GKS F-111 Version 2 for MSFS2024 released

[Paul K]

One I have been waiting for, and now in the Marketplace - not sure what the price is for new owners, but it's £28.19 for those who bought the MSFS2020 model. From their Discord, this is what you get:

F-111E v2.0.0 for MSFS 2024 — Release Announcement
We’re happy to announce the release of the F-111E v2.0.0 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. This is not a simple port of the previous aircraft. Version 2.0.0 is a majorly reworked and expanded MSFS 2024-native version, adapted to the new simulator and its current SDK capabilities. :

: What’s new in F-111E v2.0.0

• Fully native version built for the MSFS 2024 SDK
• New Aircraft Options Tablet
• Integration with the MSFS 2024 EFB Flight Planner
• Automatic synchronization of route and navigation data
• New FLIGHTPLAN / NAV / TACAN / ADF / COM pages, with key data also displayed on cockpit reference cards
• New autopilot mode for automatic flight along the loaded route
• Significantly reworked Autopilot logic
• Reworked Fuel System
• Reworked cockpit and exterior lighting
• New advanced LOADOUT system with:
  
  • individual station loading
    
    • predefined presets
    • user presets
    • symmetry load
    • fuel control
    • loadout weight, gross weight, and MTOW status display
• New Ground Services functionality:
  
  • Ground Power Unit
    
    • Ground Start Unit
    • MA-1A Starter Cartridge
• Completely new weapons and external stores system
• Separate support for pylons / racks / ammunition as individual suspension levels
• Single and Ripple release logic
• Individual release and jettison logic for each station
• Built-in weapon employment limits based on:
  
  • wing sweep
    
    • pitch
    • bank
    • G-load
    • altitude
• Full weapon launch and release functionality available through the separate GKS Community Weapons Module
• Without the module, external stores can still be loaded and displayed visually, while pylon and external fuel tank jettison remains available
• Updated visual effects and multiple adjustments for proper operation in MSFS 2024

Overall, F-111E v2.0.0 is a major upgrade of the aircraft’s systems, navigation, configuration, and weapons functionality — not simply a compatibility update for the new simulator. This version also becomes the foundation for the future development of the F-111E in MSFS

 

[eagleFMJ]

Its about $40 for us that do not own the previous version. I am very tempted to get it!

 

[keithb77]

As the fs20 version was never finished I'm not tempted by the steep upgrade price...also be aware uses default sounds.

 

[dvj]

The 2024 model looks well sorted. I'd cut these GKS developers a bit of slack given the fact the Putin is sending drones and missles to their homes every day. (and night)

 

[Paul K]

The 2024 model looks well sorted. I'd cut these GKS developers a bit of slack given the fact the Putin is sending drones and missles to their homes every day. (and night)

True enough. I imagine their coding skills are focused on very serious matters during the day.

 

[keithb77]

Yeah, doubtless next time I feel the need to go tactical my resolve will break...I see Upper Heyford, UK home of the F111 most times I fly in R/L and there is some interesting new scenery I need to try...

 

[Paul K]

I've bought it, and so far it looks okay. I'm not sure the extended wing droop on the ground is accurate, but I'm sure there are people here with experience with the real thing. More to come...

 

[merida72]

There’s just one thing I didn’t quite understand: was it reworked using the 2024 SDKs? I’m asking because, during the external inspection, I can actually walk through the aircraft. That shouldn’t happen with native 2024 aircraft, should it? Or am I missing something?

 

[eagleFMJ]

There’s just one thing I didn’t quite understand: was it reworked using the 2024 SDKs? I’m asking because, during the external inspection, I can actually walk through the aircraft. That shouldn’t happen with native 2024 aircraft, should it? Or am I missing something?

Hmm interesting, I often thought this too however I just recently took a 2020 aircraft and imported to 24 and I could not walk through the aircraft so I don't know what controls this or how this works. Im sure someone can chime in and shed some light on this.

 

[Paul K]

I can walk through the new V2 aircraft as well.

 

[merida72]

there’s nothing interactive in the walk-around mode...

 

[merida72]

Reply from the GKS Discord channel:

“The current versions are built using the MSFS 2024 SDK for SU6. You can also verify this by checking the product tag in the MSFS Marketplace. However, the External Inspection feature is not added automatically just because an aircraft is native to MSFS 2024 — it requires additional implementation on the developer’s side.

We plan to add this feature to all of our MSFS 2024 aircraft over time.”

 

[eagleFMJ]

Reply from the GKS Discord channel:

“The current versions are built using the MSFS 2024 SDK for SU6. You can also verify this by checking the product tag in the MSFS Marketplace. However, the External Inspection feature is not added automatically just because an aircraft is native to MSFS 2024 — it requires additional implementation on the developer’s side.

We plan to add this feature to all of our MSFS 2024 aircraft over time.”

That's all good news, great! But the thing that bothers me is at the price they are charging for what is offered, if I was to buy this I wouldn't feel like I got my money's worth to be honest.
At that price I'd expect most if not all the bells & whistles of a 24 native aircraft, yet I am only promised this after the fact, hmm.
Moreover it uses default sounds which I hate (not taking anything away from the default sounds), I am a nutcase when it comes to sounds and if I am paying this price I want custom, unique sounds, not a rinse and repeat sound set I have heard for years now, nice looking bird but it seems like they cut many corners just to rush it to the 24 market.

