Yep all google maps/earth is photography !.I am positive ive seen the light aircraft flying the patterns. Seems theres is a strong common myth that its all satellite based images. Not the fist time ive discussed that very theory. satellite imagery is used but not at the close visual level.

Yeh no rape seed in 1940. the difference it makes to the image is quite incredible.

Ive ripped the scenery apart many times and without a complete makeover there isnt much you can do to change these colours portrayed. Try and you'll be back at square 1 unfortunatly. and for what its worth what we have is actually better than we think given what it takes to change it to somthing else.

there has been quite a few posts about this topic, but no one is discussing or asking the correct questions. what does it take to make it better etc etc ? the topic is between a rock and another hard place. not much room for manoever artisticly. The construct of the scenery dictates the final outcome. Many dont appreciate that to some degree. thereafter were left with the expectation that it can be changed. which it can ! but not from our level just yet and atleast untill the SDK arrives. 1C has in fact performed a remarkable job on the scenery, untill we see 3rd party addons we may not as a whole community appreciate just how good it is in all honesty.