New Game Launcher, New Set Up

[Crash]

Dear Pilots,

 

Today’s DD is short and to the point. We have WIP pics of the Arado 234 B-2 cockpit that is being built by Phil and one of our new modelers Vasily. It’s looking good so far! An interesting cockpit for an interesting and ground breaking plane.

 

   

  

 

Also, we have images of some new cloud formations, some thicker and some thinner at different parts of the day. Clouds are progressing. Not quite ready for beta testing yet, but getting closer.

 

   

   

 

And finally, you already have these in the 4.605b Hotfix we released yesterday, but we now have 4K skins for the Auntie Ju made by intrepid artist Martin =ICDP= Catney. Here are a few shots to show off some of his work. Almost all planes have now been brought up to the 4K standard. Really an awesome accomplishment considering the sheer number of airplanes involved and the time commitment! The template for the JU 52 is also now available. Thank you, Martin!

 

   

 

[Crash]

Dear Friends,

 

The team is on a well-deserved extended weekend and Jason is lost in the middle of America on a research mission, so today’s DD is very straightforward. Behold the jet powered Arado AR 234 B-2 bomber! What sleek lines she has! As you saw last week, the Arado’s unique cockpit is also in development. We are working as hard as we can to make her operational as fast as we can.

 

    

    

    

 

[Sid]

Looking great....can't wait, very excited

[Crash]

Dear Friends,

 

The cold November is here already and we continue working on our projects. An important milestone for the Battle of Normandy is getting near - its map will be ready to a degree that will allow us to begin the development of Pilot's Career for this theater (meaning that settlements, airfields, roads, rivers and forests will be there). It will be too early to share the screenshots of the map itself at this point since the work on its visual part - texturing and finalizing landscape features, coast and additional detail - happens at the last stage of development according to our workflow. Nevertheless, this stage is not very far away either, since the map overall progresses according to the plan. Speaking of the map, we can say that creation of map objects is finished, including the new city blocks characteristic for Britain, coastal defenses, radar stations, farmsteads for rural areas and, of course, unique landmarks. For creating believable airfields, certain additional airfield objects were created which are characteristic of this theater of war.

 

 

The work on various naval and ground units for BoN continues - there are several ship types that participated in the landing, including landing craft and radar-equipped ones, and several vehicles like this British armored car Humber Mk.IV, which is ready for deployment.

 

 

The German heavy fighter Ju 88 C-6 and the legendary US fighter P-51B-5 are getting close to release. Progress on the P-51B has been frustratingly slow with several technical delays due to research and software issues. Anyway, it's Flight Model 99% done and only Malcolm Hood visual is on the finish line of production. Please be patient the early Pony will get here we promise!  Arado 234, Mosquito FB MK.VI and Me 410 are at earlier stages of development, but they are progressing according to the general plan. In the meantime, the work on the new fuel system is nearly finished and it will make its debut on Bf 109 fighters. As soon as it is ready we'll apply it to all the aircraft of the sim. This new tech will make the fuel system modeling more realistic, damageable in more detail and pilot interfacing with it will be recreated with more fine details. With this new technology up and running, we plan to switch to the development of the launch, guidance and warhead functioning of the V-1 vengeance weapon - its FM and 3D model, including the launch site, are already ready.

 

 

There is good progress in Flying Circus Vol. II project is well. The German two-seater recon/strike airplane DFW C.V is the closest one for the release - at the moment its 3D model is nearly finished while its FM is in the works - and we plan to have it in the next update already. Sopwith Triplane should be also released before the end of the year as well as the British heavy bomber Handley Page O/400. Early next year we'll have to finish German bomber Gotha G.V, Western Front map, and two Collector Planes, late WWI fighters.

 

 

In addition, there is a lot of WWI-era ground vehicles incoming -  for instance, in the next update, we plan to release Jeffery Quad, Benz LKW 1912 and Daimler DR4 in several modifications and tanks - Mark V female, Reno FT and Schneider CA 1. WWI aviators will find their life slightly more complicated due to the addition of the German 37mm automatic AA gun Maxim Flak M14.

 

 

All the things listed above are just a fraction of what we and our partners are working on at the moment, so please stay tuned - we'll be able to tell you more about the other development streams in our next Dev Diaries.

