Fly with the Russians on the Eastern Front.

• Author: Silbergeld, David L.L.
• Position: Digital Marketplace

Move over, Combat Flight Simulator, for what may very well be the best World War II flight sim to be published.

The backdrop is the Eastern Front--Germans vs. Russians. The Il-2 Sturmovik, known as "the Flying Tank," was not a real thing of visual beauty, but one brute of an aircraft that was feared by its enemies.

Built to provide ground support--read that as tactical air support-it was Russia's answer to the German Stuka. The scope of this sim not only includes many unique Russian aircraft, but also most of the best-known German fighters and bombers, including the Me-262 and He-162 jets. Both the air war and ground action are included. You can choose from 31 different aircraft, in addition to another 41 different models in action.

The developer's obsession with detail is everywhere--cockpits, skins, damage modeling, terrain, voice chatter, lightning, rain, stuttering engines, wheel smoke on landing, ship and torpedo wakes. Every control surface that could function actually does, right down to the rudder pedals and trim controls.

Did we mention sound? How about rain on the wings of the aircraft? Damaged-engine noise and changes in propeller pitch can be heard. The AI (Artificial Intelligence) wingman is very smart, allowing a single player to command up to 16 aircraft.

When you're up to your ears in cockpit tension, move to the sidelines and watch other combatants fighting it out in real-time. You can even record events for later viewing and "lessons-learned" category. Weather options--fog, rain, lightening and snow--are included combined with day and night visuals.

When you get tired of flying, switch places with the IL-2's rear gunner. Icons provide identification of friends and foes. But if you really want a challenge, turn off the icons and see how you do visually.

You get shot at with flak bursts from rolling trains. Ostensibly, they are your targets, but they don't seem to be im-pressed by that. The anti-aircraft fire has realistic (and possibly battle damaging) flak. If you get hit, that hole will create drag and affect your flight capabilities. Tracer cannon fire will leave a trail of smoke, and other aircraft will leave contrails during high-altitude dogfights.

There are no "gimmies" in this sim. You only hit what you actually hit, based on ballistics. The best part is seeing the other pilot's canopy flying off and him bailing out. Details are similar for ground hits.

Single-player campaigns span your flying history as a pilot...