Where's Bruv and all the rest of The Few that popped of to pastures greener?
I joined the mighty "Bruvinator" on il2 "Cliffs of Dover" then DFS (120 GB Download) Normandy. (I know how to prime, generally set up and manage a spit engine and trim now like an actual spit pilot). To be competitive though one needs VR and about a £3000 PC. Then the planes are modules you have to buy, there are only about 8 aircraft, the flight model is dubious and the luft planes are 1945 while allied about 1943. Finally it relies too heavily on AI. For the cost of the kit and the level of commitment to be able to get a plane of the ground (Several hours set up and practice as each plane is different and it is a real sim) 30 humans per arena is a busy night. Maps are bought also and arenas are hosted by players so a serious upper limit of maybe 100 or rent a server. Great experience for sure but there is constant trim and engine management issues to deal with which are fun but before you can even think about SA. Then its a no icon model so looking for dots and the set up and quality of PC then plays a huge part. If you have the money and want to get seriously into flying WW2 aircraft brilliant but a huge commitment. No going for a wee on auto pilot and you really have to have your head permanently on a swivel if you want to spot the hun in the sun.
So my conclusion. AH graphics are not great but adequate but the choice, value for money, flight model etc are excellent. Cliffs and DFS Normandy are fun but you cannot relax and DFS is very expensive. There is no on board radar and you spend allot of time learning landmarks and trying to find your squaddies etc and straining your eyes. It does seem as close to real as possible. Too real.
Bruv and I briefly got Micky and some of the other fellas interested in DFS but with the new maps and the return to a much more accesable AH we are seeing a virtual Zimmer Framed stampede to get back in the action.
What makes the fun is flying against and with real people.
All the graphics and VR in the world do not improve on that.
When you see a burning aircraft spinning toward the ground you want to know there is a real person in there