Is the Flying Iron B-17G still being developed ?

[Paul K]

F.I. recently posted pictures of their Spitfire WIP rebuild for MSFS2024 on Facebook, and some of the comments asked about the B-17's progress. F.I. didn't respond at all, which is concerning. Maybe they were just trying to keep the thread on-topic ( i.e. the Spitfire ). Personally, I welcome everything they produce, but the B-17 is eagerly anticipated.

Does anyone have any information on the project ? I'm not looking for anything precise - just a reassurance that development continues.

 

[Bomber_12th]

I've noticed that has been the case on their Discord page too - lots of inquiries, but no answers other than to say that their MSFS 2024 Spitfire is the number one (and possibly only) focus at this time.


Counterpoint: the MicroProse B-17G...

It has been just over two months since the last progress report was posted for the MicroProse B-17G (MSFS 2020 and 2024). It's looking really great, both inside and out: https://www.microprose.com/news/victory-in-europe-remembering-the-mighty-eighth-and-the-iconic-b-17/

Also, this update from April mentions that they want to release it as soon as possible as an "Early Access" (first for 2024, and then for 2020): https://msfsaddons.com/2025/04/16/an-update-on-the-microprose-b-17g-for-microsoft-flight-simulator/

If you page back through this thread, there are some great screenshots showing the level of detail being placed into the entire interior of the aircraft, including the bomb bay and turrets: https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/microprose-b-17/646584/156

With the MicroProse development, I'm really impressed by the accurate detail of the interior. For instance, most people would probably just depict the whole of the interior fuselage painted interior green (as many restorations and models have been done over the years), where as in reality, other than the cockpit section, the vast majority of a B-17's interior was actually left bare metal. It's so great to see the MicroProse B-17G interior accurately reproduced in that manner, along with all of the other intricate and accurate details throughout. They've also shown that they've recorded sounds from the B-17G 'Sentimental Journey' (the same aircraft that the miniseries "Masters of the Air" also used for their sound recordings). We can only hope that the flight model and systems modeling will be the icing on the cake.

 

[Killbilly]

Oh, man! Thanks for sharing those links, Bomber_12th, that Microprose Fortress looks absolutely stunning. I will jump on that as soon as it releases.

 

[vipgroup]

I was fortunate to take a press flight in "Sentimental Journey" about 12 years ago when I owned a small independent Canadian news business. They gave me the bomb aimer seat right up front.. What a thrill. It was reminiscent of the VIP era when that business opened many cockpit doors too. Argh.. Getting older makes for reminiscence. Looking forward to a really good B-17 in the sim!

 

[Fnerg]

My son and I had an up close and personal experience with "Sentimental Journey" as well, a bunch of years ago. That was an afternoon to remember! I documented the occasion...

 

[Paul K]

I've noticed that has been the case on their Discord page too - lots of inquiries, but no answers other than to say that their MSFS 2024 Spitfire is the number one (and possibly only) focus at this time.


Counterpoint: the MicroProse B-17G...

It has been just over two months since the last progress report was posted for the MicroProse B-17G (MSFS 2020 and 2024). It's looking really great, both inside and out: https://www.microprose.com/news/victory-in-europe-remembering-the-mighty-eighth-and-the-iconic-b-17/

Also, this update from April mentions that they want to release it as soon as possible as an "Early Access" (first for 2024, and then for 2020): https://msfsaddons.com/2025/04/16/an-update-on-the-microprose-b-17g-for-microsoft-flight-simulator/

If you page back through this thread, there are some great screenshots showing the level of detail being placed into the entire interior of the aircraft, including the bomb bay and turrets: https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/microprose-b-17/646584/156

With the MicroProse development, I'm really impressed by the accurate detail of the interior. For instance, most people would probably just depict the whole of the interior fuselage painted interior green (as many restorations and models have been done over the years), where as in reality, other than the cockpit section, the vast majority of a B-17's interior was actually left bare metal. It's so great to see the MicroProse B-17G interior accurately reproduced in that manner, along with all of the other intricate and accurate details throughout. They've also shown that they've recorded sounds from the B-17G 'Sentimental Journey' (the same aircraft that the miniseries "Masters of the Air" also used for their sound recordings). We can only hope that the flight model and systems modeling will be the icing on the cake.

Thanks very much for the info and links, John. Interesting, certainly, but I'll probably hold out for the Flying Iron B-17. The Microprose group are unknown to me, whereas Flying Iron's reputation is peerless. I'm open to persuasion, of course. Thanks again.

 

[Spook48]

Microprose unknown ?

