IL-2’s Lead Producer, Jason Williams, has previously headed to various museums and archives to gather materials and this latest venture has been recorded over the last few days as the community attempted to guess at where he was ultimately heading. Now Jason has revealed in a post that it was the Yankee Air Museum in Ypsilanti, Michigan to have a look at their airworthy B-25D. Here’s a bit about what he said.
On the ground research
Recreating World War II aircraft takes careful research and development work to make something period accurate. It’s something that 1CGS does really well and in this past week, IL-2’s Lead Producer has been on the road to gather some data. The goal? Create a flyable Allied medium bomber.
Yankee Air Museum in Ypsilanti, Michigan has a airworthy B-25D, just like the AI aircraft that we have in IL-2: Battle of Bodenplatte and Jason is trying to gather the details he needs to make it flyable in IL-2. Here’s what he had to say about the state of the aircraft:
Being an airworthy machine means she’s been modified somewhat with a newer instrument panel, some newer avionics and some extra seating etc. Also, the defensive armament is missing gear and the belly turret is completely missing. The upper turret is also seemingly missing parts and apparently inoperable. There are also other odds and ends that are not period perfect, but she is still very much a WWII vintage machine and seeing her is helpful for sure.
Jason Williams
I personally find any hands on experience with a warbird or vintage aircraft to be absolutely fascinating and I’m sure being able to get inside of and have a look around at “Rosie’s Reply” will definitely help the team’s efforts to make some more bombers flyable.
Does this mean a B-25 is coming?
The obvious conclusion is that the 1CGS team and Jason are doing their best to gather the research materials that they need to make us some medium bombers. It’s something that many in the community have asked for and this is yet another step towards that goal.
It doesn’t mean that one is imminently releasing or suddenly going up on pre-order but it does increase the chances that this scenario will play out.
I tell you all of this as an example of the work we put in to make flyable planes for Sturmovik. It’s not easy or cheap and not every mineshaft we go own yields gold unfortunately. Visiting Rosie gives us about 25-30% of the data we need to make her flyable with proper cockpits and gunner stations. We will continue our efforts on the B-25 and others and see where it leads.
Jason Williams
Notably, Jason says that the B-25 and other bombers are under consideration. There is only a small list of Allied medium bombers including the B-26 Marauder, the B-25 Mitchell, and the IL-4. Other aircraft in the bomber category such as the A-20G/J Havoc and A-26 Invader have been pitched by the community as well.
We’ll have to wait and see if the 1CGS team can bring together enough resources to make the B-25 like ‘Rosie’s Reply’ or another aircraft come to life.
Stormbirds 
I would pay for a B-25 collector aircraft. The allies certainly need a dedicated bomber beyond the A20 that is player flyable.
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All power to his elbow!
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“On the road again” make sense now. I am 99% sure we will have flyable B-25. That’s great – this my favourite medium bomber.
Still, Il-2 desperataly needs four engine bombers, at least USAAF ones.
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I would say first it needs an engine that can cope…
Personally I am cool without the Dicke Autos – it’s a tactical air-war sim and it excels at that.
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Engine? You mean like support for four engine machines or massive formations of B-17s/B-24s? If the former it sound like a cheap excuse to me, if the latter… well, while real size formations has never been implemented I will be totally happy with we saw in European Air War or Rowan’s BoB or Il-2 1946 or Il-2 CoD/DW:T…
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It’s a popular thought in the community that the IL-2 engine can’t do four engines. It’s not true. Jason reiterated it again just today: https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/75205-bombers/?do=findComment&comment=1138955
The resources to model the big bombers is an ongoing issue. I can see us getting an AI version of the B-17 at some point – if it becomes a flyable is a question mark of course.
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As I understand it, there are issues that happen when you have to many AI active. I think they got a new AI engineer last year to dig into the engine AI fun, but I don’t think they’ve found a solution to that yet.
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The biggest issue with the B25D is the ventral turret. There are no surviving examples of it as far as I know. So all you can go on are the manuals.
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When you look at the cost of IL2 addons/editions, travel is EXPENSIVE. I say this trip is a prime indication that they’re Serious about the B-25.
The fact that it’s pre-announced is also interesting – could be a test of the waters, as well – to gauge community interest in the product.
I’m definitely interested – the non-fighters in IL2 are (also) a big reason for my purchases.
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Yep, I agree. I think the trip indicates how serious they are are about making it happen. Some added medium bombers would fill the ranks nicely.
I am pleased to see the Ju88C-6, Me410 and Mosquito being part of the Normandy mix. Not explicitly bombers but moderately sized twin engine aircraft all the same.
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there is a flybale B25 near me/ not sure if it would help but i thought i would mention it.. they have sevral flyable ww2 aircraft.. p51 tbm p40 working on a corsair and a fw 190
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There are several around (one lives near me too) but a well restored B-25D might be more of a challenge. There are fewer.
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I would also welcome the addition of any bombers to IL-2, be it of the twin or four engine type.
Well, let’s just hope that “On the road again” won’t turn into a “Hit the road, Jack”.
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I have faith that the series will add a few more cool medium bomber class aircraft.
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