Ok, so about to buy IL-2 Sturmovik 1946 and...

[tarzan]

...install 4.11 and download JoyToKey for my 360 controller. Anything else I need to know?

I've been reading the forums before I purchase to see what I needed.

I'm running an i5-2400 Quadcore 3.1ghz, Radeon HD 6850 1gb and 4 GB RAM on Win 7 64 with a 40" Samsung @1920x1080.

I'm really looking forward to seeing this game (have only played a demo of original on PS3) and wondering if I'm missing anything.

I'm also looking to install a mod (very familiar with installing Empire and Napoleon Total War mods), sounds like HSFX 6 is the best?

Thanks in advance for advice

P.S let me add that I'm primarily an offline player for the near future if that matters for version and mod

[IceFire]

Originally Posted by tarzan

...install 4.11 and download JoyToKey for my 360 controller. Anything else I need to know?

I've been reading the forums before I purchase to see what I needed.

I'm running an i5-2400 Quadcore 3.1ghz, Radeon HD 6850 1gb and 4 GB RAM on Win 7 64 with a 40" Samsung @1920x1080.

I'm really looking forward to seeing this game (have only played a demo of original on PS3) and wondering if I'm missing anything.

I'm also looking to install a mod (very familiar with installing Empire and Napoleon Total War mods), sounds like HSFX 6 is the best?

Thanks in advance for advice

P.S let me add that I'm primarily an offline player for the near future if that matters for version and mod

Welcome to the addiction!

The system sounds more than enough, the 360 controller might be alright but if you get into this you'll definitely want to think about a more full featured flight stick.

HSFX is the most popular one I see around. I actually just fly stock but many people like the MOD packs and HSFX does seem to be the best option these days. So you're pretty much on the way.

One thing, just so you're not surprised or disappointed, but the IL-2: Birds of Prey demo you played on PS3 is only very loosely related to the IL-2 1946 series on PC. The original IL-2 for PC was released in 2001 and has been upgraded through retail and both official and unofficial releases since that time. On PC there are MANY more aircraft, a much greater variety of things that you can do, and single player isn't as pretty but it's expansive. Birds of Prey has better graphics going for it for sure but the depth to it isn't there like it is for IL-2 1946 on PC.

Just don't want you to be shocked. They aren't the same game.

[PilotError]

Hi Tarzan,

+1 to what Icefire has said above.

Also the boxed version of IL2 1946 comes on dvd as 4.07. You have to install all the previous patches to 4.11 BEFORE you install patch 4.11. Here is a link to a previous thread with all the details you will need:

http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/showthread.php?t=31667

With Win7 you should install IL2 1946 somewhere other than the default Program Files folder on your hard drive, otherwise you will find it difficult to make changes to the program. eg: > C:\IL2 1946

Hope that helps.

[tarzan]

Thanks for the info, just making sure I was on the right track. Yeah after reading this forum I knew there was a lot more content on the PC version, but a big difference in graphics? Even with settings maxed out? I've seen some PC screenshots that look really nice, nice enough for me to get hooked anyway.

I do realize that this is a sim and not arcade, that's the big draw for me here and yeah, I'm looking at joysticks and reading threads. I think my big reluctance is I like to be able to look around with the right stick and fly with the left, using triggers as rudders etc, just don't see how I can do that with joystick?

I will install all updates to 4.11 (thanks for link)

And thanks for the folder advice

[IceFire]

Originally Posted by tarzan

Thanks for the info, just making sure I was on the right track. Yeah after reading this forum I knew there was a lot more content on the PC version, but a big difference in graphics? Even with settings maxed out? I've seen some PC screenshots that look really nice, nice enough for me to get hooked anyway.

I do realize that this is a sim and not arcade, that's the big draw for me here and yeah, I'm looking at joysticks and reading threads. I think my big reluctance is I like to be able to look around with the right stick and fly with the left, using triggers as rudders etc, just don't see how I can do that with joystick?

I will install all updates to 4.11 (thanks for link)

And thanks for the folder advice

For the stock game you can have a look at Team Daidalos' YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/DaidalosTeam?feature=watch

That's basically what it looks like now. There are efforts to improve the visual effects and upgrade them for the 4.12 patch and they look great so far. It's not quite as flashy as Birds of Prey but it looks good. There are some cockpits that are simply stunning and some older cockpits (like the MiG-3) that haven't been visually upgraded since 2001 or 2002.

