Deluxe Edition not starting.

[Todt_Von_Oben]

An hour ago, I bought the Steam version of Flying Circus Deluxe Edition.  But now, it doesn't start for me. 

There's a message highlighted in pink (see pic) and I've followed the link without success; doesn't show DE anywhere. 

I went to my IL2 account and it only shows my earlier purchases; not the Deluxe edition.  There was a place to enter the Code for new purchases from Steam and others; but I don't see any Code anywhere in Steam or IL2.   

Not sure what's wrong. How do I get the Deluxe Edition working?  

TVO

 

Edited December 1, 2025 by Todt_Von_Oben
Additional information.

[AndyJWest]

You aren't expecting a separate install, are you? If you already own IL-2 GB content (any, not just the Flying Circus stuff), the new DLC will be accessible through that. 

 

 

 

Edited December 1, 2025 by AndyJWest

[Todt_Von_Oben]

Thanks Andy.

I have everything from the early release of FC1 through FC4; Battles include Moscow, Bodenplatte, Stalingrad, and Kuban; collector planes include the Snipe, Schuck, FW 190, and LA5; which is odd because I don't remember buying that last one.  Hmmmm.....  ?

I agree: it should be as you say.  But I've looked and not found the new content or a way to make it work yet.  

It's Sunday night (2300 hrs) here.  Maybe the system needs to figure itself out.  If the problem hasn't solved itself by tomorrow, I'll contact customer service. 

S!   

Edited December 1, 2025 by Todt_Von_Oben
Additional info.

[Catch]

44 minutes ago, Todt_Von_Oben said:

I have everything from the early release of FC1 through FC4

5 hours ago, Todt_Von_Oben said:

An hour ago, I bought the Steam version of Flying Circus Deluxe Edition.

Just out of curiosity, why would you buy the deluxe edition if you already have all the FC modules? 

[Aapje]

@Todt_Von_Oben

The Deluxe version is just a bundle of already existing modules + collector planes, so people can buy all the FC stuff in one go. Apparently, you already owned everything in the bundle except the SSW D.IV, so then you can just start up the existing game and see that plane. Nothing else will change for you.

Steam bundles will not show up separately. Again, they are just bundles of already existing modules and collector planes, so buying a bundle is no different from buying the module and collector plane DLCs separately, except that there may be an extra discount. But in both cases, those DLCs will show up in your account, and never the bundle. That's just how bundles work in Steam.

I assume that you got a huge discount on the bundle price, because Steam will normally remove the cost of already owned stuff. So you probably paid the same for the Deluxe version as the cost of the SSW D.IV, which you can see here:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2366322/IL2_Sturmovik_SSW_DIV_Collector_Plane/

[Todt_Von_Oben]

Thanks for answering Catch's question, Aapje.  Actually, I bought the DE just for the improved maps and the Zeppelins. 😎  

To address the points you made:

I’ve owned the SSWD.IV since it came out; I call it the “Schuck.”  Most folks on my DD webpage understand what I mean by that; but I see where it could be misconstrued.  

What I don’t understand is why my Collectors Planes now include the Lavochkin LA-5.  Unless it came as an extra freebie with one of the Battles I bought and subsequently forgot about: I don’t recall ever buying that one.  For sure, it’s not listed as available in the Deluxe edition bundle.  Hmmmm.  Perplexing but I’m looking into it.

The pic shows the ad for Steam’s Deluxe Edition of FC; regular and discounted prices.  I paid $94.99 USD for the entire Deluxe Edition and the bundle of planes; but it don’t see the DE listed as any of my purchases at Steam or IL2. 

Anyway, I'll be contacting the folks at IL2 and Steam later today.  Hopefully, we can figure it out.  If so, I'll post the results here.

Meanwhile, if anyone knows the answer to this problem: please give us a shout.  Thank you.

TVO 😊

[Todt_Von_Oben]

For clarity: here's a list of my purchases; not including Collector's planes.  Notice: no Deluxe Edition.  Not in my Steam Library, either.  😒

 

[Dora]

38 minutes ago, Todt_Von_Oben said:

What I don’t understand is why my Collectors Planes now include the Lavochkin LA-5. 

