Leading Edge Simulations' DC-3 version 2 is nearing release according to Cameron Son of X-Aviation. In a post on the X-Pilot Forums, he touts V2 as a 'significant' update to the aircraft which first graced the skies of X-Plane in 2012.

"This has been in development for the better part of a year and a half," Son says, "it will be a significant upgrade to the current DC-3 that LES has had on the market since 2012."

"In comparison, it will be multitudes more realistic in systems simulation that you have come to expect from Leading Edge Simulations, and further, the 3D modeling and texturing has huge upgrades as well."

Son then moves on to address the wide-reaching feature list, which comes in six parts.

The first of these is flight model, with the DC-3 promised accurate flight characteristics, engine performance and weight & balance modeling.

Systems integration is next on the list, with complete simulation of the electric, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, in addition to custom Sperry A-3A Automatic Pilot integration and custom fuel mixture logic regarding the Auto-Mixture functions. Custom lighting is also included in this section.

As always with Leading Edge Simulations, we're promised an accurate representation of the DC-3 which goes to the extent of having "extreme weathering effects" integrated as a result of PBR rendering.

AudiobirdXP makes a return to FMOD sounds following appearances on the Magknight 787 with a new pack for the DC-3, with the DC-3 also set to include a "full custom effect package", which covers engine exhaust and heat blur, as well as vapor condensation, which is affected by the simulator's ambient humidity.

Lastly, we come to the user interface - for which Leading Edge promise a modern user interface for all aspects. Maintenance being the first, which will be able to keep track of aircraft and/or engine operating data with the ability to execute maintenance.

A very broad "Options" menu will include hardware options like differential effects assignable for both braking and throttling and aircraft options such as external power management and more. A separate "Aircraft Loading" menu is available for adjusting cargo, fuel and passenger numbers - advanced options for fuelling per tank and centre of gravity charts are also included. Finally, a complete checklist menu is also available.

The announcement of version 2 of Leading Edge Simulations' DC-3 comes just hours after the debut of AirfoilLabs' rendition of a C-47, the military variant of the DC-3 - there's no word yet if the developer of the popular King Air and Cessna 172 products will be making a civilian model alongside the C-47. See the latest previews in an article from earlier today. Shortly after today's announcement, we also received news from VSKYLABS that their Douglas C-47 Skytrain will be getting a series of updates over the coming weeks - the package also includes a DC-3, which will be similarly updated. See more about that in another of today's Douglas-related articles.

See the source post for this article on the X-Pilot Forums.