Many people came here after buying PF and installing it as a stand alone. or it could be merged with FB 2.0 (FB3.0m erged ). Pacific Fighters can be installed as a stand alone sim (FB3.0) with just the Pacific content. Pacific Fighters AKA FB3.0 - This is where things get. (Bear in mind that IL2 started out as an Eastern Front sim.). The Aces Expansion Pack AKA FB 2.0 - As the name says an add on expansion pack bringing in more planes and enhancing the move west. It is 8+ years old.įorgotten Battles 1.0 - Originally conceived as an add on for IL2, it wound up becoming a separate stand alone product in it's own right. but if you want to fly NOW with people there are not a lot of servers that run IL2 left. A milestone for sure, and a classic for a collector. It is not compatible with any of the later versions and is patchable to v1.22ov. Keep in mind that the versions are NOT compatible. Or it will frustrate you so much that after a few attempts you will put it back on your shelf and go back to whatever it was that held your interest before you decided to see what the hubbub was about. It is either going to spark that rise to the challenge fire in you. This sim is going to do one of two things to you.
Between here and M4T you will have all the resources you need to become proficient in this sim and get the most out of it. It has no equal and will henceforth be referred to as M4T throughout this guide. I must say that is the single absolute best overall TOTAL RESOURCE for this sim as far as guides, missions,skins,downloads etc. Also take a look at Guide to Joystick Settings as far as actually programming your stick.īefore we begin. Whatever stick you choose or wherever you choose to get it, make sure that it has some kind of rudder control on it or that you take rudder control into consideration either through rudder pedals, which both Saitek and CH produce, or some kind of twist rudder on the stick. setup along with the offering from Thrustmaster. The Saitek X-52 or the CH Fighter Stick and Throttle are examples of a H.O.T.A.S. setup ( Hands On Throttle And Stick) which in my opinion is much more versatile and immersive. I also recommend that you go for a H.O.T.A.S. By costly I mean another $100+, and for me that is just unacceptable, but most of the Cougar owners I know love their sticks.
I can say that the top of the line Cougar HOTAS, which will run you around $175-$300 out of the box depending on where you get it is from all reports a good stick, but it requires costly modifications to really make it shine. Thrustmaster also makes a line of joysticks from low to high end, however I have no experience with them at all so I cannot vouch for therm one way or the other. I have no clue as to how good it is because my trusty MS FFB2 is still working. Unfortunately Microsoft no longer makes the FFB2 but they can be found on Ebay and Go also had a limited quantity. Rugged as all get out, good solenoids, and a good Force Feed Back (FFB) joystick, even if you do not use the features like gunshake, which I personally find a little hokey, or hit effects, just for the control forces alone, does things that no mechanical spring can do as far as transmitting a better feel for what is going on with your virtual ship. For what it is worth the Microsoft Force Feedback 2 is the best single joystick ever made in my opinion. I recommend that you shop around to find the best bang for the buck since usually you pay more at the manufacturer's site, but those are the main options when it comes to joysticks. Both brands can also be purchased from other sites at a reasonable prices as well as the manufacturer's sites. I personally recommend either SAITEK or CH Products. While it is possible to fly this sim with a keyboard and mouse, to get the most out of it a joystick is recommended. While this guide can be used with any 1C IL2 product version it is written with IL2 1946 in mind. Welcome aboard nugget!! With all the new blood in here I thought it would be a good idea to post this.