New pilots report here...
 

Welcome to the 1C BoP forum. You will find a wealth of information and advice to the best game ever made about air combat via consoles. Everything you encounter...someone here has had troubles with, so before you post a question on the issue...do a search of the forum. Trust me, most likely the answer is there. But do take the time and introduce yourself here. Post who you are...what system you play ( PS or Xbox), the time zone you are in, maybe a little about yourself/experience flying/fun fact....you are going to find a bunch of great guys/gals ( from top aces to peeps in the nest) who will help you make BoP ( Birds of Prey) a complete addiction. So, again, welcome to the best and most fun flying community. Anybody else have anything to add?? What do you want to know about the new recruit?

I have made a previous post but figured I would post again... I play the game on the X box 360 and hope to meet with you guys in the air very soon.. Eastern time zone.. My love for planes comes from my dad.. i remember him drawing me a picture of one when I was a very small kid.. He worked on P3's for 40 years at NAS Jax and will be missed greatly...

My favorite plane in RL is the P 47 Razorback.. Favorite plane in the game is yet to be decided but I have scored nicely on a friends PS3 with a lowley hurricane... I seem to have a hard time with the spitties though while in that thing lol... Havent figured out how to get the upper hand against a spitfire and it seems like everyone uses them now days...

Hi Ya
 

Okey so im a new pilot to the PS3 Birds of Prey game. I havent figured out yet how to get to the online play. Ive beaten arcade mode and have been trying to develop my skills on realistic before i go for sim. Found my love for WWII aircraft from my dad and uncle. Both were in the USAF and use to compete on model building. Some of the models can be seen at March Air Force Base air museum. Favorite aircraft was the P-38 "Forked Tailed Devil" Lightning. shame there arnt more in the game..

welcome guys.... we will see you in the air.

Checking in!
 

I play on the Xbox 360 and I am in the Eastern Time Zone, I play during the hours of 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM.

I work 3rd shift so the day time hours works for me the best.
I have never actually flown a plane or taken a ride in a single engine plane.
I have logged over 400hrs in X-Plane. (Very different from dog fighting!)

welcome to the forum cryptic

Welcome to the new pilots. I think it would be a good idea to sticky something like this so new pilots have a place to introduce themselves and to find the gamertags of fellow pilots. Seems we have a lot of new pilots that can't find new games and need to network.


Edit: Lost Apiarist
Pacific time zone
Realistic or Simulation.

Soviet Ace, reporting for flight combat in the 72nd SAP, sir! :P

I've got 1200+ hours in an I-16, 1-15, and I-153. I will defend the Motherland to my last fighting breath. Even if that means ramming the enemy's plane with my own! :cool:

Very good idea on the thread Bobbysocks.

psn:trk29 I play on ps3

Good day to you all; Jim di Griz, the Stainless Steel Rat here ;)

A relatively new flyer in the virtual skies of anachronous encounters, I fly a PS3 during the daytime (Grenwich Mean Time) mostly, under the PSN ID of MeanElf.

I've yet to complete the game to my satisfaction, though all campaigns and missions are done, except the irritation of 'Downtown Berlin', which I just can't seem to nail. I'm sure I will one day though. I'm also starting in on the campaigns again at Realistic and Simulator levels too - which is proving somewhat interesting.

I do have the weakness of vanishing off once in every while to play other games. I've thoroughly enjoyed my flying time so far though, both in campaign mode and online, so those of you who fly during the daylight hours, expect to see me back soon.

Have fun folks!

Lost Apiarist

Play Pacific time zone, afternoons and evenings. Varies depending on wife aggro ;)

Hello, I have an xbox 360 and play on Greenwich Mean Time, day or night depending on what i'm doing. I prefer paying CTA and Strike games flying heavier aircraft, my favourite being the Blenheim. I don't mind the odd dog fight though.

My favourite aircraft of WW2 would have to be the Mosquito.

JokerOfAces. South.

You can add me on XBOX LIVE if you want a match.
GT = LGorrit

AlxKara
 

Hi all!

