There’s life left in IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles as the 1CGS team have just announced a small menu of new Collector Planes that will extend the current series development plans through to the end of the year. Although we don’t know what the long term future is, this does give us a great idea of what we’ll be seeing from the team through to the end of this year and into next year too.
Serving up the collector planes in 2023
Following the release of the Spitfire XIVe and the Bf109G-6 AS, some interesting and in some cases surprising Collector Planes have been announced today.
The first one we already knew about and this is the Li-2, a Soviet license build version of the DC-3/C-47 with different engines, a turret, forward firing weapons and light bomber capacity. 1CGS have some screenshots of the cockpit work coming together. The Li-2 does have a completely different instrumentation from the C-47 that we’re familiar with. This is expected Summer of 2023.
Next, we have something completely surprising. The WACO CG-4A is a towable glider which was used extensively during the Normandy landings and during Operation Market Garden. 16-companies were contracted to build CG-4As and approximately 13,900 were built.
Third up, those rumours of a La-5 with the later canopy design have come true. The 1CGS team list this as a La-5 Series 38 but as near as I can tell most of us old school IL-2 fans might remember this as the La-5F – an in between model that fits in between the earlier La-5 and later La-5FN. The La-5F should fit nicely into Battle of Kuban. Back with the original IL-2, I flew this more often than the La-5FN as the visibility over the nose was slightly better in this version while the rear visibility was better than the earlier La-5. This aircraft is due by the end of 2023.
Fourth on the list is another that we already know. The third party developed IAR80/81 which is coming with a very long list of modifications including both long and short fuselage types as well as multiple different armament selections. There is an important note here that the price is going to go up increasing on May 17th. This is being done because of the huge amount of variety packed into the aircraft. Current pre-orders and those up to May 17th will stay at the current price. The IAR is due by end of 2023.
Those are all of the plans that 1CGS has for 2023, but wait, there’s more!
2024 plans too
Great Battles is stretching development in 2024 as well. Three new aircraft have been announced for the series and they are the Ta152, the I-153, and the Spitfire IXc. Count me as surprised!
This list seems to give us a bit of everything. First, the Ta-152 I will will be the Ta-152H variant (the only one to see limited combat). This development of the Fw190 series featured a completely redesigned and lengthened wing, revised armament with MG151/20 20mm cannons in the wing roots and a MK108 30mm cannon in the nose, and all kinds of optimizations aimed at operation at high altitudes. And it was quite capable with a 472 mph top speed reached at 41,000 feet with GM-1 boost. In reality, it flew mostly at lower altitudes and was allegedly a match for the latest Allied fighters and in one account allegedly was about to outspeed some attacking Mustangs.
Next, we go from the ultra late war to the very early war with a Polikaprov I-153 “Chaika.” This Soviet biplane was built as a biplane companion to the monoplane I-16 and has long between requested by the community. Although clearly outdated at the start of the conflict, I-153s were still operated in frontline and second line duties through to 1943. Most WWII versions of the airplane had four 7.62mm machine guns and some had a variety of rockets and even ShVAK 20mm cannons.
Ten years ago, when IL-2 Battle of Stalingrad was announced, the I-153 was even part of a mini documentary that the team released.
Finally, 1CGS has announced a Spitfire Mark IXc variant of the infamous Spitfire. On the face of it, this is very similar to the Spitfire IXe that we already have in the series, however, there is the potential for this version to cover a much wider range of in-service dates with the unconfirmed potential of Merlin 61, 63, and 66 versions. 1CGS has already confirmed that it will use the earlier rounded rudder as well meaning that this version will have slightly different handling.
Flying Circus reminders and news
Also still planned for the end of 2023 is the release of Flying Circus Vol 3. Already confirmed weeks ago, this pack is intended to arrive with the following airplanes as well as ongoing upgrades to the Western Front map.
Here’s the list:
- F.E.2b
- R.E.8
- Hanriot HD.1
- Nieuport 11.C1
- Nieuport 17.C1
- Nieuport 17.C1 GBR
- Albatros D.II
- Halberstadt D.II
Then, in 2024 the team intend to release a further package with seven new airplanes.
- Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter
- Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter B
- Sopwith Pup
- Airco DH.2
- Albatros D.III
- Roland C.IIa
- Fokker E.III
Today, 1CGS also revealed that a team of enthusiasts is working on an Eastern Front map and that more details about the map and its release would be revealed soon. It’s unclear if this will be a redressing of the Ternopol map from Rise of Flight or something new.
Other news
Also mentioned in this update is word that the team are motivated to improve and extend the Great Battles Series. There’s no specifics as to what they intend to do but this does run counter to many community thoughts (mine included) that we were past major development and that we’d see a small trickle of content. We’ll have to see what that will end up becoming.
A Yak-7 fighter campaign, previously announced, is on its way and another currently unannounced campaign is also confirmed as on the way before the end of the year.
