I've been really enjoying the sim too, getting great performance, 40-50fps average, removed all the HUD crap.. I'm new to the IL2 series so i don't come with any of the baggage. I haven't been waiting for it for years.. which i think helps, only really heard about it a few months ago.
The only bad thing about it is all the whining within this community, some of it is understandable, most is not. Sure the game was released in beta shape but i'm struggling to think of a sim that is not these days. (not an excuse, sure, but a fact). I'd prefer sims to be released in beta form than not at all. Many only seem to see the faults and ignore the good things.
Anyway i'm rambling.. loving the sim.. very much looking forward to getting the multiplayer side of things working. If the DEV team keep up the work & patches i'm sure even the 'haters' will come around.