Discussion of IL-2 Sturmovik: Desert Wings - Tobruk Release!

[=RS=Stix_09]

On 8/7/2020 at 11:49 AM, =RS=Stix_09 said:

Can we get a list of the updates , (not new content added) , but fixes added to Cliffs of dover with ver 5.0 like previous released patches?

ie Like this?

 

Found them here
Changelog - Updates for Core and Blitz 5.0
 

[I./JG1_Baron]

Is any chance to change size of the  pilots in the cocpits? They are like an Hobbits ☺️

 

Anyway I like Tobruk very much! Well done guys keep in good work. Hope that next will Battle of France ?

Edited August 10, 2020 by I./JG1_Baron
Query refinement

[FTC_Karaya]

You can customize pilots of the LW, RAF and RA under Options.

[I./JG1_Baron]

I meant size, not looks ?

[343KKT_Kintaro]

4 hours ago, I./JG1_Baron said:

Is any chance to change size of the  pilots in the cocpits? They are like an Hobbits ☺️

 

 

 

In "IL2: 1946" they were really too big... in the Dover series and the Great Battles series... they are just like they have to be.

[FTC_Derplo]

What seems to be peak times for Tobruk? I've been jumping on around 8pm CST (0200 Zulu) and havent seen much activity in terms of online population. I'm sure earlier in the day and weekends it fills up more, just trying to gauge when might be a good time to jump on

[343KKT_Kintaro]

2 hours ago, Control_Freq said:

What seems to be peak times for Tobruk? I've been jumping on around 8pm CST (0200 Zulu) and havent seen much activity in terms of online population. I'm sure earlier in the day and weekends it fills up more, just trying to gauge when might be a good time to jump on

 

 

It is Summer, let's wait and see in September/October...

[OBT-Mikmak]

More or less 70 pilots on TF server yesterday (Monday 10th August 20) between 8 pm and 11 pm (Paris time) -> 6 pm and 9 pm (GMT) .

@Semor, sorry for your delicate eyes... one more... do you remenber ?  ?

 

[ATAG_Flare]

On 8/10/2020 at 8:43 PM, Control_Freq said:

What seems to be peak times for Tobruk? I've been jumping on around 8pm CST (0200 Zulu) and havent seen much activity in terms of online population. I'm sure earlier in the day and weekends it fills up more, just trying to gauge when might be a good time to jump on

 

I would say between 1800 - 2200 UTC are the prime times - thats afternoon in North America and evenings in Europe.

[T_O_A_D]

On 8/6/2020 at 12:28 PM, JG1_Vonrd said:

Can someone post detailed instructions of how to get it downloaded? I'm not much of a Steamhead   ?

 

EDIT:

Nevermind. For those like myself who don't have a clue and purchased through the Il2 website:

Go to your profile in the website.

Click on purchases

Look for your purchase and click on Activate

Copy / paste into Steam

Launch the game... it will start downloading / updating

 

 

Thanks, I was about to Bin the thought!!!!

 

How freaking hard could it of been to add the install instructions to the download page.

 

I'm totally used to Steam auto updating, I've never had to go through those steps before, that I recall.

Edited August 26, 2020 by T_O_A_D

[LVA_Picard]

any chance that this is playable in VR in the near future  ? 

[Dauntless]

They are working on it! 

 

[Real_Ranger]

So, I don't suppose there is any way to get my money back on this game?   I have been using the other IL-2 Sturmovik games for a decade now, and I enjoy them a lot.  I have a pretty sweet setup, with my desk becoming an actual cockpit.   However, after spending two frustrating days, trying to set up the Desert Wings game, I am done.  I just wanted to fly, but for the last two days, spending about six hours total, I have had to try to figure out how to get the game to recognize my joystick.   I finally got that done last night at 0300 in the morning.   Then today I spent most of the day trying to figure out all the key bindings and how to make them work.    Unlike the IL-2 Sturmovik game, that is user friendly, everything about this game is designed to fight you to the death in getting it started.  It is like the game designers never wanted anyone to actually get into the air.  

 

And it worked.  Two days, and I still have not gotten into the air.  So I am giving this up and going back to the IL-2 games that are not on STEAM.  

 

So, once again... is there anyway to get my money back on this worthless endeavor?   I did email the support section, asking this, but all I got back was crickets.  

