FSX US Marine Corps F-35C VMFA-314 Repaints

This package features four fictional liveries for VMFA-314 (Black Knights) inspired by a notional transition from their well-known F/A-18C aircraft to the Lockheed Martin F-35C variant. These repaints, created by S. Peterson, require Dino Cattaneo’s F-35C model (F35V230.ZIP) and are designed for Microsoft Flight Simulator X. They do not include the base model, which must be obtained separately from the Fly Away Simulation mod library. Below, you will find an outline of the key elements along with installation steps.

Hypothetical Marine Corps Transition

In this repaint set, the VMFA-314 Black Knights—recognized for their distinctive insignia—are depicted as if they upgraded from their legacy F/A-18C to the cutting-edge F-35C. The Lockheed Martin F-35C (Carrier Variant) is a stealth-capable, single-engine platform that emphasizes carrier operations through reinforced landing gear and foldable wingtips. Although VMFA-314 currently operates other aircraft, these particular liveries are an imaginative glimpse of what their markings might look like if they adopted the F-35C.

Key Installation Directions

• Place the included texture folders into the F-35C aircraft folder in your SimObjects/Airplanes directory.
• Navigate to your aircraft.cfg, then copy and paste the following entries. Replace “fltsim.x” with the next sequential index number in your file.

[fltsim.x]
title=F-35C Lightning II VMFA-314 01
sim=F-35C
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=VMFA314-01
kb_checklists=F35C_check
kb_reference=F35C_ref
atc_id=F35
atc_airline=KNIGHT
atc_flight_number=01
ui_manufacturer="Lockheed Martin"
ui_type="F-35C Lightning II"
ui_variation="VMFA-314 Black Knights 01, USMC"
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 military strike fighter, a multirole aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions. The F-35 has three different models; one is the conventional takeoff and landing variant, the second is short takeoff and vertical-landing variant, and the third is a carrier-based variant. The F-35 is descended from the X-35, the product of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Its development is being principally funded by the United States, with the United Kingdom and other partner governments providing additional funding. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems as major partners. Demonstrator aircraft flew in 2000, with the first flight on 15 December 2006."

[fltsim.x]
title=F-35C Lightning II VMFA-314 02
sim=F-35C
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=VMFA314-02
kb_checklists=F35C_check
kb_reference=F35C_ref
atc_id=F35
atc_airline=KNIGHT
atc_flight_number=02
ui_manufacturer="Lockheed Martin"
ui_type="F-35C Lightning II"
ui_variation="VMFA-314 Black Knights 02, USMC"
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 military strike fighter, a multirole aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions. The F-35 has three different models; one is the conventional takeoff and landing variant, the second is short takeoff and vertical-landing variant, and the third is a carrier-based variant. The F-35 is descended from the X-35, the product of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Its development is being principally funded by the United States, with the United Kingdom and other partner governments providing additional funding. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems as major partners. Demonstrator aircraft flew in 2000, with the first flight on 15 December 2006."

[fltsim.x]
title=F-35C Lightning II VMFA-314 03
sim=F-35C
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=VMFA314-03
kb_checklists=F35C_check
kb_reference=F35C_ref
atc_id=F35
atc_airline=KNIGHT
atc_flight_number=03
ui_manufacturer="Lockheed Martin"
ui_type="F-35C Lightning II"
ui_variation="VMFA-314 Black Knights 03, USMC"
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 military strike fighter, a multirole aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions. The F-35 has three different models; one is the conventional takeoff and landing variant, the second is short takeoff and vertical-landing variant, and the third is a carrier-based variant. The F-35 is descended from the X-35, the product of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Its development is being principally funded by the United States, with the United Kingdom and other partner governments providing additional funding. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems as major partners. Demonstrator aircraft flew in 2000, with the first flight on 15 December 2006."

[fltsim.x]
title=F-35C Lightning II VMFA-314 04
sim=F-35C
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=VMFA314-04
kb_checklists=F35C_check
kb_reference=F35C_ref
atc_id=F35
atc_airline=KNIGHT
atc_flight_number=04
ui_manufacturer="Lockheed Martin"
ui_type="F-35C Lightning II"
ui_variation="VMFA-314 Black Knights 04, USMC"
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 military strike fighter, a multirole aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions. The F-35 has three different models; one is the conventional takeoff and landing variant, the second is short takeoff and vertical-landing variant, and the third is a carrier-based variant. The F-35 is descended from the X-35, the product of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Its development is being principally funded by the United States, with the United Kingdom and other partner governments providing additional funding. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems as major partners. Demonstrator aircraft flew in 2000, with the first flight on 15 December 2006."

Noteworthy Characteristics

These repaints showcase the Black Knights’ well-recognized theme, incorporating appropriate squadron identifiers for each livery. Each design captures the spirit of United States Marine Corps markings, blending them with the advanced lines of the F-35C. S. Peterson has provided four unique paint schemes which reflect different unit numbers, making them ideal for group flights or personal preference.

Credits and Acknowledgments

All credits go to S. Peterson for the fictional VMFA-314 repaints and to Dino Cattaneo for creating the original freeware F-35C model. Ensure you source the base package from the Fly Away Simulation mod library to properly install and fly these repaints in your simulator.