FS2004 Air France SuperStarliner F-BHBQ

This add-on delivers a carefully crafted repaint of Air France’s “Montcalm” Super Starliner, specifically designed for the freeware Lockheed L-1649A Constellation by Manfred Jahn and team. It targets Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 enthusiasts seeking an authentic vintage operating experience. Below is a set of instructions detailing how to implement these textures, along with essential reference data to ensure a smooth installation. Created by Alex Carry, this package seamlessly delivers the classic Air France color scheme while leaving the aircraft’s signature lines intact.

Technical Highlights and Notes

• Repaint Compatibility: These repaints are intended for the Lockheed L-1649A Starliner (often referred to as the last prop-driven airliner in the legendary Constellation family). They require the base files L1649-11.ZIP and the subsequent update L164911A.ZIP.
• Air France Heritage: Air France operated various long-haul Lockheed Constellations throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including the L-1649A. The airline leveraged the Starliner’s range for transatlantic and intercontinental routes. This texture set focuses on the “Montcalm” registration F-BHBQ.
• Historic Layout: The real-world L-1649A Starliner introduced longer wings and upgraded engines, enabling flights of approximately 20 hours on certain routes. This was ideal for overseas journeys between European and North American cities.

Installation Procedure

1. Obtain and install the freeware Lockheed L-1649A Starliner base model for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 by Manfred Jahn and team, alongside the update packages (L1649-11.ZIP and L164911A.ZIP), which can be found in the Fly Away Simulation library.
2. After downloading the “Montcalm” repaint package, locate the texture.afjal folder and move it into your Lockheed_L1649A directory nested in Fs9/AIRCRAFT.
3. Open the aircraft.cfg file in any text editor (for instance, Notepad). Copy the entire block of code provided below, paste it within the aircraft listings, and replace all XX placeholders with the next sequential fltsim number to ensure correct indexing:

[fltsim.xx]
title=Lockheed L-1649A Starliner Japan Air Lines
sim=L1649A
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=afjal
kb_checklists=Doc\L-1649A_check
kb_reference=Doc\L-1649A_ref
atc_id=F-BHBQ
atc_id_enable=1
ui_manufacturer=Lockheed
ui_type=L-1649A Starliner
ui_variation=japan air lines
description="The Starliner was the last of the long-range piston-engine airliners. Designed to fly Los Angeles-London or Paris-Tokyo in around 20 hours non-stop, it established numerous long-distance records, many of them still current today. Providing accommodation for twenty-six first-class and forty-five tourist-class passengers, the Starliner entered service with TWA in May 1957. Other operators were Air France and Lufthansa."
atc_flight_number=270
atc_airline=japan air
atc_heavy=0
visual_damage=1
atc_parking_codes=
atc_parking_types=GATE,RAMP
prop_anim_ratio=0.99 //avoid frozen propdisks
atc_id_color=0x00000000
atc_id_font=Verdana,-11,1,600,0

Final Observations on the Repaint

This “Montcalm” scheme showcases subtle fuselage lettering, iconic Air France tail markings, and a detailed engine cowl design faithful to the 1950s aesthetic. Alex Carry has meticulously reproduced each distinctive feature, ensuring an immersive look and feel similar to the aircraft’s service days. Enjoy the classic silhouette under all flight conditions and bring back the nostalgia of long-distance, piston-driven travel.