But the game does still look great IMHO. With MOD's it can look really impressive but even the stock game continues to improve as Team Daidalos works on it. Net benefit to everyone on MOD and stock versions really.

As for single player stuff... definitely check out Mission4Today: http://www.mission4today.com/

A warehouse of single player missions and campaigns. Some are good, some are not... but there are some real classics on there and you can probably find whatever single player content you're interested in. The benefit with the PC version, beyond the expanded scope, is the full mission builder and how accessible it is for players to build a lot of content into the game. So there is a near unlimited supply of whatever you want and because the scope is so big it could be bomber interception over Japan, or tank busting during the Battle of Kursk, etc. It's pretty wide ranging. It has some holes but it's still damn amazing.

[Pursuivant]

With mods, the graphics can be better, but IL2 focuses more on the simulation of flying WW2 aircraft, while the PS3 version focuses more on the "eye candy."

You'll find IL2:1946 to be a much tougher game than the IL2:BOP.

If you're just intending to play offline, I'd suggest starting out with just the stock game to start. Even with a relatively solid mod-pack like HSFX, there are still more things to go wrong.

Also, the computer AI on IL2: 1946 4.11 is outstanding; that alone made me go from mostly mod to mostly stock.

I'd suggest that regardless of which way you go, you start with "Realistic Gunnery." If you get into the sim, you'll need to learn deflection shooting, so there's no reason to teach yourself bad habits.

Maybe fly in "Invulnerable" mode until you get the hang of taking off and landing.

A good plane of a newbie (especially in invulnerable mode) is the A6M2 Zero. It's relatively easy to take off and land, it's got decent speed, excellent armament and outstanding maneuverability. Other fun planes to fly are the Brewster B239, the Hurricane and the Spitfire. The Fw190 and Bf-109 are a bit more challenging.

A joystick is a good investment for any flight sim. While you might be very good with a 360 controller, a joystick allows you to smoothly and simultaneously coordinate pitch and roll - allowing you to tilt the plane's nose up and down or rotate along the plane's long axis as you fly. If you have a "twist stick" (or even better, rudder pedals) you can also to control yaw - the ability to slew your plane around along its horizontal axis.

[jameson]

If he's new to this game, he'll have a bit more to worry about than scenery, lol! His mickey mouse controller will be a big help, I'm sure, but then it's rumoured some still play this game with a keyboard. (Still saving for that joystick after 10 years!).
Tarzan, do yourself a favour and buy yourself a stick, then rudder pedals, then headset with mike and then that track ir thingy as well, Then there's the books, Black Cross Red Star vol 1, only £600 on ebay....... Anyways, welcome to the nuthouse! Gaston may be along shortly, so i'm off...

[jameson]

Almost forgot, Robert shaw's Fighter Combat must be learnt by heart as well, it's an epic tome dedicated to insomnia I think, at least it helps mine...

[IceFire]

Originally Posted by jameson

Almost forgot, Robert shaw's Fighter Combat must be learnt by heart as well, it's an epic tome dedicated to insomnia I think, at least it helps mine...

LOL... yes that sounds about right

It's surprising how many players haven't bothered to have a quick look at some basic tactics when jumping into a sim. They really do work and can be valuable.

You don't have to read any of all of this but a few snippets might be useful in here: http://www.simhq.com/_air/acc_library.html#briefing

[Luno13]

My first word of advice is to start the game after each patch to make sure it was applied correctly. The version number will appear on the splash screen.

It will be a long process to get the game up to speed, so be prepared. Setting up the mods can be longer. Be sure to keep a vanilla backup of the game in case you mess anything up so you don't have to start from scratch.

As for joysticks: I use a Thrustmaster T.16000. It has great bang for buck ($40 retail) with a hall sensor, twist for rudder, and a throttle slider. In my experience, the similar Saitek Av8r went bonkers within a year.

I kept my stick on the right, and the mouse on the left. It takes a few days to get used to, but it makes flying and looking around very easy. However, I recently bought a TrackIR, which makes looking around very fun. If you're handy, you can use freetrack or facetracknoIR.

Il-2 1946 is the game we all play here. Il-2 Birds of Prey is the console version, and Il-2 Wings of Prey is the PC version of the console game (very odd, I know). Il-2 1946 is based on an engine from 2001, so the graphics aren't cutting edge anymore, but it's arguably more fun than BoP or WoP.

1946:



WoP: