It’s official: Aeroplane Heaven’s highly anticipated Avro Lancaster for Microsoft Flight Simulator is now available. Following a long period of silence and a brief announcement that beta testing was complete, the developer has released the iconic WWII heavy bomber for purchase.
The Lancaster is priced at $34.99 USD on Aeroplane Heaven’s website and is expected to become available soon on the MSFS 2020 Marketplace.
The Avro Type 683 Lancaster evolved from the earlier twin-engine Manchester. After stability issues with the Manchester, the design was revised with four Rolls-Royce Merlin engines and became the Lancaster. First flown in 1941, the Lancaster became a mainstay of RAF Bomber Command, famed for raids such as ‘Operation Chastise’—the legendary “Dambusters” mission—and attacks using the massive 22,000 lb “Grand Slam” bomb.
The Lancaster flew over 156,000 sorties during WWII. Today, only two airworthy examples remain: PA474 with the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and another with the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.
Key features
- All-new high-fidelity models with exceptional levels of detail
- Exterior and interior crafted using factory plans for accuracy
- Fully modeled crew stations with unique animations
- Three detailed turrets with interior views
- Configurable 7-man crew, toggle visibility at each station
- Immersive diorama including crew, authentic Matador fuel truck, bomb trolleys, and starting carts
- Removable engine cover revealing detailed Rolls-Royce Merlin XX engines
- Accurate flight dynamics and real-world performance
- Custom sound pack by Echo19 featuring authentic Lancaster audio
- Detailed engine start and management routines
- “Dambuster” variant with rotating “Upkeep” bomb and spotlights
- “H2S” variant with radar dome and internals
Included liveries
- ME649 “AR_J” – 103 Squadron RAF
- W4783 “AR_G” – 469 Squadron RAAF
- Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – PA474 (painted as JB607 “AR_L”)
- RF128 “QB V” – 424 Squadron RAF
- ED932 “AJ G” – 617 Squadron RAF
- R5868 “PO S” – 457 Squadron RAF
- LM591 “VN B” – 50 Squadron RAF
Compatibility note
Aeroplane Heaven states that the Lancaster is built natively for MSFS 2020. It has been tested in MSFS 2024 and functions as expected, but the developer advises against purchasing it specifically as a 2024 product. They suggest a native MSFS 2024 version may come in the future.
The Avro Lancaster is available now on Aeroplane Heaven’s website and Orbx, priced at $34.99 USD. It will also become available soon in the MSFS 2020 Marketplace.
