So far I haven't been able to find a simple zoom command in the settings that just allows you to zoom your view from the cockpit. This should be available as; zoom in, zoom out, toggle zoom, reset and also an axis which is the best way to use it if you have an extra wheel or something, I prefer using the toe axis on the pedal to keep my hands free. Being able to zoom in and out easily solves much of the target visibility problems. That is how it works in Rise of Flight.

Maybe I misunderstand your problem, but in Options>Controls>Visual Settings (I go by heart), you find the zoom controls, ranging from the classic 30°/70°/90° views to the various continuous zoom in - zoom out.

Cheers,
Ins

No, the solution is to increase your screen resolution if you want improved detection.

You cannot compare real life values to game values if your screen resolution is within regular commercial ranges (1920x1200 or lower). If they changed the dot to be whatever you'd see ingame at a given range and the aircraft model at that range had less than 1x1 pixels^2 projected surface, you'd still see a dot.

So if you want better detection and better viewing range, get more screens :-P

I see under "camera" the FOV commands for 30/70/90 and a "hold to zoom" which by default is a mouse button which I can't get to work.
but I'm looking for a way to smoothly zoom in and out with an axis (a wheel or stick)
under "Axes" there are settings for all types of axis controls like ailerons and throttle but I don't see a "zoom" there.

ZAPATISTA made a very good proposal by standardizing our FOV and continueing this discussion here. Using PRIMETIMEs formular to adapt my personal FOV while I am sitting usualy 100cm in front of my screen on which the projected image has a width of 96cm, so the RL-FOV is about 25°. Selecting the INGAME 30° is a little bit to "close to my nose"- the sideview is too limited. For a better allroundview, I thought, my german ass on my reallife-seat of today would need approximately the same space as a virtual seat of the 40s. So a VR-seat should appear on screen as big as I can see the real seat from my actual point-of-view in RL. Therefore I used the "Hold&FOV adjustement"-Key + mouse in the Option/Camerasetting-menu. I guess the seat in a 109/Spit should be the same size as my chair, which has 48cm (any Infos?). The seat on the screen has 68cm. I did some dogfighting with this setup:
First, the estimated 55°FOV is still quite narrow, but still playable.
Second, detecting & identifing a/c is much easier now, and the "55°"-FOV gives a good fun!
Third, identifying an a/c in CloD is not that, what you could do with your eyes in RL.

After landing I had a look on my vr-squadmates, and with the aid of the map and its scale I compared what I saw in 500m distances with my RL-a/c-spottings.
What shall I say?
As I wrote allready on page 4, spotting a Ultralight in 750m allows to discern every important detail, ingame I can discern easily the yellow nose of the 109, but only with troubles the undercarrieage, the canopyfront, and the wingguns. Of course the INGame 30°FoV allows to discern much more.
Finaly, but only temporary, I would say, spotting planes in RL is about twotimes easier.
By the way, why is the seat of a 109 in 30°FoV appearing on screen so much bigger then a seat in a Hurri. Were in the 40s german fighterpilotasses so much unsexier ? Or is it just another bug in the wall? At least I hope so!

(It is important to now, if every VR-aircraft-cockpitwiew of CloD is in the same scale.)

Good post Topgum! Another bug in the wall ... eheheh!

when i change in cofini :

MeshShowLod=1 and

[rts_joystick]
FF=0

i agree with you about visibility in real life because i am military pilot and its hard to see camouflaged plane in air and VERY hard on low altitude flight.

but here is problem you see dot very good in far distance and when is closing about 2-3km dot and aircraft disapir (didnt see att all) in view zoom all way out. in zoom all way in you dont lose con and airplane, but i can't fly plane and maneuvering with telescope on eyes :)
when i change confini i see contact like i should view but with FPS drop :)

wait new patch to see performance BOOST and some bugs fixed :)

S!

Yes it's almost impossible in this game to spot aircraft over terrain when you are at altitude. Boom and Zoom tactics when your prey is below is almost out of the question. It seems they have to at least be above the horizon to follow. It doses not seem right, it gets frusturating trying to search for aircraft below. Having reflections off windscreens and other parts of the aircraft may help but i think there is more to this issue as others have described. Target visibility was not an issue in IL2 1946.

a one a two dreivier
dm
we don't need no simulation
we don't need no steamcontrol
no dark sarcasm in the cockpit
Luthier leaves us weeks alone
G
Hey, patchers, leave us kids alone.
F C
All in all it's just a
dm
another bug in the wall.

Solo in d-minor

Insuber, it is only your fault, that I am going offtopic. I dont hope that are going to bann me now!!

Because of my lack of ability to spot lower targets over land I tend to dive low so I can look up and spot targets from below, then I zoom again to regain hight. No an smart way to maintain hight and E. To often I end up in low level fights or giving up my hight advantage.