Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Aircraft and configuration
Virtavia's Stirling package includes Mk I aircraft, including a Pathfinder fit, plus Mk III and Mk IV versions. Its manual identifies pitch and rudder trim, while the aileron uses a preset spring tab instead of cockpit roll trim.
Short Stirling Mk1
Virtavia · Read more ↗Meet Short Stirling Mk1
Virtavia's Stirling package includes Mk I aircraft, including a Pathfinder fit, plus Mk III and Mk IV versions. Its manual identifies pitch and rudder trim, while the aileron uses a preset spring tab instead of cockpit roll trim.
History & design
The first RAF four-engined heavy bomber
The full-size Stirling prototype first flew on 13 May 1939. No. 7 Squadron carried out the type’s first operational mission on 10 February 1941, attacking Rotterdam.
RAF Museum · Pilot controls: Stirling I ↗RAF Museum archive interpretation, Stirling I
A second life in airborne operations
Its long, narrow bomb bay constrained the loads it could carry compared with later heavy bombers. From 1943, Stirling squadrons took on mine-laying and transport duties; glider towing and paratroop transport made the aircraft part of the D-Day airborne operation.
RAF Museum · Pilot controls: Stirling I ↗RAF Museum archive interpretation, Stirling I
Systems & details
Controls and equipment
Some fuel controls use mixture or electrical simulator bindings.
MSFS convenience autoflight
The MSFS version adds modern altitude and heading modes to the historical control panel. The speed knob is not an autothrottle.
Three wartime versions in X-Plane
Virtavia’s X-Plane 12 manual presents three wartime Stirling variants and identifies their individual aircraft, units and equipment. Its Mk I example, W7451 of No. 7 Squadron, represents early 1941 and carries the FN.5 nose, FN.7 upper and FN.4 tail turrets. The manual also describes the exterior and crew-station controls. These details help distinguish the represented airframe from later Stirlings and from the developer’s separate MSFS implementation.
In your simulator
No released simulator product is listed for this aircraft in the developers reviewed. Announced products are excluded.
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Simulator documentation
Controls and equipmentShort Stirling Mk1
Some fuel controls use mixture or electrical simulator bindings.
X-Plane 12 manual · pages 11 and 16
Virtavia · Read the source ↗MSFS convenience autoflightShort Stirling Mk1
The MSFS version adds modern altitude and heading modes to the historical control panel. The speed knob is not an autothrottle.
MSFS manual · Auto Controls, pages 14–18
Virtavia · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Simulator documentation
Short Stirling Mk1 — simulator documentationVirtavia · X-Plane 12 manual · pages 11 and 16 Short Stirling Mk1 — simulator documentationVirtavia · MSFS manual · Auto Controls, pages 14–18Aircraft history
Pilot controls: Stirling IRAF Museum · RAF Museum archive interpretation, Stirling IBuilt-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261011-v3 · 3 profile choices
Virtavia Short Stirling Mk1
Virtavia · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · X-Plane 12
The Stirling bomber and transport family in Mk I, Mk III and Mk IV simulator versions.
Virtavia Short Stirling Mk3
Virtavia · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · X-Plane 12
The Stirling bomber and transport family in Mk I, Mk III and Mk IV simulator versions.
Virtavia Short Stirling Mk4
Virtavia · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · X-Plane 12
The Stirling bomber and transport family in Mk I, Mk III and Mk IV simulator versions.
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