After a couple of weeks hiatus on the developer diaries, we’re back with 1CGS newest update on the future of IL-2 including our very first look at some 3D models slated for IL-2: Battle of Bodenplatte and a hint at when the new early access period will begin.
Spitfire and Bf109
Two of the aircraft slated for release with IL-2: Battle of Bodenplatte are the Spitfire IX and the Bf109G-14. Today we get our first look at their untextured 3D meshes and they are up to the standards you’d expect from the 1CGS team.
The Bf109G-14 is what you might call a very late model Bf109G-6. It has a lot of features of the G-6 with an attempt at standardizing all of the sub models and making production easier. The new canopy should make visibility better!
Meanwhile we’re also seeing the Spitfire IX for the first time and the visuals confirm what we already know. We’re getting a Spitfire LF.IXe with the ‘E-type’ wing armament of two Hispano Mark II cannons in the outboard cannon positions and two Browning M2 .50cals in the inboard cannon positions. This packs greater punch than the earlier Spitfire ‘B-Type’ and ‘C-Type’ armament.
The image also confirms what we we’re speculating on but didn’t know for certain: clipped wings! Many Spitfires of both the Mark V and IX series had their wings clipped improving roll rate at the expense of high altitude performance.
New Po-2 images
We’re getting another look at the Po-2 with the untextured meshes looking like they have made progress. If we’re seeing the aircraft at this stage, similar to the Bodenplatte aircraft, it probably means that the third party builder has come through and produced something that the team can work with to implement into the game. Good news for fans of the Po-2.
The Po-2 was simple to operate and flown by many combat and training squadrons. It’s slow speed was used to great effect at night harassing enemy troops and dropping small payloads. It was mass produced and used all over the Eastern Front and will be nice to see as an extra type in the series.
If and when the Po-2 comes, it will be as a separate Collector Plane.
New tank for Tank Crew
Progress is being made on Tank Crew as well with first images of the Tiger I tank. For IL-2 players who have had only the Panzer III to operate with, having a heavier tank like the Tiger I will certainly appeal to many.
This is an opportunity for the series to draw in customers interested in past titles like Steel Fury while also appealing to War Thunder tankers who feel that the series there is having difficulty maintaining historical levels of detail (I know a few who don’t like it when Tigers are up against ATGMs for example).
Other details
IL-2: Battle of Bodenplatte is just getting started but it sounds like we may be several weeks away from potential early access. The developer update suggests that once we have both Spitfire IX and Bf109G-14 that we’ll see the first early access content get integrated into the core of the series.
The two will surely be good for dueling each other until more content can arrive.
We also have some fun artwork showing off what a German WWI pilot looked like. Potentially indicating some upgrades to the pilots being ported over from Rise of Flight. Exciting!
Read the whole update here.
Stormbirds 
I was positively curious reading the comment, “Soon we’ll tell you about the other projects of IL-2 Great Battles series – the work is going on them as well.” Does that mean they’re currently working on something else beyond Boden, Tank, and Flying Circus?
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I think it’s unlikely they are working on a fourth project given the amount of content they are trying to squeeze out in the near future.
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I suspect it was just his writing style and that what he was talking about were the other two projects (Tank Crew and Flying Circus). They are probably overstretched as is.
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That pilot concept art looks simply amazing. Can’t wait for more news on Flying Circus!
And perhaps we are closer to Bodenplatte early access than I thought? Of course, I’ve no idea how far along they are in making flight models and cockpits, and how much time that will take. But I’m glad to see the outer 3D models already being mostly completed.
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I think its possible that by the end of May or early June we may see Bodenplatte early access begin with the release of these two aircraft. While a lot of the team was busy with the finishing touches on Kuban, others were surely forging ahead on this new content.
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As much as I appreciate the Eastern front I think the IL-2 series really needs some fresh air after all these years stuck in the Motherland!
Even though I was really bummed when they announced the suspension of the PTO, the plane list this time around is really impressive… I am pretty hyped.
Finger crossed for a future flyable B-25 as a collectible.
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My personal thought is that the flyable B-25 is a when and not an if. It sounds like they want to do it and it could make a lot of sense for a whole bunch of different scenarios.
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I REALLY hope so. Since the devs already stated they are *not* going to ever bother with the heavies, the B-25 is gonna be the next best thing. A bombing mission in close formation with a dozen B-25s would be a real blast! Just the thought is making my mouth water.
Plus, like you said, the aircraft fits in a wide array of different scenarios… it would be fun to re-enact the Doolittle Raid. I am getting ahead of myself now. XD
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It may be some time out but yeah the B-25 is definitely the next big thing and it works better as a “tactical bomber” as much as it does a more strategic one.
Plus, if you’re going to invest in a multi-crew complex aircraft like the B-25, it is pretty ideal for being a type that they can use in the east, the west, and over the Pacific.
I’m excited by the idea!
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