 

 

[9./JG52_J-HAT]

3 hours ago, Real_Ranger said:

So, I don't suppose there is any way to get my money back on this game?   I have been using the other IL-2 Sturmovik games for a decade now, and I enjoy them a lot.  I have a pretty sweet setup, with my desk becoming an actual cockpit.   However, after spending two frustrating days, trying to set up the Desert Wings game, I am done.  I just wanted to fly, but for the last two days, spending about six hours total, I have had to try to figure out how to get the game to recognize my joystick.   I finally got that done last night at 0300 in the morning.   Then today I spent most of the day trying to figure out all the key bindings and how to make them work.    Unlike the IL-2 Sturmovik game, that is user friendly, everything about this game is designed to fight you to the death in getting it started.  It is like the game designers never wanted anyone to actually get into the air.  

 

And it worked.  Two days, and I still have not gotten into the air.  So I am giving this up and going back to the IL-2 games that are not on STEAM.  

 

So, once again... is there anyway to get my money back on this worthless endeavor?   I did email the support section, asking this, but all I got back was crickets.  

 

 

I am interested  to know how did you go about configuring your joystick and why it didn‘t work. I mean how did you do it and why are you having such problems with it being recognized and how you were not able to figure out the key bindings. Like, were them being reset after you applied them, or binding the axes in game wouldn‘t register when you moved your joystick axis etc. 

 

I am asking this in honesty since this is maybe the number one complaint and I‘ve never faced any of these problems whatsoever. Even tried replicating joysticks not being recognized using Steam controller schemes but it still worked. 

Also, since it eventually worked, why couldn‘t you fly after two days?

 

I understand you are frustrated and also if you don‘t want to spend more time to give more details. But if you do, thanks in advance. 

Edited December 5, 2021 by 9./JG52_J-HAT

[Real_Ranger]

3 hours ago, 9./JG52_J-HAT said:

I am interested  to know how did you go about configuring your joystick and why it didn‘t work. I mean how did you do it and why are you having such problems with it being recognized and how you were not able to figure out the key bindings. Like, were them being reset after you applied them, or binding the axes in game wouldn‘t register when you moved your joystick axis etc. 

 

I am asking this in honesty since this is maybe the number one complaint and I‘ve never faced any of these problems whatsoever. Even tried replicating joysticks not being recognized using Steam controller schemes but it still worked. 

Also, since it eventually worked, why couldn‘t you fly after two days?

 

I understand you are frustrated and also if you don‘t want to spend more time to give more details. But if you do, thanks in advance. 

 

I would love to play this game... still do, but the frustration for the hours I have put into just trying to set it up is insane.   OK, my joystick is a floor mounted one, just like you see in some flight simulators.   "Plug and play" is never considered with this version of the IL-2 Sturmovik games.   So, I had to spend hours googling or looking on Youtube for the answer to finally get the joystick set up.   Using the joystick wizard was worthless, because I would set it up on the wizard, and it would not work in the game.   I would get out of the game, do it again, then get in the game, and once again... would not work.   I was reading others who were just as frustrated about why they could not get their joystick to work, and finally I came across one reference... just one in the dozens of complaints... of how to set it up.   Turns out that you have to "load" it into the game, after you use the joystick wizard.   This is never mentioned anywhere at all, except that one single complaint on a forum I found through googling.  

 

Next, the keyboard.   I use rudders, and throttle, along with the joystick and mouse, and with the regular IL-2 Sturmovik games there are certain keys that will do certain things.   For example "R" is reload or "A" is autopilot.   However, with Desert Wings there is no clue as to what the keys do.   Nothing.   It seems that the game designers should have set up at least a default keyboard, and then you could add or change it, but nothing.   You have to bind every key from scratch.   

 

Now, maybe there is a default keyboard, but I am not aware of it, because after googling and Youtubing, I can't find it.   That right there is a problem.  If there is a keyboard already set up, don't you think the game designers should let someone know?    Also, why reinvent the wheel?   Why not just use the same keyboard layout from the non-STEAM IL-2 games?

 

Finally, you ask, why haven't I flown?   Mainly because I am not an actual aircraft mechanic, or an actual pilot of a Spitfire, so due to this I don't know what buttons are needed to start up and fly a plane.   It seems you must have this knowledge, or you can't figure out what you need to do, so you can create your keyboard.   The tutorials are worthless.   There is a tutorial for taking off, but in reality the pilot instructor does everything, and all he does is taxi you to the runway and let you take off by using the throttle.   The next step after that is "solo flight", but there is no instructions at all on how to start the engine up and get it flying.   I did bind a key from the regular IL-2 games, and made "E" as my start engine button.   But once I push "E", the propeller sputters but doesn't come to life.   Evidently there is half a dozen other things I need to do, but since I am not an aircraft mechanic or an actual Spitfire pilot, I don't know what they are.   

