200 - Re-done from scratch. Not doing analogue version. Doing the Nolinor glass cockpit. Work started on FMS. No release date.
B-1B - Still working on it but very complex. No release date.
F-16C Block 52- Still being worked on. Will be MSFS2024 release in c February.
F-15C - Still coming but slowly. Code is good. Staff member let go. No release date.
UH-60 Blackhawk - cannot discuss.

Some of the above could be released under the Shrike name (not the Totter/Twotter, SR-71, C-130 and the 737-200).

Not decided on whether they will charge for moving MSFS2020 product into MSFS2024. Will depend on how difficult the implementation turns out to be in each case.
Click to expand...
Sjeeezzz.... what about good old choose a subject, put it together carefully, alpha/beta test it thoroughly, release it with as much bells & whistles sofar, sit back enjoy the accolades. Choose a subject, put it together carefully, alpha/beta test it etc. and so on...

Nothing seriously good can come from sort of a five and dime store listing like this, can it ??..... Isn't it quality we're looking for, not quantity ??
 
Yeah nothing new i fear, better stick to 1 or 2 and finish them.

Also a hotfix is in my mind within days/weeks after release, not months... then it's a Patch ;-)

Marcel
 
Priller said:
I agree. As for the rest of the "announcement", almost everything is delayed. This says quite a bit: "Code is good. Staff member let go. No release date".

Always loved the stuff that they released, but Milviz/Blackbird has always been somewhat erratic in their releases. Such a shame.

Just a thought.

Priller
Click to expand...
I must, reluctantly, agree. For about ten years, I was a beta testing pilot with Milviz. I worked on several projects that were developed for the USAF. During that time, I saw many projects come and go. Colin would get all excited about a project and a year later, after much coding and work, it would disappear.

Although, I had a minor role in getting the USAF and Milviz together for the T-38C project, I never was on the inside. I knew several of the developers, as I worked with them on testing individual aircraft systems and answered questions. Most, like Jon B and Fr. Bill, were easy to work with and good people. Sometimes, however, after working with an individual for months, he would leave.

I am sure it is like this with most, if not all, larger developers. The only other developers with whom I worked closely for a while were Iris, and SimWorks Studio. Iris was at the time a one man company. Alex and ccompany at SWS do a good job.

Turnover of programmers is the norm in the industry. Most of these people are working part-time and they leave when something more lucrative comes along. Sometimes, a programmer with a bone to pick because of real or imagined issues, will delete the coding he has done before leaving. This means that it must be redone by someone else, delaying the project.

While I like Milviz and enjoyed working with them, I don’t put any hope in seeing a Milviz project come to fruition until it is released.
 
That's an awful lot of Christmas ETA's.... believe it when I see it.
Personally only really interested int the T-38A and SR-71, but as above don't really see the point in yet another glass pit 737... particularly if its an early model such as the -200.
 
I'm sad that the SR-71 is moving to the new platform, I was really hoping I didn't have to upgrade to get it, been waiting an awful long time for it (wasn't it announced back in the late FSX/early P3D days?)
But hey them's the breaks.
 
SH427 said:
I'm sad that the SR-71 is moving to the new platform, I was really hoping I didn't have to upgrade to get it, been waiting an awful long time for it (wasn't it announced back in the late FSX/early P3D days?)
But hey them's the breaks.
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It was announced a long time ago, and in fact their announcement caused me to make a decision to switch from making a new SR-71 to make the earlier A-12 - which I released in 2017. I then released a new SR-71 for P3D V4 upwards and a conversion for FSX back in 2022 - I've stopped developing for the last few years. Don't get me wrong, I'm certain their Blackbird will be much more advanced than those which I have created, but it is a darn shame it's going to be for 2024. I've seen 80,000 ft in MSFS2020 and it looks awesome! I think I read that they are focusing on just the front cockpit functionality with the rear visible but without all the complexity of being fully functional - which is something that could've been awesome in P3D where you have the potential for missiles, proper radar and cameras.
 
Javis said:
Sjeeezzz.... what about good old choose a subject, put it together carefully, alpha/beta test it thoroughly, release it with as much bells & whistles sofar, sit back enjoy the accolades. Choose a subject, put it together carefully, alpha/beta test it etc. and so on...

Nothing seriously good can come from sort of a five and dime store listing like this, can it ??..... Isn't it quality we're looking for, not quantity ??
Click to expand...
Agree 100%. Too many pokers in the fire.

Don BP;)
 
Javis said:
Sjeeezzz.... what about good old choose a subject, put it together carefully, alpha/beta test it thoroughly, release it with as much bells & whistles sofar, sit back enjoy the accolades. Choose a subject, put it together carefully, alpha/beta test it etc. and so on...

Nothing seriously good can come from sort of a five and dime store listing like this, can it ??..... Isn't it quality we're looking for, not quantity ??
Click to expand...
There's a balance to be struck between quality, retail price and quantity. So for them, they are trying to achieve quality through fidelity and quantity through good reputation and fidelity which is a tall order when trying to produce that many product lines.
 
I agree with many sentiments her. I was on the Beta Testing Team for years with some of you and there was a great deal of good productivity and excellent products. In my opinion, things changed at some point with too many forks in the road which slowed some releases or saw them disappear altogether which was often a bit confusing, even disheartening to some of us considering the hard work put in. Not bashing the company or anyone but somewhere along the line, the gears shifted and there was too much to keep up with. My concern now as a customer outside, a lot of marks were missed with FS2020 and now they are going 2024 only but how much of that list will see light? First saw the C-130J in 2016. I will still be glad to support them on the releases.
 
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