 

[Crash]

Happy Monday to everyone! We have a short DD for you today that features the DFW C.V for Flying Circus Vol. II and new 4K skins for our old friend the Yak-1b which were crafted once again by our partner Martin “ICDP” Catney. The Yak-1b completes our initial goal of bringing all aircraft and tank skins along with their templates up to the 4K standard. It took several years, but what an accomplishment!! Thanks again to Martin, Francisco (BlackHellhound1) and Marcus (Raptorattacker) for helping make all this possible!

 

DFW C.V

 

        

       

 

Yak-1b 4K Skins

 

       

       

 

The DFW C.V, Yak-1b 4K skins and our initial release of our new clouds will be in the upcoming 4.701 update later in December. Which we pray to all mighty Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Yahweh, Zeus, Lucifer, Cthulhu, Thanos, General Zod or whatever powerful deity controls its fate, please give us the strength to finish the P-51B so we can include it in update 4.701! 

 

Enjoy!

[Crash]

And there is MOAR

Hello P-51 Lovers!

 

We know you’ve been waiting patiently to see more of the P-51B, so today we show you what it looks like both inside and out! This new ‘Pony’ should be ready by the end of this month. It’s the Holiday Season and a time for giving, so there will likely be two updates in December! One with the new clouds and the DFWC.V and the other with the P-51B and maybe, just maybe new fuel systems and drop tanks for several Bf-109 variants. Of course, plans are subject to change pending testing. And as mentioned previously the Malcolm Hood has taken extra work to get it right, so that component is not ready to be shown yet. Without further delay…

 

    

    

    

    

 

Enjoy!

[Jabo]

Very much looking forward to the 'B'

[Crash]

Dear Pilots!

 

Happy Holidays to everyone in the IL-2 Sturmovik community! May it be filled with good health, family, friends and lots of time to play your favorite virtual air combat simulation!

 

Today’s Developer Diary is a showcase of the beautiful P-51B which we are working very hard to finish for you by the end of the month. Just some minor bugs are left along with still finishing the tricky Malcolm Hood.

 

    

    

   

   

 

We also have some shots of some new combat vehicles for you to check out like the M8 Greyhound and Universal “Bren Gun” Carrier Mk. II. And we have a new good looking USAAF bomber crewman model to show you. The fur sure looks look warm!

 

   

 

We’re working as hard as we can to end this challenging 2021 strong so wish us luck as we battle to get things done!

 

Enjoy!

[Crash]

pretty

Hello Everyone!

 

While we continue to work to finish several aircraft for BON and FC2, we would like to take a moment to show you something else we’ve been working on- our new sky technology! Many of you have complained in the past about “banding” that occurs in our sky-dome, especially as light begins to fade late in the day and at night. We agree that this was not ideal and we have decided to do something about it.

 

We have now adopted a more physics-based technology that has more or less become an industry standard these days. Before we had more of an artistic approach, but it had some limitations as many of you pointed out. The new sky is meant to simulate the sky on a round globe and we have adapted it to our engine. The results are pretty nice. The end result should be no banding, including the glow around the moon. This should give you a more realistic picture. Our new sky also allows us to change how we do dust and haze in the atmosphere which we will look at in the not too-distant future as well.

 

This technology should not have much of an impact on your performance, however, it does use more Video Memory, so we highly recommend you have at least 2GB or more. This was one of the reasons for the Video Card Survey we asked you to participate in last week. Which, if you haven’t taken the time yet, please do participate. It’s very helpful to us.

 

We feel that with this new sky along with our new clouds create a really great atmospheric environment to fly and fight in. We still need to tweak our lighting for each season and make some further small adjustments, but here are several pics that show where we are headed. Some pics are on clear days and some are on hazier days. We also show how the moon looks now and some of the new sunset colors that occur.  

 

    

    

    

    

 

[Crash]

Hello Everyone!

 

Today’s Developer Diary has just one task. To show you the mighty Ju 88 C-6 in the engine and decimating targets with her awesome firepower. Don’t get caught in her gunsight because she can unleash a hellish barrage or bullets, cannon fire or bombs! A couple of these heavy hitters can wreck a convoy or an airfield in no time.

