The planes in bf1942 have reverse too, it's great for when you need to manouver out of hangars.

I've tried to take off by reversing down the runway, not yet had any success.

I suck at flying planes in bf1942, flying with a mouse just isn't for me i guess. Tried to config my stick but it always messed up s i gave up.
Haven't played bf1942 recently (i loved geting pings of 11) but i had lots of fun. I used to play as an engineer mosty, my fave tactic was to throw lotsa TNT into a jeep and drive it up near an enemy base. I would hide and wait for some enemy to climb inside and then-
KABOOM!!! 