Next wonderful program which can emulate virtual
hardware environment is DOSBox. The
DOSBox is not a multiple emulator like MESS but it can very well, even much
better than MESS, emulate DOS environment. DOSBox can run DOS games from CGA/Tandy/PCjr
to Intel x86 SVGA personal computers. It has much better graphics and few
additional good functions. The great advantage is that it can run all
Microsoft Flight Simulator versions for IBM PC from version 2.xx (booters)
to version 5.1 and even some special editions like for Tandy and Data
General/One. Thanks
to Peter Veenstra of the DOSBox team I have a special edition of DOSBox
program which can run
Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.00 and 1.05.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.12 for IBM PC - Chicago
I made a
special DOSBox compilation which includes:
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.00 for IBM
PC (it is included version 1.05 as well),
- subLOGIC Flight Simulator II for Data
General/One,
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.14 for IBM
PC/PCjr/PS/2,
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.12 for Tandy
1000/1200,
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 3.0 for DOS,
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0b for DOS,
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0 for DOS,
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.1 for DOS,
and everything in one package with special
individual setups for each version. The DOSBox program is used only twice
(one special edition for MSFS 1.xx and the second one for all others). Then the package size is much smaller (only
about 12.5MB). It is very
easy to use. Just follow this process:
1. Unzip the
DOSBox.zip file
anywhere on your hard disk. You can use any disk drive, any sub-directory or
any DOSBox directory name.
2. Choose Flight Simulator version in the
main directory tree and
double-click on batch file, for example “MSFS2 for IBM PC.bat” file. It will
start the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.14 for IBM PC. The screen will open
in full screen.
New and more enlarged
DOSBox compilation with D-Fend Reloaded
The other possibility is to use a compilation with
D-Fend
Reloaded, which is a graphical environment for the user friendly usage
of DOSBox. I made the special compilation with DOSBox, D-Fend Reloaded and
enlarged collection of early Flight Simulator versions. In addition there
are all FS "booter" versions and beautiful scenery disks for MSFS4.0 like
Mallard's (MicroScene) scenery disk Hawaiian Island & Midway, Tahiti
& French Polynesia, Japan, subLOGIC scenery disks 11, 12, Japan, Great
Britain 1 and
Hawaiian Odyssey Scenery Adventure. It is included the Europe Scenery Disk
as well.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
4.0b with subLOGIC's Hawaiian Odyssey Scenery Adventure - fly into the
treasure hunt gate
I thought about to give you possibility to compare graphics and especially
abilities of other subLOGIC flight simulation programs. So I included next
four famous flight simulators:
-
subLOGIC Jet 1.0 for IBM PC and PCjr,
-
subLOGIC Flight Assignment: Airline Transport Pilot 1.0D for DOS,
-
subLOGIC Flight for DOS and Windows with USA East and West Scenery,
-
subLOGIC Thunder Chopper.
Just unzip the
Flight v2.zip file
(30MB) wherever on your harddisk (to any disk drive, any sub-directory
name). Then run the DFend.exe file within the main root.
D-Fend Reloaded user interface
Then choose some Flight Simulator in the list of versions and run the
version by double click. There are few screenshots from each version shown
below.
Here are the
most important commands for running DOSBox:
ALT-ENTER switch to window screen and
back to full screen
ALT-PAUSE pause emulation
CTRL-ALT-F5 start/stop creating a movie
of the screen in avi format
CTRL-F5 save a screenshot in png
format
CTRL-F9 turn off DOSBox
CTRL-F10 capture/release the mouse
CTRL-F11 slow down emulation
(decrease DOSBox cycles)
CTRL-F12 speed up emulation
(increase DOSBox cycles)
How to control the Flight
Simulator? Here are brief instructions for each version.
SubLOGIC Flight
Simulator II for Data General/One is the very rare version for one of the
first laptops in the world. The version is only monochromatic. Data
General/One is IBM PC “compatible” computer and then the version can run
with DOSBox. Start the Flight Simulator by “FSII for Data General One.bat”
file. When an introduction screen appears, select screen mode A – slightly
textured sky. Then select operation mode B – regular flight mode. Press F2
to get full throttle. Your plane will go and take off. Use cursor keys to
control the plane. The detailed control keyboard map is
here (they
are included keyboard maps for all versions).
subLOGIC Flight
Simulator II for Data General/One - Miss Liberty in New York
The DOSBox program
has few advantages. It can save screenshots and even movies. Just use
Ctrl-F5 keys. The screenshots are saved to subdirectory \DOSBox\FS\capture.