I play on PS3. But never try to play online. I hope I'll fix this soon :)

Location: Russia, St.Petersburg.
Time: from 23:00 (+3.0) till 01:00

welcome alxkara, do get online there are a lot of great ps players here and you will have great time.

hello. I will be picking this game up soon for xbox 360!

New pilot reporting
 

I am an Xbox 360 player that has recently returned to home console gaming after a 20 year hiatus. I work overnights, so play mostly during the late morning to early afternoon hours Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5). I developed my love for aircraft as a youngster, and spent most of my teen years building fine scale models to re-create these facinating flying machines. I am still working on the campaign, but look forward to flying the friendly online skies soon.

See ya in the air.

I'd definately get online. As has been said, great community across all modes who'll as soon as help you as shoot you down. I've gained some really great friends from this game demonstrated by our recent Duxford meet. I have yet to find a game that has even elements of this community. Yes there is the odd village idiot but nothing that isn't overcome with a MKIV Spitfire!!!!

Welcome and I also work overnights so I normally play 9am - 5pm Eastern Standard Time (GMT -5). Whats your xbox name and I hope to see you in the skies...well falling from the skies. :twisted::lol:

welcom rappin randy and dawnkeyhotee. i am an xbox player as well. there is a ton of us here who play regularly. scan through the threads and you will find several about xbox players. they will let you add them as friends and you will get right in it. if you have troubles finding a game online. create one and go from there. there is a wealth of information here on tough missions and tactics...so do a search. but most of all have fun...see you in the skies.

GT Bobbysockser

Hi,
not a new pilot as such, joined up here last year, got the game on release and played it to death, but then MW2 came out and I forgot I had IL2, come back to it now as I just love planes, (went to RAF Waddington a couple of weeks ago and it rekindled a near extinguished flame) played IL2, CFS1 and 3 and MS flight sims 98, 2000 and 2004 on PC years ago and loved them but then the X360 came along and the PC got mothballed,

dying to get back online but unlikely to play higher than arcade due to lack of a flightstick, and can't justify that to the wife for one game lol, (unless anyone knows how to get an MS sidewinder working on Xbox :o)

GT is chuckers74 if you want to add me,

cheers,

XBOX Live
 

Hey guys, just got il2 birds of prey today for xbox 360, I was able to go online to xbox live two times. But now it says server is down try later. But no good, still same message. Any ideas? I go way back with the flight sims, combat flight sim 1 & 2 were my favorites. My gamer id is Bulldogwva, I'm 51 yrs old and in the eastern time zone. I'm disabled and on all the time. Any squadrons out there? if so, let me know, thanks. Doug, aka Bulldogwva.

players have to host a game, if no one is on...then no game.

Thanks
 

Thanks ol buddy! Send me a friend request and we can boom and zoom all night lol. Any squadrons or clans for BoP? Thanks, Doug.

Hi,
Played the demo for the game when it first came out and loved it but had gotten to pick it up till last month. Love it so far. Perfecting my skills on arcade and trying to work my way up to realistic to keep up with my friends. Would like to either start or join a squadron.

Thanks,
Church

welcome church, as far as SQs and groups....there arent many. free agency is the way it seems to be at the moment...but as far as games...you will find as much as you want. tell us what system you play...ps or xbox.....then do a search of the threads and you will find a bunch of great guys who will help you.

Thanks Bobby. Im on XBL. GT: Pr1v4te Church

Happy landings.

Xbox gt
 

Thanks Cryptic Phant0m. My GT is DawnKeyHoTee on XBOXlive, look forward to the add.

Hi Bulldogwva - I just sent you a friends request on XBL. Next time i'm on i'll invite you in the lobby/game and you'll meet all kinds of people you can fly with, lots of fun.

Rich

Was just online tonight with some of you guys. Lost my internet connection for a little bit. Anyway, I'm miles32 on the xbox. It seems to be a really great game. Just might convince me to buy a joystick.

Hi Miles and Bulldog. Flew with both of ya tonite and it was fun. There's a group of us that are on pretty much everynite, so i'm sure we'll meet again.

I'm on whenever I can (ie wife lets me have the TV).

Sweet an active online community for a great game!
I've never managed to find a random online player so im looking forward to flying with you guys.

