FSX TAAG Angola Airlines Boeing 737-200 Combi

This package offers a specialized TAAG Angola Airlines repaint for the Boeing 737-200 Combi, intended for use in Microsoft Flight Simulator X. The textures are designed for the freeware base model by FSX AI Bureau (file: FAIB_B7372.ZIP) and do not include the actual aircraft. Created by Mariano Bonaccorso, this repaint set features both DXT5 (with or without MIPs [mipmaps: smaller versions of the main texture for better image clarity at various distances]) and a custom lightmap. The 737-200 Combi variant combines cargo and passenger capabilities behind a classic narrow-body design that airlines have relied on for decades.

Visual Highlights and Technical Notes

TAAG Angola Airlines, the flagship carrier of Angola, has historically operated various Boeing models, including the 737-200 Combi. The dual-purpose configuration (commonly referred to as a combi) allows simultaneous transport of freight and passengers, made possible by a specialized fuselage door configuration. The exterior paint in this add-on reflects the airline’s distinctive color scheme and includes corresponding night-lighting effects for realistic after-dark operations online and offline.

Step-by-Step Installation Details

1. Locate the correct base folder: Place the texture.DTA directory in the Boeing 737-200 base package folder (available in the Fly Away Simulation downloads library for the FSX AI Bureau model).
2. Adjust the aircraft configuration: Insert the provided [fltsim.x] entries into the aircraft.cfg file that comes with the base package. Ensure the numeric labels follow a continuous sequence ([fltsim.0], [fltsim.1], etc.) without duplicates.
3. Assign to flight plans: Add the newly painted aircraft to schedules of your choice, making this TAAG Angola Airlines livery available in AI traffic or user-generated scenarios.

Additional Implementation Insights

The Boeing 737-200 Combi was known for its short-field performance, which aligns well with many African airports featuring shorter runways. This add-on leverages those performance characteristics for virtual operations in Microsoft Flight Simulator X. By combining passenger service and cargo hauling, the livery showcases TAAG’s historical approach to connecting remote regions with more metropolitan areas.

For authenticity, the included lightmap enhances night illumination, providing a realistic glow around the windows and fuselage sections when operating under low-visibility conditions. The choice of DXT5 textures favors detailed resolution while keeping performance in check. If you need a smaller memory footprint, consider using the non-MIP or MIP-enabled files as appropriate for your system and usage scenario.

Developer: Mariano Bonaccorso

Note: This repaint requires the freeware base model by FSX AI Bureau, which is offered in Fly Away Simulation’s library. Make sure to install that first before loading these texture files to ensure proper functionality.