FS2004 Southwest Airways Douglas DC-3

This repaint offers a distinctive Southwest Airways livery for the payware MAAM-Sim DC-3 from Mid Atlantic Air Museum Simulations, specifically adapted for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. Dave McQueen created this texture set to capture the historic identity of Southwest Airways, which originally operated Douglas DC-3 aircraft in regional passenger service. This free package installs easily on top of the existing purchased DC-3 base model.

Historic Context and Aircraft Background

Southwest Airways traces its roots to the early 1940s and became known for using the reliable Douglas DC-3 for short-haul flights. The DC-3, a twin-engine propeller-driven transport, revolutionized passenger aviation by introducing higher cruising speeds and dependable operations. This model held a strong reputation for performance, making it a mainstay across numerous airlines worldwide, including Southwest Airways. Over time, Southwest Airways evolved into a different brand but left an enduring legacy in regional service.

Installation Steps and Practical Considerations

Texture Folder Preparation

After unpacking the repaint files, move the texture.swa (or similarly named) items into a duplicated MAAM-SIM DC-3 texture folder. That existing folder holds the essential supporting textures needed for a complete visual setup. By consolidating both sets, you ensure uniform compatibility without missing panels or other visual details.

Aircraft.cfg Configuration

Next, update your aircraft.cfg by adding a new entry to represent the Southwest Airways livery. Make sure to adjust the model= parameter to match the naming convention of your installed DC-3 model if it does not match “maam.” The example below demonstrates the required lines:

[fltsim.XX]
title=Douglas DC-3A Southwest
sim=MaamSim_DC3
model=maam
panel=
sound=
texture=swa
kb_checklists=checkloader
kb_reference=DC-3_ref
atc_id=
ui_manufacturer=Douglas
ui_type=MAAM-SIM DC-3 - Passenger
ui_variation=Southwest
atc_heavy=0
atc_airline=Southwest
atc_flight_number=47
description= To operate this aircraft, refer to the User's Manual with instructional videos on the MAAM-SIM R4D/DC-3 CD as well as the detailed kneeboard reference pages and checklists.

Keep the title, ui_variation, and description fields aligned with the new repaint. For realism and proper AI or ATC usage, adjust the atc_flight_number to any preferred numeric value, and revise atc_id if needed.

Visual Preview

Credit and Important Notes

This release originates from Dave McQueen, who meticulously crafted the Southwest Airways scheme. To operate it, you must own the payware Douglas DC-3 from Mid Atlantic Air Museum Simulations, which is not included in this repaint download. If you are missing the base package, you can obtain it from a reputable add-on store such as SimShack. Once installed, these textures provide an authentic visual reference to the airline’s post-war regional legacy, enhancing immersion during retro-themed flights in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004.