I recommend going full real asap, with the possible exceptions at first: player's own map icon (helps with navigation), external views for player (for eye candy) and speed bar (for certain Japanese planes).
As people have pointed out, having a decent joystick is the very minimum to enjoy this game. I can imagine the benefits of trackir and hotas, but it's possible to at least learn the basics of this game without them. Game is cheap, the rest isn't, so if you find that you like the game, then you can consider spending more money.
It's all about optimising what little resources you have, recognizing the tactical limitations of your setup - e.g. fast paced close quarter fights are harder - and adjusting your tactics.
At first, I tried using my joystick hat to look around in the cockpit. While it in theory freed my left hand to punch the keyboard, it wasn't a good option. My brain simply can't wrap itself around the concept that I should guide the plane accurately on all 3 axis and use thumb to look around at the same time, even if the hat was halfway decent. Partially for the same reason I avoid firing with the joystick buttons. I use the hat to adjust prop pitch, and you don't even need that with most German fighters!
Mouse is left for scrolling the map - I haven't tried to set it up for views. So, the next best thing is the keypad. Keys 1 to 9 look around, 5 looks up and 0 (keypad ins) is "Look front up". These buttons and their combinations provide a decent way of looking around.
This situational awareness thing is tough, btw. Luckily, flying the planes is easy, since all you need to know is not to yank the stick back or forward at very high or low speeds. Medium speeds are ok, but only if you know what you're doing.
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