AzurPoly have announced the release of their OV-10 Bronco for MSFS via Facebook. AzurPoly is a developer group made up of pilots and developers who are passionate about aviation. They have made several other add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Their goal is to create high-fidelity products with detailed 3D models and textures based on real data and information from real pilots.
About the OV-10 Bronco
The OV-10 Bronco is one of the most famous light attack and observation aircraft and was initially developed in the 1960s. It was manufactured by North American Rockwell and is capable of holding loads up to 3,200lb. This included loads like external munitions or internal loads such as paratroopers. The aircraft was later retired in 1995 after three decades in service.
It was primarily used by the USMC, USAF, USN and PAF. Between 1965 and 1986, 360 were built, and its first flight flew in July 1965. It has STOL capabilities, allowing the Bronco to operate from short runways or fields and even aircraft carriers. The aircraft has proven to be durable and is still flying today for various roles such as demo teams, research projects or even firefighting.
AzurPoly’s OV-10 Bronco
AzurPoly has developed the Bronco with real OV-10 pilots to help them recreate the aircraft faithfully. Its fixed-shaft turboprop engines have benefited from this and have been reproduced accurately. The team also had access to an operational Bronco, which gave them everything else such as pictures and sound recordings for the development work.
The aircraft systems have been reproduced accurately to ensure functionality that represents the real aircraft, based on custom coding. The interior and exterior have both been fully modelled to detail while remaining optimised. To help with an accurate interior model, the team used a 3D scan of the interior. They also used photo scans to make their ultra-high-resolution textures for more immersion.
It also has two distinct exterior models covering the different variants, the OV-10A and the OV-10B. These come with 12 liveries such as the USAF, Cal Fire or the US Marines. Using their experience in a real Bronco, they used the sound recordings to create a custom sound package. The cockpit is fully animated, with all switches and buttons modelled.
With the help of former OV-10 pilots, the team recreated the flight model along with the Garrett TPE331 engines. The electrical circuits have also been included with functional breakers, faithfully recreated. The weapon systems have been included with firing effects for the working machine guns, and you can display various weapons below the fuselage and wings as it would be in real life.
Also implemented is a custom EFB or Electronic Flight Bag, which will help you manage various aircraft settings. It also has an autopilot built into the EFB to help with flying. For navigation, the aircraft has the GNS 430 and the GTN 650 units. Interactive checklists have also been added, these include copilot actions. The team have also provided a comprehensive flight manual, which is available on their website.
There are several other features included with this add-on, like more visual effects and sound effects, you can see the full list on their website. AzurPoly has said an additional weapons manager will need to be installed if it is bought on the Microsoft Marketplace, this is due to a policy which does not allow weapon depiction.
You can buy the OV-10 Bronco, available at the Contrail Store, for €28.99. It can also be found on the Microsoft Marketplace, Orbx Store and simMarket. You can read more about AzurPoly’s previous and future products, like their upcoming Jaguar A, on FSNews.
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