The same is for creating a movie. Use Ctrl-Alt-F5 keys. It is important to
install a special video codec before creating movies. The codec is within
the mentioned “capture” sub-directory. Just right click on a file called
zmbv.inf and in a menu choose install.
Microsoft Flight
Simulator 1.00 for IBM PC is the first ever version published by Microsoft
although it was made by Bruce Artwick of subLOGIC. As you can see the
version already displays four colors. Sometimes it is claimed that the
version was only monochromatic. It is not true. The colors are display
correctly only with CGA graphic cards and color composite monitors. Start
the Flight Simulator by "MSFS1.00 for IBM PC.bat" file. When an introduction
screen appears, select display mode A - color TV or composite monitor (for
color mode) or B - black and white TV (for monochromatic mode). Then select operation
mode B – regular flight mode. Press F2 to get full throttle. When you get
speed of 50 knots, pull rudder up to about half position by down cursor key.
Your plane will take off. Sometimes there appears a SPLASH message. It
depends on you use the rudder in a right moment. Once you get in the ear,
use cursor keys to control the plane. If you want to run subversion 1.05,
start it by
"MSFS1.05 for IBM PC.bat" file. The plane is placed
to the other position - approximately in the middle of the runway. So it is
better taxiing to the better place at the edge of runway to get more
starting space.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
1.00 for IBM PC (color composite monitor) - wonderful view of Chicago Meigs
Field runway
Microsoft Flight
Simulator 2.14 for IBM PC/PCjr/PS/2 is the latest version in 2.xx series and
it is very rare as well. Start the Flight Simulator by “MSFS2 for IBM PC.bat”
file. When an introduction screen appears, select display C – RGB monitor.
Then select operation mode B – regular flight mode. Then select keyboard
mode C – IBM PC, function keys on top. Press F4 to get full throttle. Use
cursor keys to control the plane (use a similar
manual to 2.10 version).
Microsoft Flight
Simulator 2.14 for IBM PC and PS/2 (color composite monitor) - Champaign
Microsoft Flight
Simulator 2.12 for Tandy 1000/1200 is a special edition for Tandy computers.
The version is nearly the same as the version for IBM PC. Start the Flight
Simulator by “MSFS2 for Tandy.bat” file. When an introduction screen
appears, select display C – RGB monitor. Then select operation mode B –
regular flight mode. Then select keyboard B – Tandy 1200 type keyboard. The
latest answer: Do you want to use mouse? Choose - N. Press F2 to get full
throttle. Use cursor keys to control the plane.
Microsoft Flight
Simulator 2.12 for Tandy (RGB monitor) - right wing view of night Chicago
Microsoft Flight
Simulator 3.0 for DOS has included standard scenery and additional scenery
disk Europe. Start the Flight Simulator by “MSFS3 for IBM PC.bat” file. The
Flight Simulator will start at runway 36 of Chicago Meigs. Press F4 to get
full throttle. Use cursor keys to control the plane. Press S key to get
other view (tower, track, spot and back to cockpit).
Microsoft Flight
Simulator 3.0 with scenery disk Europe - Paris - Eiffel Tower
Microsoft Flight
Simulator 4.0b for DOS has included standard scenery, additional scenery
disk Europe and Aircraft and scenery designer add-on with
new planes like Boeing 747. Start the Flight Simulator by “MSFS4 for
IBM PC.bat” file. Use the same control keys like for version 3.0. The
compilation with D-Fend Reloaded in addition has included Mallard's (MicroScene) scenery disk
Hawaiian Island & Midway, Tahiti & French Polynesia,
Japan, subLOGIC scenery disks 11, 12, Japan, Great Britain 1 and Hawaiian
Odyssey Scenery Adventure.
Microsoft Flight
Simulator 4.0b with Boeing 747 (Aircraft and scenery designer)
How to
change a scenery disk? For example to the Island of Bora Bora: open the 5
NAV/COM menu and choose 2 SCENERY LIBRARY. Then choose disk MS-2. Move back
(by ESC) and open 1 MODE, then F MODE LIBRARY, 7 SEE MORE MODES....
Finally, choose the mode "Bora Bora (MS-2)" and hit ESC. The same for the
other scenery disks. There are prepared modes in the mode library for each
scenery disk. When you would
like to use next scenery disk which is not shown in the SCENERY LIBRARY
menu, first you must delete one of the sceneries
within MSFS4 subdirectory, for example JPN.SCN (this is caused by MSFS4
scenery library menu limitation).
