First announced in May 2018, the upcoming X-Trident Boeing Chinook has come a very long way since the original X-Plane.org Forum post by developer “AH-1ZVIPER”. This article will provide a brief summary of all the latest progress on the project. 

The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a twin-rotor heavy-lift helicopter first introduced in 1962 and still in service in over 21 countries. Produced 1,200 times as 2012, with a unitary cost of 24 million dollars, the Chinook is based on its predecessor, the CH-46 Sea Knight. Mostly used for tactical transport of both troops and freight, the helicopter is also used by numerous civilian operators for firefighting, logging, passenger transport and much more. 

The first previews posted of the iconic rotorcraft were pictures of the 3D model.

Compared to exterior previews, the developer has provided very few interior previews. The interior lighting, cabin, central panel and instruments have been showcased.

Static objects and different configurations such as ski-equipped wheels were also previewed. 

The developer has posted several screenshots and renders of different payloads such as a cannon, a Hummer, chemical containers, a Black Hawk helicopter, trees and a “giant Rubik’s cube”.

The developers and beta-testers have also posted many exterior in-sim screenshots and videos, showcasing animations, PBR, modelling, texturing and flight dynamics. 

Check out the X-Plane.org Forum thread to follow development updates. Threshold will continue covering the project as more information is posted.