Has anyone tried a double decker landing? Ive managed to land on...touch delicatly a he-111 my friend was flying with my spitfire but it usually results in a wing flying off and one of us dying instantly and after an insane amount of attempts im wondering if its even possible to safely connect with another plane or if it really is possible to land with 2 planes stacked.

So who wants to ground race between airports in britian? only rule... cant leave the ground.

xbltag: panzninja

welcome to the forum new guy's :)

Welcome to the site guys.. send me a Friend request.. GT is DRVN1

New to the game and forum
 

Hello everyone, I bought the game mainly for my twin boys as a way to free my PC from them as they play IL2 forgotten battles 24/7 . I myself play IL2 and First eagles 2. When I figure out Birds of Prey and get a decent joystick (game pad does not cut it) I will play my self.

Hey there. I'm not new to BOP...been playing for quite a while now. Just new to the forum.
I'm an arcade player on the PS3 because I figure I'd be swiss cheese on any other difficulty ;]. You'll pretty much always find me flying a Lavochkin.

Speaking of the PS3...are there many players any more? It's much harder to find a game nowadays.

Hey,

ZRob72 here. I just got the game last week. Haven't had much seat time yet...still learning the ropes....I look forward to some online fun....

GT: ZROB72

Time Zone: US Central

Gaming time: Usually 10pm and later (depending on wife's evacuation of the living room)

welcome zrob72,

what system are you on??

Welcome to all the new guys

Totally forgot about that.

I'm on Xbox 360.

Welcome to the forums FOZ, I'm sure you'll learn soon enough your Hurricane won't be able to match that of a Yak-1. :P

Why thankyou for making me feel welcome ;) but the Hurricane? who says i like the Hurricane, whatever gave you that impression :roll: :P haha.

Im sure it would stand a fairly good chance though if in capable hands.

Welcome ZRob - Just sent you a friends request. Hope to see you in the skies soon!

Gamertag: PopsMagoo (Everyone calls me Pops)
Console: PS3
Controller: Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X
Connection: High Speed Cable
Location: United States
Time Zone: Central Standard Time
Flight Sim Experience: None - A true rookie in every sense of the word

I love the game even though I don't have a clue as to what I'm doing.
I'm going to do everything possible to learn and get better at it.
That's why I need this forum...bigtime.

Thanks!

Welcome Pops, great PS3 community who'll as happily help you as shoot you down!! I'd recommend doing the campaign and single missions to get the majority of aircraft then it's a case of seeing which 'fits' best before taking to the multiplayer skies.

Cool.

Thanks Rambo.

hello comrades
 

I just found out about BoP and I am looking for people to dogfight with on Xbox. Iam in st louis MO US Central time. currently there was always a message that the server was not availible, so i used to think nobody in the world was interested in this game, I want to play! Is there any body in the central time zone (us) who can play at night or weekends?

Thanks for the welcome, Gilly. I'm doing the campaign right now. Then I'll do the single missions. Question: Since I started the campaign and began unlocking things like new aircraft, the Hangar immediately locks up when I go to it which it didn't do before I started the campaign. It locks up to where I have to shut my PS3 off and start everything back up again. It occasionally locks up after I fail a mission as well, but it will let me pull up my menu and choose to restart the mission or quit. Any clues as to what might be causing this? It's kind of frustrating. I can't go in and see any of my new planes I've unlocked. Please help if you can.

Welcome Pops.Hope to c`ya in the clouds soon.I`m mainly on weekends.I`de be glad to give some set up hints.Look me up!

To be honest that's a new one on me. I don't know if anyone else has any ideas. Only thing I could think of is are you connected to the PS Network as I'm pretty certain it does link things via the network.
Anyone else have any ideas?

Yup new to IL2, gamertag is Wolf Void add me if ya want.
Playing on GMT zone.
Wanna try out my skills as a pilot.
Hope to see you all soon... (if you are going to add me because of the game il2 sturmovick, please send the brief text "il2" with your FR so i know what game it's for, thanks!)

Welcome Wolf - Are you on XBox or PS3?

