I personally always felt that small touches like having no "hud"/text on the screen and perhaps being able to get in and out of your aircraft upon landing would help. It is difficult though.
Better AI might also help: Most engagements in real life were fairly short with most of the aircraft breaking off and heading back to base fairly early. They tended to be much shorter than in Il-2.
If the AI could retreat if it loses too much energy, or gets separated from other allied aircraft it would be much more realistic. Most pilots flew home with much of their ammunition remaining (and experienced pilots would be likely to have been smart enough to conserved some ammo for the way home <- even on those sorties in which they managed to score a kill)
|