Microsoft Flight
Simulator 4.0 with the
Mallard's (MicroScene) scenery disk 2 (Island of Bora Bora,
Tahiti)
Microsoft Flight
Simulator 5.0 for DOS has included standard world scenery. Start the Flight
Simulator by “MSFS5 for IBM PC.bat” file. Use the same control keys like for
previous versions. Use DOSBox control keys to adjust the simulation speed. If the flight is not enough
fluent, then you have to increase DOSBox cycles by Ctrl-F12. When the Flight
Simulator sounds are discontinuous, then you should decrease DOSBox cycles
by Ctrl-F11. You should find right DOSBox speed. In other case you should
decrease details in Flight Simulator scenery.
Microsoft Flight
Simulator 5.0 - Paris
Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.1 for DOS has included standard world scenery
and old FS4 scenery. Start the Flight Simulator by “MSFS5.1 for IBM PC.bat”
file. Use the same control keys like for 5.0 version and the same
recommendation for DOSBox cycles.
Microsoft Flight
Simulator 5.1 - San Francisco with Golden Gate bridge and Alcatraz island
SubLOGIC Jet 1.0 for IBM PC and PCjr gives you feeling of combat flight
simulation beginnings. The IBM PC version 1.0 was released in 1985, so it is
time comparable to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.x series. As you can see on
the picture below the simulator has RGB color graphics only and the colors
seem a bit funny. When an introduction screen appears, select keyboard type
1 - IBM PC, then select a game mode, for example 1 - dog fight, then choose
skill level 1 - easy, select aircraft type 2, select armament and exit the
menu by 5. Press +/- to increase/decrease plane throttle. Use cursor keys to
control the plane. Press A to turn HUD on, press G for gear up/down, press
SPACE for a rocket launch.
subLOGIC Jet 1.0 for IBM PC,
PCjr - an enemy plane in sight
SubLOGIC Flight Assignment: Airline Transport Pilot for DOS was the first
time released in 1990 and it was a contemporary of Microsoft Flight
Simulator 4.0.
A lot of virtual pilots claim that Flight
Assignment: ATP was much better than MS Flight Simulator 4.0. See a superb
article by
Marcus
Vitzethum for more details. I have to
notice you that Bruce Artwick was not a director of subLOGIC yet. He was
running his new firm BAO in this time. Actually the version in my
compilation is a later release of 1.0 revision D with the voice of air
traffic control. When you start the simulator, press Esc to exit a demo
mode. Then use PgUp/PgDn to increase/decrease plane throttle and use cursor
keys to control the plane. F1 - F10 keys roll menus.
The detailed instructions are available in the main control sheets here
(the same web link as above).
subLOGIC
Flight Assignment: Airline Transport Pilot for DOS - San Francisco area
To get subLOGIC Flight running in DOSBox was probably the most tricky thing
I have ever done with DOSBox. The problem was to get enough base
(conventional) memory. Finally I used Windows 3.11 as an operational system
in DOSBox with D-Fend Reloaded shell. SubLOGIC released the flight
simulation program three times. The first time in 1994 with a name Flight
Light. Then in 1995 they released an improved version called Flight Light
Plus. Finally in 1996, when Sierra bought subLOGIC, they released the final
version called simply Flight. It was on one CD. The versions seem almost the
same. The newest one, which is in my compilation, has five types of planes
and the subLOGIC USA East, USA West scenery disks.
Well, when you start the Flight in D-Fend Reloaded list, it is loaded Win
3.11 and then it is automatically loaded subLOGIC Flight.
Then use PgUp/PgDn to increase/decrease plane throttle
and use cursor keys to control the plane. F1 - F10 keys roll menus.
subLOGIC
Flight for DOS and Windows - Washington, DC - Pentagon on the right, White
House and Capitol on the left
At the end I appended a small bonus - subLOGIC Thunder Chopper. In my
opinion it has almost nothing with Flight Simulator series and nothing with
B. Artwick, but the program at least presents subLOGIC's program production.
The battle helicopter has completely different control but it is quite easy
to find right control keys.
subLOGIC
Thunder Chopper
Credits:
I spent much money to get original old versions of Flight Simulator. What
was important, I need disk images. Some of them I found on
Internet but the rarest versions did not exist. I bought the versions on eBay and sent
a copy to Jeff Leyda who lives in USA. Thanks to his great job I got back
disk images of Flight Simulator 2.12 for Tandy computers, Flight Simulator
2.14 for IBM PC and PS/2, Flight Simulator II for Data General/One.
Next much thanks deserve to Peter Veenstra who made the special DOSBox
release which support Flight Simulator 1.00 for IBM PC.