 

These images also include our New Sky which is nearing readiness for release soon. You’ll notice it looks not only more beautiful, but more realistic with no banding in low light conditions. The new sky when coupled with the new clouds and some new adjustments to the lighting, combines to make a beautiful scene!

 

   

   

   

   

   

   

 

We’ve also added the ability to set the time to the exact hour and minute you want in the Quick Missions GUI so it will be much easier to fly during your favorite time of day.

 

Enjoy!

[Crash]

Moar stuphz

Dear Friends,

 

Once again, we are reminded that real-life is much more important than a video game or flight simulation. We pray for the safety and well-being of all our friends, family and associates no matter where they are during this difficult time. We are an international team and an apolitical organization and we wish to remain so. We ask that you help us keep our forum and other properties civil as world events unfold. We are operating as usual; development continues and we expect to continue to do so.

 

For today’s DD we have new, never before seen pics of the Arado AR 234 cockpit under development.

 

   

   

   

 

We also have some shots of the Bedford truck and fuel tanker.

 

 

 

And finally, we have an image of our USAAF bomber pilots with different helmets.

 

[Crash]

surprise!

Hello Everyone,

 

Today’s DD brings us some very cool renders of the Me 410 A-1 cockpit. It’s a very unique cockpit and has been a challenge to build, but it’s looking great now and heading into the final stretch. We continue to work on our next update which we hope will be next week. It will be a good one with the new sky and new airplanes like the Ju 88 C-6, Gotha G.V. and we think possibly the Handley Page O/400.

Me 410 A-1 Cockpit in Development

 

   

   

 

And our colleague =DED= Rapidus just handed me a link to a short video of our new sky and Ju 88 C-6 in action that he filmed while testing the Beta. You may want to check out. Has some funky beats. 🙂 

 

 

*Any artifacts are caused by YouTube compression.

 

[Crash]

Hello Everyone,

 

A quick update on all that we are working on at the moment. We are preparing version 4.703 for release for middle of next week. Assuming, of course, no last-minute show stoppers arise.

 

Update 4.703 will include three large planes – the JU 88 C-6, Gotha G.V. and Handley Page O/400. This brings some heavier metal to BON and some err… heavier lumber to FC2 I guess you could say. 

 

The Gotha, as it was in ROF is a handful to fly. See if you can master it! The Sopwith Tripe is also entering its later stage of development and will be in our next update.

 

4.703 also includes 40+ smaller tweaks and improvements including items such as:

 

- New sky technology and improvements to lighting. Should see a reduction in overall blue tint.

- Improvements to the appearance and lighting of snowy landscapes.

- The position of heavenly bodies now depends not only on time and date, but also on geographic coordinates (including when moving around the map).

- Quick Mission GUI now includes the ability to set any time of day with clues as to Sunrise, Daylight, Sunset and Night-time scenes.

- AI with mixed cannon and machine gun armaments shoot more accurately.

- Fix to the landing lights that are visible from far away issue.

- Added the Ju-88 C-6 to Stalingrad Career mode with III./KG76 and for the Battle of Kuban 7.(Eis)/KG 51 and 9./KG 55.

- Squadron II./JG 3 for Pilot Career Battle of Stalingrad moved from AI to player controllable

- Squadron II./KG 76 for pilot career Battle of Moscow and Battle of Stalingrad moved from AI to player controllable.

 

After much research and bug chasing, our engineers discovered clear issues with our modeling of some aspects of the Bf-109 airframe, which in some situations made their performance quite unrealistic. So, we have made some changes to most Bf-109 variants relating to the over-modeling of propeller performance and aerodynamics. Version 4.703 will include the following changes.

 

- On all Bf-109 aircraft (except for the E-7) the aerodynamic characteristics of the propeller have been changed to eliminate the unrealistic behavior of the aircraft in the wake of the propeller and the possibility of "hovering on the propeller". The airframe aerodynamics of these aircraft has also been corrected so that the maximum speed, rate of climb, turn time, and acceleration time better corresponded to the reference values.

- On all Bf-109 aircraft (except for the E-7) the effectiveness of the ailerons at high speeds has been changed (increased) (the "clamping" of the ailerons has been reduced at speeds over 400 km/h)

 

The goal was to be more accurate overall, so in some cases speeds may be bit lower at sea level, but higher at rated altitudes and climb-rate may be a bit slower. But in some cases, turns may be quicker, but acceleration a little slower.  As usual, we have used a mix of German and Soviet sources to try to get a more accurate picture.

