Destroyed Ukrainian plane, the world’s largest, to live on in MSFS

One of the earliest casualties of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine was the world’s largest airplane, the Antonov 225 Mriya. A London-based company, iniBuilds, hopes to revive it inside. Microsoft Flight Simulator. It was announced Wednesday on TwitterAccording to a report, the manufacturer Antonov will get $19.99 and the proceeds of the add-on for Ukraine.

In 1988, the Antonov 225 flew its first flight. The heavy lift aircraft was originally built to transport Russian space orbiters, specifically the “Russian Space Shuttle” known as the Buran. It had a reported maximum takeoff weight of 640 metric tons — the rough equivalent of 350 Ford F-150 pickup trucks. The world’s records for the largest aircraft and longest wingspan were held by this plane.

Picture by Christophe Gateau/picture coalition via Getty Images

In the first weeks of the invasion, it was along with an unfinished sister destroyed. Antonov promised to fix or replace it, at an estimated $500 million.

Antonov confirmedTwitter announced that Microsoft had granted it a license agreement. In a Facebook post, it said that it hopes the DLC will be released on Feb. 27, 2023 — the anniversary of the Russian invasion. Polygon reached out at Microsoft to get more details.

It would not be the only historic plane to be recreated within. Microsoft Flight Simulator’s modern incarnation. Its Local Legends series was started in 2021. The goal is to preserve rare aircraft digitally so that future aviation enthusiasts can enjoy them.