Considering Buying IL2 1946 - need some info beforehand

[Piet_Hien]

Hello all,

 

I am considering buying IL2 1946 from steam.

 

However, the biggest reason I want to get a new (to me at least :P) flight simulator, is because I want to fly a B-17 or B-24 (U.S. Airforce 4 engined heavy bomber) on several campaign type missions (not just unrelated single missions that have no attachment to each other.) I want to be able to fly with said bomber at high altitude, and bomb strategic military/industrial type targets, preferably in a formation with AI- controlled bombers.

 

That is my reason for considering IL2-1946. I've heard it has many mods, and am wondering if any of them would allow for me to play in this manner. I ask this question because having no experience with IL2 1946 (I've never played it before,) I simply do not know. Also, there are so many mods for it out there, that its rather confusing for a newcomer like me.

 

Anyhow, any replies are appreciated regarding this question. Thank you for your time in reading my somewhat wordy post.

[buster_dee]

There is a flyable B-24D in the base game. No idea about the campaign part.

[Reggie_Mental]

And a very nice Pe-8 with a very large bomb

[Redwo1f]

Just taking a very quick look at what I currently could run regarding USAAF bombers --  have dynamic campaigns for A-20 (Channelfront), B-25 (New Guinea) and DCG campaigns (generator by Paul Lowengrin -- very similar sort of thing to what Patrick Wilson does with his PWCG for IL2-GBS) for B-17 and A-20 (Solomons) as well as B-25 (Italy). Didn't notice a B-24 campaign -- but that doesn't mean that one isn't available. Plus there are a MASSIVE number of static campaigns created for all kinds of different aircraft over numerous fronts.

 

BAT (Battlefield Airborne Tactical) is the grand daddy of all mods (current and still upgraded/enhanced) - and includes so many maps, aircraft, and improvements that it is simply mind blowing! (and consequently HUGE in size- it is basically a one-stop-shop sort of speak, containing hundreds (thousands(?)) of other mods all integrated and adjusted to work nicely together) - this is what I use, but there are some other older options. -- but my gosh, your jaw will drop when you see all the stuff included in BAT!

 

Anyway, it is probably more advantageous to ask around over at SAS forums as there are guys there perhaps better able to give you more info regarding the Heavies (of which I don't really fly) - plus much/most of the stuff can be found there.

 

https://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php

 

Best of luck and best wishes in your endeavor (and do prepare to be overwhelmed as il2-1946 is a very modding mature title with an astounding number of aircraft, campaigns, missions, maps, theaters, etc. etc.).

 

 

Edited June 7, 2020 by Redwo1f

[planesyplanesy]

For me I started on IL2 1946. I believe its till a great game but graphically it will not compare to BOS or CLOD but has a vast treasure chest of aircraft and campaigns to choose from. Its been moded so many times I stopped playing it because of glitches and problems but if you can get yours to run the engine sounds alone are worth the effort!

B-17 and B-24 are both available as flyable aircraft and I believe you can download missions for them.

 

However, the mission builder compared to the more recent BOS and CLOD is far easier to master.

 

I remember a good few years ago creating a 16 ship mission of B-17's as lead pilot bombing the port of Le Havre taking of from East Anglia circa 1943.

It worked out really well with Spitfire escorts, partly and tackled by Fw190's and BF110's.

 

Probably about 50 AI in the sky at one point but it all seemed to run smoothly enough and that was about 5 years ago!

 

Just search IL21946 for the most complete update pack.

 

Good luck! 

 

 

 

[EAF51_Triple1]

Icebird (brrr... ? )  go to the SAS site and download the B.A.T. mod.

 

And then forget about any other flight simulator!!! ?