at release anybody with a then uber leet pc (forgive my teen speak) could run il2 on its highest graphics settings with good frame rates (and a decent resolution)

iirc, wasnt perfect mode only added with the FB addon pack ? i dont think it existed before then as a gfx setting. some grey old timers here will remember.

i know that when the first ever demo was released i played it perfectly fine with high detail settings in opengl and good frame rates, and most of my pc's over the years have been a step or 2 below the top level (usually good cpu but not top level gfx cards)

that is because at each major release, like FB, PF and 1946 there were simultaneous significant increases in gfx quality by oleg & Co, so the pc load became heavier each time and we had to keep up. people also over that time period changed from a 17 crt (which i used at il2 demo time iirc) to widescreen lcd's, so in the last 4 yrs or so i have been running 1946 at 1900 x 1200 on a 28' lcd (an obviously much higher pc load)

hence in my earlier common sense spec list i added the need for people to use multiple high end gfx cards if they wanted to use multiple monitors at a half decent resolution.

Thanks for that ;) I didn't know these things so that is quite interesting; particularly in the case of SoW, as if it follows a similar route as Il-2 its progress will be fantastic to see.

I agree, SOW, should follow the same pattern, except for far more third party envolvement right from the start. I can see the SOW series improving for a minimum of 15 years, BUT only if sales of the initial Battle of Britain make it profitable enough to proceed with further addons.

Great Pics Oleg!! keep us posted, I agree about the smoke in No4 it does seem too dark. i just cant resist...FLYING PORCUPINE!!!!!!!!! i wanted one sooo much in IL2 and now cant wait to fly it, those gerry fighters wont get anywhere near me, if...big if, its flyable!