I'm a WW2 airplane enthusiast and have tried several different ones with not so good results.

Any suggestions as to what is the best, either payware or freeware?

Roy

24 minutes ago, Roy Warren said:

Any suggestions as to what is the best, either payware or freeware?

A2A P51 😉

I don't think anything else comes near ... so, better to not fly instead of flying a poor alternative

 

I liked the A2A Mustang in P3D a lot, but I doubt that it will ever be available for MSF2024.

The probably best Mustang simulation is the DCS one.

DCS World is your only option... Not even xp12 does ww2 aircraft, including the p51d, decently...

 

Edited November 13, 2025Nov 13 by jcomm

DCS

If you don't need real high fidelity, the default one with the mod is actually decent enough

https://flightsim.to/file/87154/asobo-reno-p-51d-improvement-mod

6 hours ago, jcomm said:

DCS World is your only option... Not even xp12 does ww2 aircraft, including the p51d, decently...

 

IL2 Sturmovik 😃

 

Ah is visually not bad...along with the sound mod...

Edited November 14, 2025Nov 14 by 0stones0

yep same for me - not found a decent Mustang in 2024 - I stick to the Corsair which is quite demanding to fly accurately - I have flown a Mustang in R/L (albiet for a total of 50mins - (when the owner said to go out for 30mins)) - it was just so much fun I didn't want to go back - so I would really like to see an accurate one in 2024

They say that they are going to to a big revamp for the Corsair for 2024 - can't wait to be humiliated again

Thanks for the responses.

I read where the P51s flew escort for the allied bombers making missions into Germany during ww2.  I won't to recreate that and find out how much fuel they had when they returned.  Also a factor would be if they had dog fights over Germany which would use up valuable fuel. Were they flying on fumes on return?

38 minutes ago, Roy Warren said:

I read where the P51s flew escort for the allied bombers making missions into Germany during ww2.  I won't to recreate that and find out how much fuel they had when they returned.  Also a factor would be if they had dog fights over Germany which would use up valuable fuel. Were they flying on fumes on return?

Hi Roy,

The introduction of the P51 into the European theatre in WW2 gave the allies an escort fighter with an effective range of around 600 to 650 miles. This meant they could cover the Eighth Airforce bombers actually beyond Berlin to around Prague in the east and Milan in the south.

Each individual fighter group did not escort the bombers all the way to the target and back again. A P51 has a significantly higher cruising speed than a B17.  The P51 groups would use a 'corridor' method whereby they would fly directly to a pre-determined way point along the bombers route and rendezvous with the bomber stream. They would then be typically able to stay with the bombers for around half an hour before being relieved by another group and breaking off for the return.  After the allies landed in Normandy in June 1944 the escorting fighters were encouraged to fly low level on their return journey to seek targets of opportunity on the ground.

The P51's great range was realised by having two 92 gallon main fuel tanks within the inboard of each wing, an 85 gallon auxiliary fuel tank directly behind the pilot and a 75 gallon drop tank under each wing. The 85 gallon auxiliary tank had a drastic, negative effect on the aircraft's C of G so the practice was to use this tank first, immediately after take off before switching to the two drop tanks.  This meant that upon reaching the bomber group rendezvous they were ready to fly on the main tanks and be fully combat maneuvrable.  

Did this all work out in practice?  For the most part yes.  By the latter half of 1944 the main problem was the weather over Northern Europe rather than the Luftwaffe.  Although the mission planning allowed for a reserve for the return journey at these long ranges fuel usage was always the most immediate concern and engaging in combat with German fighters effectively meant an immediate return to England due to the fuel situation.  As the allies advanced into the low countries during the autumn of 1944 emergency airstrips became available in Belgium and the Netherlands for returning allied aircraft that needed to divert due to combat damage or fuel shortage. 

•  

1 hour ago, DD_Arthur said:

Hi Roy,

The introduction of the P51 into the European theatre in WW2 gave the allies an escort fighter with an effective range of around 600 to 650 miles. This meant they could cover the Eighth Airforce bombers actually beyond Berlin to around Prague in the east and Milan in the south.

Each individual fighter group did not escort the bombers all the way to the target and back again. A P51 has a significantly higher cruising speed than a B17.  The P51 groups would use a 'corridor' method whereby they would fly directly to a pre-determined way point along the bombers route and rendezvous with the bomber stream. They would then be typically able to stay with the bombers for around half an hour before being relieved by another group and breaking off for the return.  After the allies landed in Normandy in June 1944 the escorting fighters were encouraged to fly low level on their return journey to seek targets of opportunity on the ground.

The P51's great range was realised by having two 92 gallon main fuel tanks within the inboard of each wing, an 85 gallon auxiliary fuel tank directly behind the pilot and a 75 gallon drop tank under each wing. The 85 gallon auxiliary tank had a drastic, negative effect on the aircraft's C of G so the practice was to use this tank first, immediately after take off before switching to the two drop tanks.  This meant that upon reaching the bomber group rendezvous they were ready to fly on the main tanks and be fully combat maneuvrable.  

Did this all work out in practice?  For the most part yes.  By the latter half of 1944 the main problem was the weather over Northern Europe rather than the Luftwaffe.  Although the mission planning allowed for a reserve for the return journey at these long ranges fuel usage was always the most immediate concern and engaging in combat with German fighters effectively meant an immediate return to England due to the fuel situation.  As the allies advanced into the low countries during the autumn of 1944 emergency airstrips became available in Belgium and the Netherlands for returning allied aircraft that needed to divert due to combat damage or fuel shortage. 

•  

Thank you for this very detailed explanation.

Roy

18 hours ago, jcomm said:

DCS World is your only option... Not even xp12 does ww2 aircraft, including the p51d, decently...

 

I had never heard of DCS World until now.  I downloaded and installed it.

I saw the P51D listed at $24.95.  Question: Can this be used in MSFS 2024, or it only fpr DCS?

18 minutes ago, Roy Warren said:

I saw the P51D listed at $24.95.  Question: Can this be used in MSFS 2024, or it only fpr DCS?

No, it can only be used in DCS. However,  before you spend any money I seem to recall there is a free TF51 available to download in DCS.

This is basically an unarmed P51 and will give you a chance to fly it around and see what you think?

15 minutes ago, DD_Arthur said:

No, it can only be used in DCS. However,  before you spend any money I seem to recall there is a free TF51 available to download in DCS.

This is basically an unarmed P51 and will give you a chance to fly it around and see what you think?

I did that first thing, and it is definitely a lot better than the Asobo.  A lot smoother. Thanks