Hey gents!

I bought IL-2 BOS in 2014 and sprung for the premium edition. I gave it a couple of hours go but never really dived into it much, but my main reason for getting it was because I was practicing A-A dogfights in BMS at the time and was really having fun doing turning fights and guns attacks vs. AI and I thought doing that in WWII birds would help me improve my skill, wrap my head around energy and angles better, and overally get a better appreciation of this aspect of aerial combat. Maybe because it felt like I didn't know what I'm doing, maybe because of the way the sim worked, maybe because I didn't really feel connected with the aircraft, but I didn't play for very long. I must admit that while I recognize some of the aircraft in the sim, I'm not really much of a WWII buff.

I'm hoping to get back and try WWII birds again, but I've noticed most excitement is for the newer Bo[?] modules and not much for BoS. Should I still spend time on BoS? Or is there a better version I should buy?

Is the excitement for Bodenplatte more for the arrival of the P-51/P-47/Spitfire rather than an overall change in simulation quality?

Thanks!

Ice - I only own BoS, but all the titles run under the same engine from the same exe. So I think it's more about picking which aircraft or map you're more interested in. I think you can fire up BoS and get an overall feel for how you like WWII combat and it's implementation in BoX. If you like it, then you can expand into the other titles to get planes and maps to your preference. I'm waiting for Bodenplatte or my next purchase, but that's just because I want the US planes.

Like Malibu43 say if your BoS installation is updated you have all Bo'X contend installed in your HDD - but can access only the modules for what have key, so nothing exclusive in new versions other than planes, maps, grounds units.

In MP can access maps that don't own, e.g. Kuban.

All you need about fly "WW2":

https://www.youtube.com/user/RequiemBoS

Thanks guys!!

I'm trying to access the manual for this sim but it's saying I don't have access to it even though I'm registered and signed in on the forums? Odd how the manual isn't included in the install in the first place, or at least a link to it on the launcher. Had a few flights, just the takeoff-landing mission and had to re-map the controls. Anyone with a TM WH setup that can help me get set up? I've only re-mapped the trim commands and un-bound the headlook from the trim hat.

Link for IL-2 BoS manual on forum was broken at some time, including in moderator signature... Anyway is shared there:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Ks7AXjpmbEZ0dhZnBhR3lvSDQ/view

Are the good guides of Chuck_Owl but don't find the links.

A link to Chuck's guide, plus a few useful things more, here, down the plage, in JimTM's post:
https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/35944-new-user-what-next/

Thanks for the help guys!

Any aircraft that I should start with? Something easier to learn and fly and fight in?

Yak-1.

Ice - highest recommendation to Requiem's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwV5RLX7mkaDy5gTIiuwGmg - IMHO his contributions are above and beyond. Also - for any one interested - a very comprehensive review of Kuban is over here... https://stormbirds.wordpress.com/

IL-2, stable and durable along with armament options that will show the 6th Army it came to the wrong neighborhood.

No recommendations for the German side? I was thinking the Bf 109 looked nice and aggressive, but again, I'm just basing this on looks with no real info on the aircraft.

I'm hoping the Yak-1 and the IL-2 are good dogfighters? Might as well try the IL-2, maybe the game is named after that aircraft for some reason?

For dogfighting I would say the IL-2 is a not so good choice
Amazing ground pounder though.

For German side, I dunno - only flown Fw-190 a few career attempts and it delivers. Never tried Bf109 nor the Stuka but it seems the 109 is what everyone else prefer flying blue side.

IL-2 = A10-C

I've got a few air to air kills in my IL-2 but generally you are dead without adequate cover when facing fighters.

Started watching the videos and starting to realize that maybe WWII fighters are still complex even when compared to modern fighters? In modern aircraft, you fiddle with the radar modes and bomb profiles, in WWII fighters, you monitor temps and RPM so you don't fall out of the sky?

Seems like I need to decide on an aircraft, find out its characteristics, and learn about those to start with.

Yes, is not just "slam the throttle and engage afterburner", care with your engine or soon you are in parachute. Why I suggest Yak-1 for start, is more forgiving in engine management.

In (BoS) German side try Bf 109 F-4, you can leave Propeller Pitch control in automatic, e.g fighting against AI, but manual control will give you best performance in PvP duels - if properly handled.

Yak-1 and Bf 109 are overall more friendly planes for dogfights in BoS - but Bf 109 (or Luftwaffe fighters) are not for turns engagement. Other fighters like La5, Fw 190 are best for "Experten" in energy fighters.

WW2 dogfights = the real emotion.

IL-2 is ground pounding aircraft, but in skilled hands can kick your ass in a Bf 109.

It depends on how you set your difficulty settings. It's very simple to un-tick "complex engine management" or whatever it's called in this sim, and then you don't need to worry about mixture, prop/RPM, or radiators, cowl flaps. You can focus on stick, rudder, throttle, and putting your sights on the enemy and pulling the trigger.

If it was me, I would start with that. Let's you get in and have fun right away, and you can learn how to effectively fight in a WWII environment (which is very fun!). And then add in complex engine management as you get comfortable with the rest.

IMHO this will allow you to have a ton of fun right off the bat and increase the fidelity of simulation as you get ready for it. One thing I think IL-2 BoX does much better than BMS or DCS is scalability. I feel like in BMS and DCS you are learning to play a different game when you turn the simulation settings down, and you take several steps back when you add those elements back in. I don't think that's the case in BoS. The way the game is set up you can add in some of the complex elements as you want them, and it doesn't really invalidate the other things you've already learned.

Ice, Ice, Ice... This is a WWII sim. You don't start with take off and landing practice. You don't start with reading the manual. You start by clicking "Instant Action" putting the cross-hairs over the enemy, and shooting bad guys down!!!

Okay, no plans against going PvP here. Heck, at the moment, I'm PvTail. I remember OG or some other member here talking about how taildraggers were taxi'd on the ground differently but I'm approaching keyboard-smashing levels of frustration here!

On the instant action with takeoff and landing where I start on the runway, I can control the aircraft enough to take off safely. On that last IA where I start in some sort of shelter, good luck getting me onto the runway. Wheeeeee!! Ground loops all over the place.

Am I supposed to taxi with the tailwheel unlocked?



I will take your advice! Since the manual states about 8,666 Yaks were built, then something must be right about this plane!



Oh, there is an easy mode? I've not dived into the options yet, so it's on default. I've only been remapping a few controls. Where do I find this? What is the advantage of learning CEM aside from the steeper learning curve?



That is exactly my philosophy!! Which I think I'm going to ignore for now? Maybe? I'm really not sure how to proceed. I can see the challenge of just flying these birds....

Let me ask these questions:
1. Does anyone really do startups in these aircraft? Like total manual startups? Or is it really just pressing "E" and waiting for the startup sequence to finish?

2. The cockpits aren't clickable, right?

3. How "study sim" is this game? Is it DCS A10C or BMS levels? Or is aircraft fidelity sacrificed for more action, ala FC3?

I think this will help me get into the right mindset for this sim.



Where's the pew-pew button then???

Another question -- how do I change FOV? I know scroll wheel does this but I need to zoom out more; I feel too close to the instruments even on max zoom out and this is still on one monitor. I suspect I'll need to adjust more once I return to flying on three screens.

1. No.
2. Correct.
3. More FC3 than BMS/A-10C but goes for clicking only. Aircraft fidelity is high without any digial cockpit simulation so I'd say advanced FC.

Only thing I'm unsatisfied with is the mission editor, makes me kill kittens and burn cars, after mere 3 minutes in there.