I do agree there's something in Il2 that makes it pretty hard to objectively compare the physics.
That coop aspect is really great, but for me it's completely spoiled by the really odd stuff, like that v-stab behavior. That upsets any attempt I've made at ignoring the way the FM "feels" in stall fights (I don't like it..) so I could enjoy the rest. The failures of AH's FM are really minor in comparison, imo. A sluggishness in hammerheads (and any other situation that's comparable, physics wise), and some inaccuracy in acceleration (e.g. the Tempest was historically a slow-poke, relatively), but nothing out-right freaky like being able to maneuver at 80% combat agility with a missing vert stab. No excellence of immersion in the other aspects will make that negligible... Just like the heart of a racing sim is to feel the car as if you were there, you can't get that immersion if the car drives like a Mario Kart. No amount of eye and ear candy will bury that.
I find AH, despite its flaws, is closer to reality than Il2, and even on its own in an absolute assessment... It's more coherent than Il2 is. Il2's planes just aren't as fun to flog.