I will wait this one out and possibly pick it up on a sale or never.

 

[merida72]

I've been a GKS customer since the very first version of the F-111 for FSX. I bought that version back then, followed by the MSFS 2020 version and, more recently, the MSFS 2024 version. The previous converted version already worked pretty well overall, despite the officially acknowledged bugs, so I was hoping the new native version for MSFS 2024 would bring more substantial improvements.

I didn't hesitate too much over the price because I wanted to continue supporting the project, but I have to admit I was expecting a little more from this update. The new EFB is certainly a welcome addition, but its size makes it rather awkward to use, especially in VR. Being able to resize it, or simply make it larger, would be a really useful improvement.

Speaking of VR, I've also noticed that some areas of the cockpit are difficult to interact with using the mouse. Sometimes I have to move the cursor over the same spot several times before the control responds. Improving the interactive areas would make the experience much smoother and more enjoyable.

There are also a few aspects of the visual presentation that I think could be improved. Some of the textures look excessively glossy, including the landing gear tyres, which appear far too shiny and unrealistic. More natural-looking materials, with more appropriate reflections and levels of gloss, would help make the aircraft look even more convincing.

I've also noticed a minor inconsistency in the checklist system, probably carried over from the MSFS 2020 version. When using the eye icon to highlight an item, some entries still refer to a switch that no longer exists in the new version. It's a minor issue, but correcting these references would help polish the product further.

The main issue I still haven't been able to resolve, however, concerns the autopilot. I've followed the manual's instructions step by step, but I haven't managed to get it to follow the programmed route. Perhaps I'm missing a step, or maybe the new version requires a specific procedure. A clearer explanation, ideally accompanied by a short step-by-step tutorial showing how to set up and engage the navigation mode that follows the flight plan, would be extremely helpful.

I genuinely appreciate the work involved in developing and maintaining such a complex aircraft, and I'm sharing these observations because I've been following the F-111 project for many years and would love to see the native MSFS 2024 version reach its full potential. I believe that improvements to usability, VR interaction, material rendering and autopilot documentation could make a real difference to the overall experience.

I'd also really like to see an external walk-around inspection feature implemented, similar to the one available in Azurpoly's Rafale. Being able to walk around the aircraft and inspect its exterior as part of a pre-flight check would add another level of realism and engagement, making the overall experience even more immersive.

It would also be great to see some kind of interaction with the RIO, similar to what IndiaFoxtEcho has done with its Tornado, once the issue with the copilot model being displayed correctly has been sorted out.

 

[dvj]

I've been a GKS customer since the very first version of the F-111 for FSX. I bought that version back then, followed by the MSFS 2020 version and, more recently, the MSFS 2024 version. The previous converted version already worked pretty well overall, despite the officially acknowledged bugs, so I was hoping the new native version for MSFS 2024 would bring more substantial improvements.

I didn't hesitate too much over the price because I wanted to continue supporting the project, but I have to admit I was expecting a little more from this update. The new EFB is certainly a welcome addition, but its size makes it rather awkward to use, especially in VR. Being able to resize it, or simply make it larger, would be a really useful improvement.

Speaking of VR, I've also noticed that some areas of the cockpit are difficult to interact with using the mouse. Sometimes I have to move the cursor over the same spot several times before the control responds. Improving the interactive areas would make the experience much smoother and more enjoyable.

There are also a few aspects of the visual presentation that I think could be improved. Some of the textures look excessively glossy, including the landing gear tyres, which appear far too shiny and unrealistic. More natural-looking materials, with more appropriate reflections and levels of gloss, would help make the aircraft look even more convincing.

I've also noticed a minor inconsistency in the checklist system, probably carried over from the MSFS 2020 version. When using the eye icon to highlight an item, some entries still refer to a switch that no longer exists in the new version. It's a minor issue, but correcting these references would help polish the product further.

The main issue I still haven't been able to resolve, however, concerns the autopilot. I've followed the manual's instructions step by step, but I haven't managed to get it to follow the programmed route. Perhaps I'm missing a step, or maybe the new version requires a specific procedure. A clearer explanation, ideally accompanied by a short step-by-step tutorial showing how to set up and engage the navigation mode that follows the flight plan, would be extremely helpful.

I genuinely appreciate the work involved in developing and maintaining such a complex aircraft, and I'm sharing these observations because I've been following the F-111 project for many years and would love to see the native MSFS 2024 version reach its full potential. I believe that improvements to usability, VR interaction, material rendering and autopilot documentation could make a real difference to the overall experience.

I'd also really like to see an external walk-around inspection feature implemented, similar to the one available in Azurpoly's Rafale. Being able to walk around the aircraft and inspect its exterior as part of a pre-flight check would add another level of realism and engagement, making the overall experience even more immersive.

It would also be great to see some kind of interaction with the RIO, similar to what IndiaFoxtEcho has done with its Tornado, once the issue with the copilot model being displayed correctly has been sorted out.

Maybe send GKS your evaluation?

 

[Paul K]

The F-111 has been updated - nothing radical, just 'minor bug fixes' apparently.