FS2004 North Central Airlines Douglas DC-3

This repaint offers a faithful representation of the classic North Central Airlines livery on a Douglas DC-3 airframe. It has been crafted by Dave McQueen for use with the MAAM-Sim (Mid Atlantic Air Museum Simulations) DC-3 add-on package. This repaint is intended for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 and requires the prior installation of the payware DC-3 base model—available for purchase separately through outlets such as SimShack. Below, you will find a detailed breakdown of the repaint’s features, installation steps, and technical considerations.

Historic Background of the DC-3 and North Central Airlines

The Douglas DC-3, introduced in the 1930s, revolutionized air travel by offering greater range and reliability than many of its predecessors. North Central Airlines was a regional carrier that operated these distinctive twin-engine prop-liners across the Midwest and beyond. The airline’s recognizable branding is captured in this repaint, reflecting the iconic aesthetics that once graced runways across North America.

Key Livery Highlights

• Authentic Color Palette: Reflects North Central Airlines’ historical branding, reproduced to match official reference images.
• Realistic Markings: Intricate details, such as fuselage titles and rudder striping, mirrored from period photographs.
• MAAM-Sim Compatibility: Designed for seamless integration with the MAAM-Sim DC-3, preserving custom animations and cockpit features.

Texture Integration Procedure

Once you have the MAAM-Sim Douglas DC-3 (payware) installed, follow these steps to insert the new North Central Airlines textures:

1. Locate your existing MAAM-Sim DC-3 installation folder and find a texture folder that contains all stock elements (sometimes named texture or texture.xx).
2. Copy the contents of the downloaded texture.nca folder into the existing texture folder. Overwrite when prompted or create a separate texture folder labeled texture.nca if you prefer.
3. Open aircraft.cfg (within the DC-3’s main directory) and append the following entry, adjusting the “[fltsim.XX]” index number in accordance with your existing fleet configuration.

[fltsim.XX]
title=Douglas DC-3A North Central
sim=MaamSim_DC3
model=maam
panel=
sound=
texture=nca
kb_checklists=checkloader
kb_reference=DC-3_ref
atc_id=
ui_manufacturer=Douglas
ui_type=MAAM-SIM DC-3 - Passenger
ui_variation=North Central
atc_heavy=0
atc_airline=North Central
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.

Note About Model Naming

The line model=maam may differ in your configuration. If your MAAM-Sim DC-3 uses a differently named model folder, substitute “maam” with the appropriate term. This ensures that your repaint loads correctly with the correct 3D model file.

Created by Dave McQueen

This freeware repaint is credited to Dave McQueen, who painstakingly reproduced the North Central Airlines color scheme for maximum authenticity. His work preserves the legacy of this venerable airline while bringing the DC-3 to life within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. Remember that the payware DC-3 base model is not included and must be acquired separately.