Tank Crew gets a small mention too. Current campaigns are being upgraded to support more recently released content. Some of the screenshots show off what they have planned.
Stormbirds 
Some of that sounds okay and some sounds meh!
The IL2 guys are making it difficult to get excited about their sim. With DCS we’re standing in line to throw money at them. With Il2 it’s maybe perhaps someday we might buy something. They really need to improve things.
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I’m curious which parts stand out for you and which parts are not connecting.
I was curious to see if offering more content out a bit further (into 2024) would bolster any reputation or not really move the needle. I think it may have for some and not for others.
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So much of GB’s success was built on two things: affordability, and rapid improvement. For the former you could get a map, campaign, and 8 aircraft from GB (obviously of lower fidelity but that was the tradeoff) at the same price as a single DCS module. For the latter people were willing to accept the more questionable aspects of the simulation with the expectations that it would eventually be improved like so many other things have been over the last decade.
If anything I think these additions could move the needle in the wrong direction. It’s basically an admittance that the game is at the end of its lifespan and that no one should expect any major revisions of current systems or new content moving forward, while also being asked to spend upwards of a third of the cost for a full module on 109G and Spit IX variants.
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I agree. Most of these feel like filling out the corners and pockets of existing content.
I feel like the Great Battles needs to capture… well… another great battle. Korea, Pacific, Italy, Africa, Britain, France, Spain. There are so many options, and instead we pad out lists of current aircraft.
I know they are scared to tackle carriers. Fine. How about a Flying Tigers China campaign?
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Agreed. GB is so played out in 2023, especially with like 6+ variants of various planes at this point, that they have to do something daring to recapture the continually waning interest. Given that the career mode is just three or four missions repeated over and over again and gets tired after your first honeymoon with IL2, they’ve been trading on their MP server engagement and mission creator for years in their bid over DCS.
With the release of Normandy 2, the Overlord server’s growth and general massive DCS upgrades like cloud tech and multi-threading, they can’t just bank on that stuff anymore. I would always prefer IL2 over DCS WW2 because you could hit a 50+ player server just about whenever you wanted. I’m not always on, but when I have been the last couple weeks, Overlord has routinely been 80+. I’m just seeing fewer and fewer reasons to go back to IL2 these days, and with meager roadmaps like these, I don’t imagine that will change unless they pull something like a Pacific theater out of their asses.
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I’ll second your ‘meh’ with a WTF.
A glider that serves absolutely no purpose in a game that features static battlefields and utterly lacks any semblance combine-arms maneuver warfare, an outdated biplane that was utilized primarily in a reconnaissance role, and not one, not two, not three, not four, but five variants of existing air-frames we already have. Two of which are yet more Spitfires. It’s 109 exhaustion all over again. The map sounds great and all, however, that’s a mod project the dev’s are helping out on.
The whole thing has gone from comical to downright sad. It’s blatantly obvious now that they’re just wringing out every last drop capital they can squeeze from people before they toss this iteration of the GB franchise into the shitter.
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I’m suspecting they are in a phase to create something new and big. So they’re not to blame in creating easy money by publishing another version of the actual plane set.
Tank game and still no sign of moving infantry?
FC no water planes nor the Sikorsky?
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Can’t see myself buying any of this. They’re in a terrible spot. Could you imagine that with the current situation in Russia a company like this announcing they would build more American aircraft? They’d likely be shut down. So expect to see them pumping out more and and more obscure Russian aircraft nobody cares for.
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They are in a challenging situation right now both of and not of their own making. That’s pretty clear. How this all plays out may not be entirely within their control.
I will point out that they are offering at least one American aircraft – the WACO CG-4A. It’s not a mainline American fighter or bomber or something like that I’m actually really excited and interested about how the glider gameplay might work. That may determine how much of a success that is.
I would say too that the I-153 is actually a longstanding community request dating back to the early days and its not really obscure. Not everyone will leap for joy but I know quite a few who are very happy with this.
We’ll all approach this differently to be sure.
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You know people fly Sims outside just the US, right? Also the game is called Il2, it’s roots have always been in the Eastern Front, a theater ignored by flight Sims for decades.
I for one would love a late-war eastern front scenario, as much as I would love Pacific Ops.
We also don’t live in a bubble here in Russia, so take your biases elsewhere please.
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Most people enjoy flying / against Russian aircraft, I don’t think many have terrible prejudices against Russians per se (albeit these are difficult days).
You want to talk prejudices and bias? Where are the crap planes? Where are the French aircraft? Sacre bleu! We literally have the Ardennes and Sedan zone.
SPADs don’t count, BTW.
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@Dimitri, It was Jason that clearly did explain the succes with the western theater of war.
So if wanting to make more profit you can not neglect the commercial importancy of the war theaters were the UK and North America were involved.
