Developed from the successful AA-1, the AA-5 was an enlargement of the outside and the cabin of the AA-1 to create a four seater with 2/3 commonality of parts. The design was further improved by more powerful engines to create the AA-5B and AG-5B. This 1978 model was delivered to Cabair in 1979 as G-BGFI and went through various owners in this novel color scheme before moving to Germany in 2015 as D-EBGA. Painted on to Tim "Piglet" Conrad's AA-5, the color scheme reminds me of a certain large airline.

In 1961, United Dominiums Trust announced its intention to beat the Sydney to London record held by Comet G-ACSS since 1934. Two times Le Mans winning racing driver, Ron Flockhart bought Commonwealth CA-17 Mustang Mk20 ex A68-5 and VH-BVM, and had it prepared for the attempt. The route was Sydney-Alice Springs-Darwin-Sourabaya-Singapore-Rangoon-Calcutta-Karachi-Bahrain-Beriut-Brindisi-Nice-London. Leaving Sydney on February 28, 1961, all went to plan until he diverted from Brindisi to Athens due to bad weather. At Athens the engine overheated and blew a head gasket whilst awaiting a delayed clearance from Athens ATC. The attempt was abandoned, Lockhart flying on to London by airliner. He was three days ahead of the record at the time. G-ARKD was later damaged by fire whilst being taxied at Athens and subsequently cut up for scrap. However, not all the bits made it to the scrappers and are being used in a rebuild of G-ARKD in the UK. Painted on to AF Scrub's modified AlphaSim P-51 Mustang this is my homage to a remarkable attempt. Sadly you don't get the exhaust smoke unless the lights are on. This may also work in P3D.

Jim Bede's first design was originally intended for home assembly. However, no kits were produced and certification as a fully assembled aircraft was long and expensive. This ended with Jim Bede being removed from the company and it being renamed American Aviation. They developed the prototype into the AA-1 Yankee Clipper and the AA-1 Trainer. Grumman bought the company in 1971 renaming it Grumman American, and produced the AA-1B Trainer and TR-2. Gulfstream bought the company in 1977 and upped the power from 108HP to 115HP in the AA-1C. AA-1 production ceased in 1978, with the current type certificate being held by True Flight Holdings LLC. Painted on to Ron Watson's excellent AA-1C, this represents a one owner aircraft, delivered in 1975 with its registration expiring on 21st March 2018; a total of 43 years of service!

Ship number 293 was delivered to the US Navy on July 22, 1953, as 131910 and assigned to NAS Bermuda. July 13, 1970 saw her retirement from the service and storage at Davis -Monthan. Civilian life meant registration as N7052J and a variety of owners before being sold to International Test Pilots School, London, Ontario, retaining her US registration. Painted onto Greg Pepper and Michael Verlin's Grumman HU-16, I have used the default DC-3 panel to give 293 a flavor of her age, along with the default Beech Baron radio as a gesture towards modernisation. On this model there is also engine smoke from both engines on start-up.

Initially registered N5375C, D-IDOS was delivered to Hansa Luftbild in May 1984. Unusual amongst survey aircraft in having two openings in the cabin floor allowing clients to use two high precision remote sensors during a single flight saving both time and money. Such flexibility enables aerial image capture and laser scanning to be done at the same time. Painted on to Mike Stone's Cessna 404 Titan, this works in both FS2004 and FSX and may work in FS2002.

Built in 1964, BA-693 was first registered as N372PW. Several owners later, she was re-registered as N372PS, reflecting its then owners identity. She passed through several owners being photographed at Chino in 1993 with its tri-gear and in its original white and green livery. In August 2013, she appeared at Oshkosh in this splendid pseudo military scheme: the aircraft never served with the US Navy. Now a resident of Ione,CA., N372PS returned to Oshkosh in both 2015 and 2016. Painted on to Brian Gladden's FSX update of his Volpar Beech 18, I have had to use some artistic licence with the nose markings to avoid bleed through on to the nosewheel doors.

Registered in 1974 as G-BCLV and as a BD-5A, 4885 survived until July 1989, being cancelled from the British register as being withdrawn from use. 4885 re-emerges in February 2007 as EI-DNO and as a BD-5G. After being one of only two airworthy BD-5Gs in Ireland for a time, it's registration was cancelled in June 2016 as again being withdrawn from use. Painted on to Jez G's BD-5B model, I have also included the panel from an Aeroworks Concept ARX-6. Despite the reputation of the BD-5, it is amazing fun to fly and, for 75HP, really, really quick.

Manufactured in 1999, 825-99 was initially registered as N669MM. James May, former presenter of BBC TV's Top Gear, bought it in June 2008 registering it as G-OCOK, still in its all over red color scheme. He sold the aircraft in 2013, by which time it had acquired stripes on the fuselage and tail markings. Now owned by a company in Devon, you can pay to fly in this aircraft. Painted on to the Long Island Classics Bellanca Decathlon 8KCAB, I have included texture files for both the early and later versions of G-OCOK's color scheme. LIC say that the Bellanca and the Champion are very similar. Enjoy

One of nine bought by the RLS in 1990 for basic training, this aircraft was tested as G-7-140 and registered as PH-SGE in January 1991. When KLM took them over, RLS aircraft were repainted in basic KLM colors. PH-SGE was sold off in June 2002, retaining its basic KLM livery. She was further sold on in May 2015 and became D-EDRS still retaining this basic KLM scheme. Painted on to a heavily modified Slingsby T67 by J. R. Lucariny, the pilots have changed into civilian clothes, but still insist on wearing their helmets. Enjoy.

Delivered new to Wideroe in September 2009, 'DG proudly wears the new Wideroe color scheme. Although given the name "Bodo W" in her original paint scheme, she does not appear to carry the name on the new livery. Painted onto the Dreamwings Dash8-Q400 model, this model may also work in P3D up to v3.