Yes, I'm connected to the Playstation Network, but the lockup comes during offline play, I believe. I don't think you have to be connected to the network during the single player modes, do you? Anyway, I'm always signed in automatically to the Playstation Network when I click on my user profile so I don't think that can be an issue...and everything else works fine. I only attempted online play one time and the host quit right as I came in and it kicked me back out. Then I couldn't find another match so I left. I need to complete the campaigns and single missions before I get into online play anyway. :) Hopefully someone with a PS3 will be able to answer this or maybe the gamemakers will happen to read it.

Don't be expecting any help from the Dev's, they've all been sort of silenced by the 505 Gestapo! (Mainly Anton, the lead Dev over BoP who was on and answered our questions from time to time, has been silenced and not heard of since... far as I know. :confused:)

Anyway, it sounds like your disk might be corrupted somehow? When I played, I didn't find anything like what you described; and nobody's every said anything as long as I've been here and the game's been out, that it's locked up like you said it does on your disk. So it could be a corrupt disk, your system might not be able to handle it? (Is it a Slim or Fat PS3?) It could be either one of those. And I don't know how you could test it without getting a new disk, or a new system?

Somebody had this problem ages ago (do a search forum for hanger) and I think it was a corrupt save file. create a new user on your ps3 and load the game up see if it freezes. If it does then it's hardware if not it's the save file. You'd need to delete it and start again.

Xbox... which is why i said Gamertag and not psn.

Hey fellow virtual pilots
 

Just bought Birds of Prey for the XBox 360 yesterday. Went to check the online play and could not find a single game, getting the error server not available. Did this game flop and they pulled server support already or was I just unlucky last night?

I am no ace but have experience with European Air War and some Aces High. Was hoping to get in to this, was my money wasted on a game no one plays? Does everyone here just add each other as friends and play private matches?

No, there are still people playing. You do need to be on at the right time though, which is from around 2200 GMT to catch the europeans and N.Americans online at the same time. Send people you find friend requests so youre more likely to get invited next time if you are online, and so you can see if your friends are in a game and then wait till its finished so you can join their new game when it is available to join. We're always looking for people to join our games.

Oh and that server unavailable message just means nobody is hosting a game that hasn't already started, just keep searching or host your own game to see if anyone else is around.

Thanks, Soviet Ace and Winny. I appreciate the help and the information. I'll try that. Hopefully it's just a corrupt save file. My PS3 works fine with all my other games. I don't have any other game issues.

Thx for the prompt responce Robotic. Will get the campaign dealt with and hopefully be online soon. What do most people play, realistic or sim?

Is anyone still playing this on XBox? I had added at least 20 people from this forum and anyone I had met in games. There were people playing anytime I had checked my friends list. ...then my console red ringed and was off for a week. Now I look and nobody is online or is playing MW2 or Over G fighters. I usually play evenings on PDT (GMT - 7...so I guess early morning in europe). If anyone is still playing please add me: ter4torn

Yep, we stil play.. Me, robotic pope, evangeluse, and a few others are on regularly..

Add me dude, my gt is Wolf Void and i've got all day wed & thurs off work!!!

Hey guys, im an Xbox user who loves this game but has no one online to play with (Awww, im sad, lol) im from the UK and play the Xbox regularly in the evenings for a few hours, im looking for fun play at first to learn the online ropes, then serious i guess, my level of experience in single player is good. i have completed the game 3 times through on all difficulties. and am now looking to fulfil my hunger online. i am a great team player and good all round mature gamer willing to listen and communicate, i also want to finish this game for achievements, but not extremely important as i can mop them up in due time.
I see the forums here have some well mannered and respectable gamers who in return like to help people enjoy this great game even more, it would be great to hear from you here or message my gamertag which is my user name on this site (Anglomaniac).

All the best.
Anglo. :)

Im guessing by how every time I go online on BOP it tells me there are no game sessions this game hasn't sold well...or just that nobody plays it?

Anyways, my gamertag is UKRedWing and I do play this game a lot, but Im getting a bit bored of single player. I'd describe myself as an experienced noob if that makes sense. Been playing combat sims since the very first microsoft combat simulator but never really played any sort of online play.