 

Also, Fuel System work has progressed to a late stage and has been in Beta testing, but the Beta testers continue to find issues that need addressing, so work continues. Its very frustrating, but we continue to work on it.  

 

And before we sign off for the week, here are a few pics of the Churchill Mk.IV tank being tested and tweaked in our virtual proving grounds.

 

  

  

 

We hope you will like version 4.703.

 

The Sturmovik Team

[Sid]

Nice stuff coming  !!!

Oh those 109 whiners....they do whine....and the update hasn't even been released yet. Quoting some of the comments, I read that 'whilst we want the most realistic sim out I'd rather you didn't make my 109 more realistic' and 'make sure it's right and make sure you do all other aircraft too....even if they don't need it' and Jason 'A lot of virtual pilots just like easy kills and want to blame us for their poor piloting and tactics. Such is the world of combat flight-simulators.'

Great read....

[Crash]

Dear Friends,

 

Today’s Developer Diary showcases our upcoming and awesome Mosquito FB Mk.VI. Isn’t she a beauty? Our “Wooden Wonder” as it was called, is in the later stages of development and we have already completed some of her skins that will be included. Work on her flight model has begun and work on finishing her cockpit continues. We are doing all we can to get her into your hangars just as soon as possible. We know she is a hotly anticipated plane and the wait is difficult, but please have patience, we think she will be worth it!

 

   

   

 

As you know, we frequently re-visit some of our older technology and try to improve it. A recent example is our sky, clouds and lighting, which we still hope to improve further in time. Recently, we finally had some time to re-visit our technology that affects the appearance of our Propeller Disk. Our current prop disk has some issues that we wanted to rectify including how it seems to disappear at certain angles. We also wanted to make its appearance more realistic and dynamic. We think we achieved this and here are a couple screens to help demonstrate. It’s hard to get the whole effect in still images or even a video, but we wanted to make you aware of this development. We think you’ll enjoy it once it’s in-game.

 

 

[Crash]

Nice

Dear Friends,

 

Today’s DD features two great, new additions that we think you will be excited about!

 

First, we have in-game pics of the awesome and often overlooked workhorse of the USAAF – the B-26! The B-26 was considered a fast medium bomber and it saw action on all fronts in WWII for the USAAF. It was somewhat tricky to fly and had a not so good reputation in the eyes of early aircrews. Accidents were known to happen quite often. But once in theater the B-26 rose to the occasion and usually bombed tactical targets from lower altitudes than the heavy bombers like the B-17 and B-24. Targets like bridges, airfields, command posts, beaches and railyards are all prime targets for the B-26. The B-26 in Great Battles is the Block 55 model which were numerous in the European theater during the Normandy timeframe and this model also came in both olive drab and natural metal finishes which will add variety to our skins. Our B-26 is an AI controlled plane, like our B-25. However, with the inclusion of the B-26 we can have much more interesting missions and gameplay with some proper Allied level-bombers playing their role. Plus, it is just a beautifully streamlined aircraft that really makes for some great photos! Also, we cannot wait to see what skin artists will do with her.

 

On a personal note, my grandfather served in B-26s during WWII in England and France with the 9^th Air Force and seeing the B-26 take flight in Great Battles makes it extra special for me. It's this kind of personal connection to history that makes this job and hobby worth the effort.

 

   

   

   

 

I addition to the B-26 we have finally begun work on improvements to our controller assignment system. In Rise of Flight, we had a great system for assigning key maps, joystick curves to custom input profiles which could be assigned to individual planes or set as default. The system worked well and was popular.

 
We are now taking the time to add a similar system to Sturmovik and we think you’re going to be very happy with it. I hesitate to show you such early, early draft images, but they demonstrate where we are headed. Also, we are adding the ability to virtually adjust the pitch like we had in ROF, which for WWI crates makes them much more comfortable to fly and increases the fun factor.

 

     

 

Enjoy!

Jason and The Sturmovik Team

[BluBear]

The 26 looks sweet, it'll be a great addition. And the input profiles feature will be handy, similar to the DCS way of thinking?

