We’ve got some interesting news coming out of 1C Game Studios this week with word on the release of Flying Circus Vol 4, updates on the Odessa map and content, our first look at the I-153, and there’s a new video talking about graphical updates for IL-2 Korea. Let’s go.
Odessa and I-153
We have our first in-game shots of the I-153 coming to the series as part of the Odessa map package/mini-Great Battles release. The aircraft will fit into a variety of scenarios including early 1941 scenarios (Odessa obviously) as well as Moscow, Stalingrad and Kuban with the bi-plane fighter flying frontline operations well into its obsolescence. I remember it being a real gem of a plane to fly in IL-2 Sturmovik: Forgotten Battles so I’m hoping it’ll be quite fun here too.
We have confirmation via the forums that the base model will feature an M-62 engine and four 7.62 ShKAS light machine guns without a radio. Available modifications will include an M-63 engine, radio, armament change to single UB 12.7mm and two ShKAS 7.62mm, six ROS-82 rockets, bombs (4x FAB 50 or 2x FAB 100), or a combination of rockets and bombs.
No 20mm version is planned as apparently resources on how they were setup have been difficult to source. Only five were built, only three went for trials in units and no photos apparently exist. It’s a bit of a shame as that was a hilarious airplane to fly in some online dogfights – nobody expects a bi-plane to come packing a pair of 20mm cannons.
Meanwhile, the Odessa map is taking shape with the following settlements taking on their 1941 appearances: Kotovsk, Rybnitsa, Chisinau, Grigoriopol, and Jassy. See the images below for more.
The Odessa Great Battles release is reported to include the I-153, Yak-3, and La-7 in the mix. Exact details still remain slightly murky.
Flying Circus Vol 4 comes next week
The latest iteration of Flying Circus is coming next week. Vol 4 is releasing all at once with all content as well as an update to the Western Front map. One of the major pieces of that map will include Paris which is shown off in the screenshots below – who wants to fly under the Eiffel tower?
Included aircraft are the Sopwith Pup, Airco DH.2, Sopwith 1½ Strutter (including B model), Albatross D.III, Fokker E.III, and Roland C.IIa.
Read the latest developer diary here.
IL-2 Korea graphics
A new 36-minute video has released from the 1C Game Studios team talking about IL-2 Korea’s graphics engine. They spend a fair bit of time comparing what came from before to what is now available.
DirectX 12 rendering, more multi-threading capabilities, even more physically based rendering properties for the atmosphere, and improved terrain rendering. It sounds like the terrain that we’ve been seeing so far is not what they plan to ultimately ship with if I’m understanding the context.
IL-2 Korea does sound like it’ll be quite different from Great Battles by the time that it’s done. We’ll have to see how it progresses.
Stormbirds 
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