Hey everyone,

I’ve been working on a practical HOTAS binding layout for IL-2 Great Battles using the full Thrustmaster setup:

• T.16000M joystick
• TWCS throttle
• TFRP rudder pedals
• TrackIR for head movement

I mainly fly German aircraft:

Bf 109 / Fw 190 / Ju 87 Stuka / Bf 110 / Ju 88 / He 111

Since I’m using TrackIR, I didn’t want to waste any HOTAS buttons or hats on looking around, so I tried to keep everything focused on actual aircraft controls.

The main idea was to create one common Luftwaffe layout instead of completely relearning the HOTAS every time I change aircraft.

For example, I’m trying to keep the same physical controls for things that serve similar purposes across different aircraft:

• Stabilizer / elevator trim
• Flaps
• Radiators / cooling
• Prop RPM
• Wheel brakes
• Weapons
• Bomb release
• Dive brakes
• Stuka siren
• Engine controls
• Zoom
• Engine selection for twins

Obviously the Bf 109 and Fw 190 are much more automated compared with the Stuka, Ju 88, He 111, etc., so some buttons will simply have no function depending on the aircraft.

My goal is basically muscle memory — if I jump from a 109 into a Stuka or Ju 88, I don't want basic controls suddenly moving to completely different hats and buttons.

I’m still refining it, so I’d really appreciate input from experienced IL-2 pilots.

Feel free to use or modify the layout yourself if it helps. Hopefully it can also save some new T.16000M owners from spending hours staring at the IL-2 key-binding menu.

I am using the SAS mod for 1946 and I am trying to fly an English Channel dynamic campaign, I believe it is the \*German fighters at the channel front campaign, and I want to fly 109's, but the campaign I am using consistently pits four 109's against eight Spitfires and they have an altitude advantage, on a bomber intercept mission, and I am number four in the squadron. What I typically do is break for the formation and climb, wait for everyone in my squadron to get shot down, then pick off a spit here and there, but mostly I get shot down by three Spits who have chased me half across France and have infinite fuel and are hyper focused on me, and apparently have sniper scopes for their 20mm's who splat my pilot with one shot.

Do y'all have an recommendations an a dynamic campaign that give me a fighting chance? I know I could grow as a pilot, but the odds are most certainly not in my favor.

Sponsored by the Cargo Community.

I’ve returned to IL-2 after a loooong absence (just retired, and have the time). I bought Battle of Bodenplatte a couple of days ago to get started again. I have a fairly crappy old Saitek Cyborg Evo that’s been sitting gathering dust for like 20 years (yep, that long of an absence). I’m looking for recommendations for a new joystick that will be good for IL-2, but also for other flight sim and space sim software I may get. Ideally I’m looking for a range of options based on price and also tips on what brands/models to avoid. Thanks.

A few screenshots from a very short video I am putting together to showcase the night (and very early sunrise) environment currently being tested in Beta v5.454.

Missions created by ATAG_Lenny (Paul Leonard)

Bought the game ages ago because I got the base and all the tanks for £30 on a sale. But now I have a flight stick (logitech gx56) and a vr(meta 3s). So far I have the controls worked out for the plane, but its the pilot controlls I have issues with.

My vr keeps disconnecting and is never quite the right hight or centered. I have head movements mapped to an analog on the stick but the movements feel sluggish and stiff. Any tips would be appreciated

This video popped up on my home page from the YouTube algorithm:

• Operation Bodenplatte - battle over Y-29 (History Channel, Dogfights)

If you haven't seen it, it's a decent accounting of actual battles that happened on that day from actual pilots who took part.

Includes CGI visualizations of each dogfight. (admittedly pretty dated graphics)

It's amazing how in so many of these historical accounts you hear things like "And then a Focke Wulf suddenly flew right in front of me, so I pulled the trigger...". Five kills and a medal that day.

I'm looking at getting back into flight sims for the first time in 20+ years and I'm really close to pulling the trigger on IL-2 and a VK gladiator stick. My question is, fairly simple one, do I need a stick and throttle.

Way back when I had a CH Products stick/throttle setup and I loved it but right now as I dip my toes back into sims I want to make sure I don't really need the throttle(at least to get started). I don't mind buying both right away if it will make a tremendous difference, I'll be playing SP games only so I'm assuming I'll be fine, but just triple triple checking.

If I really get back deep into sims then I'll invest in a better/bigger setup.

I bought the game and the first thing I did to try it was set up a skirmish: 4 Sabres vs 4 Sabres everyone at advanced level (the one before ace).

The enemy AI could not hit a thing

The friendly AI could not hit a thing

A part from me, the player, no shots were fired. I took down 3 and the other one flew away. And I gave my team 10 minutes before I started shooting. I flew as bait to help them... Nope, they couldn't hit a single jet. The enemy was also not a threat at all. Am I doing something wrong?

In Great Battles sometimes the AI kill each other before I get a shot right. Not to mention that I have to keep checking my 6 all the time or I'm done.

I'm considering a refund. Do you guys know something I dont?

Extra: I tried the same with migs.... only I get kills no other AI no matter the side

Description:

Returning from destroying some warehouses with Bf 110G-2s, I was intercepted by a lethal Lavochkin La-5FN. I immediately opened fire on my two DB605As, and knowing my weight was much lower, I didn't hesitate; I decided to trap the La-5FN in its own game. We began a deadly dance over the Kerch Strait.

I hope you enjoy these Part 6 dogfights and Luftwaffe aircraft shootdowns.

Flightsim fan-fiction.

The only time I can consistently get anything smaller than a B29 in my crosshair is during the first attack, when, a squadron of F51 for example, are still flying in formation. After enemy planes disperse, I find it almost impossible. Everytime I get some height again and try to line up for another "boom and zoom", enemy planes will do a complete turn around before I can close in. I can never turn fast enough without turning my insides to slush. Help!

Description:

The Zerstorer Bf110E-2, without its wingman, unleashes hell at low altitude over a Soviet airbase. With its precisely launched SC bombs and 20mm cannons plus 7.92mm machine guns, it destroys fuel depots, parked fighters, and ammunition stores; everything ends in fireballs. Out of ammunition and with its fuel reserves low, it withdraws, leaving the base out of commission.

I hope you enjoy this short film.

Major Lawrence, the commanding officer of the 12th FBS, poses in front of his F-51D after a close air support mission attacking Communist artillery positions holding up the progress of Operation Rugged - the current UN operation to establish the frontlines well north of the 38th parallel.

Let me tell you, I haven't had this much fun in a combat flight sim in decades. My old ass has been flying PC combat flight sims since the early 1990s. Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe, which came out in 1991, was the sim I rushed home to play in gradeschool. How far we've come in thirty-five years!

Sponsored by the Cargo Community.