FSX Royal Navy F-35B 899 NAS

This semi-fictional repaint brings the Lockheed Martin F-35B into Royal Navy colors, featuring the markings of 899 Naval Air Squadron, once the Operational Conversion Unit for the Sea Harrier at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset before that aircraft’s retirement in 2006. Created by Ash Jackson, this livery provides a notional FA.1 Lightning II scheme for those who wish to explore a British naval variant within Microsoft Flight Simulator X. The repaint is offered as freeware and requires the independent F-35B model by Dino Cattaneo, available in the Fly Away Simulation library.

The Royal Navy’s 899 NAS Context

Historically, 899 Naval Air Squadron focused on training pilots and transitioning aircrews onto frontline Sea Harrier operations. Although that role concluded when the Sea Harrier left service, this custom livery imagines how an F-35B might look under the same squadron banner. The F-35B variant is particularly well-suited to naval applications, thanks to its STOVL (Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing) capabilities and stealth-centric design. This repaint integrates those distinctive Royal Navy markings with a hypothetical twist, merging traditional squadron emblems with the F-35’s modern airframe.

Visual Preview

Installation Procedure

Once the RAR file is extracted to a convenient location, locate the “Texture.bRN899” folder and place it in the existing F-35B directory found at Microsoft Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Airplanes\F-35B. Then open the aircraft.cfg file and append the following entry, ensuring you set “XOXO” to the next numerical position. If your configuration presently has three default liveries, you would designate this as “fltsim.3” or the next appropriate index:

[fltsim.XOXO]
title=Lightning II FA.1, 899 NAS
sim=F-35B
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=bRN899
kb_checklists=F35B_check
kb_reference=F35B_ref
atc_id=F35
atc_airline=Navy
atc_flight_number=716
ui_manufacturer="Lockheed Martin"
ui_type="Lightning II FA.1"
ui_variation="899 NAS, Royal Navy"
ui_typerole="Single Engine Jet"
ui_createdby="Dino Cattaneo"
description="The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable strike fighter. This repaint by Ash Jackson envisions a Royal Navy FA.1 from 899 NAS."

Key Aircraft Details

The F-35 Lightning II program represents a modern multirole fighter initiative, developed primarily by Lockheed Martin with key collaboration from Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. The F-35B variant excels in operations from shorter runways or carrier decks, leveraging its integrated lift fan for vertical and short takeoff performance. Its maiden flight dates back to 2006, evolving from the earlier X-35 demonstrator that initially flew in 2000. This design aims to perform multiple mission profiles, including air defense, close air support, and precision strikes.

Base Model Requirement

Note that this texture set is strictly a repaint package. You will need Dino Cattaneo’s freeware F-35B model from the Fly Away Simulation library to utilize this livery, as the base aircraft is not included here. Simply combine this repaint with the main model to enjoy a Royal Navy twist on the fifth-generation Lightning II inside Microsoft Flight Simulator X.