FS2004 EAL Boeing 727-200 Air Shuttle Plus

This freeware add-on features a genuine Eastern Airlines Boeing 727-200 in a striking Air Shuttle Plus bare-metal finish. Created by Sheppard Avery and using the AI Aardvark model, it is intended exclusively for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 enthusiasts aiming to enhance their AI traffic or personal fleet. It includes detailed day and night textures that accurately depict the polished metal effect along the fuselage and engine sections, reflecting the iconic style of mid-century commercial aviation.

Refined Livery Highlights

Authentic Air Shuttle Plus Design: This repaint captures the distinctive blend of Eastern Airlines’ trademark metallic surfaces and Air Shuttle Plus branding, paying tribute to a once-prominent U.S. carrier.

Day/Night Reflections: It incorporates carefully crafted metallic reflectivity for both daylight operations and nocturnal flying, adding a realistic sheen that responds to in-simulator lighting.

Eastern Air Lines Background

Eastern Air Lines, often recognized for its major hubs in Atlanta and Miami, dominated routes along the U.S. eastern seaboard from the mid-20th century until the early 1990s. The carrier excelled at high-density operations in New York, San Juan, and Kansas City, with a notable presence in the Caribbean and Central/South America. At peak capacity during the early 1980s, Eastern was the airline of choice for a vast number of global passengers. Their Boeing 727 fleet, in particular, provided balanced range and versatility on short to medium-haul services.

Boeing 727-200 Airframe Notes

The Boeing 727-200 is renowned for its triple-engine configuration (three rear-mounted turbofans) and unique tail-mounted design. It was considered groundbreaking for its capability to operate on shorter runways, made possible by advanced leading-edge devices. Many carriers, including Eastern, capitalized on these traits for flexible route structures and efficient passenger transport.

Distinctive AI Aardvark Model

The included textures align with the AI Aardvark 727-200 model, which is particularly favored among virtual pilots for its performance efficiency in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. Its simplified geometry optimizes AI behavior without sacrificing visual fidelity.

Installation Procedure

1. Acquire the AI Aardvark 727-200 base model (AIA721PK.ZIP) if not already installed.
2. Place the provided texture folder(s) into the correct aircraft directory within your simulator files.
3. Adjust your aircraft.cfg to reference these new Eastern Air Lines textures. Ensure proper title, ui_variation, and texture entries match the provided filenames.
4. Enable the reflective model for the best bare-metal visuals.

Key Credits

Textures:

Sheppard Avery

Model:

AI Aardvark

All artistic elements were crafted with precision to evoke the spirit of classic Eastern Air Lines operations. This download is completely freeware and can be installed seamlessly to enrich your virtual aviation environment in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004.

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