When you bought Stalingrad, did you purchase the premium version? The La-5 and Fw 190A-3 are part of that one, so if you don't have a receipt anymore you could always check by seeing if you got a Fw 190A3 to fly. 🙂 

 

EDIT: Also, the Deluxe Edition isn't a separate module, it's Flying Circus I through IV + the Sopwith Snipe and SSW D IV planes. https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/62284/Flying_Circus_Deluxe_Edition/

And as the pop-up shows:

So what you've purchased is the Sopwith Snipe and SSW D IV planes for half price, you already owned all other content from the package. 😞 

Edited December 1, 2025 by Dora

[Aapje]

@Todt_Von_Oben

So I guess that you bought it in the IL-2 store, which is linked to your Steam account? As far as I know the IL-2 store isn't as smart as the Steam store and doesn't know that you already had part/all of the bundle. So basically, you paid $94.99 USD for nothing.

I'd try to get the purchase cancelled and your money back.

As Dora said, the LA-5 probably came with the a premium module purchase and is just something you notice now, not something new to your account.

Edited December 2, 2025 by Aapje

[Todt_Von_Oben]

Dora and Aapje, 

I think you're probably right.  That does seem to be what's happening. 

I bought DD though the Steam link that Dora shows; above.  My previous purchases were through the IL-2 Store and I never had a problem getting them to work in either the Steam or Non-Steam versions; until now.  

I have BOS and I do have an FW-190; I'll check to see if it's an A-3. If so, and if the LA-5 is there, too; then they are probably that freebie Dora mentioned.

I'm going to take your advice.  I'm going to contact Steam to get a refund.  Then, I'll look into buying it from Il-2.   

Film at eleven...  😎

ADDIT: I checked my BOS (first Battle I bought) and I do have the FW-190 A-3 and the LA-5 as Collectors Planes.  So, I think you are right about them being freebies with BOS.  Thank you!   

ADDIT2: I just checked the payment confirmation email from Steam; they only charged me $70.46 plus tax, NOT $94.99.  That says I did buy the planes again; not the new maps and zeppelin.  Trying for a refund now but Steam email doesn't make it easy.  I might just go to IL2 and buy the DD from them.  I can get a refund from Steam later.  Fingers crossed!  🤞 

 

Edited December 2, 2025 by Todt_Von_Oben
Additional info.

[Todt_Von_Oben]

All,

Just now, I was in the process of buying from the IL-2 Store, when I saw a note below the title that says "Product with no key for activation on Steam." 

This has me wondering (1) if it will turn out inoperable as it did with Steam; and (2) if so, how difficult it will be to get a refund from IL-2.  

What do you guys think of that "no product key" thing?  Is that going to be a problem?

TVO 

ADDIT: Checking my License Keys at IL-2, I see I also have a Collector's DC-3 I'd forgotten about.  Hmmmm...

 

 

 

Edited December 2, 2025 by Todt_Von_Oben
Spelling and punctuation. Additional information.

[dryheat94]

Why are you buying it if you already own FC1-FC4? You already have everything, including the Zeppelin which was free if you owned any FC module.

[Todt_Von_Oben]

dryheat94,

See Aapje's answer, above.  It was a bundle from the Steam store.  I just wanted the DE's improved graphics and other features; the rest came as a freebie.  I was unpleasantly surprised to see I'd received everything but the Deluxe Edition features.  I bought it because I thought they were included.

This morning (see posts above) I've learned that Steam only charged me $73.64 for what turned out to be only the FC 1 - 4 content; not the $94.99 the entire DE package is presently discounted down to.  That confirms what's been said above: I didn't receive or get charged for what I thought I was buying. 

I'm working on a refund from Steam and trying to buy DE direct from IL-2 Store.  I've got it in my Cart but I'm waiting to find out what that  "Product with no key for activation on Steam" is all about.  Don't want to go through this twice.

Edited December 2, 2025 by Todt_Von_Oben

[AndyJWest]

You won't receive any 'improved graphics', or any other features that those who own existing FC content don't get too. You are trying to buy something you already have. 