[Crash]

Looks that way

[Crash]

Noooze

Dear Pilots and Tankers,

 

Today’s DD is a collection of images of new content in development by our partners such as Ugra Media, DigitalForms and others.

 

First, we have a few very much WIP images from the C-47 cockpit being built by Ugra Media. As you can she its coming along nicely and it will add a new dimension to Allied air operations!

 

 

    

 

Next, we have some amazing cutaway shots of the Churchill Mk.IV tank being built by our partners at DigitalForms. The engineering and work they do for Tank Crew models is simply the best in the business. Looking great!

 

 

   

   

 

They are also working on the Stug III which as you can see is not as complete as the Churchill, but the modeling is just as detailed. Here are a few shots of some sub-assemblies.

 

   

 

Finally, we have the Sd. Kfz. 234 which is built by a collection of professional modelers we call Luchin Team. This armored vehicle will be on the Normandy battleground later this summer.

 

 

 

Please cheer on our partners as they work to bring some very interesting new toys to your favorite combat simulator – IL-2 Sturmovik!

 

Enjoy!

 

The Sturmovik Team

[Crash]

Dear Pilots!

 

Today’s DD is all about the mighty Mosquito FB Mk.VI, which is nearing completion for Battle of Normandy! We are finishing her systems and flight model and preparing her for release. As you can see from the images, she is a really good-looking aircraft and there are tons of armament options. She packs one hell of an offensive punch with awesome flight performance. We think she will be an incredibly popular ride in Great Battles. Below you see the almost completed cockpit along with several armament options and skins that will be included. Unfortunately, some systems were not functioning yet, so I was unable to launch any weapons or engage in combat, but she will be entering Beta very soon where the testers will put her through her paces. Stay tuned for more as we get the “Wooden Wonder” ready for release!

 

      

      

      

      

 

 

Enjoy!

 

The Sturmovik Team

[Crash]

Very nice

Dear Friends,

 

In today’s DD we see images of the AR-234 in some new skins and geometry of the IAR-80/81 cockpit. We also see the implementation of WWII style barrage balloons which can be used to protect ships and ground targets.

 

These balloons can be towed by ships, winched up and down and if the wire is hit hard enough and severed the balloon will fly away.  If the Luftwaffe ever does reach the invasion fleet watch out for these new obstacles!
 

  

 

Our AR 234 B-2 jet bomber is nearing its final stages of development and we have some cool skins to show you today. What a great looking aircraft.

 

    

    

The IAR-80/81 Collector Plane is also making progress. The cockpit geometry is about done and ready for texturing. Looks like a very busy cockpit!

 

   

 

Enjoy!

The Sturmovik Team

 

[Sid]

Bloomin' marvellous

[Crash]

It does have a big bomb

 

[Crash]

more stuffz

Dear Pilots!

 

In today’s DD we have three new things to show you. First, we have some screenshots of our Normandy Map which is coming together nicely. It’s looking very scenic! Second, we have developed the technology to launch a V-1 “Buzz Bomb” from fixed installations. They will make great targets for mission designers. And finally, we have been working on the technology necessary to portray amphibious landings which is necessary for Normandy.

 

Normandy Landscape

 

Below are screens from the new map. As you can see there are some rather large cities and towns as well as a variety of different airfield types. The landscape is also very beautiful. Together it will make a very interesting and fun map to fly over.

   

   

   

 

V-1 Installations

 

The dreaded V-1 is operational in our project for the first time. V-1 sites were prized targets by Allied pilots and needed to be silenced. The V-1s raining down on the UK in the summer of 1944 were a real problem and caused so much destruction and casualties. Attacking these sites will make for some excellent missions.

   

   

 

Amphibious Landings

 

And finally, we can’t have an invasion without landing craft bringing troops and vehicles to the beaches. In the images below we see some testing on one of our non-Normandy maps. We have found a clever way to make infantry objects that appear pretty convincing. These soldiers can advance and shoot at the enemy and of course they can perish. Just don’t ask these little pixel soldiers to make you a sandwich or tea, they aren’t that smart.

  

 

Enjoy!

[DD_Arthur]

Standby.....

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/78818-mosquito-inbound/

🤩