I'm just experiencing the damage model as I go along now... It's truly immersive to get shot up now. I imagine if I turned off the damage notifications I'd be curious about my aircraft state after I hear a hit, or after flying through heavy flak.
Here's what happened after my R/H engine caught fire whilst strafing spits at Manston. Apparently some Flak cloud shot shrapnel all through my engine, severing whatever fuel lines and causing fire. I quickly shut down the engine and lowered gear but it was too late, I couldn't gain enough speed to keep my heavy bird level so I ditched it near a country road.
After watching the plane in 3rd person view for a while I noticed my wing caught fire from the engine fire... really sweet, spreading fire and all...
Then I reflew the mission and this time I scored a nice strafe on a poor Tommy getting ready to taxi to the runway... You can obviously make out what happened:
Rest In Peace Tommy!
Then later I was avenged by a 3 inch AA gun, a black cloud exploded right under my fuselage sending shrapnel up me and my gunners ass.
Instant black screen...
There were even holes in the ceiling of the cockpit glass from the underbelly burst...
I LOVE THE DAMAGE MODEL!!!!