Can he make it with less, then 10 000 triangles without any loss of visual quality? Can he make it exactly to the tech.specs, so it would export in the game engine smoothly? Does he knows what LODs are?

No? That's the point. And this is just a few of a lot more "can he...?" questions. High-polygon modeling of a random subject is a completely different thing, then making a low-polygon model of a specific subject according to a strict technical requirements and high accuracy to the RL prototype.

He-177 cockpit models (7 work stations, if I am not mistaken) made to the "IL-2" game standards would require about 160-200 men-hours per each cockpit model. What is a cost of 1 work hour in your country? How much 7x160 would cost then? Do you still think, this guy is greedy?

And that's another point.

Ask him, not me. But Im sure he would be able to do it.

High poly modeling is harder than low poly. I know someone who does both.
And yes, I STILL think 3500 USD is greedy. Very greedy.

Maybe you should make an offer yourself, it sounds like you're convinced it is an easy way to make money. Think of it, you only need to buy a licensed 3D software, invest a few dozen hours of training on it, get acquainted with the Il-2 standards, work through dozens of references for an aircraft and then spend a couple of hundred hours for making the actual objects and after only half a year of work you'll immediately get 3500$. Or 3499$, because 3500$ is the competition. Does this sound tempting to you?

And I seem to know someone, who doesn't have a clue. And since it is your idea, I urge you to ask him yourself. Or, may be you can find someone, who can do that job, working for free? Go on, why hesitate?

So, you say, 3500 USD for 1120 hours of work is too greedy?! Tell me again, how much is 1 hour of work costs in your country? I guess, it should be something like 0.3 USD/hour, if you think, that 3,125USD/hour is too greedy. Or, better, tell us, did you ever worked yourself? Or are all your toys still paid my mom and dad?

Just for comparison: Minimum wage in the United States

This guy charges more then twice less, while qualification, required for such job is times higher, then what is needed for the minimum wage.

So, where can I donate?

Who's talking about combat flying? There are DH-82 Tiger Moth and Miles Magister in HSFX. I think there is an interest. BTW, not all the people were sane in the time of WWII (Bücker 181 with Panzerfausts). Those times weren't sane. I'm afraid those similar planes on strafed Soviet airfields in 1941 were, sadly, first-line combat types.

I'd do it for 75$/hr... But I havent worked with 3DS since 1996.
If I could do it with a program I'm fitter on, I'd take 120 bucks.
So let us be grateful for the work of all the modders and all in front for the great work TD does just out of enthusiasm for the community.

It seems the guy which started the thread on SVK forum is also present here, so you may try to ask him directly...
http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/member.php?u=53613

True on both points. But, having static models of aircraft might be a first step towards flying models, which is a step towards having flyable models.