What do you search in a combat flight sim?

[Bounder!]

The reason I bought the original IL-2 series many years ago was that I'd heard through friends and games magazines that it was the most realistic ww2 flight simulator available. Ultimately that's what I want in a flight sim, the most realistic and historically accurate simulation of what it was like to fly and fight in and against the different kites of ww2.

So for me the highest priority is how well every plane is modeled and how close it represents flying the real one both in terms of performance and aircraft management. There's no point having an accurate Spitfire if the 109 model is messed up and vice versa. Combat modelling is also essential, ballistic modelling and detailed damage models, accurate deterioration of my planes flight model through engine mismanagement or as it's slowly turned to swiss cheese. Environmental modelling is good - turbulence, different weather conditions, the suns glare etc etc all help to build immersion.

Historical accuracy is everything to me in a ww2 flight sim and my belief that I'm playing the most advanced and accurate simulation is key to my enjoyment.