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That TA152H greatly excites me. That will be a must buy. Spitfire IXc will have the option to have 4 cannons?
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Extremely unlikely to see any four cannon Spitfire. The only production examples to reach frontline use were sent via aircraft carrier to Malta – those were Mark Vc models with the bulky Volkes air filter for desert operations.
Within days and weeks these were all converted to 2 cannon operation as the added weight robbed the aircraft of altitude performance which was critical for shooting down the Ju86P recon planes.
A long answer for that one.
Ta152H was very interesting to fly in IL-2 1946 days so I’d be curious to see it here!
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A glider? Sure it will funny for about five minutes but it’s not a buy for me. Odd choice.
They appear boxed in on a path to become odder and more obscure. Which is not a formula for success. I suspect they are utterly stuck between direction from owners, the local political situation and the economy.
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I’m definitely in for the I-153. Same with the Spit as well. It’s good to know they’re alive!!
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It is good to know that they are alive!
The I-153 is a fan favourite so I can see that doing well! Nobody will be surprised that I love all of the Spitfires 🙂
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The Eastern Front map is most likely the Finland map. They say “We’re also helping a team of enthusiasts who are working on a new map of one of the theaters of operations on the Eastern Front.”
It would be quite redundant to say “one of the theatres of operations on the Eastern Front” if it was just a RoF map or a WW1 Eastern Front map
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I’m pretty sure the new Eastern Front map is the Leningrad/Karelia project https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/37961-il-2-battle-of-finland/?do=findComment&comment=1267353
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You know, I hadn’t considered that. I thought it was reference to a WWI era map.
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Hopefully there’ll be some variations of the Chaika as well as it had some interesting engine and armament variations as well
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I’d like the 20mm version ☺️
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Yeah, that’s the one I was specifically thinking of. I was going to say ‘bis’ but I don’t know if that’s the one.
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I-153bis is just the late model (bis means improved). It returned to the gull wing design and the standard was four ShKAS machine guns. A few were modified with other options ☺️
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“… A glider? Sure it will funny for about five minutes …”
IMHO This is exactly what the IL-2 GB needs.
Gliders were of utmost importance, especially around D-day.
If done right (like being towed and with proper player interaction) it makes campaigns more believable and interesting.
I am curious and excited about the new map though, as we all are I guess !?
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Yeah, I found that out afterward. I live and learn (even at MY ripe age!!).
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Thanks for the write-up.
I feel a little sorry for them, but it is rather a problem of their own making. The WW2 types are something of a barrel-bottom effort but the I-153 has long been requested and the Spit IXc is a logical addition, if not terribly exciting, which is also applicable to the La-5F. The glider is interesting, but like the Li-2 I am not certain the return on investment makes sense.
A new EF map is great news, though i would argue Smolensk / Minsk / Kiev might be more usable than Finland (Leningrad a no-fly zone like Moscow?) but that’s just me.
The Ta-152 is irrelevant, but what the hell. Suspect the FM will provide hours of forum rants.
FC aircraft and efforts very welcome.
But, elephant in the room, where is all this going? The last, fairly pointless livestream did not actually say much and since then there has been absolute silence. The above are a logical gap-filler / revenue generator but in terms of an actual plan they have lost the battle to DCS. Some news is better than none, but the internet hates a vacuum and while there are lots of reasons why a solid announcement cannot be made, they need to craft a careful messaging to indicate what they are thinking, not simply a silence that leads to people losing faith in the team.
Korea still strikes me as most likely, but we’ll see if anything comes.
Anyway, that’s just me and this dead horse is not worth the beating again.. Will probably buy the I/153 for old time’s sake and likely the new map. FC things probably but am still on fence over Vol. 2.
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I don’t know why people are upset. I think they’re just mald over everything still. I mean, nothing changed regarding the game and yet people are hating. I’m super excited for the Ta-152 and especially the I-153. I’ve been waiting forever and it will finally make BoM worthwhile.
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I think the fact that nothing changed in wider terms is what is upsetting people. But folks always be getting upset over something.
I wish they would get Oleg back even if only to chat on the forums (fora?). He had a certain style.
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To some extent folks will always find something to be annoyed at. I try and see those issues for what they are but I also look back fondly at many hours spent being entertained.
I’d love for Oleg to drop in. He did have a certain style!
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“I try and see those issues for what they are but I also look back fondly at many hours spent being entertained.”
That’s because you are a positive and a cheerful human being, which is what makes this a great blog.
OT, but last night I re-watched the 1990 film Memphis Belle and then flew a Mustang around the Rhine. This game is very pretty on a new rig and the P-51 is quite the Cadillac.
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Always appreciate your comments!
I do love doing that and frequently it has been the case that much of my flying is a bit more scenic. It is terrific fun to fly down the Rhine in a P-51 or some other magnificent cruiser of a warbird.
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