European Air War is a classic World War II air combat simulation game developed and published by MicroProse for Windows in 1998. It puts players into the cockpit of iconic fighter aircraft over the skies of Europe during major WWII aerial campaigns, from the Battle of Britain to the Allied air offensive through 1943‒1945. Unlike arcade shooters, the game blends simulation‑style flight dynamics with accessible combat, letting you dogfight enemy fighters, escort bombers on critical raids, and engage in tactical missions drawn from real history.
Players can fly for the RAF, Luftwaffe, or USAAF, progressing through a Pilot Career that tracks your promotions and performance while giving control over squadron selections, aircraft load‑outs, and mission planning. There are 20 flyable aircraft including legendary planes like the Spitfire, P‑51 Mustang, Messerschmitt Bf‑109, Fw‑190, and even early jets like the Me‑262, each with authentic flight characteristics.
The game supports single‑player campaigns, quick missions, and multiplayer for up to eight players (LAN/Internet), with adjustable realism options letting you tailor the challenge. Its detailed simulation mechanics, historically inspired missions, and strategic depth made it one of the most engaging WWII flight sims of its era.
Features
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Authentic WWII combat flight simulation over the European theater
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Fly for RAF, USAAF, or German Luftwaffe
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20 detailed flyable aircraft with realistic flight models
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Pilot Career mode with promotions, squadron management
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Quick Missions and campaign missions
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Single‑player and multiplayer support up to 8 players
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Adjustable realism settings (stalls, torque, weather effects)
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Historic mission types like Escort, Intercept, Bombing runs
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Authentic cockpits and aircraft instrument modeling
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Classic 90s flight sim gameplay with strategic depth
System Requirements
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Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11 compatible
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1.8 GHz processor or better
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512 MB RAM minimum
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3D graphics card compatible with DirectX 7/9
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DirectX 9 support
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~590 MB available storage
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Keyboard and mouse (joystick supported)
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Internet or LAN for multiplayer
