Microsoft Flight Simulator Releases New Aircraft in the “Local Legends” Series Today with Dornier Do J Wal Leave a comment

The Workhorse, Dornier Do J Wal, Comes to Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Today, we are excited to announce that the Dornier Do J Wal, the third plane in our “Local Legends” series, is available now in Microsoft Flight Simulator. The series celebrates the history of aviation, and this release is linked to World Update VIII: Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and Gibraltar. This aircraft is a twin-engine, high-wing monoplane flying boat designed by German aviation firm, Dornier.

The Wal (“Whale” in German) took its maiden flight on November 6, 1922 and was introduced in 1923. It was initially produced by Costruzioni Meccaniche Aeronautiche in Pisa, Italy, due to aircraft manufacturing restrictions in Germany imposed by the Treaty of Versailles after World War I. Dornier began building the Wal in Germany in 1931 but ceased production in 1936. The aircraft, with a crew of three, accommodated up to ten passengers.

More than 325 Dornier Do J Wals were manufactured in two primary versions: a military version, and then later, a civilian model. The aircraft, which flew until the early 1950s, served in more than a dozen countries, including Germany, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Argentina, and the Soviet Union. The Dornier Do J Wal was renowned throughout the world for completing a number of historic aviation firsts and exploratory flights, including a North Pole journey and transatlantic expeditions.

The Dornier Do J Wal features metal construction with fabric-covered wings and control surfaces, a hull design that incorporates distinctive sponsons for stability on water and serve as anchors for the main wing struts, and a traditional tail unit. The main wing, with a span of 72 feet, 2 inches, is elevated above the hull by a lattice structure. The Dornier Do J Wal is powered by two engines in a tractor-pusher configuration mounted in a nacelle above the main wing. The Dornier Do J Wals use various engines in pairs, including the Rolls-Royce Eagle IX V-12 that produces up to 355 horsepower, the 500-horsepower Napier Lion V, and the BMW V12x that turns out up to 600hp.

Depending on engines and aircraft configuration, the Dornier Do J Wal cruises between 87 and 106 mph, with a top speed of 124 to 130 miles per hour, and has a range from 497 to 621 miles. It climbs at 300 feet per minute and has a service ceiling of between 10,170 and 14,764 feet above sea level.

A breakthrough feat of aviation engineering for its day, the Dornier Do J Wal maintains an enduring legacy of performance and distinctiveness in the world of aircraft. This workhorse, which has proven successful from frigid polar adventures to the depths of the humid Amazon, is a marvel of utility, inviting aviators to explore the skies across the planet.

The plane has been meticulously recreated for Microsoft Flight Simulator, with careful attention paid to the finest details of both the exterior and the interior. Recreate this amazing aerial voyage in the highest historic fidelity.

The Dornier Do J Wal is available today on the Microsoft Flight Simulator in-sim marketplace for $14.99. We will continue to introduce more aircraft to the “Local Legends” series over the next few months.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is now available for Xbox Series X|S and PC with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows 10/11 and Steam.

For the latest information on Microsoft Flight Simulator, stay tuned to @MSFSOfficial on Twitter.