Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator (1998) is a World War II air combat simulation built on the technology of Microsoft Flight Simulator 98. It models eight flyable aircraft from the British, American, and German air forces, featuring detailed flight dynamics and damage systems. The game includes two scripted campaigns, the Battle of Britain and the Battle Over Europe, along with a collection of single missions, a quick combat mode, and a comprehensive set of training missions. Scenery is generated through a tile-based system that balances performance and detail, and many ground objects can be damaged or destroyed. Progression through the campaigns awards promotions, medals, and upgraded aircraft. The simulation draws on research from wartime gun camera footage and modern flight testing, delivering a highly immersive experience that emphasizes authentic aircraft handling quirks and combat damage effects.

The Vault · 1998
Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator
The sim that makes you sweat every tracer round.
microsoft-flight-simulatorWindows 95/98combat-simulatorflight-simulator
Realistic Flight ModelDamage ModelingCampaignQuick CombatTraining MissionsWWII
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ReleaseDec 111998
Combat Flight Simulator Profile Editor
The important bit: Microsoft announced the availability of a free downloadable Damage & Weapon Profile Editor for Combat Flight Simulator, the current best-selling World War II air combat simulation game.
ReleaseHow to Play TodayYour options for running this game in 2026
Original Hardware
Original CD-ROM copies appear on eBay occasionally. Requires a Windows 95/98 PC with a 3D accelerator; a Pentium 166 or better is recommended.
Emulation / Other Options
Best experienced on a modern PC using a wrapper like dgVoodoo2, which translates the DirectDraw and Glide calls. PCem or 86Box with a Windows 98 install provides a faithful original experience.
Game Record
| Platform | Windows 95/98 |
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Publisher | Microsoft |
| Genre | combat-simulator, flight-simulator |
| Players | 1 Player |
| Series | microsoft-flight-simulator |
microsoft-flight-simulator Series
Original PC Specs
| OS | Windows 95/98 |
| CPU | Pentium 166 MHz |
| RAM | 32 MB RAM |
| GPU / Display | Direct3D-compatible 3D accelerator (Voodoo or similar) |
| Storage | 500 MB hard drive space |
| Drive | 4× CD-ROM |
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