You never heard of : European air war or pacific air war to name just 2. ?

 

[Snuffy]

Microprose unknown ?

You never heard of : European air war or pacific air war to name just 2. ?

Or B-17 The Mighty Eighth?

 

[DennyA]

I mean, Microprose has only done military flight sims since 1982.

That said, the new Microprose is a spiritual successor, not the same folks. Though at this point in time I'd trust the team doing the B-17 I've seen more than I would Sid Meier as far as aircraft modeling goes!

 

[Paul K]

Microprose unknown ?

You never heard of : European air war or pacific air war to name just 2. ?

Or B-17 The Mighty Eighth?

I mean, Microprose has only done military flight sims since 1982.

That said, the new Microprose is a spiritual successor, not the same folks. Though at this point in time I'd trust the team doing the B-17 I've seen more than I would Sid Meier as far as aircraft modeling goes!

Yes, I know of Microprose flight sims in the past. I owned EAW, PAW, B-17: The Mighty Eighth and Falcon 4, along with such titles as M1 Tank Platoon.

However, the Microprose of that era was wound up in 2003, and eventually the brand name was bought by David Lagettie, an Australian simulation software entrepreneur. That's where it stands today - same name, different company and people.

 

[heywooood]

he's right - only the Microprose name is familiar - not the current iteration. That said, their screenshots and PR to date is making a good impression...for what it's worth.
This does remind me of that time 'Rise of Flight' produced / converted their very nice Fokker DR1 to FSX and made it a freeware offering as a promotion for their sim.
I don't think current Microprose is giving away their B-17 when it's finished - but I do think this is the same idea. To recruit customers for their sim from MSFS users.
They'll want it to be as good as they can make it.

 

[Javis]

Thanks very much for the info and links, John. Interesting, certainly, but I'll probably hold out for the Flying Iron B-17. The Microprose group are unknown to me, whereas Flying Iron's reputation is peerless. I'm open to persuasion, of course. Thanks again.

What about Flying Iron being as quiet as a mouse about their B-17 project (i can recall only *two* mysterious piccies in total...) while we know by now what Microprose is up to regarding their B-17G project according to a truckload of amazing screenies and reports. (thanks John!) It has been and very much still is always a dilemma for a payware aircraft model developer to take the chance and decide to go full throttle on a model while the chance of another dev doing the same model is always lurking behind the corner. And because of the possible much higher workload developing for MSFS2020/24 it might be an even much higher risk compared to the 'bygone' FS era before the MSAsobo period.

No doubt F.I. is up to date with what's going on at Microprose like we are i.e. If i was F.I. i would close the B-17 WIP hangar doors and sneak out the backdoor ever so quietly...

I mean :


What's not to like about this WIP shot of the Microprose B-17G cockpit ?...

The A2A B-17 has always been on top of my fav FSX aircraft models but still i can't remember it that vividly anymore. It just might be that what we see here above surpasses the once amazing beautiful VC of the A2A B-17. What do you think, Paul ?... ;-)

The beauty of this all is that we don't know, it's only guessing what the B-17 (Memphis) Bell(e) tolls and personally i always love that kind of thing. Who knows maybe me thinking that I.F. has thrown the towel into the ring re their B-17 project is total baloney and eventually they *will* deliver an even better looking and performing B-17 model for FS2020/24 compared to the Microprose offering. ( personally i *do* like the fact that Microprose puts the release of the FS2024 version in front of the FS2020 version so as to make use of the much more advanced potential that 2024 has to offer (sorry guys, i'm from the dark side..)Also 'Early Access' sounds pretty good to me ;-)

I *do* think that the utter quietness of Flying Iron regarding its B-17 project is atleast very suspicious...

 

[Paul K]

Jan - what's not to like about that WIP shot of the Microprose B-17G cockpit ? Well, I'd say very little. You are right; it does look very nice indeed. The trouble is that a lot of WIP and preview shots show things from the most favourable angle and in their best light - the shots wouldn't be released, otherwise. I'm not prejudging Microprose - I'm only expressing caution, because this is not the Microprose we grew up with. It's just a brand name at the moment.

Flying Iron, on the other hand, is an established high-end warbird developer, with a proven track record. As far as MSFS 20 and 24 are concerned, they have set the standard for WW2 warbirds - in my view anyway. Even without progress shots, their B-17G is almost a known quantity, simply by their reputation. But sadly, I agree with you again - their silence on the project is a bit disconcerting, isn't it ?

