About IL-2,
I got it for Xmas, played with it for a couple of weeks, and haven't looked at it since. It's not bad, it's just a boxed sim. I had more warps and FR issues than AH. I'm not crazy about the FM. The IL-2 in particular fly like friigin dump trucks Literally its like flying a fully loaded AH Lanc. I also have serious doubts about the gunnery and damage model. 109s and most other fighters seem to have the hitting power of an AH 202.
However, here is why you may want to buy it;
Lots of really cool planes that you don't see in AH: Formations of Me Gigants, HE-111, Ziswerweerlswereling (sp lol) that 5 enging double HE-111 tow plane, fighters like the Rata and other Russian planes - Lagg, etc. Biplanes! Then there's TONS of GVs, well modeled tanks, half tracks, trucks, jeeps, even side cars!
Best of all is the visual side of the IL-2 damage model... The first time you see a bomber's engine catch fire your jaw will hit the floor. Skin damage, fire, explosions, smoke is all pretty amazing (and prolly keeping it from being a sucessful MMOG).
IA enemy planes. Its fun to shoot down a slew of planes that look like they are trying.
So, don't expect it to be something that will replace what you get out of AH, but playing it a bit can be fun.
eskimo