Folks, I'm returning to Il-2 after a 10 year absence. Can you folks point me to a location of the latest core patches? Also, I visited SAS 1946 and became totally overwhelmed by the shear type and number of mods. For an offline single player like me who really wants to experience authentic WW II campaigns, which mods, group of mods would be best for me?

Well, the biggest all encompassing mod is BAT. Huge download, but most mod campaigns will work with it. It encompasses every era from WWI through jets. Install can be a pain, but it's not too difficult. Full disclosure, I had the original issue of BAT, other than the vast download, it wasn't hard to install. After a total computer failure, I went to re-download it and saw that it was already back to what it was when it was CUP. Download this patch to fix this that this patch messed up so this service pack can fix what the previous patch broke. Which is what put me off of the original CUP to begin with. Not to mention I don't want WWI, the inter war years and don't want IL2 for jets much past Korea (which is now all included and why the d/l is so huge). Anyway YMMV, it's the big daddy of the modpacks. Needs 4.12.2M

VP Modpack is smaller download, a little more orientated towards eye candy (though it does include it's fair share of aircraft, just more mainstream stuff). It includes several campaigns and a few have been redone for it. For install you need to make one edit to your Config file and delete one folder after one of the updates. for 4.12.2m

HSFX is more geared for on line play, but there is a lot of off line content for it. Pretty easy install, but
development is dead. 4.12.2m

Ultra Pack is supposed to still be under development. Haven't used it for ages since you have to roll back to 4.10 level patching.

Of course there are the "official" TD patches that take the vanilla game up to 14.3.3m. Several great campaigns available for it on M4T

Chuckles
Just started in myself..
Get SAS super patch brings it up to 4.12.2
Added in BAT was an easy install on click setup
Also did a clean IL-2 install and put in the VP modpack
Worth trying both to see which you like,,BAT is my choice for variety

Thinking about coming back to give some play to this game after not playing flight sims for a number of years.

Might as well, it's one of the best!

I too have downloaded IL2 1946 STEAM and installed it. Having a few problems.
1. installed directly on C drive. have icon on desktop, but clicking on icon sometimes starts the sim and other times does not???
2. seems that when I had this sim installed years ago I could change the screen info (bottom left) from km'hr and meters, to MPH and feet. cant find that setting now??

There seems to be an ever-increasing trickle back to '46 from more recent sims it seems, evidenced by the server I ineptly thrash about on. Variety of kites and scenarios being the attraction I wager.



1. Not in 'Program files' is it? Move it if so.
2. Should be there, have you checked if a key is assignable in 'controls'?

what is it listed under? couldn't find it.

POP
Mine is under C:\Program Files (X86)\Steam\Steamapps\Common That's where all my steam games get installed when I download them

Got it!!! listed as something else! Now how can I take a Screen Shot!!!

In later versions the screenshot is saved in a Screenshot folder in the games root directory.

Since v4.11m you also have three options available for the type of images that are saved, tga, jpg, or tga and jpg,.
Changing screenshot type from tga to jpg in the stock sim: http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Knowledge_Base&op=show&kid=702


Wheels

I know this is a dumb question but where can I get BAT?

http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,53691.0.html

thank you, dumb question #2. Is there anywhere that explains what is in BAT? what are the mods?

MK2, Here is the Main BAT Source:
BAT


Latest 208 page manual:
http://www.mediafire.com/?gacqu2fpijsnqrb

This is a huge package which covers pretty much the entire history of combat flight from WWI to the Spanish Civil War, WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, up to the 70s and 80s jets choppers, vehicles, etc.
It may seem daunting but if the instructions are followed, in sequence, the end result is amazing.

Be advised, the BAT package is based on IL2 1946 version 4.12.2 and will not work on the newer 4.13 versions.
There is a long history as to why this BAT mod package is 4.12 based but rest assured, you will have much more of everything with 4.12.

Reinstalling BAT now..Porked my previous setup and it's good to start with a clean IL-1 4.12 setup..Even easier now all the current expansions are in one torrent now but then it's just a case of unzipping them and pasting the files into my IL-2 install and for safe measure I fire it up after each expansion pack and run a track to make sure all is well..That's how I found out I had a bad expansion#3

It is a good idea to first check out each readme, when adding packages, as there may be some no longer needed things you are asked to remove.
There is not a lot but it might avoid a problem.

The install instruction here https://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,53691.0.html are well written it's just a case of going slow,,I unzip them and paste them into my bat directory,,And test the install after each step

The most comprehensive list is actually in the read me.

