Microsoft has released one of the most unexpected crossovers in the franchise’s history. The Stranger Things expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is now available, bringing a combination of helicopter operations and story-driven missions set in a faithful recreation of Hawkins, Indiana, the central location of Netflix’s hit series.
According to Microsoft, the goal was to merge the simulator’s realism with the show’s atmosphere. The result is a themed package built around a brand new and free rendition of the Bell UH-1H Huey, accompanied by a set of missions and a large, explorable rendition of Hawkins that includes more than 40 locations.
A new storyline framed around Hawkins
This expansion is introduced as a chance for simmers to enter the world of Stranger Things and support a town dealing with strict lockdowns, heavy patrols and unknown threats. The narrative is guided by Murray Bauman, voiced by the original actor, who leads the player through a sequence of operations.
The expansion includes five missions built around the helicopter. These range from supply runs to rescue scenarios and chases. The MSFS team describes them as intense sequences intended to echo the tone of the series. They are optional activities that sit alongside the standard simulator content.
Once the missions are completed, simmers can continue exploring the map freely. The recreation of Hawkins includes well-known locations from the show, such as:
- Starcourt Mall
- Hawkins National Laboratory
- Hawkins Middle School
- The junkyard
- Residential and downtown areas recognisable from multiple seasons
Microsoft states that the town was built as a fully explorable environment inside the sim, extending the life of the expansion beyond the guided missions.
A new helicopter for all
At the centre of the Stranger Things expansion is a Bell UH-1H Huey, released as a free helicopter for all Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 owners. Once the sim is updated, the Huey installs with the Stranger Things package and becomes available both in the missions and as a regular selectable aircraft.
The new Huey is closely connected to the well-known Taog’s Hangar UH-1 originally released as payware for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. The version that launched today is fully free for all users and, according to statements from the developer on Discord, was “taken over” by Microsoft, which means the project was completed and integrated by the MSFS team after originating with Taog. It differs in a number of ways from the original 2020 payware product.
Taog also said that the MSFS 2020 payware Huey remains a separate product, still on sale, and may receive further updates for MSFS 2024 compatibility in the future. The Stranger Things Huey should therefore be seen as a Microsoft-curated, somewhat streamlined edition of that aircraft, customised for integration with the base simulator and the Hawkins missions.
The Stranger Things release includes several liveries for the Huey, covering Hawkins-themed paint schemes such as “Hawkins Heli-Tours” along with other variants.
A free update for MSFS 2024 owners
Microsoft confirmed that the Stranger Things expansion is free for all players. After updating the simulator, users only need to download the new package to gain access to the helicopter, missions and map.
