From the new long-fuselage IAR80/81 variant to the release of the Spitfire IXc to revised flight models for some old favourites, plus dozens of other fixes. There’s no doubt about it that IL-2 update 5.202 is a consequential one. Let’s have a look!

The newest aircraft on the block

We start with the new Spitfire IXc which 1CGS has decided is to be included as part of the IL-2: Battle of Normandy package. If you own Battle of Normandy your included aircraft count has just gone up by one with this important variant of the Spitfire IX.

The IXc that they have included is nearly the same airplane as the Spitfire IXe included with Battle of Normandy sporting the same Merlin 66 engine and essentially the same performance figures. It differs by not having the broad cord rudder (reducing the stability of the aircraft) and by having the C-wing armament with two Hispano 20mm cannons and four Browning .303 machine guns.

Meanwhile this update also includes a second iteration of the IAR80/81 series. The Collector Plane now has both long and short fuselage variants with each possessing several modifications made to both series.

FM updates for P-40, P-47, and much more

This update also comes packaged with some updates to other models in the series. We start with the P-40E which has long been hamstrung by a very limited emergency power capability. A new modification offers a 1942 modification with reinforced ball bearings and a much longer emergency power run.

The P-47, another type long criticized, has been checked and reportedly improved. Critical AoA and maximum wing lift have been increased. It also reportedly is slightly less stable as a result and they say that we should be careful with the stick until we get used to it. Curious to see how this affects the overall flight character of the P-47… and how it might match up to the one in DCS World.

Other aircraft have been adjusted with damage model adjustments for WWI aircraft, manual fuel gauges for all IL-2, FW190A, He111, Ju87 and I-16 models (this is where you press a button to get the fuel state).

The control mapping UI has been updated with a new control mapping process that includes search for assigned command by pressing a button or by entering the command name. Many new on/off commands have been added for HOTAS users to map.

Flying Circus pilots get their own Advanced Quick Mission Generator battles for the Western Front map, there are dozens of adjustments to the career mode, AI are apparently better at head-on attacks than before, and campaigns such as Lightning Strikes, Ten Days of Autumn and Steel Birds have all been improved.

That’s quite a bit of consequential updates for the IL-2 series. Read the full change log here.


7 responses to “IL-2 update 5.202 comes with new planes, revised old ones”

  1. Has anyone had any experience with the IAR-80? Before last year I’d have grabbed it just for completeness, but after the politics stuff (I really don’t want that to impinge on my sim flying so won’t go into further) I’ve not been buying anything from 1CGS. But I am curious.

    In War Thunder (yes, yes, I know – I was a simple farm boy who didn’t know anything about virtual flying when I started after seeing a video of WT :D) the IAR-80 feels underpowered and sluggish, basically it’s not much fun in that context. But in IL2 and DCS that sort of thing isn’t a deal breaker, I find the P-40 – at least the old FM – underpowered and sluggish compared to alternatives but it can still be fun in IL2 because of the simulation rather than gamification elements.

    So, does anyone have an opinion? I’m off to the internet to look for them. Opinions, I mean.

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    1. IAR is quite slow (seems comparable to I-16 to me) and you need to take care of engine revolutions all the time as it doesn’t have constant speed propeller. However it’s not sluggish at all, it has great all around view from cockpit and its 3D model (external and cockpit) is very nice. Different variants/armaments are available. I like it.

      BTW P-40 is a very different plane now with the new engine.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. I enjoy it as a historical point of interest, but (and I hate to say this) I really don’t think it’s a very good plane. Not that they didn’t do a good job modelling it. It’s beautifully modelled and a good product, but the aircraft itself is slow, and the need to to manually manage RPMs at all times is just a miserable experience. It would be okay for a 1939-1940 setting, but using it in 1942/43 against modern allied aircraft is just insane to me.

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    3. It’s a fun aircraft as long as you understand that it was built within the constraints of the limited Romanian aero industry and powered by an older, weaker class of engine that simply can’t compete in speed with the best contemporary fighters.

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    4. Thanks for the info, guys. I reckon I’ll hold off. I have experience with non constant-speed props in IL2 Cliffs of Dover, it’s a handful compared to just setting the RPM and letting the pitch be adjusted automatically but it can be fun to fly like that in the older 109s, Spits and Hurricanes. But the IAR doesn’t sound like it will add too much to my experience, and like I said, I prefer to not send money that way at the moment.

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  2. I’m not buying anything because the game is still one big shimmer and jaggy festival when using VR. The whole VR experience is neglected. I do hope their new flysim will get Foveated rendering.

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  3. Tried out the new controls UI – whilst its a step in the right direction its still got a ways to go e.g. you should be able to click the button and it takes you to the assigned input rather than the search approach that they currently have implemented.

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