17.04.2009, 02:06
Alright, I know the Phantom's a bit out of IL-2's time, but still, I personally love the F4 and would love to fly one in IL-2. Excuse the lack of images... my main focus was on the next section. Sadly, I couldn't find many good pictures of the XB-35, anyway.
The main thing, however, is the XB-35. An awesome, quad-coax prop flying wing bomber designed by Northrop, the XB-35 had a stunning wingspan of 172 feet and 21 .50 cal Browning machine guns for defense but due to its government-fashioned gearboxes, the coaxial props caused vibrations that would ultimately prove fatal to the XB-35 program. It's likely that had Northrop been allowed to design its own gearboxes the program would've been a success but alas, this big bird never made it past experimental stage. The later models were fitted with jet engines (YB-49s. These might be worth looking into, but in my opinion they're uglier and not quite as powerful looking.) - this design would eventually become the B-2 Spirit we all know and love today. However, the entire program (all 13 prototypes) was scrapped in favor of the B-37 program.
I doubt any existing aircraft's flight model would really suit the XB-35, so it could take a while to develop a good version... but it'd be worth it.
Also, I've been toying with the idea of simple ground based vehicles using custom flight models that cannot take flight, but rather have toughened suspension and more weight so they don't break while bouncing around off-roading. With some effort, we could recreate full-scale battles with IL2, with player-controlled air, sea, and ground forces all pitching in to kick everybody's ass. How awesome would that be?
The main thing, however, is the XB-35. An awesome, quad-coax prop flying wing bomber designed by Northrop, the XB-35 had a stunning wingspan of 172 feet and 21 .50 cal Browning machine guns for defense but due to its government-fashioned gearboxes, the coaxial props caused vibrations that would ultimately prove fatal to the XB-35 program. It's likely that had Northrop been allowed to design its own gearboxes the program would've been a success but alas, this big bird never made it past experimental stage. The later models were fitted with jet engines (YB-49s. These might be worth looking into, but in my opinion they're uglier and not quite as powerful looking.) - this design would eventually become the B-2 Spirit we all know and love today. However, the entire program (all 13 prototypes) was scrapped in favor of the B-37 program.
I doubt any existing aircraft's flight model would really suit the XB-35, so it could take a while to develop a good version... but it'd be worth it.
Also, I've been toying with the idea of simple ground based vehicles using custom flight models that cannot take flight, but rather have toughened suspension and more weight so they don't break while bouncing around off-roading. With some effort, we could recreate full-scale battles with IL2, with player-controlled air, sea, and ground forces all pitching in to kick everybody's ass. How awesome would that be?