 

That was my last straw, and I gave up after that.   If the designers want to go out of their way to make this game so hard, that even an experienced flight simulator player is confused, then they must not really care whether or not the customer comes back.   I would love to get my money back, but I know that is a pipe dream, however, this has shunned me away from any STEAM product produced by this company for life.  

[Thundercracker]

While I'm absolutely no help with the controls not being recognised, same a j-hat never had an issue besides accidentally plugging into the wrong usb and having to re-assign my inputs. ? I can tell you all the information you need to get off the ground is in the manuals folder within the flight cards. 

 

Unfortunately it's not as easy to jump in and out of this installment as the original, and I can see why it puts people off.

 

 

 

 

[Dagwoodyt]

@Real_Ranger:  " But once I push "E", the propeller sputters but doesn't come to life."  If that's the Tiger Moth there are problems with its' startup implementation that have been addressed on the Steam forum. As for control setup I am mostly flying DCS in VR now where I have to set up each plane's control scheme from stratch and I don't find that overly burdensome especially since I also have help from clickable cockpit controls and VoiceAttack. I use a VKB JS with 200mm extension and it works in Blitz without any use of the joystick wiz module. The training module should have been junked long ago but is merely symptomatic of issues that seem beyond resolution given the games' troubled history. Best wishes!

[Patricks]

22 hours ago, Real_Ranger said:

 

Finally, you ask, why haven't I flown?   Mainly because I am not an actual aircraft mechanic, or an actual pilot of a Spitfire, so due to this I don't know what buttons are needed to start up and fly a plane.   It seems you must have this knowledge, or you can't figure out what you need to do, so you can create your keyboard.   The tutorials are worthless.   There is a tutorial for taking off, but in reality the pilot instructor does everything, and all he does is taxi you to the runway and let you take off by using the throttle.   The next step after that is "solo flight", but there is no instructions at all on how to start the engine up and get it flying.   I did bind a key from the regular IL-2 games, and made "E" as my start engine button.   But once I push "E", the propeller sputters but doesn't come to life.   Evidently there is half a dozen other things I need to do, but since I am not an aircraft mechanic or an actual Spitfire pilot, I don't know what they are.   

 

That was my last straw, and I gave up after that.   If the designers want to go out of their way to make this game so hard, that even an experienced flight simulator player is confused, then they must not really care whether or not the customer comes back.   I would love to get my money back, but I know that is a pipe dream, however, this has shunned me away from any STEAM product produced by this company for life.  

 

Wow, for life? Did you try looking at the game manuals? Assuming you installed it (default) in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\IL-2 Sturmovik Cliffs of Dover Blitz\ there is a folder below called manuals\aircraft\, and in there is a file called "Flashcards All Aircraft-en.pdf" that has the startup procedure and cockpit diagrams for all aircraft. Not sure what "E" does, but "I" will start the engine once you do the 4-5 other things you need to do.. Of course you can just click "Manuals" on the Main Menu and go right there too.

Edited December 6, 2021 by =LD=Icer

[Real_Ranger]

1 hour ago, =LD=Icer said:

 

Wow, for life? Did you try looking at the game manuals? Assuming you installed it (default) in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\IL-2 Sturmovik Cliffs of Dover Blitz\ there is a folder below called manuals\aircraft\, and in there is a file called "Flashcards All Aircraft-en.pdf" that has the startup procedure and cockpit diagrams for all aircraft. Not sure what "E" does, but "I" will start the engine once you do the 4-5 other things you need to do.. Of course you can just click "Manuals" on the Main Menu and go right there too.

Since so far this company only has two products on STEAM, and both are not working out for me... yeah, I can go with the "for life" route.   I did go into manuals, and using the step by step guide on how to start up the aircraft... it still didn't work.   Fuel cock on, check.  Switches on, check.  Throttle slightly up, check.  Hit start button and the propeller spins, but then the engine dies.   I finally had to go into the settings and dumb down the difficulty rating to pretty much child settings to even get the aircraft to start.   

 

Next problem, no matter how much throttle I give, the aircraft would not move.   I checked the block for "wheel chocks" and then redid the brakes four times.   Still no movement.   Finally, after wasting several more hours trying to configure the settings, I got the aircraft to move, but the only movement was to instantly go into the dirt, and break the prop.  Once I clicked "fly" it would go nose first into the dirt.   I started with no throttle at all, but still... nose into the dirt.  I finally had to go into the game and remove all brakes... no keys for brakes at all... and then it finally took off.   However, when I land I either have to run into something to stop, or do a wild turning motion, making the wings hit the dirt.   

