March 17th, 2026 — MicroProse released Update 1.0.3 for the B-17G Flying Fortress add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. This is the biggest update to the Flying Fortress since it was released.
The update changes the basic flight dynamics and adds a lot of new features, content, and fixes based on community feedback.
A New Standard for Flight Fidelity
Perhaps the biggest highlight for Update 1.0.3 is the completely rewritten flight model. The new model provides a more accurate picture of how the famous heavy bomber handles in all stages of flight, and it was developed using official documentation and fined tuned with the input of the community.
War Emergency Power (WEP) has also been added, which gives pilots the ability to boost their performance like crews do in combat situations.
New Features and Systems
Update 1.0.3 adds important new features to many aircraft systems. The APU, or "Putt Putt" auxiliary power unit that B-17 fans know and love, is now working.
The groundwork for the plane's autopilot system has also been laid, and it will be fully implemented in a future update. Contrails have been added, which add a visual element that makes high-altitude operations feel more real and gives them a more historical feel.
The cockpit has also gotten a big visual upgrade with the addition of cockpit lighting as well as UV instrument lighting. UV lighting makes real gauge reflections on the instrument panels and accurately recreates the glow that crews flying at night and low-light missions during the war saw.
Three New Liveries
This update adds three liveries: Blood 'n Guts, Sally B, and Big Poison. With these new liveries, there are now ten in total. The final release will have more liveries and a community paint kit.
Full Change Log
- Engine RPM corrections
- Propellor corrections
- WEP added
- Updated Apron and Runway Start Profiles
- Flight model config re-written from scratch:
- Weight and Balance Corrections
- Center of Gravity Corrections
- Static Pitch Corrections
- Ground handling improvements
- Airplane Geometry Corrections
- Aerodynamic Corrections (no more left drift)
- Flight Tuning (Drag / Trim Adjustments)
- Flap Corrections
- Hydraulic System Corrections
- Pneumatic System Corrections
- Vacuum Pump Corrections and Remapping
- Groundwork for advanced radio functions laid in code
- Groundwork for Autopilot functions laid in code (usable through 3rd Party MODs, or Keybinds until Cockpit Controls created)
- Contrails added
- APU "Putt Putt" functionality added.
- Interior Lights are now working as they should
- Added "Blood 'n Guts" livery
- Added "Sally B" livery
- Added "Big Poison" livery
- Fixed crew goggles not going away when crew is not enabled
- Fixed texture issues on pilots side
- Fixed parking brake text not following the handle
- Fixed bomb visibility stacking, now stacks at 2000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 for a total of 8 visible bombs.
- Added missing emissive meshes at light sources
- Fixed rain on gauge glass
- Changed colour of interior lights
- Added warning indicators for Vacuum and Tailwheel
- Added functioning fluorescent dimmable light to labels
- Fixed compass and heading indicator alignment.
- Added emissive meshes to exterior landing lights
- Added missing sounds to a number of switches
Availability
You can now get the B-17G Flying Fortress for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PC and Xbox through the Microsoft Marketplace, Just Flight, and Contrail. All current owners can get Update 1.0.3 for free.
Contact for the media: Davide Pessach (davide.pessach@microprose.com)
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