SimWorks Studios (SWS) has detailed its upcoming Classic 8 Series for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 in the first development update for the project. The update covers the variants in development, the general feature set and the history of the project. The Classic 8 series is the studio’s take on the original Dash 8 turboprops. No price or release date has been announced.
The Dash 8 is a twin-turboprop regional airliner originally developed by de Havilland Canada. It is known for good short-field performance and has flown with regional airlines and in special-mission roles around the world. The original 100, 200 and 300 models are the ones the team is recreating.
According to SWS, the project began in late 2022 and was meant to be the next major release after the PC-12 Legacy and NG for MSFS 2020. The studio has since released the PC-12 Legacy for MSFS 2024, and the Classic 8 Series is its next big aircraft project. The 100, 200 and 300 will each be sold separately. The Q100 will come first, with the Q200 and Q300 following shortly after because the two share so much. A discounted bundle of the variants is also planned. The aircraft will be built only for MSFS 2024.
The liveries are meant to span the aircraft’s history from the 1980s to the present. SWS names a prototype, Olympic and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard among the operators. The team is working to offer different cockpit and cabin variations while keeping performance suitable for lower-end systems. It also plans dynamic effects, such as objects reacting to forces and weathering that builds up over time.
The developer says it is aiming for deep systems modelling, with real-world pilots and mechanics advising. As an example, the electrical system is said to have more than 300 circuits and 70 busses, covering both APU and non-APU variants in normal and abnormal conditions. The engine is a fully custom solution built from advisor data and mathematical simulation, with correct engine up-trim during single-engine operation. New beta range control logic is also being developed and will later be back-ported to the PC-12 and Kodiak 100/900. The avionics will cover everything from small LCD details to the full EFIS on the 200 and 300, with a dedicated update to follow.
The next update, due at the end of the month, will look at the exterior model. Pricing and a release date for the Classic 8 Series have not yet been announced, and there is no product page yet.
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