First look: Battle of Britain

Just Flight has today released the first information on its upcoming Battle of Britain add-on pack for Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator 3. The add-on, which is in development at Aeroplane Heaven, is currently scheduled for release in October.

Set in the summer of 1940, Battle of Britain will allow players to re-create what was undoubtedly the RAF's finest hour--successfully defending Britain from the German Luftwaffe between July 10 and October 31. The game will include 20 authentic RAF missions and a further 20 in which players can fly for the Luftwaffe. Each of the missions has been designed to re-create the events of a key moment during the battle and will even feature the correct weather conditions and time of day.

"As in past releases such as The Dam Busters, RAF Tornado, and other RAF-themed products, it's been important to us to not only re-create our simulations in the finest detail possible, but also to give something back to the memory of those who gave so much," said Mungo Amyatt-Leir, managing director of UK-based Just Flight. "We're very pleased to have worked with the RAF once again, and we are also greatly indebted to the Public Records Office, who has provided us with invaluable research material during this project. The PRO does an excellent job of preserving the nation's documented history for future posterity."

Six different aircraft, most of which feature multiple liveries, will be available to fly in the game. RAF planes will include the Hawker Hurricane Mk1 (two-bladed wooden prop), Hawker Hurricane Mk1 (three-bladed prop), and the Supermarine Spitfire Mk1A, while Luftwaffe players will get to climb into the interactive cockpits of the Messerschmitt Me 109E4, the Junkers Ju 87B Stuka, and the Jeinkel He 111.

Scenery in the game will be accurate for the time period and will feature a number of special effects directly linked to the action in the skies above. Searchlights and air raid sirens, for example, will be triggered when planes approach a target. Battle of Britain is currently scheduled for release in October, we'll bring you more information on the game as soon as it becomes available.