 

[DennyA]

As far as MSFS 20 and 24 are concerned, they have set the standard for WW2 warbirds

While I agree with that sentiment, Blackbird recently did a "hold my beer" with their Zero release.

That said, if I get a great B-17 from MicroProse and a superb one the following year from Flying Iron, that works fine for me. I had a lot of fun flying Dean's F-14 for very long time before Dino one-upped it with his DCS conversion. No regrets about buying either one.

Now, we just need Flight Replicas to get that superb B-24 moved over to MSFS!

 

[Bomber_12th]

I really hope we'll get another update from MicroProse soon. I have to say I wasn't really interested at all when they first announced their project, some months after FlyingIron had announced theirs, since I knew FlyingIron's quality and attention to detail, especially in coded-features, but with every update from MicroProse, I've been more and more interested in their work, and now I cannot wait to purchase their B-17 when it releases. Not only are the visuals impressive to me, but I'm encouraged when they mention "systems" implementation in addition to flight modeling.

From what I've been told from those who have met him, there is perhaps no greater expert on the B-17 than Gerad Blume, and he is working as the historical adviser for MicroProse. He is also the historian for the company, Hangar Thirteen, which rebuilds/restores real B-17s.

For those that may not click on the links I posted earlier in this thread, here are some of my favorite in-game screenshots that MicroProse have shared thus-far of the development of their B-17G. Just waiting to see images of the nose section, which I assume must be the last portion of the interior they've been working on - the Norden bomb sight in particular must be a complicated bit of kit to model in detail.

In this first image, note the inclusion of the co-pilot's C-1 autopilot formation control stick on the right-hand wall (the pilot also had his own on the left-side of the cockpit) - a detail often overlooked. Note too how so much of the interior, except for the cockpit, is bare aluminum, which is exactly how they were. As well as all of the placarding and stencils, true to original production/military use.

 

[Paul K]

In this first image, note the inclusion of the co-pilot's C-1 autopilot formation control stick on the right-hand wall (the pilot also had his own on the left-side of the cockpit) - a detail often overlooked.

Very much overlooked - I've never noticed it before in any B-17 cockpit shots. What was it for ? Fine adjustment when in formation ? How did it work ?

 

[Bomber_12th]

Yes, the formation control sticks were installed for use with the autopilot, to allow the pilot's to make fine adjustments while flying formation on autopilot. The intention was to reduce pilot fatigue from flying formation for hours on end. The formation stick was one of the first fly-by-wire systems to let the pilot fly formation through the autopilot and save his strength. They were an item that came quite late in the war, and therefore in B-17 production, they were found only in later-production B-17Gs. One report I've read from 100th BG pilot, John Clark, mentioned he wasn't impressed by it, the one time he tried it out. His opinion was that the control stick/system was too sensitive, and therefore too easy to result in over-control, which is exactly what you don't want when flying tight formation. Other pilots commented that they didn't like it because they preferred to "feel" the controls. Another problem is that when flying formation, you often need to use uncoordinated flight controls to keep your position, and the formation stick would automatically coordinate rudder with ailerons. Although it was not well-liked, it is a neat detail to see recreated and included.

I'd imagine a good number of these control sticks were likely later sacrificed for their stick grips, to be used in WWII US fighter/ trainer restorations.

Photos by Dave Littleton (B-17 Cockpit Project):

 

[Paul K]

Yes, the formation control sticks were installed for use with the autopilot, to allow the pilot's to make fine adjustments while flying formation on autopilot. The intention was to reduce pilot fatigue from flying formation for hours on end. The formation stick was one of the first fly-by-wire systems to let the pilot fly formation through the autopilot and save his strength. They were an item that came quite late in the war, and therefore in B-17 production, they were found only in later-production B-17Gs. One report I've read from 100th BG pilot, John Clark, mentioned he wasn't impressed by it, the one time he tried it out. His opinion was that the control stick/system was too sensitive, and therefore too easy to result in over-control, which is exactly what you don't want when flying tight formation. Other pilots commented that they didn't like it because they preferred to "feel" the controls. Another problem is that when flying formation, you often need to use uncoordinated flight controls to keep your position, and the formation stick would automatically coordinate rudder with ailerons. Although it was not well-liked, it is a neat detail to see recreated and included.

I'd imagine a good number of these control sticks were likely later sacrificed for their stick grips, to be used in WWII US fighter/ trainer restorations.

Photos by Dave Littleton (B-17 Cockpit Project):

Thanks for that, John. An interesting technical innovation, even if not well liked.

 

[TuFun]

I always wonder why the props are blurred but not the prop hubs.