FSX Royal Navy F-35B 801 NAS

This livery showcases a Royal Navy interpretation of the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II, originally painted by Ash Jackson for use in Microsoft Flight Simulator X. It features the markings of 801 Naval Air Squadron, a well-known frontline unit that formerly operated the Sea Harrier out of RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset until that aircraft’s retirement in 2006. The repaint merges modern stealth technology with Royal Navy heritage to offer a unique aesthetic for virtual naval aviation.

Appearance and Heritage Combo

The texture replicates a semi-fictional scheme for the F-35B under 801 Naval Air Squadron colors. In real service, 801 NAS has a notable history in the Fleet Air Arm, having flown the Sea Harrier FA2 variant before transitioning away when those jets were phased out. Here, the sleek lines of the fifth-generation Lightning II blend with traditional British naval markings, preserving a link to the squadron’s storied past.

Base Aircraft Details

This repaint is specifically crafted for Dino Cattaneo’s freeware F-35B model, which showcases the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the overall Lightning II family. The real-world F-35 program, developed through the Joint Strike Fighter initiative, brings together advanced avionics, stealth shaping, and multirole capabilities suitable for a variety of missions. In operational domains, the F-35B handles both carrier and land-based operations with its powerful lift-fan system and vectored thrust, enabling vertical landings and shorter runway requirements.

How to Install This Livery

• Extract the downloaded RAR file to a convenient location on your PC.
• Locate the Texture.bRN801 folder and move it into your F-35B directory, found by default at Microsoft Flight Simulator X\SimObjects\Airplanes\F-35B.
• Open your Aircraft.cfg file in a text editor.
• Add the following block of text, replacing XOXO with the next available repaint entry number. For example, if the last listed repaint is [fltsim.2], then this section becomes [fltsim.3]. Save your edits when finished.

[fltsim.XOXO]
title=Lightning II FA.1, 801 NAS
sim=F-35B
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=bRN801
kb_checklists=F35B_check
kb_reference=F35B_ref
atc_id=F35
atc_airline=Navy
atc_flight_number=1
ui_manufacturer="Lockheed Martin"
ui_type="Lightning II FA.1"
ui_variation="801 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, able to take on close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions. This short takeoff and vertical landing variant merges high-tech systems with carrier-friendly operations. Developed from the X-35 under the JSF program, it is primarily funded by the United States with the United Kingdom and other allied countries sharing support. Designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin, with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems as key partners, the prototype took to the skies in 2000, and its first official flight occurred on 15 December 2006."

Essential Notes

Please make sure you acquire the original freeware base model by Dino Cattaneo, which you can find in the Fly Away Simulation library. This repaint depends on that model. Enjoy exploring carrier approaches, hovering capabilities, and traditional naval flight procedures with an authentic Royal Navy visual identity. By combining the contemporary F-35 design and classic Fleet Air Arm inspiration, this repaint offers a distinctive experience for sim pilots who appreciate historical squadron markings reimagined on cutting-edge platforms.