FSX French Navy Douglas C-117D

This custom French Navy-inspired livery reimagines the Douglas C-117D Skytrooper for Microsoft Flight Simulator X, featuring a unique naval theme that contrasts beautifully with the aircraft’s vintage airframe. Developed by Manfred Jahn, Alexander M. Metzger, and Hans-Joerg Naegele, and repainted by B. Lechner using the original paintkit modified by Gordon “Gman5250” Madison, it retains the stylish lines of this legendary twin-engine platform while enhancing your virtual hangar with new textures and insignias.

Key Characteristics of the Naval-Themed C-117D

The Douglas C-117D Skytrooper, often acknowledged as a modernized military variant of the well-known DC-3, offers enhanced performance capabilities. Its upgraded powerplants (engines that produce increased thrust) and reinforced airframe (structure designed to withstand challenging operational environments) make it suitable for extended maritime missions. While the French Navy design in this release is fictitious, it accurately reflects the atmospheric details one would expect from a naval aviation unit.

Model Requirements and Compatibility

This repaint demands the freeware Douglas C-117D Skytrooper base software, which is not included within this package. To properly install the new textures, you must own and have the C117D_V1_BETA.ZIP model from the same developers. Once combined, you can conduct short-field landings or practice formation flights in numerous naval operations.

Preparatory Steps for Installation

• Decompress the downloaded repaint package into a convenient directory on your system.
• Locate the unzipped folder labeled "texture._OISEAU BLANC" and copy it into your SIMOBJECTS/AIRPLANES/Douglas_C-117D folder.
• Edit your aircraft.cfg file to include the repaint entry below. Replace [fltsim.XX] with the correct sequential index:

[FLTSIM.XX]
title = DOUGLAS C-117D -- FRENCH NAVY --
sim = DOUGLAS_C-117D_V1.2
model = C117_1
panel =
sound =
texture = _OISEAU BLANC
kb_checklists = douglas_c117_check
kb_reference = douglas_c117_ref
atc_id = R-02
atc_flight_number =
atc_airline =
ui_manufacturer = DOUGLAS
ui_type = C-117D
ui_variation = OISEAU BLANC
ui_typerole = Twin Engine Prop
ui_createdby =
description =

Notable Aesthetic and Functional Highlights

By incorporating naval markings and crisp color layouts, this repaint emphasizes the Skytrooper’s fuselage contours while hinting at the maritime heritage of the French Navy. The cockpit instrumentation remains faithful to the original aircraft, allowing for realistic procedures and flight checks. Texture mapping aligns precisely with the underlying model geometry, yielding an immersive new perspective for pilots fond of historical or alternate-livery operations.

Creators and Credits

The core aircraft model was produced by Manfred Jahn, Alexander M. Metzger, and Hans-Joerg Naegele, ensuring high-quality flight dynamics and visually appealing details. B. Lechner led the development of this specialized repaint, aligning distinct navy-themed elements to the airframe, while Gordon “Gman5250” Madison contributed to the paintkit refinements.

It is recommended to verify that you have properly installed the base model before loading this repaint in your simulator. Once ready, you can immerse yourself in short trips between coastal stations or perform simulated logistics flights that showcase the adaptability of this storied aircraft.