FS2004 Trans-Australia Airlines Convair CV-240 VBF

This detailed repaint package features the classic Trans-Australia Airlines (TAA) Convair CV-240 VBF in a mid-1950s color scheme. The aircraft, bearing registration VH-TAO, was named “RMA George Bass” upon delivery in December 1948 and later took the name “RMA John Fawkner.” Enthusiasts of historical Australian aviation will appreciate this texture set that emulates TAA’s early post-war operations under the Convair liner program. Please note that this release only includes repainted textures and the associated model file; it requires the freeware CV240VBFCB16_BASEPACK_010.ZIP package from the Fly Away Simulation mod library. Credits go to Greg Pepper and Tom Gibson for the original design, with upgrades by Georg Hauzenberger (model) and Hans Hermann (textures) at the Virtual Birds Factory.

Historic Profile of TAA’s CV-240

Trans-Australia Airlines, established to expand domestic routes across Australia, employed versatile twin-engined aircraft for passenger and cargo services. The Convair CV-240 series, introduced in the late 1940s, featured pressurized cabins (a design choice that enhances cabin comfort) and twin radial engines (noted for their reliability). This particular aircraft was delivered when TAA was modernizing its short-haul fleet. Over time, VH-TAO changed ownership multiple times before eventually finding its way into storage in Uruguay. Many aviation enthusiasts still value the aircraft’s significance in Australian commercial aviation.

Visuals in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004

This add-on is specifically tailored to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004, incorporating an authentic rendition of TAA’s signature pale tail stripes and titles of the era. The texture set reproduces subtle details such as fuselage lettering, wing markings, and the metallic finish representative of the original Convair airframe. Simulator pilots who enjoy vintage airline operations will find that this aircraft fills the gap for historical Australian liveries.

Important Requirements

Before adding this livery, ensure that the underlying Convair CV-240 base package (commonly referenced as CV240VBFCB16_BASEPACK_010.ZIP) is already installed. That package includes the folders named “cv240VBFca18,” “cv240VBFcb16,” or “cv240VBFmilitary,” which house the standard aircraft configuration. Without these critical base files, the repaint will not function as intended.

Compatibility Structure

Model Inclusions

This freeware repaint integrates the customized model file created by Virtual Birds Factory developers, improving certain visual features.

Texture Folder Directory

The livery files will complement the existing folder structure (e.g., “cv240VBFcb16”), so double-check your folder names within your “Aircraft” directory.

Installation Procedure

1. Extract the .zip file from this repaint package into a temporary directory.
2. Locate the setup.exe file in the newly extracted folder. The file name will match this repaint’s registration, for instance cv240VBFca18_aal_N94200_01_setup.exe (the exact name may vary).
3. Run the installer. It automatically copies the texture and model files into the appropriate folder (i.e., cv240VBFca18, cv240VBFcb16, or cv240VBFmilitary), depending on the configuration used by the developer. While installing, note the exact folder where the model is placed.
4. After installation, open the chosen aircraft folder within Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9\Aircraft. You should see a text file named (livery name)_add_to_aircraft_cfg.txt. Use a text editor (e.g., Notepad) to open this file.
5. Copy the [fltsim.xx] section visible in that text file. Then locate and open the aircraft.cfg file in the same folder. Paste the copied section immediately after the last [fltsim.yy] block, and update “xx” to the next number in numeric order. Save the aircraft.cfg file.

Troubleshooting Tips

• If the new repaint does not appear in your aircraft selection menu, verify that you placed the texture entry in the correct aircraft.cfg file and used a valid sequence number.
• Ensure you installed the base model package before adding this repaint. The folder names “cv240VBFca18,” “cv240VBFcb16,” or “cv240VBFmilitary” must match exactly.
• Double-check the path you selected for your Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 root installation, making sure it points to the correct directory where FS9.EXE resides.

With these steps completed, the Trans-Australia Airlines Convair CV-240 VBF livery should be ready for your virtual flights. This release owes credit to Greg Pepper and Tom Gibson for their groundwork, as well as to Georg Hauzenberger (model) and Hans Hermann (textures) of the Virtual Birds Factory for the enhancements. Enjoy recreating mid-century Australian flights with this faithfully detailed repaint in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004.