Some pretty big news coming in today with the reveal of the new Great Battles aircraft that 1CGS have been teasing for some time now. There are some unexpected selections in there so let’s break that down. We’ve also got some great new gameplay footage that a few content creators have been showing off. Let’s have a look.
Future plans for Great Battles and IL-2 Series/Korea
A few content creators were sent new gameplay footage for IL-2 Korea and shown a roadmap of planned content coming down the pipeline for Great Battles. Let’s first talk about the new aircraft and how its all packaged together.
Six new aircraft have been revealed. The first three are part of the new “Bomber DLC” package which include the A-20G, B-26B, and B-25C/D. All three aircraft are in the sim in some capacity already with some modifications required for the A-20G and of course interiors to be added to all three. The roadmap reveals that early access for this pack starts in the summer of this year and plans to release by the end of the year. The next three are likely to be individual Collector Planes (based on the way its been presented) with the P-47M, P-39Q and FW189 on offer.
These are not, what I had assumed, would be the offering as I expected this would connect with the Finnish map team’s efforts to develop the B-239 and G.50. That process is still happening (so we may yet see some more aircraft) but we have these offerings as well.
We can also see that a Korea related DLC early access and release are anticipated in Q3 and Q4 so additional content, beyond what is listed for Korea right now, is planned through to the end of the year.
A look at each type
What do each of these offer? Let’s break it down a bit.
A-20G
A-20G is a later modification of the A-20B that we already have in Great Battles. This is a type I’ve long hoped for as it fits the tactical nature of the series extraordinarily well and its a type that saw extensive use with areas we have in the game: the Soviets in the Kuban region and with the USAAF in Normandy and Rhineland areas.
The A-20G has a solid nose, six .50cal machine guns typically fitted in the nose, a new powered turret and modified fuselage in the back with another two .50cal guns, and it sported a mix of bomb and rocket loadouts for attack. Early models had four 20mm cannon in the nose so we may see that as a modification. An excellent ground attacker that takes the current A-20B and makes it even better at the low altitude attack role.
B-25C/D
B-25C/D Mitchell bomber was used by the Americans, British and Commonwealth forces and by the Soviets. It has potential operational uses from Stalingrad through to the end of the Bodenplatte campaign with different operators. While the USAAF used it extensively in the Pacific, it was the B-26 that they used in Europe.
Two dual .50cal turrets, a forward .30 cal and a 3,000lb bomb load are typical loadouts, however, B-25C and D models were modified extensively so there is opportunity for some interesting modifications.
B-26B
Faster but also more difficult to fly than the Mitchell, this one fits well with Normandy and Bodenplatte campaigns and was the primary medium-bomber type used by the USAAF at the time.
The B-26 is reasonably well defended for an aircraft its size. Four forward firing .50cals in blisters on the side of the fuselage, a forward flexible .50cal mount, a powered turret dorsal mount, and a tail gunner mount. That’s 11 .50cals in all. It could also carry up to 4,000 lbs of bombs.
P-47M
P-47M is a late model Thunderbolt used exclusively by the 56th Fighter Group. Modified from the P-47D-30-RE models, this version of the P-47 were intended to exclusively operate as fighters with no racks for rockets. A modified engine and turbocharger setup as well as a new propeller raised the type’s top speed to 473 mph. It saw limited but active service near the end of the war.
P-39Q
P-39Q is a late model of the Airacobra with service primarily with the Soviet Air Force. The armament was modified with the four .30cal guns removed and two additional .50cal guns fitted in their place (though these were also often removed). We don’t know the exact modification on offer but some were offered with a four bladed propeller and had improved performance.
FW189
FW189 is by far the most unique offering here. Produced from 1940 to 1944 by Focke Wulf, the aircraft was designed to be a battlefield recon aircraft and light bomber. Limited armament of two MG 17 machine guns firing forward and MG 15 machine gun in the flexible mount and up to 200kg of bombs. The FW189 was well used and 864 were produced. It’d be an interesting type to fly and another example of the series trying to offer a little bit of everything… its not another Bf109!
Korea gameplay and details
Meanwhile, some content creators like Enigma have been offered up a sneak peek at the latest for IL-2 Korea. The video includes some material sent over by 1C Game Studios showing what I had long hoped to see – a mission from beginning to end. This one shows off a bit of combat, start-up, takeoff, and a rough landing for dramatic effect.
Enigma reveals some information through a series of questions that he asked. We now know that B-29 formations working in multiplayer, mission creation utilities (plural) are being worked on including graphical options, there’s also interest depending on how strong things are looking for the new sim, to explore multiplayer career and dynamic campaign experiences. Interesting. Give the whole video a watch to get the rest of the information!
There was also talk about future efforts with him quoting the developers in saying that Pacific content is one idea but a return to the Eastern Front or even World War I content in the new engine are possibilities.
IL-2 Series comes to Steam
Korea. IL-2 Series is officially listed on the Steam store complete with overview, featureset, and Q2 anticipated release date.
Check it out here for more info.
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