Answering this question may be a waste of your time, but bear with me, please? Team Fusion mods?

A waste of your time because the answer may be too complicated for me to follow, in which case I will continue to not fly what looks to be a Gem.

I have had the original Steam version since it first became available, but never attempted modding it. Always flew vanilla F4 and IL2 for the same reason, just can't get my head around the "dances" required. I thought I read somewhere that TF was working on an executable for the install of the mod, but that may be just wishful thinking on my part.

So, given that I have the Steam edition of CLoD, is there hope for me? Was watching videos of this sim on YouTube, once again, and it looks amazing, and I find the theater much more interesting than Stalingrad (hopelessly parochial American).

Yes there is currently a bit of a 'dance' to install TF mods.
http://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5058&p=52711
Should give you instructions (given you've never modded before it might be a good idea not to do this after several egg nogs ). Try reading/watch the vid and see if you think you can do this. It is not that difficult - and I think the results are worth it- but then I would say that, wouldn't I? - seriously, some rather 'computer illterate' members have been walked through the process

Yes it is a bit of a 'faff'- TF are working on an 'auto update' which will make the process easier, no promises as to when this will appear tho.

All I would add to what bolox has posted is to make a back-up of the CloD folder just in case. If you mess up the patching process you can delete the folder and copy the original back in. It's by no means the worst mod install I've seen and if you follow the video you should be golden.

Applying patch 4.0 has caused some confusion,as it comes as 2 files,one a zip and one an executable.Just run the executable and make sure you re-start the game after EVERY patch install as instructed.

And yes, It is SO worth it.

That's easy.

Install the game inside STEAM (Add game) - no DVD need - just the license key.

Then copy the folder "CLiffs of Dover" from STEAM/SteamApps/Common/ folder, past in (example)

C:\Cliffs of Dover (o D:\ if available - better because "format C:" don't affect the game).

Download the TF MODs and install over this copy, one be one.

You end with "vanila" game untouched in STEAM folder (consider a "backup").
And TF MOD version outside STEAM folder.