One year ago today, during the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the biggest aeroplane ever constructed was destroyed. Today, the Antonov An-225 Mriya is once again going to the sky – although in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Also, by purchasing the add-on, you will be assisting with the restoration of the only real-life Mriya that was ever finished.
Ukraine constructed Mriya was a six-engined ultra-heavy lift jet transport aircraft. It was the heaviest aircraft ever constructed and had the widest wingspan of any plane, measuring 290 feet. The Mriya, which took to the skies for the first time in 1988, was used to carry Soviet space shuttles, tanks, diesel locomotives, and hundreds of automobiles at a time.
A second Mriya was planned, but it was never completed. There are plans to rebuild the aircraft using components from the wrecked Mriya and the incomplete airframe. The project is estimated to cost more than $500 million.
The Antonov An-225 Mriya is available in six different liveries in Microsoft Flight Simulator, including an Xbox Aviators Club livery. It’s available in-game on PC now and will be released later this month on Xbox Series X/S and cloud versions. The earnings from the Mriya go to the Antonov Corporation’s Mryia rehabilitation operations. Meanwhile, the company behind the virtual Mriya, iniBuilds, has posted a handbook and other information on the aircraft on its forums.