OT: I'm on 1946!

[SEE]

IL1946 is a big Sim. I'm sure you will enjoy it and you need to add the official update patches in the order that they were released. You will also need 'Hyperlobby' for online play (which is free) and lists all the servers available, once installed you launch it, select your server and it loads IL1946 for you. All the info is on the IL2 sister site along with the tweaks to optimise the graphics way beyond what a standard installation provides

I would recommend you do that first, then at a later date add one of the modpacks such a UltraPack 3 or SASmodact 3. Some servers require you to have these packs installed and/or running at least official version 4.11. Out of the box I think its 4.07.

Get Headtracking, probably the best accessory ever designed for Flightsims apart from a Flightstick and essential if you intend to go on full realism servers at some point.

If your PC can handle it get 'Cliffs of Dover' too!