[Todt_Von_Oben]

IMPORTANT QUESTION: Where are the IL-2 License Keys for a game bought through Steam to be found???

 

6 minutes ago, AndyJWest said:

You won't receive any 'improved graphics', or any other features that those who own existing FC content don't get too. You are trying to buy something you already have. 

Yep, we've arrived at that conclusion.  So where in the hell do I buy Flying Circus Deluxe Edition?  😁  All roads seem to load to this same bottleneck.  😡

Edited December 2, 2025 by Todt_Von_Oben

[AndyJWest]

I give in. I tried to help, but clearly it isn't worth the effort... 

[dryheat94]

34 minutes ago, AndyJWest said:

I give in. I tried to help, but clearly it isn't worth the effort... 

Yup, game over.

[Todt_Von_Oben]

Aapje,

In the past hour, I bought the Deluxe Edition from the IL_2 Store for $94.99; successful transaction; license activated.  Should be working but I don't see any change in the game; no change in the red panel that lists my Battles and FC Volumes; nada. 

I don't see DE mentioned anywhere in the game yet; and don't see any of the new features, maps, or Zeppelins I was expecting.  I restarted the game as instructed.  No joy.

Your thoughts?

Edited December 2, 2025 by Todt_Von_Oben

[AndyJWest]

You saw exactly what everybody has been telling you you will see...

[Todt_Von_Oben]

19 minutes ago, AndyJWest said:

You saw exactly what everybody has been telling you you will see...

Right.  So how do I fly through the Arc De Triomphe?  

Edited December 2, 2025 by Todt_Von_Oben
spelling

[Catch]

2 hours ago, Todt_Von_Oben said:

Right.  So how do I fly through the Arc De Triomphe?  

With flair, aplomb and panache.

Film at eleven? I'll be ready ....

[Todt_Von_Oben]

1 hour ago, Catch said:

With flair, aplomb and panache.

Film at eleven? I'll be ready ....

Funny.  But I'm serious here.  Last year I could find Paris on the map and flew my Dr1 and SSD4 through the Eiffel Tower.  Now, I don't recall how I found it; and I don't see it on any map at this time.

The ad says the Arc de Triomphe is now available in DE.  I'd like to fly through it.  Can you direct me to that area of the map, please?  Then, I'll be happy to provide a video.

Edited December 2, 2025 by Todt_Von_Oben
clarity

[Aapje]

Paris is in the south west corner of the Western Front map. Everyone who owns at least one module of FC has this map with Paris on it.

There is a Zeppelin mission in the list of missions for Flying Circus. You can also encounter the Zeppelin in the campaign. Everyone who owns at least one module of FC has the Zeppelin in game.

Like I and others have explained, the Deluxe version is only a bundle of things that you can also buy separately. There is no extra content, better graphics, a separate module, or anything else. It is intended for people who don't own any FC modules yet, and who want to buy everything in 1 go.

You made a wrong assumption, people have been telling you that you are wrong, but you keep not listening. That is why people are leaving exasperated comments above, because they are trying to help you, but you are not actually listening.

[Todt_Von_Oben]

6 hours ago, Aapje said:

Paris is in the south west corner of the Western Front map. Everyone who owns at least one module of FC has this map with Paris on it.

Thank you.

There is a Zeppelin mission in the list of missions for Flying Circus. You can also encounter the Zeppelin in the campaign. Everyone who owns at least one module of FC has the Zeppelin in game.

Yes, I have known that since the Zeps became available.

Like I and others have explained, the Deluxe version is only a bundle of things that you can also buy separately.  There is no extra content, better graphics, a separate module, or anything else.

I see that now, but the advertisement gave me the false impression that extra content was part of the Deluxe Edition.

people have been telling you that you are wrong, but you keep not listening.

No. I've listened.  I just didn't understand.  Now I do.  Mission accomplished.

 

Edited December 2, 2025 by Todt_Von_Oben
clarity

[Todt_Von_Oben]

Refunds received.  Thanks!  😎👍