Microsoft and Xbox are present at Gamescom, and they have shared a lot of news regarding Microsoft Flight Simulator. Let’s dive in and unpack the various announcements and trailers.
40th Anniversary Edition
The 40th Anniversary Edition was announced by Microsoft a little while back. The release date of this free update has been announced as November 11th. The trailer goes over some of the new features that we already know are coming, such as helicopters, gliders, the highly anticipated A310 by iniBuilds and the DC-3 by Aeroplane Heaven. But the latest trailer also shows three previously unannounced planes: the Grumman G-21 A Goose, the Curtiss JN-4 Jenny and the famous Hughes H-4 Hercules ”Spruce Goose”, the largest plane – by wingspan – ever built. Furthermore, the trailer seemed to show some exciting features for the gliders, such as wing runners and a towing plane.
The 40th Anniversary Edition will also include four classic airports, with one of them revealed so far. The starting location of previous editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator, and fan favourite, Chicago’s Meigs Field will be making a return to our simulators. The update will also include twenty missions from the franchise’s past.
City Update 1
To celebrate Gamescom, the team has released the very first of their City Updates. Considering that Gamescom takes place in Cologne, Germany, no other location would be more appropriate for this update. New photogrammetry has been added to Hanover, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Bonn and Cologne. City Update 1 is available for free from the MSFS Marketplace. The team made no further announcements on future City Updates.
Local Legend 6: Junkers F 13
Last but not least, Microsoft released the latest in their Local Legend series: the Junkers F 13. An engineering marvel, this first all-metal transport aircraft flew first in 1919. Throughout its lifespan, the plane saw itself fitted with a variety of engine configurations. The simulator rendition features the supercharged 9-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-14B Wasp Junior radial piston engine. The plane also comes in four variants: vintage with standard terrestrial landing gear, vintage with floats, vintage with ski’s and a replica variation. The Junkers F 13 is available for $14.99 from the MSFS Marketplace.
