Blackbird Simulations - KBAB Beale Air Force Base - Retro 1980s, for MSFS2024

Beale AFB “Retro”: Late 1980s

Blackbird Simulations KBAB Beale Air Force Base, as it was in the late 1980s, a few years before the legendary SR-71A retired.

A “Modern Day” version (2022) is available and sold separately.

A Cold War base at its peak

Situated in the stunning Sacramento Valley of Northern California, Beale has been an active USAF base since the start of the Cold War. Primarily known for reconnaissance, Beale has launched the eyes in the sky that informed many world-turning decisions.

Home of the U-2 and the Habu

Over the last 60 years, Beale has hosted many aircraft missions, including bombing, strategic reconnaissance and air-to-air refuelling.

Scenery coverage

• The main airbase
• Storage areas on the north side
• Housing and services area to the southeast
• The base Aeroclub, inside the north QRA section
• A training “bullseye” to the east
• The PAVE PAWS radar installation to the east

Scenery highlights

• Accurate buildings and hangars
• Accurate, base-specific static aircraft
• Accurate USAF ground equipment
• Support vehicles specific to SR-71 and U-2 operations
• Detailed tarmac textures with weathering true to the real base
• Dynamic night lighting
• Animated ground crew and ground equipment (beacon, flags)
• Detailed PAVE PAWS radar installation east of the base

Period-specific features

The base in its 1980s state

• Aerial imagery edited to remove areas and buildings that did not exist at the time
• Buildings restored to their 1980s condition, colours and layout
• Period-accurate aprons, taxiways and markings
• Authentic control tower
• Water tower with its checkered paint
• High-resolution PBR apron and hangar textures

SR-71 operations

• The row of SR-71A hangars
• Animated SR-71A hangar doors with sound effects
• Authentic exhaust stains and fuel leaks inside the SR hangars
• JP-7 spherical fuel tanks and fuelling station

Aircraft, vehicles and crew

• Static KC-135Q, T-38A, U-2 and SR-71A aircraft in authentic paint schemes
• Period Ford Mustang U-2 chase cars, vintage crew cabs and vans
• Animated ground crew in 1980s olive-drab USAF work uniforms
• Base Aeroclub building with a static “club” T-41C