Got back into Il-2 '46 after being away for years. Did it for a break from CFS3 and found much has been done in the time away. Tried CUP but could never get it going. Then found out about VP modpack then later BAT and now back enjoying Il-2 '46 . Installs were easy so a dummy like me could understand and now have 3 installs including a fully updated one. Thanks to all the modders that has made this possible. Now back to having fun!! Regards,Scott

Hey Sixstrings,

I'm in the same boat as you. getting back into il2 after a mega break. I followed some links to the BAT mega patch. There's like 12 parts. They say run it from a clean install of il2 1946. does that mean don't install any patches but simply run the BAT setup on the DVD version?

thanks

yarbles

Head over to the SAS site and grab the mega patch to 4.1.2.2 has to be that version and there's 29 parts to the Base install..They have a torrent link and just unzip them and run the first file it unpacks it all..I unzip them to a folder called test and open that up and just copy them into the IL-2 BAT install,,,Here's the 29 part setup..Read the page I've linked it's a real easy install If you take a bit of time..When you get the main part installed ...Read the forums on how to set up the newer version Better to join their forums and get expert help..And most folks don't like doing it but reading the forums and the manual helps..just was reading six strings earlier post and he's right get it patched to 4.12.2 and make a copy in case something goes amiss then you can use the backup folder that's at a clean 4.12.2

https://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,53691.0.html

and a link to their forums
https://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php#c15
This post here is good
http://SimHQ.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4373813/bat-just-got-better-again#Post4373813

I'm also beginning my return to IL2 after many years.
Working my way through the BAT downloads now.
I see that the DH Hornet and Tigercat are available on SAS. Great news!

Well that was an epic fail...My controllers were all messed up with defaults and I couldn't get anything squared away. So I deleted it all but now I want to give it another shot. Will take a look from all these forums that were linked and see what there is to do to make it hum like it used to many years ago. BTW it's still one of the best looking flight sims that is out there today even after all these years.

Amen, to that:

I agree with 33Lima,,And with all the great mods BAT,,VP Mod Pack and others it gains new life....I also fly Cliffs Of Dover which is sweet looking with the Tean Fusion mod also EAW is light years ahead of the original,,It's time well invested to check out the mods and take the time to try one out ..folks are ready to help at the forums

Also thinking about getting back into Il2 1946. Mostly interested in QM 1v1’s. Problem that seemed to recur though was mission records that would fail during replays giving inaccurate playback. If I am not alone in having had that issue, has the problem been solved yet?

No
The ntrk versions are better than the trk versions but both can have wonky playbacks.


Wheels

I was downloading BAT. There is a Checkpoint Charlie Expansion. Can you folks tell me exactly what the Checkpoint Charlie Expansion adds to the base BAT install? Also, can the Operation Sealion Expansion be installed along with the Checkpoint Charlie Expansion?

Checkpoint Charlie is the compilation of all the service packs, bug fixes and general clean up of the basic install. Operation Sealion is more of the same and adds a BoB campaign as well. IIRC CC goes first and then OS.

+1 for returning to 1946 after years

if I only want to focus on WW2, should I still download and install BAT or only patch the current game to 4.13.4?

Depending on your hard drive space you don't have to choose between one or the other you can have both on your system.

This patching guide at M4T will help you determine which patches you need for several version of the game.
IL-2 1946 Installation and Patching Guide: http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=Knowledge_Base&op=show&kid=584


Wheels

k thx
anyway before you answered I installed BAT and all its expension

only 1 question though

read a bit how to tewak the config.ini but there is some differences from site to site(guess it could be relative to how old they explained it)
with today's powerfull PCs, how should I configure that to get the best graphical quality?

TexQual=3
TexMipFilter=3
TexCompress=0
TexFlags.UseDither=1
TexFlags.UseAlpha=0
TexFlags.UseIndex=0
TexFlags.PolygonStipple=1
TexFlags.UseClampedSprites=0
TexFlags.DrawLandByTriangles=1
TexFlags.UseVertexArrays=1
TexFlags.DisableAPIExtensions=0
TexFlags.ARBMultitextureExt=1
TexFlags.TexEnvCombineExt=1
TexFlags.SecondaryColorExt=1
TexFlags.VertexArrayExt=1
TexFlags.ClipHintExt=0
TexFlags.UsePaletteExt=0
TexFlags.TexAnisotropicExt=1
TexFlags.TexCompressARBExt=0

TexFlags.TexEnvCombine4NV=1
TexFlags.TexEnvCombineDot3=1
TexFlags.DepthClampNV=1
TexFlags.SeparateSpecular=1
TexFlags.TextureShaderNV=1

Sorry, that question is beyond my skills. I was always just happy to get everything running fairly reasonably.
Starting a new thread with your computer details, CPU, Graphics card, OS, etc would probably be a better idea than having it hidden in this one though.


Wheels

Genbrien, You may want to have a peek at this: https://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,9756.msg185327.html#msg185327