Now see what moding does for a game and company!

[K_Freddie]

Maybe a bit of history...
Oleg resisted any mods for as long as possible as he had a clear concept about IL2. It's main function was a online 'competitive' air combat game, and in this he achieved his aim. He resisted any code/model disclosures to the public for years and this is to his credit - keeping the 'modifications/updates' within a small trusted team.. currently TD.

For all it's short-comings IL2 un-modded was better than any other flight-sim (including extremely modded ones -> FSX) in terms of DM, FM and a lot of other features, over its first 6-8 years. It was a niche market and very successful. Since the cracks and mods have appeared that online popularity has definitely waned.. and Oleg has 'left the building'.

There will not be another sim like this for a long long time... another PERIOD.