FS2004 EAL Douglas DC-9-50 Bare Metal V2.0

This repaint package provides a refined bare metal fuselage scheme for an AI Aardvark Douglas DC-9-50, specifically tailored for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. It preserves a classic Eastern Air Lines (EAL) style, complete with distinct day and night textures. Created by Sheppard Avery, this freeware upgrade requires the corresponding AI Aardvark base model found in the Fly Away Simulation mod library.

Historic Legacy of Eastern Air Lines

Eastern Air Lines, once headquartered in Miami, served as a major carrier throughout the United States and beyond. It operated notable hubs in Atlanta, New York, and Miami, connecting passengers across the eastern seaboard and into the Caribbean, Central, and South American regions. In the early 1980s, Eastern Air Lines stood out for carrying a remarkably high volume of travelers worldwide, illustrating its extensive service network.

Showcasing the DC-9-50’s Characteristics

The Douglas DC-9-50 (part of the DC-9 family) is recognized for its narrow-body layout and efficient short-to-medium-range capabilities. Known for reliable systems and simplified operation, it appealed to numerous airlines seeking a cost-effective approach to regional routes. This particular repaint replicates the reflective bare-metal finish many DC-9s displayed during active service. Furthermore, the included texture set accommodates both daytime sunlight reflections and ambient glow for nocturnal schedules.

Included Textures and Compatibility

This v2.0 release contains an updated set of textures in Eastern’s classic bare-metal layout. The design incorporates optimized reflections, so it is strongly recommended to select the reflective AI Aardvark model for the most accurate results. The materials are configured to ensure a proper sheen under various flight-simulator lighting conditions. Night textures also employ customized illumination effects to enhance realism when operating after sunset.

What You Get

• Extensive day and night fuselage textures for the DC-9-50 model
• Metallic layering that replicates Eastern’s timeless silver exterior
• High-resolution details that align with AI traffic integration

Installation Process for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004

1. Obtain the AI Aardvark DC-9-50 base model (file name AIAFS9UP.ZIP) from the Fly Away Simulation library, as only textures are included here.
2. Copy the new “texture” folder(s) into the corresponding AI Aardvark DC-9-50 folder within the FS2004 Aircraft directory.
3. Open the aircraft configuration (aircraft.cfg) file and add the matching texture entry following either the included instructions or the sample lines below:

[fltsim.x]
title=AI Aardvark DC-9-50 EAL Bare Metal
sim=aia_dc9_50
model=reflective
texture=EAL_BareMetal
atc_airline=Eastern
atc_parking_codes=EAL

Adjust the “x” in [fltsim.x] to the next sequential number in your configuration file. Make sure you reference the correct folder name in texture=.

Author and Credits

All visual enhancements showcased here are courtesy of Sheppard Avery. The base model belongs to AI Aardvark. Remember that this repaint is freeware and does not include the original aircraft package. Always ensure you have the official base files to complete the setup.