SolidWorks

[Pursuivant]

This source is somewhat incomplete, but gives you the basics of what's needed to model an IL2 plane.

http://www.smsp.org/il2/3d_modeling_bible/

The various IL2 modding sites will have more details.

I'm not sure what LoD models are needed for a 3D object, probably far less than for a plane since they're low-poly already.

These days, most 3D animation programs (Maya, 3DS Max, Blender) are pretty good about providing "unwrapping" functions allowing you to easily skin an object, although it is still time consuming and requires a fair bit of artistic skill to make a skin look right.

Animating the moving parts and properly setting up "hooks" for breaking parts and various effects (lights, smoke, fire) is also quite time consuming.

For planes and other objects with moving parts, I'd be more worried about how the animations translate from one program to another. From what I've read, often times animated parts don't transfer, or don't transfer properly, from one program to the next.

Ideally, an IL2 modder has access to 3DS Max, otherwise, all you can do is make the various models, and possibly skins, and then hand off your work to someone with 3DS Max for animation.

The good news is that if you're a student or associated with an educational institution, you can get a license for free:

http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/3ds-max

(FWIW, I've played around with all these programs, but my critical lack of artistic talent keeps me from making anything that doesn't look like it's made from Lego blocks.)