Compare the best F-35 Lightning II add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator, including variants, STOVL, MSFS 2024 support and freeware traps.
The best F-35 add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator is IndiaFoxtEcho’s F-35 Lightning II package. It gives you the A, B and C variants, convincing flight behaviour, useful cockpit systems and STOVL/carrier capability. Deimos’ F-35 is a simpler choice for casual flying, while freeware options are less complete.
Best F-35 add-ons compared
IndiaFoxtEcho’s F-35 is our clear first choice for simmers who want more than an attractive external model. Its three variants cover conventional runway operations, short take-off and vertical landing, and carrier flying in one package.
| Add-on | Best for | Main strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| IndiaFoxtEcho F-35 Lightning II | Best overall | F-35A, F-35B and F-35C; custom cockpit functions; STOVL and carrier-oriented flight modes | More procedures to learn; classified real-world systems can only be approximated |
| Deimos F-35 | Casual flying | Accessible modern-fighter experience and strong visual appeal | Not our first choice for systems depth; check the product listing for included variants and functions |
| Freeware or legacy conversions | No-cost experimentation | Free and sometimes suitable for screenshots or simple flights | Inconsistent flight models, incomplete cockpits and frequent version-compatibility problems |
Check the exact product listing before buying. Package contents can differ by simulator version, platform and sales channel, particularly where visible weapon stores or external configuration tools are concerned.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is not a combat simulator. These aircraft can reproduce flying, cockpit and display functions to varying degrees, but they do not turn MSFS into a weapon or tactical mission simulator. Much of the real F-35’s sensor fusion, electronic warfare logic and flight-control data is classified, so no consumer add-on can claim complete operational accuracy.
Which F-35 variant is best in MSFS?
The F-35B provides the most distinctive experience, but the F-35A is the easiest variant for ordinary airport flying.
- F-35A: Choose this for conventional land-based operations. It behaves most like a normal fast jet during take-off and landing.
- F-35B: Choose this for short take-offs, hovering and vertical landings. It demands the most attention to weight, flight mode and control assignments.
- F-35C: Choose this for carrier operations. Its carrier suitability does not provide a carrier automatically; you still need a compatible ship and working launch or recovery environment.
A livery advertised for one of these variants is not a complete aircraft. It normally requires the specified base F-35 package, and an F-35A repaint may not fit the B or C model.
Does the F-35B hover in Microsoft Flight Simulator?
Yes, a properly implemented F-35B can hover and land vertically in MSFS, but only when its STOVL mode is engaged correctly and the aircraft is light enough.
The mistake we see most often is treating the F-35B like a helicopter. Follow the add-on’s documented STOVL controls rather than assigning a generic collective and expecting the aircraft to hover at any weight. Excess fuel, the wrong flight mode, conflicting throttle bindings or selecting the F-35A/C will prevent the expected behaviour.
Practise over a runway before attempting a ship landing. Establish a stable low-speed approach, enter the required conversion mode and make small power corrections; aggressive inputs create rapid height and pitch changes.
Will an MSFS 2020 F-35 work in MSFS 2024?
An MSFS 2020 F-35 may load in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, but that does not prove its displays, STOVL logic, sounds or carrier functions are fully compatible.
Use a package or update that explicitly identifies your simulator version. Custom avionics and flight-mode code are more likely to expose compatibility problems than a simple livery. If an update leaves blank displays or duplicated aircraft entries, remove the older copy before installing the replacement.
On PC, manually distributed packages normally use the Community folder; our aircraft installation and package-structure guide covers the correct folder depth and the usual reasons an aircraft does not appear. Console users cannot install arbitrary Community-folder downloads and must use products offered through their platform’s in-simulator catalogue. MSFS 2020 is limited to PC and Xbox, while MSFS 2024 is also available on PlayStation 5.
Common F-35 add-on problems
Most F-35 faults come from an incompatible build, an incomplete dependency or two copies of the same package being loaded.
- Aircraft missing from the selection screen: Check that it is an MSFS package rather than an FSX model and that its folders are not nested one level too deeply.
- Black or frozen cockpit displays: Remove obsolete duplicate versions, install required dependencies and confirm support for your MSFS edition.
- STOVL mode not working: Verify that the F-35B is selected, reduce weight and clear conflicting control bindings.
- Carrier launch or arresting gear fails: Confirm that the carrier environment supports those functions; the F-35C model alone cannot add them to every ship.
- Poor frame rate in the cockpit: Custom displays and helmet-style symbology can be demanding. Reduce display or rendering settings before sacrificing the flight model.
Are there any good free F-35 add-ons for MSFS?
Free F-35 packages exist, but we would not rank one alongside IndiaFoxtEcho for systems, variant coverage and dependable STOVL operation.
Do not install a similarly named download without checking its simulator. For example, our older F-35 Lightning II aircraft is specifically for FSX, not a native Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024 package. Renaming or copying its files into the MSFS Community folder will not convert it.
If the budget must be zero, our comparison of freeware fighter jets made for modern MSFS includes alternatives that are more dependable than questionable F-35 conversions. Before installing any community package, check its required simulator, dependencies, supported platform and archive structure using our freeware compatibility and safety checks.