 

I finally got a return message from IL-2 Sturmovik.   Their response?   Basically, they don't support the STEAM games.    Gee, I can see why.   No game should be this hard to get to work.   Whatever "fun" there was, has gone out the window after three days of spending all my time on line using Google or Youtube to try to find out what is wrong now.   For each thing fixed, another thing will appear in its place.   So, if I want to play an exceedingly dumbed down game, with all realism unchecked, I can, but that was not the point of getting this.   I'll go back to IL-2 Sturmovik, without using STEAM, since you can just hop into the cockpit, hit the switches and start flying right away.   I don't have to spend an entire weekend looking up what key do I need to uncheck now, just to get the aircraft to fly.  

[BOO]

Are the brakes bound to an axis? Is the axis orientation correct (ie off when released?)

Are tere remaing conflicts within the keys and axis sections affecting braking?  

Was the configuration both saved and applied to alter the setting from the previous? 

Is "signal to ground crew" still the bind for removing chocks? 

 

Long time since I played IL2 or Clod but whilst set up isnt exactly PS5, its not something I found so problematic. I dunno if the brake handle pull on the Hurri stick is animated now but perhaps that may be a clue if it is? I remember there being issues with missions starting on the runway with either the aircraft moving forward or the brakes being bound on but, like i say, long time ago. 

[Patricks]

Your "prop spins but doesn't start" issue could be one of two things IIRC, First have you pushed the Prop PITCH lever full forward? Second is your throttle at 10%?

[BOO]

8 minutes ago, Real_Ranger said:

What are you playing now?   I have been doing most of my flying on all the various IL-2 versions, and then also making up my own in PWCG.   I have not done DCS, since I like the damage model better in IL-2.   I decided to try the Desert Wings game, though I had not seen much mention of it on most of the flight simulator sites.   I did it mainly because I like the realism of the IL-2 games, and thought that Desert Wings would be the same.   Unfortunately, it has turned out not so well.   The graphics also look dated.   So, what are you flying now?

Graphically it may look dated but its got the edge on other sims at the moment in terms of damage modelling. I moved from MP WW2 to SP helos via jets in DCS. Which can be every bit as frustrating as Clod seems to have been to you at times.  I think IL2 Great Battles offers the best balance of playabilty, graphics and function so if I came back to WW2, Id come back here but my interest is pre mid 43 so the latter maps and aircraft dont float my boat and the newer maps leave me cold.

 

I put about 3500hours into Clod over perhaps 2 years and enjoyed (almost) every minute of it, glitches, bugs and all.  I think the ole girl is up against now sadly with IL2 GB coming on leaps and bounds but it still has a lot to offer. I always found the community the best feature of the game TBH on and off line.   

[56RAF_Stickz]

what happens in the axes setup when you press your brake axis on your rudder pedals, does the in/out bar turn green as you depress them. If so your brakes are operating ok, so you apply those settings. Can you see the brake pedals in cockpit depressing when you attempt to use your brakes(you obviously need to re-enable your brakes for these actions) using either of the P40s. If you use spit /hurri its brake control is on the yoystick, you can either bind an axis for this or set a key in non axes control panel. If you then press this key the lever on the joystick will squeeze in. Do these work? You do have to be carefull spits/hurris because its an all or nothing rather like il2 GB so it can nose over landing if you press and hold it.

Here is a simple cold/dark for hurri to take off from lympne. If you prefer can alter it for any plane. Or can send one for the p40 at tobruk until your brakes sorted. It goes unzipped into Documents\1C softClub\il2 Sturmovik cliffs of dover\missions\single. Ive used it, and gave to others and not had anyone say it dont work for them (yet). It can then be selected from the single missions folder in game

The other way is to make a time and I can go onto atag teamspeak (or any teamspeak and try and talk you through the setup/startup, cos it really is not as difficult as you are experiencing.

lympne_hurricane.zip

[OBT-Eazy]

2 hours ago, Dagwoodyt said:

If there is anyone who believes that this quality of post is helpful to the cause,  please rethink    ?

Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

[Patricks]

I just don't understand why this guy can't print/bring up on screen THIS? It CLEARLY states start up procedures, including "#5 Prop Pitch Fully Forward (100%)". I'm 95% sure this is his start-up issue as I just tried skipping it. Engine turns over and dies. I just don't get it, it's a perfect situation of leading a horse to water, and it dies on the edge of a pond.. 

[Buzzsaw]

I have deleted all posts which do not directly relate to a solution for Real_Ranger's problems.

 

I have contacted him privately and hope to resolve his issues.