JetBlue McDonnell Douglas DC-9-20 N383JB

This repaint package offers a visually detailed rendition of a JetBlue McDonnell Douglas DC-9-20 (tail number N383JB) built for enthusiasts who enjoy integrating classic jetliners with a modern airline livery. It is completely freeware and intended for use with the Historic Jetliners Group (HJG) DC-9-20 base pack. This add-on thoroughly embraces the vintage characteristics of the DC-9-20 while seamlessly blending JetBlue-inspired paintwork, ensuring that fans of Microsoft Flight Simulator X can enjoy a distinctive twist to an old-school twinjet. The base model required to utilize this repaint is available from the Fly Away Simulation library.

Technically-Oriented Livery Attributes

Tailored for HJG’s DC-9-20 (JT8D-11 v1.13), this repaint highlights the classic fuselage lines of the -20 variant, which was introduced to handle short to medium routes efficiently. JetBlue’s color scheme is applied meticulously over the airframe’s rivet lines and control surfaces, preserving realistic panel intricacies.

• Accurate Markings: Every decal and registration marking matches the real-world style of JetBlue’s branding.
• Distinctive Tail Design: The characteristic JetBlue tail paint has been recreated to show the airline’s recognizable design concepts.
• High-Fidelity Texturing: Subtle reflections and shadows capture the look of metal surfaces common in early-era Douglas jets.

Background on the Actual DC-9-20

The McDonnell Douglas DC-9-20 series was engineered for better takeoff performance and enhanced payload capacity. Equipped with powerful JT8D-11 engines, this variant featured larger wings and improved lift devices. Within commercial fleets, the DC-9 remained a workhorse for short hop routes, embodying a robust design that many operators praised for reliability. JetBlue, known for its cost-effective service and contemporary branding, never operated the DC-9 officially, but this repaint reimagines what a DC-9-20 might look like if it had worn JetBlue’s colors in a parallel aviation universe.

Essential Steps for Seamless Integration

1. Place the folder labeled texture.Jet Blue N383JB into your existing DC-9-20 directory. Ensure it aligns with the standard folder naming convention for this aircraft.
2. Open the aircraft.cfg in the DC-9-20 folder and insert the provided [fltsim.X] block. Remember to replace “X” with the next sequential repaint number in your configuration file.
3. For Microsoft Flight Simulator X-specific use, substitute the original panel and sound folders with FSX-ready counterparts of your preference.
4. Locate this repaint under “McDonnell Douglas” in your simulator’s aircraft selection menu once you have successfully updated the configuration.
5. Optional: If you want the classic engine smoke effects, remove any existing [SMOKESYSTEM] entries from the aircraft.cfg and add the new lines included with this package.

Smoke Effects Customization

Recognizing that many classic airliner enthusiasts appreciate dynamic exhaust plumes, Tom Tiedman has provided [SMOKESYSTEM] data to replicate the JT8D-11 output realistically. By pasting those lines into the aircraft configuration file, you can experience era-appropriate smoke trails at takeoff and during high-thrust segments of flight.

Above: A preview of the finished livery showing the DC-9-20 on the ramp, displaying the unique JetBlue-inspired colors.

Developer Notes and Credits

This repaint was created by Tom Tiedman, carefully designed for enthusiasts seeking a modern airline scheme on a classic Douglas platform. All modifications rely on the Historic Jetliners Group (HJG) DC-9-20 base pack, version JT8D-11 v1.13. The content is fully freeware but does not include the original aircraft model; users must acquire the base package from the Fly Away Simulation repository.