Compare flight simulators with WWII bombing missions, from IL-2 and B-17 campaigns to DCS strikes, plus what MSFS and FSX cannot simulate.
The strongest flight simulators with World War II bombing missions are IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles, IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover Blitz, IL-2 1946, B-17 Flying Fortress: The Mighty 8th, and Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2 and 3. DCS World and War Thunder support WWII bombing too, but with important limitations.
Main flight simulators with WWII bombing missions
The right simulator depends on whether you want a heavy-bomber campaign, tactical strikes, carrier attacks, mission building or multiplayer objectives.
| Simulator | Bombing content | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles | Career, scripted and quick missions involving level bombing, dive bombing and ground attack; content depends on the aircraft and battle modules owned | A modern WWII career with flyable twin-engine bombers and attack aircraft |
| IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover Blitz | Campaigns, single missions and a full mission builder; Desert Wings–Tobruk adds North African operations | Detailed Battle of Britain and desert bomber operations, including bombsight and crew procedures |
| IL-2 1946 | Built-in campaigns, single missions and mission building across European and Pacific theatres | A broad, older simulation covering level, dive and torpedo bombing |
| B-17 Flying Fortress: The Mighty 8th | A dedicated heavy-bomber campaign with navigation, formation management, bombing and crew stations | The most focused B-17 strategic bombing experience |
| Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2 | Pacific campaign and standalone missions featuring carrier strikes, dive bombing and torpedo attacks | Pacific naval aviation and carrier-based bombing |
| Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3 | European campaign missions involving tactical strikes, interdiction and ground attack | Older European tactical bombing campaigns and extensive add-on potential |
| DCS World | Module-dependent tactical bombing, packaged scenarios and mission-editor content | Highly detailed aircraft operation and custom strike missions rather than a dedicated heavy-bomber campaign |
| War Thunder | Bombing objectives against bases, airfields, ships and ground units in online battles | Accessible multiplayer bomber sorties rather than a historical campaign simulation |
If bombing is only one part of your decision, our comparison of leading WWII combat simulators also covers flight modelling, campaigns and multiplayer.
Which WWII bomber simulator should you choose?
B-17 Flying Fortress: The Mighty 8th is the clearest choice for a dedicated four-engine heavy-bomber campaign, while the IL-2 series is better for varied combat sorties and more modern flight simulation.
- Choose B-17 if you want to operate crew stations, manage a bomber formation and conduct strategic raids. Its age means operating-system, display and controller compatibility should be checked before committing to it.
- Choose Cliffs of Dover Blitz for detailed European twin-engine bomber procedures, especially the Blenheim, Heinkel and Junkers style of operation. Aircraft availability varies between the base simulation and the Tobruk expansion.
- Choose IL-2 Great Battles for career-generated sorties, stronger modern presentation and a mixture of bombing, escort and air combat. Confirm that the battle package includes both the aircraft and theatre you want.
- Choose IL-2 1946 for its breadth of theatres and mission types if you accept older graphics, interfaces and possible compatibility work.
- Choose Combat Flight Simulator 2 when carrier-launched dive or torpedo bombing is the priority.
- Choose War Thunder for online bombing objectives with a lower procedural burden. Its battle structure is not a substitute for a persistent historical bomber campaign.
Does DCS World include WWII bomber missions?
DCS World supports WWII bombing, but it is strongest as a tactical strike and mission-building platform. Bomb-capable fighters and aircraft such as the Mosquito can attack airfields, vehicles, buildings and other mission-editor targets, while AI bomber formations can be added where the required assets provide them.
The free base installation should not be mistaken for a complete WWII bombing package. The aircraft, map, campaign and period asset requirements vary by mission, so check our breakdown of DCS WWII aircraft and supporting assets before choosing modules.
DCS is the better choice when cockpit operation and custom mission logic matter more than a ready-made strategic bomber career. If you specifically want to occupy a heavy-bomber bombardier station throughout a campaign, B-17 is the closer fit.
Do Microsoft Flight Simulator and FSX have WWII bombing missions?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, FSX and FS2004 do not include a native WWII combat or target-damage system. They can reproduce bomber flying, navigation, formations and training, but they are not replacements for IL-2, DCS or Combat Flight Simulator when weapons and mission outcomes matter.
Some aircraft packages add animated bomb loads, bomb-sight views or scripted raid scenarios. The FSX Dornier Do 17 package with raid scenarios and bomb-sight views is a good example, but presentation and mission scripting do not create a universal combat-damage model. Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator is a separate product line built around combat.
Why does a bombing mission not register as complete?
A convincing hit does not always satisfy the mission trigger. A mistake we see often is assuming that any explosion inside the target area counts, when the mission may be watching a particular object, payload, damage threshold or return condition.
- Read the objective wording: a mission may require destruction of a named bridge, ship or building rather than general damage nearby.
- Keep the assigned loadout: changing bomb type or aircraft can break older scripted triggers even when the weapons work normally.
- Check weapon preparation: open bomb-bay doors and set master-arm, fuze or release controls where the aircraft models them.
- Allow enough release height: some fuzes need time or distance to arm, so an extremely low drop may produce a dud.
- Verify bombsight data: confirm altitude and speed units, and whether the sight expects indicated or true airspeed. Wind and aircraft slip can move an otherwise accurate release.
- Complete the final condition: some campaigns do not award success until the formation leaves the target area, reaches friendly territory or lands.