505 Games has announced one million people have downloaded a demo of IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey.

The figure, which is a combination of Xbox Live and PSN downloads, is expected to helps of the retail game when it goes on sale next week.

"One million demo downloads clearly showcases undeniable interest in IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey among gamers," offered Adam Kline, president of 505 Games US.

"With the amount of attention paid to every detail of this title, from environments based on a hybrid of period maps and satellite data to our powerful tangible damage effects engine to audio recorded from vintage aircraft, we’re thrilled that so many players are eager to play this year’s most authentic World War II flight combat game."