Like what was explained previously, even though you go to 'online' and it says the servers aren't available, doesn't mean there's not a ton of people playing online.

You'll only get a listing of players when they are in the lobby, preflight as it were, before the game starts. After the game starts, the lobby disappears and even though there is a game going on, if you go online at that time, it will show the message 'no servers available at this time'.

The best way to get online is to add people (from this forum) to your friends list and in that way, they can invite you in when they see you are online, and you can also see when they are online playing on your friends list (activity).

You can go ahead and add me and others gamertags that way you will be sure to get in a game. I'm on most evenings (as wife allows) in the Pacific time zone and usually play for a while.

Once you get in a game you can add other players gamertags and you'll almost always find somebody playing after you get a bunch of people on your friends list.

I have about 80-something friends in my list and 99% of 'em are BOP players. Rarely do I find that there isn't somebody playing online.

Had the game since release but never took it online but wish i had taken more interest when it was more popular. Anyway games amazing and i'd love to get more games online. Not the best yet but im over competative and push myself to be at the top. Hopefully i'll get to see some of you guys soon.

welcome Doy- and UKRedWing. be patient and read the threads. there are a lot of players online. on occasion the server ( xbox ) goes down. if you cant find a game...create one. but dont be upset if people come in and leave. they were in games with is host who has a good server...follow them...and you will be in. then add them to your friends....

Welcome to the site guys.. feel free to add me.. i play online just about everyday.. hope to you you guys on :)

Hola everyone. Have you checked your 6 lately?

Hey thanks for helping me out guys i look forward to playing with you all. I have had this game since it was released and never bothered to go any further into the online side of the game after the "servers are down" message. I can't wait to play some more

welcome boondocksaint43, had fun flying with you last might. hope to do more.

Hi I was JackD1965 last night. Was that you guys I was playing? Fantastic flying! I couldn't hardly find anyone in simulator mode. lol The only targets I saw were targets of opportunity.

sorry timej31, all my battles were in xbox realistic. are you on xbox or psn? and what time zone are you in?

Hi

Maybe I am wrong but I was on xbox playing 2 others in sim mode and then a few more joined in in the next few games. I think I saw boondocksaint43 and some one named DRVN1. I was jackdaniels1965.

they perhaps we did play if you did one on real. add me to your friends. GT Bobbysockser. hope to fly with you soon.

Hi TimeJ31 - I believe I played a couple of games with you on sim before we went realistic. Also played with Bobbysocks a while on realistic, had some fun last nite.

I would've played longer but I had to get the new Madden 11 late last nite LOL.

Hope to cya both in the air soon!

Done

I just added you.

I am new to BOP. Just started out a couple of months ago. I use PS3 and located in GMT-5. Those of you I have the opportunity to play with, please just have patience. Thanks.

welcome Jihad_Joe, i think you will find some very patient and helpful guys here on the psn. check out some of the ps3 threads and get to know them...

Just bought this game maybe 4 days ago. Name's Mike. I've already played with a few of you guys online, can't remember exactly who though. I use xbox and my user name is my gametag. Hit me up if you wanna play, but go easy on me lol.

Hey new pilot here, got the game on the xbox 360, gamer tag : J Porta. Still kinda learning though. this seem like a really cool forum.

welcome shallweshag5 and lyingfigure666,
there are a lot of guys here willing to teach you the ropes. expect to get your ass handed to you but that is the way you learn best. but pretty soon you will be dishing it out too. what timezone are you in??

I'm not new to the game, but I'm new to this forum. Because the servers on IL2-BoP for 360 are ridiculously bad I rarely have the chance to play online and get impatient with it.
The reason I joined this site is because I want to play it more, so I'm guessing you guys play amongst yourselves.
I'm in London/Dublin GMT and play on simulation only; are there any games going?
Just to mention, I have played online, it's just hard to find a game these days.

PS: XBL Gamertag; RR Avon

Im new to playing IL-2 online, and its instantly addictive. I've always been a huge fan of flight sims, and its awesome to see there is a realistic console sim. Got my love for aviation from my dad and uncle, who were both fighter pilots. Plus, I was blessed enough to work on the F-14 Tomcat for five years.

welcome RR Avon and Hazegrey61,

RR there are a couple guys who religiously play sim. most games are in real and there are usually plenty of them. most guys are game for any play. so check out the xbox threads and get to know the guys...

