Glider operations for IL-2

[Talisman]

How about gliders for IL2 that we can pilot ourselves behind a C47 and land after casting off:

 

Airspeed Horsa - Wikipedia

 

 

 

 

 

Happy landings,

 

Talisman

[Avimimus]

I'd personally prefer training gliders myself e.g. SG-38  Also maybe a couple of pre-war aircraft (Bristol Box-Kite) for training?

They might be more useful overall gameplay-wise.

[SidtheGit]

I believe that this suggestion requires a bump...

 

There are a number of threads suggesting plane types for inclusion in the series and, as has been seen with the recent 109G6 AS, if there is an opportunity to include variants that have been asked for and can be modelled on an existing airframe that fits into the maps we have then that's great. I hope there are more. The Spitfire XIV is another example of an addition that is a variant using a current airframe...a very pleasant surprise. The one issue that I see, and this has been posted on these forums and my squad forum, is that the purchase of these two aircraft could be limited because they could currently be seen as personal and specific to individuals. This, in addition to the fact that there are no adaptable models to alter, could well be the issue with the lack of interest in gliders.

 

The reason for me agreeing to the OP's suggestion is that I can't see how the Battle for Normandy can be complete without a Horsa Mk1 and a Waco/Hadrian glider. These aircraft were crucial For D Day - for which we have a specific map. I am not suggesting the Devs build a system for towing, it is very feasible for the gliders to air start and be piloted to the ground. I spend a lot of time flying the C47 and the Ju52. I am really pleased the C47 is there for D Day activities such as paratroop and supply drops, adding a realistic and necessary ground element to the map. The same could be said for the Ju52 in it's use on relevant series' maps. This ground element could, and should, be added using gliders also.

 

The Bodenplatte map also gives fantastic opportunities for glider use. Wacos/Hadrians and Horsa Mk1s and 2s were used for Operations 'Market Garden' and 'Varsity', both areas are on the map. I will also mention the German DFS230 assault glider used during the early stages of the war in Belgium and The Netherlands, another iconic aircraft that played a significant role at Fort Eban Emael, also on the Bodenplatte map. The inclusion of this glider too would form an exciting and usable set of aircraft and at least gliders fit into the maps we have unlike some aircraft requests.

 

There are other areas where combat gliders were used too, a brief summary is here . This shows that that, once in game, there is potential use for gliders on other maps.  

 

Apart from the probable lack of interest from flyers I can see another issue. The ground on the maps isn't appropriate, it is a flying simulator, and would require some work to prepare for accurate landscaping in order to reproduce the landing grounds. The area around the Orne river and Caen Canal at Benouville for example has too many trees in the wrong area.

 

I accept that gliders are of limited interest but I think that there are also other aircraft already in the series that fall into the same category. I also accept that to model them time would be taken from other aspects that are probably more important. However, this post is in 'Suggestions' and I believe is a good topic for inclusion and discussion alongside the other requests for aircraft types not currently in game.

Edited December 19, 2022 by SidtheGit