Having discussed what was involved in producing SkunkCrafts’ P-51D Mustang, let’s now take a look at the finished product. The software is available as a 257MB download file from x-plane.org for $34.95 (£26 approx). The package includes two PDF manuals. The first is a ‘Flight Manual’ encompassing sections on installation and setup, annotated screenshots of the cockpit area, plus descriptions of the Mustang’s controls and systems. The second PDF manual entitled ‘P-51D Checklists’, covers pre-flight checks, instructions on starting the engine, warm-up, take-off, climb, in-flight instructions, flying characteristics, and approach and landing procedures.
The default installation also comes with four authentic wartime liveries comprising: ‘Blondie’, ‘Big Beautiful Doll’, ‘Geraldine’, Glamorous Glenn III and a bare metal finish. The developer has also released a separate livery for ‘PETIE 3RD’.
Internal details
Once installation is complete and you’ve loaded her up, it becomes immediately apparent that the team has faithfully captured ‘the Cadillac of the skies’ both in terms of sight and in sound. Visually, the overall internal and external graphic modelling has a photorealistic quality. The cockpit is bea…