Haze, yeah it is very addicting. what system are you using and time zone are you in?

allo,played a couple with yourself today,sorry cta went 4 on 2,i did land in a field twice but your team mate thought he would bag some easy kills,so i payed him some attention,good flying,see you in the skys,dont be shy ,tell us all about your dad and uncle, love to hear about it

Hi all, Conn reporting in. I'll play most difficulties and modes, but no CTA. Need to find some similarly skilled pilots. Real world flying consists of about 5 hours in a dual control Grob tutor, and lots of time in the Viking glider, which let me do a solo flight in april. Hoping to apply to the Fleet Air Arm as pilot.

GMT+0
PSN: The_Stapler

hey guys the xbox live name is mibomb920 is there a reason why the server is saying its offline? how do i fix it i cant wait to play live

welcome to the forum frank920, it says that sometimes...especially if everyone is already in a game. just keep trying or create a game. dont be upset if they leave...simply follow them. they were probably playing with a group and want in the next game. most of the action seems to be in realistic. there is a little arcade and a little more sim. send me a friend request...gt Bobbysockser. what time zone are you in? i am est and usually on after 10 or 11 most week nights.

im also ets:)

hello im new to the fourm ive been playing for about 2 weeks online. my gamertag is jah421
dont know to much about planes but i feel in love with the game ive been playing with some chaps almost everynight hope to add a few new people.

welcome jah421, think we played a few sunday or monday. add me to your list GT Bobbysockser. there are some good games in real usually 10pm to 2 am est and you can catch the boys in the uk in the afternoon. its good to see there are people still discovering BoP.

Reporting in SIR..!
 

Hi everyone,I'm kev 48 yes..48..!
recently purchased il2 on the xbox360,I dont know if anyone plays it online but I really hope they do and dont mind a old guy joining in?
I'm playing off line at the moment trying to get used to the game,the simulation part seems really hard,once I have a few more hours under my belt
I'll be online.

my system-xbox360 with standard controller,flying hours 7(arcade mode) gamertag-chromehead7-age 48..old

How many hours have you done in spits
7 sir
stick to me like glue!

tally ho chaps
..kev..

Welcome Chromehead! Yes, there are still many people flying online, although, if you go to play online, you will probably find the message 'no servers available at this time'. Chances are, there are people online, but they are in a game. You will still get the message that there's nobody on, when in fact, there could be 10-20 people online playing.

The only time you'll see servers is when players are in the lobby, waiting for everybody to ready up and go back in the game.

Best way to get online is to add people (from this thread) to your friends list, that way, you'll be able to see what they're playing at the time and wait until a game becomes available (or a current game finishes, etc).

You'll find there's a few 'oldies' online that play, myself included (about 5-6 years younger than you) and feel free to add me to your friends list - send me a friends request and i'll add you. I think I have about 2-3 spaces left LOL. I mostly play realistic but do dabble in simulation mode from time to time.

Oh yeah, the best times to get online are anywhere from 4pm-midnite pacific, so probably 7pm-1am Eastern although you'll find some people from overseas playing just about all the time.

Hope to see you online sometime.

:grin:

Thanks rambo rich,
I hope to be online soon and start getting to know people
good to know I'm not the only mature gamer on here
..kev..

Hi all
 

Abbeville Boy on XBL

Had the game since first released but had a long break from playing due to being totally immersed in Bad Co. & BC2.

Picked it up again recently and am now satisfied with my performance on Realistic setting - does anyone play on this or is it mainly Sim?

Tried a couple of online matches recently and I clearly have a lot to learn! Wish there were cockpits for the German a/c...

Love all things WWII (any 20th Century conflict infact) and warbirds especially. Flown a few times in Tiger Moths, a Fuji and even a Harvard which was a real experience!

Will be at the Duxford BoB airshow this weekend enjoying the roar of 17 Spitfires and 5 Hurricanes!

welcome one and all to the forum and happy flying :D