In WT you only have cockpit view in "full real battle". It's even stricter than AH since you can't do the Linda Blair head swivel, and you don't have enemy icons, only friendly.
Yes, the view system is so strict that it totally sucks. #1 reason why I did not play IL2 or WT. I do not use track-IR.
The HUD in IL2 and its derivatives is required because they chose to model the visuals of the cockpit so well and make it look so cool, that you cannot read the instruments. Then flush all that coolness down the toilet with a HUD instruments. I much prefer the "inaccurate" AH cockpits that are at least functional.
Finally, for the life of me, I can't see why they chose to call that game Wartthunder. Is that what you get on your hand from grinding until finally one get to fly a mossie? warts are disgusting.