If it hasn't been said already..
Don't go by the date that CloD was released, go by the date that the public got the official word that there wouldn't be anymore patches (we all thought that the producers would be patching this game, and had no reason to have people/community working on patches).. The work TF has done, hasn't taken as long as one might think.
Plus.. The producers DID have pictures of new planes/scenery/season. We all thought this was going to become a reality until Black Six's post at 12-11-2012, 04:58 AM introducing the new IL2 that 777 is working with 1C on. Or if it was sooner, I'm sure someone will correct me.
Good things sometimes come to those who wait.