FSX Cathay Pacific Airways Bristol

Cathay Pacific Airways briefly operated the renowned Bristol Britannia under a short-term lease from BOAC in 1960. This freeware repaint accurately reflects the unique exterior markings used during that era. These textures are designed for Microsoft Flight Simulator X and must be paired with the separate Britannia base package (BRT_V10X.ZIP), readily available for download in the Fly Away Simulation library. Created by Jens B. Kristensen, the repaint package offers a historically grounded visual experience for enthusiasts of vintage propliners.

Examining Cathay Pacific’s Bristol Britannia Lease

The Bristol Britannia, sometimes referred to as the “Whispering Giant,” is a British turboprop aircraft characterized by efficient performance at medium-to-long-range routes. In 1960, Cathay Pacific leased several of these aircraft from BOAC to support its growing regional network. With those turboprop-powered airframes, Cathay Pacific explored new routes in Southeast Asia and reinforced its reputation as an innovative carrier. This add-on replicates that fleeting yet notable collaboration by displaying historically precise exterior artwork.

Key Features of the Repaint

• Accurate Cathay Pacific color scheme and markings from the original lease period
• Optimized texture layouts tailored for the JBK Bristol Britannia model
• Subtle shading to highlight fuselage lines and engine contours
• Authentic airline branding, including logos and registration details

Implementation Guidelines

Before using these textures, confirm that the JBK Britannia base model (BRT_V10X.ZIP) is already installed in your simulator’s directory. Locate the existing JBK Britannia folder and extract the texture.cathay folder from this repaint into the same directory. Then, copy steel_t.dds and steel_L.dds from the texture.shared subfolder and place them into the new texture.cathay directory. This step ensures that all metallic surfaces display correctly.

Editing the Aircraft Configuration File

After moving the files, open the aircraft.cfg in the JBK Britannia folder. Below the existing [fltsim.xx] entries, add this block, substituting xx with the subsequent number in your setup:

[fltsim.xx]
title=JBK Britannia Cathay
sim=JBK Britannia
model=
panel=
sound=
texture=cathay
kb_checklists=
kb_reference=britannia_ref
atc_id=G-ANBO
ui_manufacturer=Bristol
ui_type=Britannia (JBK)
ui_variation=Cathay Pacific Airways srs 102
atc_heavy=0
atc_airline=Cathay
atc_flight_number=1960
description=Bristol Britannia 102, on lease from BOAC to Cathay Pacific Airlines.
ui_typerole="Propliner"
ui_createdby="JBK"

Authorship and Credit

This repaint is the work of Jens B. Kristensen, whose attention to detail captures a significant moment in Cathay Pacific’s early expansion. Please note that the repaint files do not include the Britannia base model, and you must download the original freeware package from the Fly Away Simulation library. Use this texture set to revisit a unique chapter in aviation history and enjoy a faithful representation of the Bristol Britannia within Microsoft Flight Simulator X.