Update:
I bit the bullet and bought the UE and have it installed plus the latest patch.
As a FYI, my CH control manager combat stick and rudder pedals configuration map file I created for expansion 2 [DID] reload OK with UE.
*** The only thing that didn't carry over from version 2 is the smaller size and location of the TAC display I had set up.... and I can't find the note I had for which file to modify - and how - and where it's located. Not a big deal but it would be nice to be able to do this in the workshop. Hopefully in another patch IF there are any more from this point on.... ???
UPDATE: Found my notes on how to modify the TAC display size AND figured out you can just drag the TAC display with the mouse to where you want it. All good now.
FWIW ... I'm getting 60 FPS vsync'd with max visual options at 1920x1200 with a 7 year old x58 mobo, i7-930 oc'd to 3.8 GHz and a Evga GTX 980 SC GPU running W10. Also have a Samsung 512 GB SSD that's probably helping ...